Customer Reviews

Verdi - La forza del destino / del Monaco · Tebaldi · Siepi · Bastianini · Molinari-Pradelli [Highlights]

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I have always been highly skeptical of the fanatic devotion that some fans have to some singers. I hear the fans go on at hysterical pitch and wonder what all the fuss is about, or why they get so worked up over an opera singer.

However, Tebaldi is one singer whose following I understand. Her recording of La Wally knocks me out, and her Fanciulla del West sends me into orbit; but this Forza has left me gasping for breath. Listen to "Madre, pietosa Virgine" and you'll know what hysterical devotion feels like. This is one voice that could make an atheist believe in God: the gorgeous tone and seamless legato as she sweeps up these famous phrases is something purely angelic. Take Tebaldi at her absolute peak, del Monaco in a role that requires his kind of power and not the refinement he usually lacks, Siepi who had one of the most gorgeous bass voices ever heard anywhere and you have a full recording that the world cries out for (as opposed to another uninspired Boheme).

With all the fine recorded performances of Verdi's melodramatic masterpiece, this one, after over 4 decades, still remains supreme. The warm, rich spinto-soprano of Tebaldi, the sometimes gruff heroic-tenor of Del Monaco(for sheer power, equaled only by Corelli & by Melchior himself-among tenors) but in this performance, at his finest,- & most splendid of all (to this reviewer) that greatest of baritones(with the sole exception of Merrill), - Ettore Bastianini in his monumental performance as Don Carlo di Vargas. The other roles are also filled by legendary singers at their respective bests (including the great basso, Siepi as Padre Guardiano). Altogether, an unforgetable listening experience to enjoy time and again!

This is probably the best version of Verdi's Masterpiece so the complete set is strongly recommended! However, even highlights are enough to make one realise why this is a legendary recording. Just have a look at the cast: R.Tebaldi, M. del Monaco, E. Bastianini, G.Simionato, C.Siepi, F. Corena! This is a 1955 in glorious sound quality stereo recording. All main principals are in fabulous vocal shape. Listen to Tebaldi in one of her best recordings singing Pace, Pace mio Dio. She fills the room like no other with her extremely powerful, amazingly beautiful godsend instrument. Her duet with one of the greatest basses of all times C. Siepi in the first act is a miracle! Del Monaco heroic, powerful, simply p e r f e c t! Simionato once again proofs why she is regarded by many the best verdian mezzo. Let me not forget the grand Bastianini nor the young, sublime Corena. The powerful conducting of F. Molinari - Prandelli completes the success. I've been trying to find a drawback for this Forza and the only one is, that it's just highlights here!