Verdi: La Forza del Destino [Box set, Import]

Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Lamberto Gardelli (Conductor), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Antonio Zerbini (Performer), Bianca Maria Casoni (Performer), Carlo Bergonzi (Performer), Derek Hammond-Stroud (Performer), Florindo Andreolli (Performer), Geraint Evans (Performer), Martina Arroyo (Performer), Mila Cova (Performer), Piero Cappuccilli (Performer), Ruggero Raimondi (Performer), Virgilio Carbonari (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Antonio Zerbini, Bianca Maria Casoni, Carlo Bergonzi, Derek Hammond-Stroud, Florindo Andreolli, et al.
• Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Lamberto Gardelli
• Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
• Audio CD (October 5, 1999)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Box set, Import
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B00001SVLZ
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #394,428 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. La forza del destino: Sinfonia

2. La forza del destino: Act I: Buona notte, mia figlia (Leonora)

3. La forza del destino: Act I: Temea restasse qui fino a domani (Leonora)

4. La forza del destino: Act I: Me pellegrina ed orfana (Leonora)

5. La forza del destino: Act I: M'aiuti, signorina, piu presto andrem (Leonora)

6. La forza del destino: Act I: Ah, per sempre, o mio bell'angiol (Alvaro, Leonora)

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. La forza del destino: Act III - Scene One: Attenti al gioco

2. La forza del destino: Act III - Scene One: La vita e inferno all'infelice

3. La forza del destino: Act III - Scene One: O tu che in seno agli angeli (Alvaro)

4. La forza del destino: Act III - Scene One: Al tradimento (Carlo, Alvaro)

5. La forza del destino: Act III - Scene One: All' armi

6. La forza del destino: Act III - Scene Two: Arde la mischia - Piano ... qui posi...approntisi il mio letto (Alvaro, Carlo)

See all 19 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. La forza del destino: Act IV - Scene One: Fate la carita, e un ora che aspettiamo (Melitone)

2. La forza del destino: Act IV - Scene One: Auf Pazienza non v'ha che basti

3. La forza del destino: Act IV - Scene One: Del mondo i desinganni (Guardiano, Melitone)

4. La forza del destino: Act IV - Scene One: Giunge qualcun, aprite (Guardiano, Carlo, Melitone)

5. La forza del destino: Act IV - Scene One: Invano Alvaro ti celasti al mondo

6. La forza del destino: Act IV - Scene One: Le minaccie, i fieri accenti (Alvaro, Carlo)

See all 9 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A magical recording!, April 17, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Verdi: La Forza del Destino (Audio CD)

I can't believe no one has written a review of this gem of a recording! This has to be one of the best Verdi sets I've ever heard. "La Forza del Destino" is a product of Verdi's mature period, which I think has given us his finest work. "Forza" is not quite in the class of such masterpieces as "Don Carlo" and "Simon Boccanegra," but it is very, very close - and my appreciation for this opera has increased dramatically since I heard this 1969 recording. First of all, Gardelli's conducting is superb - dramatic, lyrical, passionate ... he is not a very famous conductor but he is grossly underrated. He draws gorgeous playing from the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and the Ambrosian Opera Chorus's rich, majestic sound is perfect for this opera. The principals, however, are what really makes this a set to remember. All four produce floods of such glorious sound that the listener feels that if they aren't careful, they'll get washed away! Arroyo is at her finest here, producing gorgeous tone and effortlessly soaring up the sometimes dizzying heights of Verdi's melodies. Bergonzi is not on such fine form as he was for, say, Karajan's "Cavalleria Rusticana" (his vibrato is a bit more intrusive here), but he has such feeling for Verdi's music, such good diction and such a wonderful voice that you can forgive his vibrato. Cappuccilli sings with gigantic, golden, burnished tone and though he may not be intensely involved dramatically, his voice conveys every single ounce of drama to be found in the role of Don Carlo. Ruggero Raimondi sings richly and majestically, with a voice perfectly suited for the magesterial Padre Guardiano. His voice is so beautiful it seems supernatural - ideal for the saintly father. The final trio, with Arroyo, Bergonzi and Raimondi at their considerable finest, will blow you away. The only small drawback is Biancamaria Casoni as Preziosilla - she has a voice well-suited to the part but struggles with pitch in the "Rataplan." However, Geraint Evans as Melitone is perfect, playing the nasty and buffo facets of this character to perfection. Added to this extremely high artistic accomplishment, the sound is full, rich and vivid, the layout is ideal, the packaging is beautiful, and it is at mid-price. All in all, the perfect set.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible "Forza"., September 22, 2000

By 

Juan Miralles Miralles (Bunyola, Illes Balears Spain) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi: La Forza del Destino (Audio CD)

I think that this opera is one of the greatest works signed by Verdi. You can confirm that listening this CD. It's, simply, incredible. Maybe, Gardelli isn't the most popular conductor among classical music fans. But he can get a better sound to all the musicians than the mythical Karajan. The RPO is a great orchestra on this CD and in the others that they have got. I can't understand the terrible critiques that Brittish people do to them. The Ambrosian Opera Chorus is a great choir. It has got a very, very beautiful sound. For that, it is one of my favourite choirs. About the singers, you can found on this CD some of the best singers that we could enjoy in the 20th century. Naturally, they are fantastic here. I specially like Carlo Bergonzi, in the part of Don Alvaro. The sound is good. The EMI's engineers have done a good work.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A warm and lyrical Forza. Excellent recording!, May 19, 2003

By 

Armindo (Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi: La Forza del Destino (Audio CD)

This definitely is one of the best recordings of this opera and I wonder why it is not more popular. The Verdian singing of these artists is exemplary and Gardelli's conducting is inspiring (as in most of his recordings).

Arroyo is a superb lyrico-spinto soprano and it is a pity she did not record more in studio. She is probably the best Leonora on disc after the unsurpassed Renata Tebaldi. Arroyo has the beautiful firm and strong voice this role needs. In addition she uses it intelligently and creates an interesting portrait of the sad Leonora. Bergonzi's Alvaro is a perfect match for Arroyo's Leonora. I do prefer a more heroic tenor in this role (Corelli or Del Monaco for example) but Carlo's elegant phrasing and rare musicianship make him a unique Alvaro.

Cappuccilli and Raimondi are perfect for their roles both vocally and dramatically. We really miss such strong and handsome low voices today. Casoni is said to be the weakest link of the cast; I found her OK although nowhere near the great Barbieri or Simionato.

For a more powerful Forza recording, look for the earlier Decca recording with Tebaldi, Del Monaco, Bastiannini, Simionato and Siepi or even better, the legendary live 1953 Mitropoulos Forza with a similar cast.

In any case, this EMI Forza is STRONGLY recommended!!!