Search - Vincenzo Bellini, Alberto Zedda, Luba Orgonasova :: Bellini - La Sonnambula / Orgonasova, Giménez, Ellero d'Artegna, Dilbèr, Papadjiakou, Zedda

An excellent budget-price recording

Simon | Auckland, NZ | 11/21/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If I were EMI or DECCA I would be very worried by this recording. Naxos seems to be able to pull together casts of a similar or even better standard and then sell off operas for budget price. All three of the major roles in La Sonnambula call for singers with a high level of Bel Canto virtuosity. The Amina must have a gorgeous legato for her two cavatinas and also a highly developed florid coloratura technique for their cabalettas as well as the ability to pull off stratosphericly high notes. Luba Orgonasova has all these abilities. "Ah non credea mirarti" is bel canto at its most beautiful, but she also has a good dramatic understanding of the work, which is aptly demonstrated by her part in her second duet with Elvino. Luckily her Elvino is the outstanding Raul Gimenez, who copes with the extremely high tessitura well and also has a respectable florid technique of his own. His "Prendi per me sei libero" is stunning stuff. My biggest reservation (and the reason I give this only four stars) is the phlegmatic bass of Francesco Ellero d'Artagna. His attempts at dramatic acting are very much undermined by the generally unpleasant sound of his voice. Papadjiakou is stunning in what is given to her in the role of Teresa, and the Lisa is well-sung if a bit shrill. Alberto Zedda shows a keen understanding of Bellini's marvellous score. Altogether an excellent buy at bargain price."

Gorgeous singing. Bel Canto at its finest

Patrick A. Bowen | 03/02/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Beautiful. Simply beautiful. I was not familiar with this Opera, but was familiar with the beautiful voice of Luba Orgonasova, and simply had to hear more, and found this rare recording, and of course had to own it. Well, it is simply gorgeous. And Raul Fimenez is a tenor who I was not familar with at all, but could not believe the beauty of his singing.

I highly recommend this recording to anyone who loves Bel Canto."