Customer Reviews

Verdi: Il Trovatore (Complete Opera)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

I purchased this CD because I love this opera...I listened to it and it was not half bad...after all how bad can Verdi be?.... but then I just listened to a recording of a live performance of Il trovatore with Franco Corelli and Leontyne Price...and I will never listen to the Bocelli CD again..it is garbage...

I have already listened to "Il Trovatore" several times and it's just superb! I remember reading in an old interview that Andrea Bocelli felt this was his best performance so far and I would have to agree. I can really hear him flexing those vocal muscles that he has worked so hard to develop, and still, the beauty of his unique voice continues to shine through. "Ah sì, ben mio" and "Di Quella Pira" were wonderful on the "Verdi" recording, but now even better. It seems that he sings with more confidence and feeling here. These qualities are evident throughout the opera. I love the vigor and enthusiasm as well as the torment and angst that he brings to this role--he is a wonderful and convincing Manrico.

I have a new appreciation for the music of Verdi, thanks to conductor Steven Mercurio, who gives it energy and life. I could tell right from the opening instrumental segment that this was going to be something special. The rumble of the percussion, richness of the brass and the beautiful harmonies drew me in immediately. The choral segments are a delight, too. I didn't realize how much of this opera I have heard before. So many of the melodies are familiar--it is just a joy to listen to.

Sometimes, with Bocelli's operas I find myself impatiently waiting for his next solo but on this recording I truly enjoy all of the performers, especially the soprano, Veronica Villaroel. I love the duets and ensemble singing on this CD. Tracks 15, 16,& 17 on CD #1 stand out to me as being particularly enjoyable, but there are many more highlights. I think I have developed a greater appreciation for opera and the operatic voice, thanks to Andrea Bocelli who is responsible for opening that door for me. This is simply beautiful music and it is one recording that I know I will enjoy for years to come!

Andrea Bocelli again shines in this latest version of one of Verdi's finest and most popular operas. As always his diction and interpretation of his role of Manrico is superior. His growth as an opera singer is most evident. For those of you who liked Corelli's IL Trovatore, you will appreciate this latest work by his fervent admirer and former student.

Now before people start throwing stones, many things need to be said about Decca's recent release of Verdi's "il Trovatore".

First and foremost, the ubiquitous Andrea Bocelli doing what most would consider "crossing over" into the opera world one more time after recent issues of his, with Zubin Mehta in the past 2 years, including LaBoheme and Tosca.
There has been much noise made about these recordings. Most of the noise being made by Bocelli detractors inflamed with disgust at how, what they cosider to be an inferior singer, would be allowed to perpetrate such an assault against good taste by desecrating a third of the saintly trilogia populare.
On the other hand, no one gets upset about similar recordings on labels such as Naxos that are produced annually.
Quality aside, I am thrilled that any such commitment has been made at all in the "recording industry" in regards to opera.
As for the performances: With Bocelli as the only recognizable household name on this recording, he sings quite well in this his third complete opera. One would have to say he is improving in his ability to carry dramatic energy through a performance. The naysayers (those who simply don't like his voice) will have their criticisms, but as for the rest of the roster, all roles are sung adequately, with special mention going to Carlo Guelfi who sings the count with wonderful legato lines. Mercurio does what Mercurio does. His conducting on other recordings of this genre (Michael Bolton's opera album comes to mind) and on this one seem adequate, but as you would expect- below Mehta's standard.

I am happy when any opera recording gets made and if you like Bocelli's voice, then ignore the detractors because you will surely enjoy this one as you have enjoyed his other works.

I believed that there should be better reviews for this new cd. The younger generations, like myself, believe that his voice is beautiful. Because of Andrea Bocelli, I made a complete turnaround from rap to classical music. People around my age, I am 19, believe that his voice is more appealing than the three tenors. His voice seems to be more clearer and sounds more comforting than anyone else I have heard. This cd was a great classic that I will always cherish. Great work Andrea Bocelli.

In this album, Andrea Bocelli does Verdi proud. I have listened to this complete opera several times and find new beauty every time. The enire cast is excellent and all the pathos,angst, fire, tenderness that Verdi intended are there. I cannot believe that anyone who LISTENED to this recording would not delight in it. I thank those responsible for this production.

I dont care how many other Il Trovs you have in your collection, you must buy this one too. I have two videos and 5 Corelli CDs of Il Trov and a couple other CDs with highlights by other artists. None are as good as this interpretation by Bocelli. I was quite blown away by what he brings to the opera. It is a more complete characterization I hear. How well he understands his Troubadour!

Verdi wrote this beautiful opera with its many choral passages, duets, and trio exchanges. This recording boasts a chorus from Catania that sings in one voice. You can distinguish their words easily! Steven Mercurio has brought so much to the orchestral presence. He seems to have a gift of bringing out the color of the instruments. What an achievement it is all 'round.

And Villarroel as Leonora...I had not heard her sing prior to this and am most pleased. She never pushes....just floats her high, clear, expressive notes, effortlessly. Zaremba is new to me too; initially the vibrato bothered me. After hearing her sing the role a couple times, I found her interpretation to be right on! There are times when her voice changes and is softer and has a lovely expressive quality to it. I know Guelfi from other recordings; he is always good.

Returning to Bocelli.....it is thrilling to hear his 'Ah si ben mio', which moves on into the mini duet, so sweetly done with Villaroel before progressing into the frankly astonishing 'Di quella pira'. What a hero! Bocelli fans who have heard him do these arias on his VERDI album will find the new interpretation more intense, more in the moment. This is his greatest operatic album yet, a benchmark performance....it should garner both praise and acclaim. I just dont see how it could be any better.

This is an exciting Il Trovatore, no matter how many times one has heard the opera or how many recordings of it are well-worn friends. The passion, energy, and perfection of the singing here bring an intensity to Verdi's amazing music that, to me as the listener, feels almost too powerful to contain inside myself. Everyone should hear this production and be transported past the normal range of human experience. Hyperbole? No, an honest description of the recording's effect on me.

Andrea Bocelli's work in this Il Trovatore is remarkable. Power, nuance, accuracy, rich emotional range: his Manrico has all of these. If you take the word of those who for whatever reason want to see Bocelli fail (Jealousy? Inability to change an opinion? Ignorance of his current work? The mistaken notion that one person's success hurts another's chances?) and you miss this Il Trovatore, you are missing something phenomenal.

Veronica Villarroel's Leonora is lovely, above all in the lightness of her high passages and her ensemble singing. Carlo Guelfi's Conte di Luna combines a beautiful voice with believable fierceness of character. And Steven Mercurio's conducting keeps an ideal pace, so that the magnificent music and emotions have full play while vigor and momentum are maintained throughout.

I am disappointed and mystified by the dismissive comments of "A music fan from Nashville." (I call them "comments" rather than a "review" because it seems clear to me that this person has not bothered to listen to the CD before foisting these negative remarks on us). I am disappointed because this is a beautiful work by a competent cast and conductor more than worthy of consideration, and it will reward anyone who gives it a hearing. I would hate to think that it would be passed up on the word of one who chooses to be narrow-minded and unfair. I am mystified because I find it difficult to understand the groundless level of resistance to the operatic career of Bocelli, who fortunately ignores the close-minded critics and continues to work ceaselessly and relentlessly to hone his technique, with definite positive results as evident in this recording.

This newest opera CD is Bocelli's best yet. It is electric in its energy, touching in its emotional interpretation, and distinguished by his voice of naturally elegant beauty. It is a rare complete presentation of Il Trovatore. It deserves consideration. I don't believe it will disappoint. The genius of Verdi is in good hands here. If you are standing on the brink, thinking there might be something in this opera thing, take the plunge. There is compellingly beautiful and enchanting music here. If you have three Trovatore's in your collection already, think about adding this one to hear the masterfully articulate chorus, the interpretation of beautiful voices of our time, and Steven Mercurio's wonderful way with the orchestration.

Five years ago, Andrea Bocelli opened the world of opera for me. I walked through the door and have never looked back. The collection of opera CDs in our musical library is growing, we have a season subscription to our local opera, we travel to New York once a year for an opera weekend, have made the journey to Bologna and Verona to see Bocelli in staged opera, have had the magical experience of summer opera festivals at Torre del Lago and Verona, Italy . . . all because of Andrea Bocelli. The world of opera is at a crossroad. Those who are the opera cognoscenti should cup their hands around this newly kindled and growing flame to nurture and protect it. Instead many choose to douse it with the cold water of dismissive, hurtful, and elitist comments. Well, we "newbies" are not discouraged. I am having the time of my life reveling in opera and following the journey of this pied piper from Tuscany!

I appreciate the fact that Bocelli is introducing a new generation to the world of opera, but his singing is NOT opera singing. He has a weak, unfocused, supremely unsupported tone. He doesn't seem to be very musical and the interpretation felt supremely uninspired. Not to mention that he could never be heard in an opera house over a Verdian orchestra without being miked. Opera singing is supposed to unamplified. Not to mention that singing the wrong repertoire incorrectly ruins even the most skilled singers. Eventually he'll kill what little voice he has. Opera has survived for hundreds of years for the most-part unchanged. To have Il trovatore given this popera treatment to make palatable to unaccustomed ears is painful to hear. As for the rest of the cast, it was over all, pretty lackluster. If you want a really good recording of this opera my vote goes for the Price/Corelli recording. That will knock your socks off.