Search - Montserrat Caballé :: Caballe

Terrible CD transfers of great material

operabuff | Bronx, NY USA | 02/22/2008

(2 out of 5 stars)

"These CD's are transfers of LP records made in the 70's, including '74 and '76 aria albums recorded in Spain and released by London Records, and a record of duets with DiStefano that was never released in the US. None of this material is otherwise available on CD, which is unfortunate because the audio quality in these transfers is abysmal - the sound is full of distortion in forte passages and gives a harsh, strident quality to Caballe's voice which, at the time of most of these records, was at the peak of its beauty. The performances are decidedly a mixed bag: the '76 album (originally called "Dramatic Soprano Arias") alarmed a lot of Caballe fans when it was issued because some of the arias find her in terrible vocal estate (particularly bad is the strained and screechy Act I Lady Macbeth aria and cabaletta) and gave the first glimpses of her subsequent vocal decline. The suprise here is the duet album w/Di Stefano with selections from Manon, Werther, and L'Elisir. He was in terrible shape in '75, but her singing is simply miraculous - Caballe in her prime at her very best. Since this is not available elsewhere (unless you own the original record and have digitized it), in spite of the awful sound quality, it is a must have for Caballe fans."

SUPERB CABALLE AT SUPERB PRICE

William S. Levison | Valdosta, GA United States | 05/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Although no sources are provided for these magnicently-sung performances and they seem to be live, the sound is clear and there is no applause. The above listings say everything about the variety of selection (bel canto, verismo, lieder, etc.), but even more remarkable is the consistent quality, technique, and beauty of this unique artist. Most remarkable of all is the price: four discs at less than the cost of a single full-priced CD. One final note: I believe that many of the selections have been available in no other form."