Customer Reviews

Puccini: Turandot

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

 

 

I stumbled across this recording in [the store], and for the broke opera lover I am, I figured it was worth a whirl.

There aren't any noteworthy names in this Turandot, which I found to be rather disappointing, but taken on its own, for [$$]it didn't disappoint! Liu's voice conveyed every ounce of innocence and raw passion she has for Calef far better than I've previously heard. Calef is adequate enough, although his Nessun Dorma was rather disappointing. Turandot was incredible, taken on her own, but I know that I won't be the only one who can't help but compare her to Callas or Sutherland. Ping, Pang, and Pong are probably the most delightful trio I've heard or seen in any recording or production.

The most rewarding quality to this recording seems to be the orchestra and chorus of Romanian Radio-Television under the direction of Carol Litvin. They are perfectly in sync with one another, and carry the brutality of a people living under the bloody reign of Turandot. The moods are intense and leave you holding your breath, waiting for the next measure. The sound quality is impeccable, especially given the fact it was recorded in 1970; its digital re-master from the original analog tapes was incredibly well-done.

All-in-all, you could very well do worse, and this recording made for a delightful find and addition to my CD collection. Running time 78:48 minutes and 40:23 minutes on Discs 1 and 2, respectively, VoxBox records.

Having been so impressed with Slatinaru's Leonara in Forza,I am thrilled to have acquired her Turandot from 1970 and most of the Forza team.
Having read the review by " A Customer", I note that he said that it contained no singer of note. Having done research, Slatinaru, Spiess, and Florei,sang in all the major houses world wide in particular Slatinaru. How could the normal buyer know of them when they were so sparcely recorded and only in Romania. What is it with the Major Labels ? For example some sopranos who could not hold a candle to Slatinaru are extensively recorded.
I agree with him on most of his assessments, but I cannot in respect of Liu. I know she should be a Lyric, but her voice is too small, when I think of Ricciarelli, Freni, or Caballe although she progressed to Turandot
I compared Slatinaru's In Questa Reggia against those of Sutherland, Nillson, Borkh, and Callas,and she is equal to any, in fact I prefer her to some.
Spiess is an acquired taste, but he is up to most of the demands. Again I agree with the other reviewer on Nessun Dorma. It is taken at a very slow tempo, and for a big voice the Top B is thinnish.
Florei is tops as Timur and the three Ministers are fantastic. Orchestra and Chorus under Litvin also deserve full marks.
Despite my reservations about Liu and to a lesser extent Calaf,-----5 Stars.