Search - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Boris Khaikin, Andrei Sokolov :: Tchaikovsky: Eugene Onegin

The Long Lost Melodia Recording

08/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Opera fans, listen up! Somehow the 60s Melodia recording (once available for a short time through now-perished Legato Classics) is obtained by Opera D'Oro. This is not a live recording (as most of this company's budget price releases). It is a good studio recording remastered, sounding surprisingly balanced and clear. It boasts the greatest singers of the Bolshoi Theatre: Galina Vishnevskaya, Sergei Lemeshev, Evgeny Belov (in title role), Larissa Avdeyeva, and Ivan Petrov. Boris Khaikin who, at the time, was seconded only by Alexander Melik-Pashayev leads one of the best orchestras in the world. Galina Vishnevskaya, well known for her splendid accounts of taxing works of Shostakovich and Prokofiev, is the best Tatiana one could imagine. The composer himself would admit that this is the voice he was looking for when he created his favorite heroine. Incredibly expressive and powerful, yet subtle and vulnerable at the same time. Exquisite phrasing that could not even be lost on non-Russian speaking audience; listen to the naiveté of the letter scene versus the flood of emotions covered with coldness in Act III. She is head and shoulders above the rest of the cast, which is still first-rate. Belov's relatively high tessitura brings out the cruelty of the character, particularly during the ball scene where he heartlessly wounds Lenski's poetic heart. Even though Dmitri Hvorostovsky is the best reigning Onegin with his dark, honeyed baritone, Belov's account is interesting and appropriate. Lemeshev was one of the most sophisticated singers of his time, and this says a lot. While I personally prefer tenors with strong low registers, Lemeshev's voice appears perfect for the part of dreamy, romantic, and highly vulnerable poet. Avdeyeva is idiomatic flirtatious Olga, and Petrov's deep smooth bass is an ideal choice for aged yet passionate and devoted Prince Gremin. Given the set's budget price, it has no translations and brief liner notes. I wished for a nice (even if pricey) edition complete with information about these incredible artists. Don't let it stop you from immediately obtaining it though. An absolute must have before it disappears again."

A great "Onegin"

L. E. Cantrell | Vancouver, British Columbia Canada | 07/05/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Previous Amazon reviewers have commented on the history of this recording and its performers. I have nothing to add to that.I shall say only this. When you hear the opening words of the very first duet you will be impressed. With each succeeding number, you will raise your opinion until you realize that this is one of those amazingly rare performances in which everything is right. This "Eugene Onegin" is the true measure of the opera, and a worthy companion to the Schipa "Don Pasquale," the Gigli "Andrea Chenier" and the Callas "Tosca.""

Very good in ALL respects

G. Dowling | St. Louis, MO, USA | 07/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Those reviewers discussing the artistic merits of this great recording have pretty much said it all. As to the one reviewer taking serious issue with the sonic quality -- perhaps he got a bad copy or else Opera d'Oro has cleaned it up since then. My copy, just purchased, has extremely clean sound, a bit on the dry side, but overall satisfying. I totally agree that this is one of the gems in their catalogue."