12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not recommended, February 29, 2008
This review is from: Il Matrimonio Segreto (Audio CD)
I confess that having bought this recording, I listened once and immediately took it to my local used CD store and sold it. Having only given it the one listen, I can't offer detailed reviews of the individual performances as I'd like, only an overall impression. I found the vocal ensemble undistinguished, the orchestral sound and conducting unremarkable at best. "Matrimonio" is a piece I know well; the score has tremendous charm and many beautiful and witty moments throughout. It does need a very strong ensemble equipped with pretty voices and solid technique, strong personalities, and theatrical flair. It doesn't survive a mediocre recorded performance well. I'm hopeful of finding a better version. (I haven't heard the Barenboim in decades, but I remember its being very well sung. The old EMI/Scala performance was lots of fun, but the opera is very heavily cut, and Stignani is just too old for Fidalma.)
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