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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding collection of Caballe at her best, June 27, 2002
This review is from: Rossini & Verdi Rarities (Audio CD)
Along with the CD "Montserrat Caballe Sings Bellini and Donizetti," this 2-disc set is an absolute necessity for fans of the esteemed soprano, or anyone who appreciates the soprano voice. This has to be one of the greatest recital albums ever produced. First of all, Caballe takes these rarely heard bel canto arias and manages to turn even the most turgid of them into something worthy of endless listening. Her technique is legendary so I do not need to extoll that. And that this was recorded when her voice was at its prime only adds to the attraction of this album. Caballe is perhaps nowhere better than she is in the Rossini excerpts, which show off the amazing flexibility and richness of her voice. The arias from "Armida," "La Dona del Lago," and "Tancredi," are simply perfect. She is supported by the equally excellent Carlo Felice Cillario, who is a masterful conductor of the bel canto repertoire. Kudos also go to the RCA Italiana Orchestra and its estimable chorus (which adds so much to the "Armida" and "La Dona del Lago" arias), each of which is superb. Donizetti is perhaps not quite as compelling, but nevertheless Caballe is masterful--particularly affecting in the slow section of "Torquato Tasso" and "Gemma di Vergy." The mechanics of the recording get a bit abrasive at times in these pieces, but that is such a minor quibble. With the Verdi, Caballe turns some less-than-stellar material into show-stopping displays. Particularly exciting are the arias from "I Lombardi" and "I due Foscari." But the crown jewel of the Verdi section is Mina's aria from "Aroldo" which turns out to be a clinic in early Verdi singing (and the bel canto in general). It is a technical masterpiece, and shows Caballe to have a superior command of coloratura that makes one almost dizzy (even if the tempo is a bit ponderous). This set is a must-have for fans of Caballe or of opera in general. It holds academic interest for those who want to hear what is no longer standard repertory in the opera house. But it also is for fans of simply beautiful singing. A classic.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Amazing!, January 3, 2002
This review is from: Rossini & Verdi Rarities (Audio CD)
I have owned this recording for quite awhile, and it never strays too far from my CD player -- a truly astounding compilation. Some of these pieces are less "rare" than others -- "Tanti affetti" from La Donna del Lago is probably the most familiar (my only quibble with the entire recording is some ornamentation on this aria that is not pleasing to my ear - but this is minor). The most jaw-dropping entry is "Egli non riede ancora...non so le tetre immagini" from Il Corsaro, an achingly beautiful performance of a splendid aria I had never heard before. I highly recommend this recording: whether you are a Caballe fan or not (and if not why not?!), this is a "must have."
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Welcome to the Caballe school of singing!, March 7, 2004
This review is from: Rossini & Verdi Rarities (Audio CD)
If you want proof that Montserrat Caballe is a vocal miracle don't buy this cd at once, but get a very late recording or attend one of her last recitals first. Afterwards, listen to this early recital. There are only few voices in the world that have aged so graciously. Granted, you won't hear the radiant voice of the young Caballe any more but the perfect production of sound and phaenomenal breathing technique have, and I suppose will never abandon her! She truly has created a school of singing! Now regarding this particular recital, it indisputably ranks among her best recitals. Each "rarity" has something different to offer. In Rossini, Caballe mostly displays her coloratura ability which was not in the same league as Sills', Callas' or Sutherland's but had a magic of its own. One never expects such agilty from such a firm and full voice. The Tancredi extract is my favourite. In Donizetti, Caballe truly reigns! If only she'd recorded these operas completely. I've always found her sound perfectly suited to roles of wifes, mothers and aristocratic ladies in general. The operas chosen here deal with marrital problems and Caballe is the definition of the Donizzeti roles she sings here! My favs are the Parisina and Torquato Tasso moments. Comparing her and the lighter sopranos who nowadays perform these operas makes one realise that high notes are not the issue here. The full, sumptuous sound of a Monsterrat is what these operas need! Early Verdi has a lot in common with bel canto and Caballe is again sublime! The Un Giorno extract stands out. It's breathtakingly perfect! Caballe finds meaning in every phrase she sings. But all other tracks are unforgettable as well. Needless to say that the voice at this moment of her carreer was at its best! This double cd will always have a special place in my opera collection and my heart!
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