Vincenzo Bellini: I Capuleti e i Montecchi [Import]

Vincenzo Bellini (Composer), Rainer Steubing (Conductor), Riccardo Muti (Conductor), Royal Opera House Chorus and Orchestra Covent Garden (Orchestra), Agnes Baltsa (Performer), Dano Raffanti (Performer), Edita Gruberová (Performer), Gwynne Howell (Performer), John Tomlinson (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Agnes Baltsa, Dano Raffanti, Edita Gruberová, Gwynne Howell, John Tomlinson
• Orchestra: Royal Opera House Chorus and Orchestra Covent Garden
• Conductor: Rainer Steubing, Riccardo Muti
• Composer: Vincenzo Bellini
• Audio CD (September 20, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Import
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B000002S54
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #307,529 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A remarkable recording!, April 11, 2001

By 

Armindo (Greece) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vincenzo Bellini: I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Audio CD)

A neglected masterpiece "I Capuleti e I Montecchi" has much to offer and is not less important than Bellini's other operas. On this recording we have two wonderful singers Baltsa and Gruberova. Agni Baltsa as Romeo is heard in one of her best performances! She possesses one of the most beautiful mezzo voices and indicates a good understanding of the demanding role of Romeo (regarded as a difficult mezzo role). Edita Gruberova a moving, sweet Giulietta. She proves that she can be sublime in Strauss and Mozart as in Bel Canto. The less famous tenor Dano Raffanti is exceptional! The tenor role may not be so big but Raffanti is wonderful whenever heard. Last but certainly not least, Muti completes this historical performance.

I was taken aback, after having listened to many moments of the opera, when I read on the back cover that this is a live recording! I usually avoid them because of the sound quality but this DDD is really something. The audience is seldom heard and the applause is only in the end of each act. I therefore strongly recommend this recording to every opera collector.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The best recording so far..., July 16, 2003

By 

Stephen (Melbourne, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Vincenzo Bellini: I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Audio CD)

Initially I was a bit sceptical of this recording since I usually keep away from live recordings. I had listened to the Hong/Larmore recording (Teldec) numerous times but found it a bit lifeless. In my opinion Larmore doesn't cut it for Bellini.

So I finally decided to buy this mid-priced recording - NO REGRETS! There are only minimal flaws, such as microphone placing (the orchestra is a bit loud) and some audience noise. Aside from that, Baltsa and Gruberova give a most convincing performance. Giulietta's 'Eccomi in lieta vesta...Oh! quante volte' is totally sublime! Muti delivers a most Italianate interpretation. Highly recommended!!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully sung and energetically conducted performance., November 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Vincenzo Bellini: I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Audio CD)

This is a totally successful and utterly beautiful performance of an under-appreciated and virtually unknown bel canto opera. The composer's melodic inventiveness and sublime arias and ensemles are woderfully realized by the central interpreters and the star conductor. A must-have for all lovers of the Bel Canto period in general and of Bellini's music in particular.