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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An incredible recording of this work., October 27, 2001
I am not normally inclined to write reviews, but I feel that I must improve upon the previous two reviewers. One has not even heard the recording, and one may as well not have. The libretto is in German, Italian, French AND English. There is no need to worry about that. The insert is actually very interesting. Maybe if the previous two reviewers had actually read it...As for the music itself, this recording is certainly one of the best on the market. It is probably the closest to what Verdi originally had in mind. In preparation for this recording, Giulini spent a lot of time going over Verdi's original autograph. The tempo is marginally slower in a number of spots, but this reflects Verdi's original tempo markings. Only in one part do I fell it takes a little away from the dramatic buildup, but this is a really rather minor point. The slower tempo allows the performers a bit of space to explore the musical line more, and often with surprisingly good results. Giulini recognizes Verdi's genius and submits to it and the performance is wonderful. The singers are also in top form. The first reviewer (who wrote a very good review) is correct in saying that Plowright is not as good as Callas (in the Karajan recording) but she can still sing very well. There is nothing lacking in her performance. Domingo is much better here that he was in the RCA recording (with Mehta). Zancanaro gives a compelling performance as diLuna and many of the other roles are filled very well. There are very few, very minor, problems with this recording, most of them stemming from the slightly slower tempo, but these problems are admirably made up for in other aspects making one of the best performances of the work ever. This recording is easy first choice for the modern listener, though fans of the old will want to keep Karajan and Callas nearby, only for Callas' incredible performance. Giulini does an incredible job and there is nothing, including the previous two reviews, that should keep one from buying this set. A perfect recording, and extremely enjoyable.
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A must-have for every Verdi collector!, January 29, 2003
This is a very special recording of a much-loved masterpiece! This "Il Trovatore" is something that every Verdi lover should add to his collection for many reasons. First of all, the work is presented in its entirety and exactly as written! All the second verses of the cabalettas are included (something quite rare) and the singers sing the notes exactly as Verdi wrote them (with the cadenzas etc.). Maestro Giulini studied very carefully Verdi's autograph score and he used slow tempos in his recordings but these slow tempos absolutely agree with Verdi! They may surprise you but be sure this is the way Verdi wrote this wonderful opera!
In addition to all this, we have 5 wonderful singers in the main roles! Placido Domingo, then at his absolute peak of his career,gives us an exciting and heroic Manrico, one of the best on record. He sings "Di quella pira" an octave lower than usual (Verdi wrote it this way) and doesn't keep the high note in the end very long (again like Verdi wrote and under Giulini's instructions) but his is a totally compelling performance of the cabaletta! He is very lyric and gives us a quite persuating Manrico.
Rosalind Plowright may not be a Callas or a Price, but she sings with involvement and absolutely correctly. Hers is a beautiful voice, quite low (she later sang mezzo roles such as Amneris) but her top notes are thrilling also.
Brigitte Fassbaender sang the role of Azucena for the first time in this recording and her portrayal of the gypsy is thrilling. Her technique is faultless and her voice in perfect form.
Giorgio Zancanaro was one of the best baritones in the 80's and 90's and this recording absolutely justifies why. His rich voice matches very well to the part of di Luna and gives us a terrifying portrayal. Bravo!
Finally, Evgeny Nesterenko is plainly thrilling as Ferrando. Listen to his prologue and you will understand why.All in all, I must recommend this set to every Verdi and opera lover! It offers an exciting musical experience!
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gorgeous Il Trovatore, October 29, 2000
This is a most untypical but drop-dead gorgeous Il Trovatore. First of all the aristocratic conducting of Carlo Maria Giulini. His reading is slower than usual but never drags, he shapes everything beautifully and makes great music of Verdi's tunes. The Azucena of Brigitte Fassbaender is also very untypical. She doesn't spark the fireworks like a Cossotto or a Barbieri, but she sings well and knows what her role is all about. This recording made Rosalind Plowright an international star and I rather like her Leonora, but it would be foolish to pretend she is the league of a Callas, Milanov or Price. Domingo sings much better here than in his previous RCA Trovatore, and if he is not a natural Manrico like Corelli or Martinelli he is certainly very fine. But to me the best singing in this set comes from the marvelous italian baritone Giorgio Zancanaro, who has one of the finest singing lines of our time. His aria with the marvelous support of Giulini is Verdi singing at its best. All in all this is one of the finest Trovatores available. In the digital era only Levine is a serious rival, mostly because of his better Leonora, but Domingo is in better voice here.
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