Customer Reviews

Puccini: Madama Butterfly [Hybrid SACD]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

If your stereo system is sophisticated enough to reveal the differences between CD issues of performances and the SACD reissues of the same material, and if you love Leontyne Price's early performances, then you should rush to get this. (There are 3 other Living Stereo operas now also available as SACDs: "Turandot," "La Boheme," and "La Traviata." These are also perfectly gorgeous.) The improvement made by remastering this opera set (and the other three) brings the sound very, very close to that of really good vinyl - but without the surface noise, ticks, and pops.

This recording of Madama Butterfly is one of my all time favorites. It was one of the first records that I bought myself in the early 1970's. Since then I have acquired original 1963 LP pressings, UK-made LP's, the the original R2R tape, and the old CD issue, all in hopes of finding the best sounding edition. Up till now, the Reel-Reel tape was the best, apparently avoiding the some of the dull Dynagroove equalization that RCA imposed on this and most of its subsequent 1960's releases.

Now here is where the DSD/SACD mastering has proved its worth! This disc reveals a master recording of breadth and subtlety, the equal of any of the "Living Stereo" era recordings. The 3D soundstage is spacious, the orchestra warm and detailed, and the voices exquisitely clear and vivid. All of this is in a sound environment that is never forced or harsh. I think one can safely say that we have never truly heard this beautiful performance in all of its glory until now.

In previous releases that I have heard in this Living Stereo SACD series, I found the sound either to be a little flat compared to the original LP's, or somewhat aggressive and "in-your-face" in a way that the magnificent "Living Stereo" LP's never were. This issue is just the opposite. Compared to these magnificent CD's, the old LP and R2R versions still sound good, but a little flat, two-dimensional, and lacking in detail compared to the SACD. Maybe the RCA/BMG SACD series has found its real value in revealing the true beauty of "Dynagroove"-era recordings that RCA previously offered only in over-equalized versions. I hope to see many more on SACD, including the best recordings that Leinsdorf made with the Boston Symphony. An SACD of the Leinsdorf/Boston "Lohengrin" is something to truly dream for.

Don't hesitate to buy this disc. The sumptious and heart-felt performances of Price and Tucker along with the flexible idiomatic orchestral performance have long made this a classic. Now we can hear it on CD in all its magnificence. For those who don't have SACD capability, the CD layer is also derived from the new DSD master and is very fine, well worth the reasonable price.

The packaging is bare-bones, with links to an online libretto for downloading. The booklet does reprint the original 1962 notes; but there are no photos or new notes regarding the artists, recording, or the remastering. There is just a generic technical essay that is included in all of the SACD releases. Still, at this price, who's complaining? Highest recommendation!

Ok, I got this a while back. I loved it. the sound is incredible and the music, of course as well. Heres the problem. This is a two disc set. Disc one is labeled Act 1 and 2. Disc two is labeled continuation of act 2 and act 3. Disc one is supposed to be 60min and 45 sec. disc 2 is supposed to be 68 min and 44 sec. BOTH DISC ARE THE SAME!!! BOTH READ 60 MIN AND 45 SEC. EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE LABELED ONE AND TWO. THEY ARE THE SAME. I discovered this and sent it back and Amazon was great about replacing the disc. I just received the replacement and it's the same deal! Obviously, the problem goes back to the manufacture, so who do I call now? Beware if you get this and check it out when you receive it.

First off, I own the monaural set. So why purchase the set again? I had been doing much research on acquiring a new Madama Butterfly. After reading a positive review in Grammophone Magazine, I decided to make my purchase. I do not regret my decision in the least. In fact, I am ecstatic. What a revelation! Leontyne Price embraces Cio Cio San as the most loving tragic woman ever. I make no apologies to the Freni, Tebaldi,Callas, and Scotto fans; though,I do admit, all have particular flair for this character and I own each of their versions.

Wait to you hear this set. Puccini is smiling at this astonishing performance.

Yes, in this case surround sound/SACD does make a difference.

Just for comparison's sake, I played both sets side-by-side.........

it was as if I was playing two different opera versions of Butterfly. I can honestly say,

technology has brought this 1962 production into the 21st Century.

The music, played by the RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra under the baton of Erich Leinsdorf, is gorgeous.

This set is my new favorite Butterfly.

Believe me when I say........this set is a must have for all Puccini fans; for that matter, for all opera fans.

Highly recommend. CRS

I had the same problem as above. Both disk are disk one even though they are marked differetly....very disappointed in Amazon, especially since it appears they have had this problem before!

I received the correct discs; Discs 1 & 2 received AOK

(just in case we only read here about the defective sets with 2 of Disc 1; how many good sets vs those bad sets reported here).

- - And the sound is full and rich as described by other reviewers.

Only complaint I can come up with is the lack of libretto both with the cd case & online - the password in the booklet does not work on the website.

Leontyne Price shines as one of the greatest Butterflies in this 1962 recording, now re-mastered from the original 3 channel (left - center - right) master tapes to DSD on SACD keeping the original 3 channels. Ms. Price's performance is as complex as the character she portrays. But above all, her performance is passionate! She controls her beautiful instrument with amazing subtleties and can soar when needed sending chills up and down your spine. Richard Tucker is also quite good as well as the supporting cast. There are so many memorable moments in this recording. One in particular is the flower song in Act 2. Leontyne Price and Rosalind Elias sing so perfectly together they almost sound like one voice, it's extraordinary and moving. Erich Leinsdorf direction is superb and very dramatic. Finally we have a humming chorus that you can actually tell that they are humming and it is in perfect balance with the orchestra. In many other recordings the chorus is drowned out by the orchestra. The humming chorus has always been the most touching moment of all opera for me. It's night and everything is hope and joy for butterfly in anticipation of Pinkerton coming back after 3 years of waiting but yet with tinges if melancholy overshadowing it. It is so unbelievably beautiful. The recording, the first opera made in RCA's new Italiana Studio A in Rome, is excellent for 1962. The orchestra and singers are perfectly balanced. It is not plagued by distortion during the singer's forte passages like earlier opera recordings. Also, there is a smooth and more open yet detailed quality then earlier recordings such as the Moffo version from 1957 on RCA. In summary, this is one of the most passionate, beautiful, heartfelt and moving performances of this great opera ever. In this SACD version the sound is more clear than ever before, with more realism. The sound stage is more defined as well. This SACD 3 channel re-master is a must have no matter how many recordings you might have of this opera.

FYI - I did not have the problem of disc 2 being a duplicate of Disc 1.

Yes, I have the Karajan, the far better Barbirolli, and others, but this Butterfly is so involving with SACD sound and supurb performances! Don't hesitate! Get it and love it!

Amazing that this has been going on for years. I just ordered this and discovered what others have been reporting - disc 2 is a duplicate of disc 1. I reported it to Amazon and they promptly offered me a refund. BUT...they totally ignored my comments on removing all defective copies from their supply chain. I sent a followup and pressed them on that point, but have not heard back yet. It is sad that this problem could go on for so long.

I would have given this CD remastered a 6 out of 5 stars, if my CD 2 wasn't a duplicate of CD 1! I didn't bother to read all of the reviews before I purchased this set. I am such a fan of Leontyne Price and RCA Living stereo recordings that when I saw that a remastered Super Audio version was available...well, lets just say that I leaped before I looked. There is a previous review of this set that I did not read, in which the reviewer stated that his CD 2 was exactly like his CD 1. When he got his replacement, the same thing occurred. Well, it has now happened to me and I have no idea where to turn to get the real CD 2.

The real shame is that the sound is heavenly. The CDs will not play in a regular CD player. If you have a DVD player that is connected to your stereo system via fiber optic, or digital audio, you are in luck. It doesn't get any better. Well, it does if you have the real CD 2.