Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2. Che vuol da me?
Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2. Come una mosca prigioniera
Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2. Con onor muore
With her highly placed, lyrical sound, Madama Butterfly was really a role Renata Scotto should never have sung; indeed, it was just this type of heavy role that shortened the beautiful-tone days of her career. But we're ... more »fortunate that she did undertake the part: Her searing insights and her tragic transformation from innocent girl to all-knowing woman are so touching, so right, that Scotto is, arguably, the best all-around Butterfly on disc. What's more, this set catches her in excellent voice, long before the role had taken its toll. Butterfly is Puccini's saddest heroine, and Scotto will bring tears to your eyes. She is partnered here by the elegant Carlo Bergonzi, also in fine voice, and if he doesn't quite capture Pinkerton's swagger, he certainly does romance his new girl-bride to perfection. Sir John Barbirolli allows the score to unfold with uncommon beauty, and the remainder of the cast is very fine as well. But this is Scotto's show--as it should be--and she'll break your heart. --Robert Levine« less
With her highly placed, lyrical sound, Madama Butterfly was really a role Renata Scotto should never have sung; indeed, it was just this type of heavy role that shortened the beautiful-tone days of her career. But we're fortunate that she did undertake the part: Her searing insights and her tragic transformation from innocent girl to all-knowing woman are so touching, so right, that Scotto is, arguably, the best all-around Butterfly on disc. What's more, this set catches her in excellent voice, long before the role had taken its toll. Butterfly is Puccini's saddest heroine, and Scotto will bring tears to your eyes. She is partnered here by the elegant Carlo Bergonzi, also in fine voice, and if he doesn't quite capture Pinkerton's swagger, he certainly does romance his new girl-bride to perfection. Sir John Barbirolli allows the score to unfold with uncommon beauty, and the remainder of the cast is very fine as well. But this is Scotto's show--as it should be--and she'll break your heart. --Robert Levine
"While adoring TOSCA and LA BOHEME for many years, I could never warm to MADAMA BUTTERFLY. But after purchasing this recording, I discovered that the fault may not have been all mine. The Maria Callas version may be fine on its own merits, but this Renata Scotto interpretation simply soars. Conductor Barbirolli has breathed stunning life into this vivid, pulsing work and, with Scotto's heartbreaking soprano, created a definitive version of Puccini's time-honored classic. The recording quality is crisp and brilliant; the entire cast superb. A worthy addition to a classical library which may already have several other versions."
Yes, absolutely, the greatest Butterfly.
J. Luis Juarez Echenique | Mexico City | 12/11/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This recording has classic status and wins hands down over the stiff competition. Renata Scotto, a natural Lucia, perhaps was not meant by nature to sing Cio-Cio-San, but by sheer artistry and genius, she makes the role her own, like no other soprano in the Century. Hers is a deeply felt, throughly understood portrayal. The suicide is almost unbearable, it has to be heard to be believed! This is one of the most poignant interpretations ever caught on records. Period. And how lucky she was in having Carlo Bergonzi and Rolando Panerai as her partners, this casting was made in Heaven. And of course, there is the peerless conducting of Sir John Barbirolli, so loving, so passionate. I rate this recording as one of the three greatest Puccini recordings ever, the other 2 being of course, the Callas/Di Stefano/Gobbi/ De Sabata Tosca, and the Beecham La Boheme. It would be utterly ridiculous NOT to own this gem."
Heart Breaking!
Gapare Pacchierrotti | Canada | 01/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I have never been so moved. I have many fine recordings of Butterfly -- Tebaldi, Price, De Los Angelis -- yet none have moved me as this one. They all have their fine points, and moving parts that bring one to tears, but this recording is so much more than the occasional fine moment.This is a Soprano Opera, and even with the nice love duet with the tenor, or the flower duet, or the presenting of Pinkerton's letter by the US console, Sharpless -- all wonderful moments -- the real star is the soprano. This is a very heavy opera for the voice, and I agree this is not a good choice for Scotto's light instrument, that is if vocal longevity is to be considered. It is a real challenge to be a young girl ( I think Butterfly is supposed to be 15 ) in love with a foreigner, then a mother, then abandoned. Each singer has a strong part and a week part to this characterization -- that is except Scotto, for she masters all aspects of the character. As is her trade mark, the dramatic and personal truth of the character pours out in every note. The end of the opera leaves one not only in tears, but simply limp from emotional distress. If you can only afford one opera this year, buy this one; you won't go wrong."
A Definitive Recording
A. Lukas | Spokane, WA | 07/28/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Madama Butterfly has been one of my favorite operas since I was very young and this recording was among the first that I heard. Of course, I will admit that there have been better sopranos in this role such as Renata Tebaldi or Maria Callas, but Renata Scotto is one of the best and this recording is definitely the finest that she has made during her recording career. In this recording she is supported by Carlo Bergonzi, who is one of the greatest stlylists in opera, as well as by Rolando Panerai, whose Sharpless is without doubt one of his best recordings. It must also be said that this was one of Sir John Barbirolli's only two opera recordings. Barbirolli made this Butterfly toward the end of his long career during which he was a champion of many composers including Elgar. His masterful interpretation is without equal in my opinion. He allows the singers to shine in their respective roles and also allows the chorus to do one "Humming Chorus" that has brought me to tears time and time again. A wonderful recording."
Renata Scotto is THE MADAMA BUTTERFLY!
patrick graham | staten island, new york USA | 05/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Not often do I write a review for a C.D., but this recording deserved one. I was never really fond of the music in Madama Butterfly, but this recording absolutely changed my mind. I really feel that this is the best Butterfly on disc to date. Renata is truly charming. It's as if the role was written for her. Her final scene will bring tears to your eyes. She really does steal the show. Every opera lover should own a copy of this C.D."
Track Listings (17) - Disc #1
