Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Leontyne Price :: Leontyne Price: Arias from Verdi and Puccini

Leontyne Price is magnificent!!!

V. Chau | San Diego, CA | 05/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This wonderful recital presents the majestic artistry and magnificent voice of one of the twentieth century's most beloved sopranos. Leontyne Price demonstrates on this disc why she dominated Verdi spinto singing during her prime and also demonstrates her excellence in Puccini roles. Ms. Price has a dark, rich voice with an amazing upper register. Her high notes are among the most secure and beautiful on records. Her version of "Ritorna vincitor!" is fabulous and ranks with the best out there. Her "O patria mia" is truly in a class by itself. The high notes at the end, including a gorgeous, sustained dolce high C, are spectacular and very beautiful. The first aria from "Il Trovatore" is done wonderfully and soprano Laura Londi contributes nicely. Price handles the coloratura of the cabaletta competently and ends it with a secure high note. The second aria, "D'amor sull'ali rosee", to my ears, sounds a bit strained, but Price does show off a respectable trill. I have heard the piano singing of the phrases done better by both Caballé and Eileen Farrell. This is just a minor complaint. "Un bel dì" is sung beautifully, but I feel that the orchestra really drowns Price out in some places. Butterfly's Death Scene is very dramatic and effective. The best-sung aria on this recital is "Chi il bel sogno di Doretta". Price gives a marvelous interpretation of it and her high notes are rock-solid and hauntingly beautiful. Her "Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore" is well-sung, but I felt that the diminuendos at the end should have been re-recorded to better show off her singing skills. The two arias from "Turandot" are nicely done and quite moving. The two conductors provide Price with good support. The sound is not as optimal as it could have been. Price sounds distantly recorded, while the orchestra sounds like it was recorded very near the microphones. Because of this, Price often sounds drowned out by the bombastic-sounding orchestra."

A mainstay of every operabuff's collection

AJ | Bean Town | 09/17/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is certainly one of my favorite recording. Price had a very beautiful voice with an exciting fluttery vibrato that always thrills. She was the ideal Verdian and Puccinian soprano with a big voice and big high notes, which is important. To get down to business, she starts the recital on a high point with "Ritorna Vincitor", from top to bottom the voice was even at this time of her career. The "O Patria Mia" is probably the best one available on record, it has a gleaming high c, no effort on her part. But my favorite cut here is "D'amor sull' ali rose". There are nice trills, and the high notes are just too beautiful for words. "Un bel di vedremo" was the aria that introduce me to the wonderful world of Opera, and Price's RCA recording was the very first operatic record set I bought. I will never get tired of Price's poignant portrayal of Butterfly. The "Tu, tu, picolo iddio" is truely heart breaking also. "Vissi d'arte", the simple prayer to the Madonna that had made Callas the ruling prima donna of her day. But Price sings it better, if not as convincing as Callas. "Tu che di gel ser cinta" concludes the recital. I've always thought Price's Liu was one of the most moving and beautiful. All in all, one incredibly sung collection of arias that you must have."