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Puccini - Madama Butterfly / Freni, Pavarotti, Ludwig, Wiener Phil., Karajan
 
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Puccini - Madama Butterfly / Freni, Pavarotti, Ludwig, Wiener Phil., Karajan

Giacomo Puccini (Artist), Herbert von Karajan (Artist), Mirella Freni (Artist), Luciano Pavarotti (Artist), Wiener Philharmoniker (Artist), Christa Ludwig (Artist), Robert Kerns (Artist), Michel Sénéchal (Artist), Marius Rintzler (Artist), Giorgio Stendoro (Artist), Chor der Wiener Philharmoniker (Artist)
4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews) More about this product

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Product Details

  • Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
  • SPARS Code: ADD
  • Number of Discs: 3
  • Label: Decca
  • ASIN: B0000041S8
  • In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
  • Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (36 customer reviews)
  • Amazon.com Sales Rank: #58,493 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

    Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

    #10 in  Music > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Ludwig, Christa
    #15 in  Music > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Freni, Mirella
    #64 in  Music > Opera & Vocal > Languages > Italian

Disc: 1
1. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1.: "... E soffitto e pareti..."
2. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1.: "Sorride Vostro Onore?"
3. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1.: "Dovunque al mondo"
4. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1.: "America for ever"
5. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1.: "Ler l'altro il Consolato"
6. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1.: "Ecco. Son giunte al sommo del pendio"
See all 16 tracks on this disc
Disc: 2
1. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2.: "E lzaghi ed Izanami"
2. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2.: "Un bel dì vedremo"
3. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2.: "C'è. Entrate"
4. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2.: "Si sa che aprir la porta"
5. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2.: "Udiste?"
6. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2.: "Ora a noi. Sedete qui"
See all 13 tracks on this disc
Disc: 3
1. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2.: Intermezzo
2. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2.: (fischi d'uccelli dal giardino)
3. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2.: "Già il sole!"
4. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2.: "Chi sia?"
5. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2.: "Io so che alle sue pene"
6. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2.: "Non ve l'avevo detto?"
See all 11 tracks on this disc


Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording

Since Madama Butterfly has more stage time than other sopranos, it is imperative that the singing actress captures extensive dramatic variety in addition to singing with exquisite tone and an affinity to Puccini. Mirella Freni, one of the greatest recorded Butterfly's of all time, succeeds at these demands with vocal sensitivity and eloquence. She is assisted by Karajan's superb, symphonic conducting, crisply and poignantly realizing all of Puccini's vast moods; Ludwig's urgent, loving and tenderly sung Suzuki; and Pavarotti's endearing and almost likeable Pinkerton. In addition, the Pavarotti-Freni duets are nectars of the gods. Get out the tissues and indulge. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

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Customer Reviews

36 Reviews
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 (21)
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 (6)
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Average Customer Review
4.2 out of 5 stars (36 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply fabulous, July 8, 1999
By A Customer
As other listeners have noted, this is an opera that stands or falls on its heroine. With this in mind, Karajan's recording must be ranked among the best. Pavarotti's Pinkerton, recorded during his prime, is fresh and youthful, and Christa Ludwig's Suzuki brings a lieder-singer's attention to the text (although Teresa Berganza on the Sinopoli recording outdoes her). But the reason for hearing this set is the magnificently sung Butterfly of Mirella Freni. While she may not have the sharpness or intensity of Renata Scotto, this is, bar none, the best-sung Butterfly on records. Butterfly's Entrance will never be better done than it is here (that high D-flat at the end is a little slice of paradise), and there are other moments that make the heart stand still. The recorded sound is ravishing, and Karajan conducts with soul and passion. Don't hesitate about the extra cost of this set -- it would still be a bargain at twice the price.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars A STUDY IN DETAIL, May 14, 1999
By Shawn Chua (Singapore) - See all my reviews
The success of Madama Butterfly rests on the shouders of the soprano, more so than any other opera. While a well-sung Pinkerton, Suzuki or Sharpless are appreciated, it is the title role that people think of first. In this aspect, Mirella Freni has excelled. Her performance of Cio Cio San is almost legendary and this recording is a summation of her understanding and interpretation of the role and character. From the passion and love in the duet with Pinkerton to the wrath and despair of the finale, Freni shows us how plaiable her voice can be. Light and dreamy for one, and heavy and dramatic for another. Her "Dormi amor mio" sends chills down spines with its paralysing beauty. Pavarotti sings with ardent brilliance and splendour. His tone as always bright and ringing creates a Pinkerton that does not seem at at that heartless. Ludwig's sensitively potrayed Suzuki complete with the "voice" lend to the work an asset. Karajan, more so than for his recording with Callas, takes a leisurely and unhurried stroll down the trial and tribulations of Cio Cio San, giving a most beautifully performed Butterfly. One point to note however, is that the CD is on three discs and thereby, is dearer. However with such a recording, the extra disc is worth every cent.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Heart-aching and very human, June 4, 2004
We all have our preferences (I intend to get the rare recording featuring Anna Moffo as well) and we may not be particularly moved by something being described as the best 'all-rounder'. This suggests a piece of work that isn't necessarily spectacular, but nevertheless steers clear of any poor performances. We therefore avoid them and go for our favourites instead, reasoning away any shortfalls.

Well this is not just the best 'all-rounder' in its ability to please....it is demonstration class! I'm not a Pavarotti fan, though I give him his due. Domingo's my hero. Freni, with her girl-next-door-of-a-voice reputation was never a voice I'd chase down, though I regarded her as a 'safe' bet. Well here they SHINE! Freni kisses every note and sends it floating or flying with charm, vulnerability, pride, love....such emotion but all with a very genuine HUMAN feel. I have NO difficulties hearing her either. Pavarotti, as was said by another reviewer, sings here, rather than shouts (which he can do sometimes). Again, his emotions are so human...even the very, very light grate in his voice sometimes. Believe me, it was totally convincing. I pictured a man who lives for the present but for whom thoughts of the future are an emotional drain. After these few moments, he continues to display a clear and beautiful tone as the mood later changes....and I'm not one disposed to rationalising anything on Pavarotti's behalf. Full marks to him for texturing.

And the rest? Well, I'll confess my biases here: Christa Ludwig (I'm tempted not to say any more; the name speaks for itself!). I'll limit myself to one word: sumptous. From her millings around in the background in Act 1 to her endearing prayers at the beginning of Act 2 to the despair and tragedy of the trio at track 5 in Act 3, her performance seems to say "I care; with all my heart, I care deeply". Robert Kerns, with whom I'd been previously unfamiliar, is a very warm and well-sung Sharpless. Deep and sombre-toned, without being too sonorous. The effect is that it feels less theatrical and, again, more human.

Michel Senechal as Goro is a joy to listen to. His tenor is less noble that Pavarotti's Pinkerton, as it should be. In fact, there is not a badly sung role in all of this, and Wolfgang Schneider as Uncle Yakuside is a spiteful fright without sounding ugly! The chorus sounds lovely. Now and again you get hear the voice of one or two matronly (but NOT overly fruity) voices among the mezzos ( "O Kami! O Kami!" Act 1, track 12) and this just adds to the endearing quality of what is already a beautiful score. The only petty quibble I can think of would be Freni's "Tu? Tu?..Piccolo Iddio!" which was a little less ravishing than I might be acustomed to (e.g.; the breath in between "...fiso," and the very next word "fiso..." weakened the aria) but that's verging on being pedantic. After all, Butterfly was about to die. Even so, it was still well done.

As for von Karajan? Well he's always been my kind of conductor....from Tosca (Price/di Stefano) to Parsifal (Hoffmann/Van Dam/Moll etc.) to Boris Godunov (Ghiaurov etc.) I have lauded his dexterity, passion and devotion to depicting not just music, but the aura of the music. He has NEVER indulged in the music too much for my taste. Too much beauty?? Is there such a thing???? Listen to the birds at the beginning of Act 3. The warm flood of the strings of the Wiener Philharmoniker are a testament to Herbert von Karajan's mastery, whether they bear you away in amorous rapture or sweep you on tidal waves of high emotion.

This IS an essential recording. Puccini's beautiful melodies here present another tear-jerker, but with more colour and depth than La Boheme.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Magical
This is one of the great recordings of all time, and it is hard to find any real points to criticize here. Read more
Published 9 months ago by G.D.

4.0 out of 5 stars Freni will break your heart
While this is not my favorite Butterfly (Leinsdorf/Moffo), it is certainly one of the best ever recorded. Read more
Published on May 1, 2007 by Irene Adler

5.0 out of 5 stars An incomparable Butterfly, the best in modern sound
Since its release in 1974, critics have bowed down before an incomparable Madame Butterfly that matched up Karajan, Freni, and Pavarotti at their veyr best. Read more
Published on July 22, 2006 by Santa Fe listener

5.0 out of 5 stars Mirella Freni's First Butterfly: For Fans Only
This late 60's recording is conducted by Herbert Von Karajan and performed by the Vienna Phil, starring Mirella Freni in her first Butterfly on record, Luciano Pavarotti and... Read more
Published on November 12, 2005 by Rudy Avila

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best recorded Butterfly
Although Renata Scotto is definitive in this role, this would apply to the stage only. On disc Scotto never came across as well as she should have. Read more
Published on November 12, 2005 by Daniel G. Madigan

4.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as expected
I always had in my mind that this Freni/Pavarotti/Karajan Butterfly was something really good but I was dissapointed. Read more
Published on June 25, 2005 by Javieruli

3.0 out of 5 stars Sad Performance
With such a wonderful cast and a great conductor, who would have thought that this Butterfly would lack the luster of other great performances of this ever so popular opera... Read more
Published on January 14, 2005 by The Cultural Observer

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the best Butterfly
Forget about this. It is too slowly paced, and lacks the dynamics that Puccini intended with this opera. Read more
Published on December 8, 2004 by Puccini addict

4.0 out of 5 stars Meraviglioso suono, grandi cantanti
Forse non pucciniano al 100%, ma il suono è meraviglioso, la direzione sicura e le voci sono grandi voci. Che volete di più?
Published on September 8, 2004 by Kanep

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful
I remember when this recording was first released very much looking forward to it and then being a bit disappointed by it. Not by Freni, of course. Read more
Published on March 4, 2004 by Good Stuff

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