Search - Italo Montemezzi, Ezio Pinza, Moore :: Montemezzi: L'Amore Dei Tre Re

It's finally available!

Andrew Chase | 03/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you love this opera then you will be glad to know that this superior performance from the Met 1941 is once again available on the Guild label. Having had a few previous incarnations on other labels in past years, it has long been unavailable until now. This Metropolitan opera performance is from a radio broadcast in 1941 and although the sound can be a bit cloudy, the Italianate fire and passion of the score comes through. This performance is a real occasion as this matinee is conducted by the composer; Italo Montemezzi. Heading up this verismo gem is the great Ezio Pinza sailing through one of his most showy roles as the aged, blind King Archibaldo. We are also fortunate to have a souvenir of Grace Moore in a most congenial role, that of Fiora, the unfaithful spouse of Archibaldo's son Manfredo. The remaining principals, Charles Kullman and Richard Bonelli acquit themselves marvelously. This little gem of an opera has 2 other versions available; one an old 1951 studio recording from Cetra and a RCA Treasury edition from the 1970's. Those two versions are very enjoyable although none capture the passionate verismo style as well as this very exciting performance. There are even bonus tracks of Ezio Pinza singing various operatic selections, also excellent. The packaging is excellent with a sumptous booklet featuring many pictures from the performance. Because this is a live performance and is aimed at the familiar and initiated, there is no libretto provided. I have waited for this to become available for a long time and I can safely say that this is a very special recording and a real live chunk of operatic history."