Search - Ruggero Raimondi, Sherrill Milnes, Cristina Deutekom :: Verdi: Attila

Fine recording with an exceptional Forresto (Bergonzi)

Armindo | Greece | 04/22/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"All Attila recordings have something to offer. This first studio recording of the opera is not what I would call defenite but there is something uniquely beautiful about it, not found in later recordings. The young Raimondi, whose handsome voice and dramatic insights I always enjoy, sounds a bit too light for the regal role of Attila. Ramey's instrument for Muti (EMI) is more convincing and how fortunate we are that his assumption of the role has also been captured on video twice. Even grander is Ghiaurov and I wonder why he was never chosen to record the role in studio.Deutekom is captured in her prime impressing us with her free top and coloratura. Odabella was one of her main roles and she portraits it well. What I miss are the low notes which only Sylvia Sass offers in studio (Maria Guleghina on video beside Ramey also does a superb job). Milnes has never been a favourite of mine but he doesn't dissapoint here (Cappuccilli would have been ideal though). I can replace all the three aforementioned singers with others who have performed the roles. However, there is no way I can choose any other tenor who has performed or recorded this role above Bergonzi! He does some of his finest Verdi singing on this set and in his first aria gives the most ravishing pianissimi I've heard by a tenor. Maestro Gardelli conducts with grace and adds another early Verdi recording to his collection."