Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Georges Bizet :: Carlo Bergonzi & Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau ~ Famous Duets

Two Living Legends

William S. Levison | Valdosta, GA United States | 06/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Both artists were barely beyond their prime when these duets were recorded, and what singing this is! Of course, Bergonzi was born to sing this repertoire, but the German baritone is almost his match--perhaps excessively blustery on occasion, but just as attentive to the emotions conveyed by the words as his collegue. To be sure, every selection here has been recorded ad nauseum, but never with such intelligence. The excerpt from "Otello" reinforces one's regret that Bergonzi never recorded the title role and that Fischer-Dieskau's Iago is available only on a rather inferior complete recording (Barbarolli on Angel, if it's still in the catalogue). The conducting and orchestral sound are exemplary. Very highly recommended."

Interesting but not living up to expectations

AP-FC | Athens, Greece | 12/04/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Despite the fact that two of the greatest opera singers combined in this hard-to-find CD, the result falls far below expectations.

Bergonzi is certainly not at his best in every aspect of his singing, while Dieskau proves once more that he is not the ideal bellcanto baritone, sounding rather timid and with too high a pitch that you sometimes confuse as being a second tenor's.

The CD is worth buying though since it contains the rare collaboration of these two all-time greats."