Customer Reviews

Tosca:Corelli,Gordoni, D'Orazi, Morelli

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

 

 

An extreme example of throwing away the score, indulgent tempi and holding onto to notes for what Callas called "easy applause" But Franco how the Parma audience loves you! I have to admit I do to and I forgive you everything.

Perhaps this is not a landmark performance of Tosca but it must be the most exciting and thrilling reading of Cavaradossi ever. Corelli's star is absolutely ascendant. Other reviewers might go into more detail about the pros and cons of the whole performance and the other leads but I was just so exhilarated by Corelli that I must give it 5 stars.

I actually bought my copy as a download directly from the Bel Canto Society website. Buy it here, buy it there but buy it somewhere.

It's tough to review such a performance. On the one hand we have Corelli at his best, and then... some other singers. I say it this way because this Tosca is all about Corelli. The fact that it's a live recording makes it even more obvious. The Parma crowd kind of applauds "Vissi d'Arte", but goes into a frenzi after "E Lucevan le stelle"....a frenzi that lasts a good five minutes. In summary all Corelli's high notes are cheered loudly and not just after arias.

To a tenor buff, such as myself, this recording is perfection. After a while, I found myself timing his high notes (yes you do that after listening to this recording more than I care to count). Something like 12 seconds on "Vittoria", and over 20 seconds on "discoglia" in E lucevan le stelle. But all in all, every word uttered by Corelli that night was exciting (to say the least).

It's not easy to remember who else sang what. I guess that's a good definition of stealing the show. Gordoni and D'Orazi do an ok job (it's all relative, you know), but nothing to be remembered. Who can judge the conductor for letting Corelli fly off tempi, and off anything else "decent"(?). If it wasn't for the tenor, that night would be long forgotten. In summary the "supporting" cast (yes, by that I mean Tosca, Scarpia, and the conductor) does nothing to make the night more special, but does not ruin it either. Also, audio quality cannot be rated above acceptable, but ok for a live recording in the 60's.

All in all, Highly recommended recording. Yes, buy it just for Corelli but beware. Corelli is great, but Corelli is addictive. Corelli raises your expectations way too high, and there are no Corelli's out there. You can't but be disappointed after that.