Verdi: Rigoletto [Enhanced, Original recording remastered]

Robert Kerns (Performer), Robert Merrill (Performer), Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Georg Solti (Conductor), Anna di Stasio (Performer), Corinna Vozza (Performer), Rosalind Elias (Performer), RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra (Orchestra), Anna Moffo (Performer), Tina Toscano (Performer), Alfredo Kraus (Performer), Piero de Palma (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Robert Kerns, Robert Merrill, Anna di Stasio, Corinna Vozza, Rosalind Elias, et al.
• Orchestra: RCA Italiana Opera Orchestra
• Conductor: Georg Solti
• Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
• Audio CD (November 10, 2005)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Enhanced, Original recording remastered
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000BBOU2W
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #144,820 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

50 of 54 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The perfect Rigoletto., March 22, 2006

By 

Matt Grey "superstar2999" (NYC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi: Rigoletto (Audio CD)

There are so many recordings of this PERFECT opera. There's the Gobbi/Callas/Di Stefano, the Milnes/Sutherland/Pavarotti, the Cappuccilli/Cotrubas/Domingo, the Merrill/Peters/Bjorling, there are so many, but almost all of them have a weak link. The Gobbi/Callas/Di Stefano has a miscast Callas as Gilda and all three struggle with their roles vocally. The Milnes/Sutherland/Pavarotti has the old sounding Sutherland who completely ruins the set for me. The Merrill/Peters/Bjorling has Peters being overdramatic and ridiculous. The Cappuccilli/Cotrubas/Domingo comes close, but lacks vocal flair and energy.

This set, in my VERY humble opinion, is the best. Not only do you get Merrill, who is fabulous on pretty much anything he does, but you get Anna Moffo and Alfredo Kraus, along with a solid supporting cast and wonderful, dramatic conducting by Solti.

Many people I know have issues with Anna Moffo, who recently died. Now that she's gone and I'm done mourning, and trust me, I did, I have been making a point to toot her horn to everyone I know. Yes, she had her vocal problems towards the end of her career, but there ARE legitimate reasons for that. Anna Moffo is STUPENDOUS on this recording and brings a legitimate sensitivity and dramatic art to this character. Not only that, but she sings it BEAUTIFULLY and is consistent throughout.

Alfredo Kraus is PERFECT. He's romantic, charming, and has KILLER high notes. Robert Merrill is perfect in this role, maybe not as fresh sounding as he was on the earlier recording with Roberta Peters and Jussi Bjorling, and of course, more mannerisms, but who cares. He's one of the greatest Verdi Baritones of the century.

This Rigoletto is so well cast that it'd be a mistake to go for any of the other sets. Also, this set is SO cheap and is great for first timers to the opera and those who want to try out another recording. This was my first and favorite. I did listen to MANY others just to make sure I wasn't missing out on anything...and I wasn't.

17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars my favorite all-round Rigoletto, January 1, 2006

By 

Michel (Montreal, Quebec) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi: Rigoletto (Audio CD)

This version of Rigoletto is by far my favorite - it combines

plenty of vocal beauty, characterful singing and dramatic

tension. Robert Merrill has the perfect voice for the title-

role - dark, powerful, biting - and conveys the old jester's

bitterness and heartbreak superbly. Anna Moffo is a lovely and

touching Gilda - she brings considerable warmth and tenderness

to the role and sings an exquisite "Caro nome". Alfredo Kraus

is an electrifying Duca - charming and manipulative all at on-

ce - he is here caught in his youthful prime and sings with

splendid aplomb. Rosalind Elias and Ezio Flagello offer strong

support. Georg Solti is perhaps a bit hard-driven but the end

result is undeniably exciting. A very welcome reissue of a

great opera sung by great singers.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Perhaps the most balanced Rigoletto, December 14, 2005

By 

Armindo (Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Verdi: Rigoletto (Audio CD)

There are many good recordings of Verdi's Masterpiece and the remastered RCA classic is certainly one of them (I liked the previous cover more though). The DG D. Fisher-Diskau/Bergonzi/Scotto also stands out mainly because of its Duke who shines. To me, Bergonzi with his perfect phrasing is the ideal Duke. However, we must keep in mind that the opera is called Rigoletto and not "the Duke". This Solti set sounds ideally balanced.

Robert Merrill as povero Rigoletto captures both drama and music of the role. He has a powerful, rich voice ideal for such Verdi roles. Although I mentioned my preference to Bergonzi, Alfredo Kraus is not less memorable. I especially admire his "posente amor", truly remarkable. As Gilda we hear a young, fresh Anna Moffo in one of her best moments. Exquisite singing and a convincing portrait of the young girl make her one of my first choices for Gilda. Let me not forget the rest of the cast, Elias and Flagello do a fine job too.

Superb Maestro Solti completes this thrilling account of Rigoletto. Perhaps too poweful at times but still sensitive enough to honour Verdi.

A must even if you have other versions.