Search - Luciano Pavarotti, Antonio Savastano, Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala :: Premieres Rare Verdi Arias

A True Rarity

12/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This recording of Verdi rarities is a must have for any Verdi fan (and I am). I had read in Budden's excellent books(years before this recording was released) that Verdi composed alternative arias for some of his operas. I was so pleased to finally be able to hear them. Pavarotti has since sung (and now recorded) Ernani with the additional aria. I personally prefer the Vepres alternate to the original, (not that I would lose it). The Aida overture is typical of Verdi's pastiche overtures, and well constructed, but he was correct in leaving the original shorter prelude in place. It is always fascinating to hear how a composer develops his works. With Verdi there are existing recordings (if you look around hard enough) of the early versions of works later heavilly revised (MacBeth, Don Carlos, Boccanegra, et al).Here's a chance to hear the aria second thoughts or special requests. They provide insight and belie the common belief that Verdi ignored performers' requests. It's a peek into the workshop of a master, and certainly worth a look."

Verdi rarities

06/25/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"These recordings of alternative arias, written for demanding tenors or special circumstances, date from 1978 and 1980 and until Domingo's 4CD complete Verdi Tenor arias box set appeared on DG in 2001, were pretty well the only recordings available. Even now, though this CD is short measure at 42'50", this is still a bargain. Particularly since the full price but textless highlight disc DG have also issued from Domingo's 4CD set contains none of the rarities. In any case this recording from over 20 years earlier finds Pavarotti in fine voice and responding well to Abbado and La Scala's orchestra. The gem of the collection is A toi que j'ai chérie from Les vêpres sicilliennes, making one wonder why there still isn't a recording of this marvellous opera in the original French.NB: This reviewer has the Warner Fonit version of the current CD "Verdi Pagine Inedite" which has Italian texts but no translations, so cannot comment on whether the US version provides a libretto."