Search - Donizetti, Pavarotti :: Lucia Di Lammermoor (Highlights)

Disappointing live version

Steven A. Peterson | Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL) | 05/30/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a live version (highlights) of Donizetti's great opera, "Lucia di Lammermoor." I was interested in this for a couple reasons: (1) it represents relatively early Luciano Pavarotti (as I recall--please correct me if I'm wrong--his "Lucia" with Joan Sutherland was yet to come); (2) Christina Deutekom sang Lucia, and I was interested in her art and craft. Unfortunately, this CD doesn't work too well for me. The sound quality, first, is not very good; audience noises are also annoying. So, a 2 for sound quality. The singing is better, but--as noted--not fully satisfying. So, overall, a 3.



Let's take a look at some of the selections. . . .



"Cruda Funesta Smania" is a nice piece. However, the sound quality is rough, and it's sometimes tough to distinguish singers. It seems like an adequate performance, but it sure does not stand out.



"Quando Rapito in Estasi" is a coloratura soprano's delight. Listen to Beverly Sills' version. I'm exhausted by her agility and vocal pyrotechnics in this cabaletta! Deutekom's version, though, is rather vanilla. Not bad--but not very exciting. Her repeat does not kick things up, as one likes with cabalettas. And the final high note is not elegantly sung.



"Sulla Tomba": Nice to hear the young Pavarotti in this! The richness of his voice is apparent; you can tell that this is Pavarotti, after all. His technique is not yet fully formed, but what a voice!



Then, one of the greatest ensemble pieces in all of opera--"Chi Me Frena in Tal Momento." This sextet is wonderful! Despite the sound quality, one can detect Pavarotti's tenor pretty handily. The piece, despite the quality of recording, is still enjoyable.



"Spargi D'Amaro Pianto"--wow! One of the best cabalettas in the repertoire. Here is where the coloratura soprano can show what she's capable of. Listen to Sutherland and Sills and Sumi Jo. This version jut doesn't compare with the top performers. Deutekom does a decent job, but it is vanilla. The repeat features enhanced florid singing. Indeed, that occurs here, but it is not sparkling--there is an aborted trill, some staccato singing, a bit more vocal agility. Overall, though, a rather tame repeat.



So, this is interesting to hear a younger Pavarotti. Live performances are often neat to listen to. But this doesn't rise much above an adequate version of "Lucia di Lammermoor."





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