Joan Sutherland sings Donizetti & Rossini

Gaetano Donizetti (Artist), Giacomo Rossini (Artist), Joan Sutherland (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 1, 1997)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Gala
• ASIN: B000001XM8
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #434,200 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #63 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Sutherland, Joan

Track Listings

1. Zemire und Azor, opera, WoO 52: Rose Softly Blooming

2. La fioraia fiorentina, for soprano & piano (Péchés de vieillesse, book 1), QR iv/5

3. Emilia di Liverpool, opera: Confusa è l'alma mia

4. Emilia di Liverpool, opera: Non intende il mio contento

5. Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), opera, K. 620: O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn!

6. Die Zauberflöte (The Magic Flute), opera, K. 620: Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen

7. Lucia di Lammermoor, opera: Ancor non giunse ... Regnava nel silenzio ... Quando rapita in estasi

8. Alcina, opera, HWV 34: Ah! Ruggiero crudel, tu non mi anasti! ... Ombre palide

9. I Puritani, opera: Son vergin vezzosa

10. La Traviata, opera: 'È strano! ... Ah, fors'e lui ... Sempre libera

11. Lucia di Lammermoor, opera: Il dolce suono ... Ardon gli incensi ... Spargi d'amaro pianto

12. Lucia di Lammermoor, opera: Spargi d'amore pianto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is essential Sutherland!, December 11, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Joan Sutherland sings Donizetti & Rossini (Audio CD)

This unimposing little disc captures some priceless Sutherland singing. Although the selections from "Emelia di Liverpool" and the Fountain Scene from "Lucia" are only parts of available complete performances, the other items are well worth the duplication. A little known fact is that just before the 1962 concert recorded here, Sutherland injured her back and each breath brought her great pain. Listening to the concert with that knowledge makes the already impressive singing astounding. The conductor rushes the proceedings a little, so musically it isn't as satisfying, but when one knows the reason why it only confirms Sutherland's reputation as a real trooper. Also included on this disc are three rare items recorded in 1958 for a small English label. Sutherland is accompanied on the piano by her husband, Richard Bonynge. As far as I've seen, these performances are currently available nowhere else, which is justification enough for owning the disc if you're a Sutherland fan. The sound on this disc never matches studio quality, but in this age of "historical" performances that's a minor consideration. This isn't necessarily something for the Sutherland neophyte to cut their teeth on, but stupendous singing is to be had here in abundance and considering the price there's really no excuse for not making this disc a part of one's collection.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing coloratura...Bravissima, August 14, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Joan Sutherland sings Donizetti & Rossini (Audio CD)

These are LIVE recordings of prime Sutheland. She is simply spectacular in the selections here. In my opinion, Sutherland is much better LIVE than in studio recordings, and this set proves it. She sings the most difficult arias in all of opera here, and she is simply flawless. I think that Donizetti and Bellini would have been very pleased with her!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is GREAT**************, February 17, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Joan Sutherland sings Donizetti & Rossini (Audio CD)

La Stupenda is so great here that you really have to hear it to believe it. And unlike her studio recordings, she does not hold back here ( she has wagnerian high notes that shatter studio microphones ). She attacks all the very high notes with amazing precision. And her voice here is fresh, and full of brilliant vibrato. If you think La Stupenda's accomplishments in the recording studio is spectacular, well, you ain't heard nothing yet until you hear this one. THIS IS A MUST HAVE!!