Search - Charles Gounod, Amilcare Ponchielli, Giacomo Puccini :: The Singers: Franco Corelli

Thank You Decca

09/26/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Franco Corelli fans should be so grateful. At last a recording company is releasing some wonderful classical material. Along with several of Franco Corelli's most loved arias this CD is a fabulous remastering of some of Franco Corelli's best (and least often heard) singing. There was, and never will be, a more exciting and thrilling tenor voice. I thought I had at least one example of every song that Maestro Corelli had recorded, but here is a fabulous duet from Francesca da Rimini - magnificent. The pairings with Renata Tebaldi sear the soul and heart as well as the ears. We will not hear voices like this again. The "Gia nella notte densa with Zylis-Gara has been restored beautifully and is a sad reminder of what we missed when Corelli chose not to record this Verdi masterpiece.With some fairly unusual track selections, this is not the CD to buy if you are going to have only one Corelli recording. However, as NO ONE ever has just one Corelli recording, go get this as quickly as possible. The price is amazing considering this is an "enhanced" CD with a photo gallery, discography and other feature included."

Amazing Corelli Rarities!

Jon M. De Benedictis | Fairfield, CT United States | 12/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The real of joy of this recording, and what makes it different than most other Corelli recordings, is that it is largely material that he never performed live on stage. So while it's a joy to listen to it, one can't help but be sad by the fact that he never chose to perform these roles live.
On this disc, only Tosca and La Gioconda were in Corelli's repetoire, and they are well represented here. The disc opens with the famous love duet from Otello in which Corelli is partnered with the excellent Teresa Zylis-Gara. The audience goes wild- and no wonder why! All the elements are there- the romance, the passion, the heroism. Without a doubt, Corelli would have been an incredible Otello!
He is partnered with Renata Tebaldi, past her prime, in two duets. The first, from Manon Lescaut, finds Tebaldi trying to keep up with Corelli. There is, however, magic when the two of them sing together. The second is the challenging, but beautiful duet from Zandonai's Francesca da Rimini. Listen to Corelli's diminuendo when he sings "Francesca" at the end! You will have goosebumps.
He is heard also in Faust. Though his French was less than ideal, he still creates an excellent Faust and is well partnered by Nicolai Ghiarouv.
All in all, this disc is a must for any Corelli fan, or any opera fan."

Another masterpiece from Franco CORELLI

Susana Alves | Portugal | 06/24/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is always a great pleasure hearing Franco Corelli singing, specially because he will never record again. Whatever we can find out recorded by him, studio or live performances, is wellcome. Once Franco Corelli stated that his live performances recording were far better than studio recording, which I absolutely agree with him. On live performances one can feel and hear how Franco Corelli set himself FREE when singing. In my modest opinion, there is no other opera singer like him. His voice, the way he performed when singing is absolutely outstanding. The beautiful pianissimos he introduced on his singing will assure to him and to everybody that he will never be forgotten for that achievement. No comparison with anyone else. He is unique. He changed the way Opera use to be sang and performed. Although no one is perfect, Franco Corelli did his best and made all the efforts possible to be almost perfect in what he was great: singing for us, all those who enjoy Bel Canto, Canto Lirico. Highly recommended."