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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hey, it's a thrilling recording... and what voices!!!, June 11, 2004
This was the first recording I heard of this wonderful opera, but even listening to most of the other usually recommended recordings, including the classic one with Victoria de los Angeles and Nicola? Gedda (EMI), I couldn't find some important aspects that I can find in this incredible recording made in 1966.
First of all, the orchestra is excellent and Richard Bonynge manages to conduct it with softness and power simutaneously. The result is that we can notice some wonderful details that simply don't exist in other versions. Besides, (if well conducted) Faust is a show of wonderful melodies and ecstasy moments!
Although some people may imagine the cast is not "French" enough, you can't realize what these voices can do!
Franco Corelli has a sweet but large voice and his voice blends very well with Sutherland's voice in the romantic duets. He was also a successful singer in many French roles (Romeo in Rom?o et Juliette, Don Jos? in Carmen, Raoul in Les Huguenots, etc.), so he was completely aware of the French style of singing. He's
Dame Joan Sutherland was in her ultimate prime, with a huge and heavenly voice that had such a "tearful tone" that could be perfectly applied to romantic-tragic roles like Marguerite. In her first coloratura aria (Ah! je ris de me voir), her voice is youthful and agile, while later in the opera it tends to be darker and heavier, indicating Marguerite's torment. Her characterization is really moving. I like Joan Sutherland's interpretations a lot not only because of her voice, but because she had a rare talent: she could express happiness, sadness and pain while singing perfectly and with the most beautiful tones. She doesn't need to breathe, to cry or to do any other "theathrical elements" to make her characterizations sound interesting to our ears.
I suppose I don't need to talk many things about Nicolai Ghiaurov's Mephistoph?les. He was one of the best basses of the 20th century (unfortunately this great singer and man passed away this week) and probably the best bass of the last fifty years, and Mephistoph?les was one of his greates roles. His voice is enormous and dark and his interpretation of the role is the most viril and sarcastic I have ever heard.
And when these three legendary voices joins, it's spectacular! The final trio is dazzling, one of the greatest moments of the recorded history of Opera!
Since I cannot talk about every great singer in this recording (there are so many!), I would like to mention the elegant Valentin of Robert Massard, the sweet Siebel of Margreta Elkins and the interesting Martha of Monica Sinclair. With such a great cast, nothing can go wrong in this opera!
If you want to know this great masterpiece composed by Gounod, or if you are just adding one more recording to your collection, please buy this recording! You CAN'T be disappointed!
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6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Not the best choice for Faust, June 26, 2001
I have to admit -- this was my favorite recording of Faust when I first heard it (it was also the only stereo recording available, and I was about 10 yrs old at the time.) Since then, there have been so many better versions recorded that this one is no longer worth it in my opinion, even at the bargain price. That said, the one truly great aspect of this performance is the combined forces of the conductor, orchestra and choirs. Richard Bonynge seems perfectly at home, with consistently good taste & control; his tempos are natural and fit the music like a glove. The fantastic London Symphony and the huge combined chorus (which is a great advantage during the many famous choral scenes, especially the Kermesse and the final scene where the score calls for an entire host of angels) are nothing less than impressive. SO, if you're not too picky about the soloists, this would be a good choice. On paper the cast looks promising (Joan Sutherland as Marguerite and Franco Corelli in the title role!) However, Sutherland's usually rich voice sounds constricted, though undeniably beautiful in the upper register, and her phrasing is often awkward; and Corelli, while he also has a glorious set of vocal chords, comes off as a rough, unsophisticated lout in this most elegant of tenor roles, and his French is horrendous. Bass Nicolai Ghiaurov fares much better as Mephistopheles, ranging from suave to ironic to really demonic, with a strong, mellifluous sound. Robert Massard also sings very well as Valentin and the smaller roles are handled competently. The sound quality is superb for its time -- no possible complaints there. For Sutherland/Corelli fans this recording will have plenty to offer, but if you want the best choice for this exquisite opera, the most famous vocal version of the Faust legend -- check out the many other possibilities. Which one you'll like best will depend on your taste in singers and how much you want to spend.
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hey! It's great!, July 18, 2002
Just a short review for now- I love this performance. Corelli, Sutherland, Massard (A FINE Valentine!), and Ghiaurov are all in excellent voice. True, this is not a showcase of proper French style, so if you prefer that, one of the others would be preferable. (I simply don't know which other version of Faust is truly in a French style. Of the other Fausts I've heard, the one with Cluytens conducting Gedda, De Los Angeles, and Christoff should be the closest to the French style. It's also an excellent performance!) As for this one- it's very Italianate and passionate in its approach. To me, Corelli does not come off as a lout- just impetuous and VERY much in love. Sutherland's voice might not be perfect for the role, but she captures the character quite well for me. Massard is a prim and proper sounding Valentine (And he's also quite French!), with a beautiful voice. In other words, he fits perfectly. And what can I say about Ghiaurov here? The voice is simply stunning and his characterization is superb. Also, as another reviewer mentioned, the orchestra and choruses are simply superb... and I love the way Bonynge conducts this opera.
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Interact With Your Music: Discover, listen to, and buy new music, all from the pages of SPIN's digital edition, free to Amazon customers.
~ Giuseppe Verdi
~ Vincenzo Bellini
~ Richard Wagner
See all 14 tracks on this disc
by London Symphony Orchestra 
