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28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
SUPERIOR RECORDING OF CLASSIC TRAGEDY., June 28, 2000
This review is from: Puccini - Madama Butterfly / Scotto, Bergonzi, Panerai, Di Stasio, Opera di Roma, Barbirolli (Audio CD)
While adoring TOSCA and LA BOHEME for many years, I could never warm to MADAMA BUTTERFLY. But after purchasing this recording, I discovered that the fault may not have been all mine. The Maria Callas version may be fine on its own merits, but this Renata Scotto interpretation simply soars. Conductor Barbirolli has breathed stunning life into this vivid, pulsing work and, with Scotto's heartbreaking soprano, created a definitive version of Puccini's time-honored classic. The recording quality is crisp and brilliant; the entire cast superb. A worthy addition to a classical library which may already have several other versions.
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24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yes, absolutely, the greatest Butterfly., December 10, 1999
This review is from: Puccini - Madama Butterfly / Scotto, Bergonzi, Panerai, Di Stasio, Opera di Roma, Barbirolli (Audio CD)
This recording has classic status and wins hands down over the stiff competition. Renata Scotto, a natural Lucia, perhaps was not meant by nature to sing Cio-Cio-San, but by sheer artistry and genius, she makes the role her own, like no other soprano in the Century. Hers is a deeply felt, throughly understood portrayal. The suicide is almost unbearable, it has to be heard to be believed! This is one of the most poignant interpretations ever caught on records. Period. And how lucky she was in having Carlo Bergonzi and Rolando Panerai as her partners, this casting was made in Heaven. And of course, there is the peerless conducting of Sir John Barbirolli, so loving, so passionate. I rate this recording as one of the three greatest Puccini recordings ever, the other 2 being of course, the Callas/Di Stefano/Gobbi/ De Sabata Tosca, and the Beecham La Boheme. It would be utterly ridiculous NOT to own this gem.
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20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Heart Breaking!, January 25, 2000
This review is from: Puccini - Madama Butterfly / Scotto, Bergonzi, Panerai, Di Stasio, Opera di Roma, Barbirolli (Audio CD)
I have never been so moved. I have many fine recordings of Butterfly -- Tebaldi, Price, De Los Angelis -- yet none have moved me as this one. They all have their fine points, and moving parts that bring one to tears, but this recording is so much more than the occasional fine moment. This is a Soprano Opera, and even with the nice love duet with the tenor, or the flower duet, or the presenting of Pinkerton's letter by the US console, Sharpless -- all wonderful moments -- the real star is the soprano. This is a very heavy opera for the voice, and I agree this is not a good choice for Scotto's light instrument, that is if vocal longevity is to be considered. It is a real challenge to be a young girl ( I think Butterfly is supposed to be 15 ) in love with a foreigner, then a mother, then abandoned. Each singer has a strong part and a week part to this characterization -- that is except Scotto, for she masters all aspects of the character. As is her trade mark, the dramatic and personal truth of the character pours out in every note. The end of the opera leaves one not only in tears, but simply limp from emotional distress. If you can only afford one opera this year, buy this one; you won't go wrong.
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