Search - James Levine :: Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur

One of the finest opera recordings ever - now in a bargain

Ralph Moore | Bishop's Stortford, UK | 12/15/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Despite my loyalty to Olivero, Corelli and Bastianini in the live 1959 Naples recording - one of the greatest documents of its kind - I have to give this 1977 set pride of place. First, the sound is amazingly clear and atmospheric; secondly, Levine's direction is so sensitive and fluent, wholly responsive to the ebb and flow of this rip-roaring verismo classic; thirdly, the singers surpass themselves: Milnes creates a fully rounded, subtly sung Michonnet and really draws out the character's pathos; Domingo is heroic and nuanced, Scotto sublime in the depth of her characterisation and the delicacy of her quieter singing, Obratsova stupendously powerful and stirring as the jealous Princess - and even the supporting cast is flawless; especially good is the bass who sings the Prince, Giancarlo Luccardi, a singer unknown to me but who ought to be more famous. OK, the beat in Scotto's voice in louder, higher passages, just slightly bothers me, but her artistry virtually silences criticism.



I still love the old Naples version and have time, too, for Tebaldi and Del Monaco in their barn-storming performance, but this is the set to introduce anyone frightened of opera to a truly memorable, melodic, dramatic experience - a wonderful recording which makes me wonder why this most tuneful and gripping of operas (despite the hokey denouement) is not more often performed.



P.S. Be warned - no libretti in this series, only synopses."