Puccini Discoveries [Import]

Alberto Mastromarino (Performer), Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Pio Carlo Nevi (Composer), Riccardo Chailly (Conductor), Giuseppe Verdi Orchestra (Orchestra), Giuseppe Verdi Symphony Orchestra of Milan (Orchestra), Roberto de Thierry (Performer), Chiara Taigi (Performer), Joseph Calleja (Performer), Carlo Bosi (Performer), Mario Luperi (Performer), Eva Urbanova (Performer), Dario Volonté (Performer), Bülent Bezdüz (Performer), Domenico Balzani (Performer), Maria Fontosh (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Alberto Mastromarino, Roberto de Thierry, Chiara Taigi, Joseph Calleja, Carlo Bosi, et al.
• Orchestra: Giuseppe Verdi Orchestra, Giuseppe Verdi Symphony Orchestra of Milan
• Conductor: Riccardo Chailly
• Composer: Giacomo Puccini, Pio Carlo Nevi
• Audio CD (April 13, 2004)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Decca Import
• ASIN: B00013UKME
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #254,727 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great historical value, November 9, 2004

By 

Patrick Maschka "OperaGeek" (Englewood, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Puccini Discoveries (Audio CD)

This is a very enjoyable and important collection of generally lesser known Puccini works. The conducting and performances are mostly excellent. For the historically curious, the liner notes provide chronological summaries of the the music, giving details of each piece. These notes would be much more useful if the recording actually followed the same sequence! For some strange reason, the compositions are programmed in random order, except for the first and the last. That puzzlement alone is my reason for four stars. Otherwise, wonderful.

5 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Some inspiring moments., May 10, 2004

By 

OperaOnline.us "OperaOnline.us" (Boston, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Puccini Discoveries (Audio CD)

To appreciate Puccini, the production notes tell us, you should know the full Puccini, and this compilation of never before heard and/or little known compositions cover the gamut, from orchestral works to choral pieces, to songs and band music, the latter of which I found least enjoyable, but still interesting. However, taken as a whole, this is a worthwhile addition to one's library. The orchestral pieces, perhaps, are the most enjoyable, reflecting my own bias for the rich sounds and emotional resonance that a full orchestra can emote. You will likely enjoy tracks 1-4. These can be enjoyed standing along as most orchestral works can. However, that is to take nothing away from the truly fine singing and orchestral work when combined in one package such as is done in track 4, where tenor Joseph Calleja, teams with the orchestra (Orchestra Sinfonica de Milano Giuseppe Verdi) ) and full chorus (the Coro de Milano Giuseppe Verdi) in "Cantata `Cessato il suon dell'armi". The result is a rousing blend of solo singing, clear performance and powerful interconnected accompaniment by chorus and orchestra. Some selections make you want to sit and listen and meditate as tracks 8 -12 with kudos to soprano Chiara Taiga in track 9, and the reverence displayed in the composition of track 10's "Adagetto", and very Verdi like Requiem connection in track 11's "Requiem"; other tracks make you feel like working around the house, or in my case, writing a review, with the cats outside and CD on full blast. The CD contains eight truly wonderful world premieres, including the Berio "Turandot" Finale (which I found annoying) and my favorite the moody, flowing "Adagetto". DECCA hit a home run with this one!