Customer Reviews

Giuseppe Verdi: La Forza Del Destino [1958 RCA Recording Reissued on Great Opera Performances] [Zinka Milanov, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Leonard Warren, Rosalind Elias, Giorgio Tozzi, Dino Mantovani; Orchestra and Chorus of the Accademia Di Santa Cecilia; Fernando Previtali] and Live Highlights From "Manon Lescaut," "La Boheme," and "Tosca" with Giuseppe Di Stefano and Renata Tebaldi in 1954 and 1958.

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Before I start the review I have to tell you ,thatI bought the recording of La Forza del Destino on 4 RCA Victor LSC- 6406 in 959 as soon as it was available.After listening to it several times I loved it very much despite having small reservations.I was quite
Disappointed that the reviews of the recording was not very favorable.I knew that Milanov at the time of the recording was 52 years old and perhaps not at her best.; that di Stefano was miscast because the role of Don Alvaro was to demanding for his lyric tenor,and Warren some what past his prime.
Not being totally convinced ,I started reevaluate other complete recordings in my library,notably With Callas on Angel/ EMi ,Tebaldi
On London/Decca and other lesser known recordings.I came to conclusion that the critics were unfair. In their judgement.
First:Zinka Milanov ,despite her age is still in excellent velvety voice,sounding very beautifully.Her breath control is amazing when you listen to her Act 2 aria "Son giant! Grazie ,o Dio," or to her singing in" La Vergine degli angeli"is masterful ,beautifully controlled
Pianisimos of georges sound..In Act 3 Her "Pace,pace,mio Dio! Is full of grandeur majesty and tremendous power.I never heard any other soprano singing this aria with such precision and beauty.
Second: Giuseppe di Stefano as Don Alvaro is singing the role not really suitable to his voice.Yet the result is excellent His voice
Despite being little strain on top is clear ,well controlled and occasionally brilliant .His ringing voice sounds beautiful in the duets with Leonard Warren.
There is no problem with Leonard Warren singing the role of Don Carlo .To my taste ,his voice is very rich in sound ,very firm and extremely beautiful and effortless on top notes.No other baritone could sing this music so beautifully as Leonqrd Warren.
Giorgio Tozzi ,has a well controlled voice and also rich in sound .His interpretation of his aria "Il Santo nome" Is majestic.The remaining cast is in excellent hands.The conductor Fernando previtali leads the Orchestra e Coro Dell Accademia di Santa Cecilia
With a firm hand and loving care.
On the third disc is a bonus of arias and duets from Puccini operas sung very beautifully by Renata Tebaldi and Giuseppe di Stefano.
The 1958 stereo ,newly remastered is in good listenable sound and is very enjoyable
Why then 5 stars. ?,when there is a problem with some singers.?First of all ,to find today a suitable tenor for the role of Don Alvaro ,would not be a problem at all.There are good tenors capable to do a good job today.The same could be said about the
Mezzo sopranos; But it would be impossible to cast an adequate Gioconda and Barnaba for those demanding roles and to be able
To sing as Zinka Milanov and Leonard Warren.
Therefore this recording is still one of the best performances for our time.
I recommend it to every music enthusiast who loves great singing as the firstbchoice. As an alternate I Recommend the live
Performance from Naples Italy ,1968 issued on DVD (if you can still find it?) on Italian import Hardy Classics Video in a good sound and with a great cast of Renata Tebaldi ,Franco Coreli ,Boris Christoff ,Ettore Bastianini cond. By Francesco Molinari- Pradelli.


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