Customer Reviews

Sings Bellini & Verdi Arias

5 star:		(2)
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Granted, she may not have the dramatic fire and insight of Maria Callas, but she does possess what may arguably be the most beautiful soprano voice of the past 50 years. These recordings represent Caballe at her peak -- early 1970's -- and proves that her technical control was indeed a thing of wonder. Listen to Lady Macbeth's sleepwalking scene; this could very well be the best-sung version on record. Not to mention the gorgeous pianissimo high C at the end of "O Patria Mia." A valuable recording for fans of Caballe and of fine singing.

Everything the first reviewer said is true. If there is any doubt in your mind that Montserrat Caballe possessed the most beautiful voice in the world during the period of 1965-1975, listen to this EMI issue. To take it another step, cuts 4, 5, and 6 on this CD were taken from a 1980 I Puritani (conducted by Manuguerra). Disproving all the rumors and predictions of her vocal demise in the late 1970s, Madame's voice is in primo condition, and her 1980 Elvira is beyond superb.

Look at the playlist to see what you are getting. It isn't vast, but there is more than an hour of great stuff from Bellini and Verdi here.

This is a digitally remastered product of 1988. Good job, because the fidelity is most satisfying--true, balanced and completely nuanced. This is true even for the material from 1970.

You can't go wrong with this purchase.