Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Oliviero de Fabritiis, Verona Theater Arena Orchestra :: Verdi: Ernani

Complete recording of incomplete performance.

Volumnius | Northern Ireland | 09/26/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Further to the first review, I would concur that the performance is 'beautiful', Corelli being in superb form. The principal recording is in fact complete : it was the performance that was incomplete. Perhaps the U. S. release had different notes, but the E. U. release informs us in the notes that at the point at which the music ends, a rainstorm had broken out that made continuation of the (outdoor) performance impossible ; one can hear the ensuing fuss on the recording!"

Beautiful, Incomplete Document

Monica | Romania | 07/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"UPDATE September 27, 2009: see the review by Volumnius for explanation of incompleteness.



This set of two CDs includes the performance of July 15, 1972 and a bonus with excerpts from another Ernani with Franco Corelli performed on August 5, 1972, again at the Arena di Verona.



The "main" show, of July 15, is presented as being complete. But the music stops during Track 14 of CD2, in the middle of De Silva's words "Tu l'ami...". The last track, which should have included "Se uno squillo..." is entirely missing. Fortunately, the bonus includes the entire finale of August 5. I have discussed this with several friends, but nobody seems to know why the show of July 15 is not complete. Myto Records does not provide any explanation.



But this CD is definitely recommended to those who like the art of Franco Corelli. It is an excellent Ernani, and, despite what some detractors say, for myself, I cannot hear any vocal decline here. On the contrary, if one wishes to split hairs, in his aria "Merce, diletti amici..." Corelli does a diminuendo and spends more seconds on "amor" than in his 1965 Ernani at the Met.



The recording technology is not great. The bonus is recorded even worse. But the rest of the cast and the chorus of Verona are very good. Now that you know what to expect, it is your decision whether to buy it or not.

"