Search - G. Donizetti :: L'elisir D'amore-Highlights

What Carreras greatness is all about

Mr JB | Karlskrona Sweden | 06/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This highlights recording was done at Covent Garden in 1976. It features a young Carreras in tremendous form - if you haven't yet understood his greatness by listening to 'the three tenors', then this is it - his voice is splendidly rich and beautiful, blending power and velvet, and add to that a very fine legato and a security seldom heard. His two great arias here (quanto è bella... una furtiva lagrima) shows it all - I've never heard them better performed, and I probably never will - I'm not even sure that they can be better sung. Pavarotti, Björling, di Stefano, Domingo, Alagna a.s.o doesn't stand a chance here.Leaving Carreras aside for a moment gives us the Dulcamara of Geraint Evans, who obviously enjoys his role, and his vocal or theatrical qualities doesn't need any further presentation. The same is to be said about the firm and warmly resonant Belcore from Thomas Allen. Ms Hayashi is also good, forming her voice to sound as cunningly sugarsweet as we want Adina, well heard in the duet "Chiedi all'aura lusinghiera" a.o. Pritchard was a great bel canto conductor, alongside with premiering works by the far different Britten & Tippett. And this is no exception - He does what's most important in Bel canto, he shows little of himself but keeping the ensemble together, and thereby gives his singers great support.I do not yet own a complete recording of l'Elisir, mainly because they all disappoint me in one way or an other. Therefor I'm greatly thankful that we have this recording with the God-blessed Carreras together with other great singers. The fact that this is a live recording is hardly heard - the sound is clear enough and there are very few moments of stage- or audience noise. And the positive effect of live recordings is definately here - an unbeatable presence from the performers, hardly ever heard on studio performances.This record would be worth much more even if only Carreras parts were heard. Now, it has that, and far more. Don't hesitate for a moment, it would surprise me if you will ever find a better sung l'Elisir. And for hardly no money at all, you can afford to buy it even if you already own one or two versions of this lovely opera."