Search - Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, Gianandrea Gavazzeni :: Puccini: Turandot

Some Excitement at La Scala

Igor Sutherland | Great Britain | 04/22/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What so special about this recording is its atmosphere - after you've listened to it you'll want to buy other live recordings. Do overlook Corelli's late entrances and do not pay attention to that Italian mama who never shut up after `Signor ascolta'. Vichnevskaya will melt your heart as a pitiful Liu; and Corelli will astonish anyone with his reckless energy. Everything is topped up by Nillson's inexhaustible Turandot (sounds as if she could sing it all over again the same night!). The whole performance comes across as a clash of the titans - undoubtedly, certain stage chemistry is going on between Calaf and Turandot; and a strong rapport exists between Liu and Timur. Over all - a rear event when the principles are equally brilliant and the audience knows it too well and shows it! The sound is good, though not as good as a studio recording sound. Having listened to most other live versions of Turandot (inl. 3 other with Nillson/Corelli team)I would choose this one. Studio recordings such as Sutherland/Pav give you better sound and musical precision but not the document of an exeptionally exciting show.If one wants to find out more about this performance, Vishnevskaya dedicated few pages in her autobiography to this special evening."