Customer Reviews

Rossini - Ricciardo e Zoraide / Matteuzzi · Miricioiu · B. Ford · D. Jones · A. Miles · Nilon · Parry

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

 

 

I agree with a previous reviewer that Matteuzzi may be less than a desirable tenor on a recording. He often sounds as if he has not cleared his throat before singing (or would like to during his singing). However, the opera itself, the recording, and the combination of Miricioiu, Jones and Ford make up for Matteuzzi's shortcomings. (As an aside, I wonder what Matteuzzi has going for him, as I find him hired to work on a lot of bel canto operas). Do not let his singing stop you from enjoying forgotten works but remember that one should be cautious if you see "bel canto" and "Matteuzzi" in the same sentence. Matteuzzi notwithstanding, Ricciardo e Zoraide contains some beautiful music and singing which you will defintiely enjoy!

William Mateuzzi is a fine lyric tenor. He sings with exquisite taste, and if you follow along with the libretto, you will appreciate his good diction. He reminds me of the great Tito Schipa. Nelly Mirciou will remind you of Maria Callas. Her voice is similar, except Nelly does not have the technical problems that Callas had. I didn't realize what a good opera this is until I played it a few times. Although I have a fairly big collection of operas, this has become one of my favorites.

William Matteuzi has now developed into the worst leading tenor on records. He is excrable. But don't let that put you off from this set. Rossini usually provided a number of lead tenor parts. In this case we have Bruce Ford as the other lead tenor. Ford is merely sensational. No Rossinian will want to be without this recording. His entrance aria is just fab.

If you have one of those new programable players maybe you can program Matteutzi right out of the opera.