Leoncavallo: I Pagliacci

Ruggero Leoncavallo (Composer), Renato Cellini (Conductor), RCA Victor Orchestra and Chorus (Orchestra), George Cehanovsky (Performer), Jussi Björling (Performer), Leonard Warren (Performer), Paul Franke (Performer), Richard Wright (Performer), Robert Merrill (Performer), Victoria de Los Angeles (Performer), Robert Shaw Chorale (Artist)

Product Details

• Performer: George Cehanovsky, Jussi Björling, Leonard Warren, Paul Franke, Richard Wright, et al.
• Orchestra: RCA Victor Orchestra and Chorus
• Conductor: Renato Cellini
• Composer: Ruggero Leoncavallo
• Audio CD (July 28, 1998)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000007TKE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #103,559 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You must own this recording!!!!, May 16, 2002

By	Rod Tierman (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This recording is a must have. Bjoerling is at his vocal and dramatic peak on this recording. All his arias ("Un Grande Spetacolo", "Un tal giocco" "Vesti la Giubba", and "No! Pagliaccio non son!") are all flawlessly sung. Leonard Warren's performance of the sinister Tonio has never been matched. Warren sings the difficult "Prologo" with great ease and aplomb. A virtual voice lesson. De Los Angeles is exquisite as Nedda and her "Qual Fiamma Avea Nel Guardo...Hui! Stridono Lassu (Song of the Birds)" will melt your heart. Another luxury this recording holds is the magificently rich baritone voice of Robert Merrill as Silvio, Nedda's village lover, who sings the treacherously high tessitura of this role magnificently. Renato Cellini does a wonderful job of conducting the RCA Victor Orchestra. Do yourself a favor and make this recording yours. You won't regret it.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulously cast Pag, March 12, 2002

By	John F. Schlesinger "Opera Lover" (London) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I tend to disagree with the other reviewers (especially the one that thinks Leonard Warren is a tenor, but also the one that thinks Bjoerling has a lyric tenor), perhaps because I am besotted with the (spinto) voice of Jussi Bjoerling. I spend an entire afternoon comparing Bjoerling's final aria (No, Pagliacco non son) with the others in my collection. Cura can't compare. Caruso is strikingly similar but doesn't have the vocal colour. How anyone can hear this performance and say he is uninvolved defeats me. The second half of the aria has every emotion (fury, depression and hate) so clearly delimited. The final curse with its faultless notes above the staff integrated into the line (even Caruso can't do this) is heartbreaking.

If you want to hear great singing this is a great performance.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't listen to the other reviewers, February 20, 2002

By	Jon Ludwig (Australia) - See all my reviews

What an opera! The great singing of Warren, Bjorling, and de los Angeles has never been equalled. The only rival I have to this recording is with Corelli, Gobbi and Amara, both are very different but compeling.

In this recording Bjorling makes Canio into a person with some honour, a person everyone can relate to not just a man who's emotions range from jealous to cold blooded killer, (he makes canio into what Callas made medea). The ease and absolute passions rage in his voice unlike anyone I have heard. Warren for me is the greates tenor of all time along with Gobbi. Their is now a live recording of Warren, Raoul Jobin, Albenese in Pagliacci which is a must for anyone who wants to hear this opera in all its height of passion. However Warren here delivers a compeling Tonio, with all the insight of decades of performances. His lust and creapy nature all come alive in Warrens vocal timbre, (listen to his totally creapy Scarpia). Finally de los Angeles shows how easily her voice sat in verisimo roles, she delivers the trills and high notes equal of a bel cantoist but with the voice that suit.

This recording out does any conteporary singers, their is no yelling, and awful timbres in this recording. Plus, it is really cheap for a single CD, what a bargin the great Bjorling, Warren, and de los Angeles for mid price. Bravo!!!!