Verdi - Simon Boccanegra / Freni, Cappuccilli, Carreras, Ghiaurov, van Dam, Foiani, Teatro alla Scala, Abbado

Giuseppe Verdi (Artist), Claudio Abbado (Artist), Mirella Freni (Artist), José Carreras (Artist), Orchestra e Coro del Teatro alla Scala (Artist), Piero Cappuccilli (Artist), Nicolai Ghiaurov (Artist), José van Dam (Artist), Giovanni Foiani (Artist), Maria Fausta Gallamini (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 27, 1998)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GXJ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (31 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #18,651 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #7 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Freni, Mirella
  • #56 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Operettas
  • #89 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A true standard, March 6, 2001

By 

Jim Player (Rochester, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi - Simon Boccanegra / Freni, Cappuccilli, Carreras, Ghiaurov, van Dam, Foiani, Teatro alla Scala, Abbado (Audio CD)

This recording is without a doubt DG's crowning achievement in their long association with La Scala. Are there relly any weaknesses? Cappuccilli has been rightly criticized for his lack of vocal coloring, but few baritones have understood Verdi as well as he, and he shows himself to be a master of the text. Freni is superb as Amelia, Ghiaurov and Van Dam wonderful as Fiesco and Paolo, and even Fioani shines in the character role of Pietro. Anyone who hasn't heard Carreras before his illness in the late 80's should listen to this to see what all the fuss was about...here he is in his his absolute prime:golden voiced, full of youth and ardor with a ringing top. All this led by the great Abaddo in glorious sound! This is surely one of the greatest and most consistant Verdi recordings to date!

38 of 41 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A True Verdi Masterpiece, May 29, 2004

By 

Timothy Kearney (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Verdi - Simon Boccanegra / Freni, Cappuccilli, Carreras, Ghiaurov, van Dam, Foiani, Teatro alla Scala, Abbado (Audio CD)

Ask ardent Verdi fans to name their five favorite Verdi operas, it is likely that SIMON BOCCANEGRA will be on the list. This opera contains some of Verdi's most beautiful music which is able to convey the drama of this great work. Sadly, the work is somewhat unknown. There are no show stopping arias, well known choruses, and the duets rarely are recorded or performed outside of the opera itself. The work was a failure at its premiere, and was later revised by Verdi and the great librettist/composer Arrigo Boito. The revival was somewhat successful, but the opera did not endear itself to audiences. Unfortunately, the opera is not performed as often as it probably deserves, except at major opera houses such as The Metropolitan Opera in New York where it is staged on occasion.

The plot of the opera is grand in scope, and there are some empty spots in the libretto which does not help the work. The story contains political intrigue in fourteenth century Genoa, conflicts in love, and tangled familial relationships. While the plot may be complicated (though not convoluted as is the case of so many operas), the characters are perhaps the most compelling in all of Verdi's opera. The title character is powerful, yet flawed, and his tenderness is evident when he discovers that he has a long lost daughter Amelia. Fiesco, Boccanegra's sometimes enemy has the kindness and wisdom that come with age, though he likewise has his flaws. Gabriele, Amelia's love interest and Boccanegra's young political rival, is young and impetuous, but has personal insight which keeps him from becoming a tragic hero. Some would argue that the Verdi, who is known for his portrayal of fathers, is at his best with Boccanegra when he discovers his daughter Amelia.

Unlike Verdi's better known operas, there is not a plethora of studio recordings of this work, but this recording under the direction of Claudio Abbado sets a high standard that would be difficult to emulate, speak less of surpassing. Each principal performer; Piero Cappuccilli as Boccanegra, Mirella Freni as Amelia, Nicolai Ghiuarov as Fiesco, Jose Carreras as Gabriele, and Jose van Dam as Paulo are in their vocal prime and are able to create the dramatic intensity through their voices that make this opera a masterpiece. The opera was recorded in conjunction with a mid-1970's production at Teatro alla Scala in Milan which gives this recording the benefit of the authenticity of a live performance and the perfection of a studio recording.

I may never see this opera performed on stage, but when I listen to this recording, I am transported to an opera house due to the dramatic power and sheer energy of this recording. Since its re-release, it is now a mid-priced recording, which makes it even more of a bargain.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unbelievable!, March 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Verdi - Simon Boccanegra / Freni, Cappuccilli, Carreras, Ghiaurov, van Dam, Foiani, Teatro alla Scala, Abbado (Audio CD)

This is a recording any lover of Verdi or of all-around opera must have. After the 1881 revisions, this opera ranks among the best of Verdi's mature works, and contains some of his greatest ensembles. Claudio Abbado's interpretation is superlative, combining high drama with great beauty. His tempi are chosen perfectly, and he shapes the music in a way that only the best Verdi conductors can do. Cappuccilli is an outstanding Doge, with a brilliant range of tone and fantastic majesty in the Council Chamber Scene - indeed, he portrays Simon's emotions at every point in the opera with perfect clarity and dramatic creativity - and this is added to a beautiful, golden baritone voice. Mirella Freni is a touching Amelia/Maria, bringing out the emotions of this character vividly. José Carreras is terrific as Gabriele, Nicolai Ghiaurov is a perfect Fiesco, and José van Dam is a chillingly sinister Paolo. Masterful chorus work and superb playing from the La Scala forces. (I think I'm going to run out of adjectives soon!) The packaging is attractive and the sound is brilliantly clear. In addition, this set is at mid-price, making it highly affordable. If you have this, great! If you don't ... get it! Now!