Search - Piero Cappuccilli, Plácido Domingo, Ghena Dimitrova :: Verdi - Nabucco / Cappuccilli, Domingo, Dimitrova, Nesterenko, Valentini-Terrani, Deutschen Oper Berlin, Sinopoli

Very Verdi

tmallon@pond.com | Philadelphia, PA, USA | 07/27/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hard to believe this is but Verdi's third opera. His first big hit, after almost throwing in the towel over the De Regno's flop. In 1841 the shrewd Bartolomeo Merelli, then impresario of La Scala, got Verdi re-engaged for this composition. Thank goodness, or we wouldn't have this great recording. Piero Cappuccilli heads the cast as a full voiced kick-ass Nabucco, only to have the show stolen by Ghena Dimitrova as an unbelievably powerful and dramatically convincing Abigaille. Evgeny Nesterenko is a first rate Zaccaria, High Priest of the Hebrews who almost scares off the King of Babylon (and me). Placid Domingo sounds youthful and strong as Ismaele (probably overcast in this lightweight role, but a nice bonus). Making it all work is the Opera of Berlin Orchestra and the wonderful conducting of Giuseppe Sinopoli. A more Verdi sounding score you will not find. Sinopoli subtle control of the brass accents the singers so well you want to listen to this recording again and again. This is in no small part due to the excellent sound engineering of Klaus Hiemann. All operas should be recorded this well, one that Verdi would purchase."

More than Exciting

BDSinC | Calgary, Alberta, Canada | 04/25/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have listened to a few versions of this opera, even pirated scenes with Maria Callas. It is really an opera of vitality. Verdi may have still had many crudities in the way he wrote. He may have even been over the top at times. Yet, he is unmistakeably exciting. As he third attempt at opera, I would say, even if he did use the "required styles of the day" he produced a wonderfully vivid work. Of course, the characters are one dimensional (if even that deep), but they are exciting and enjoyable. The sound is excellent, and the singing is every bit on par with the excitement of the music. Of course, the person who makes the opera is Ghena Dimitrova, and not because anyone else is less good. They are all great! She just seems to make that voice-wrecker music seem easy, and even gentle on the voice. There is no strain at all! However, I read somewhere when this recording was first reviewed that she had been ill, and that making the recording was difficult. I have no clue if that is true, but I can assure anyone who buys this recording, if it is, they will not be able to tell. She blazes through the role and carries you away. Just for those who are not familiar with her in real life performances, she has a voice that would knock your socks off. It is HUGE! It isn't just loud, and seemingly could go on for ever getting louder and louder without difficulty or strain. It is EXCITING! She can also draw back the sound to a whisper, like Caballe, and send a tingle up your spine. This recording gets close to sharing those real life experiences with the listener. This is well worthy the money!"

Bible Opera Packs A Punch

Rudy Avila | Lennox, Ca United States | 08/11/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Verdi's first big hit was Nabucco, based on the biblical account of the Hebrew captivity in Babylon by the imperious and vainglorious King Nebuchenessar. Nabucco is the Italian form of that name. While this is HIS opera, the web of characters form a powerful theme of love and thirst for power and longing for freedom. Isrele is the tenor part, a young Hebrew slave, in love with Ferena, sung by a mezzo soprano. Abigaille is the wicked daughter of King Nabucco, and her role is regarded as the most fiendishly difficult soprano role Verdi ever wrote, full of thunderous declamations high above C, and fully lyric with strong chest register. The cast in this early 80's recording is a dream cast, making this the best studio recording of Nabucco available today. Placido Domingo is singing a part that is not really the star, but he sings with passionate intensity and all his usual radiant flair. His was a voice that Verdi wrote for tenors, and Domingo himself considered Verdi to be his strongest vehicle as a tenor. In this recording we dont get the masculine ardor of Aida's Radames, or the refinement and passion of Alfredo in Traviata or the intensity of Otello nor even the ingellect of a Don Carlo or Don Alvaro from Forza Del Destino, but we have a fine character with religiosity and romantic feelings. The arias are well-executed by Domingo. He keeps up with the faster portions of the music. It seems to me listening to all this - Verdi was really trying desperately to make a hit. He had not had any success prior to this opera. The music is very dramatic, with far too many fortissimos even. Every aria and ensemble ends in such a BANG that it would seem the opera ends earlier than it should. Of course, the Overture is lovely. The highlights of this opera include great choruses. The first one in Act 1 and the more famous Va Pensiero, the Hebrews cry for freedom which even rises to nationalistic Italian heights.



Other than the tremendous talents of Placido Domingo, this recording is blessed with the fine voice of bass-baritone Piero Cappuccili in the eponymous role. As Nabucco, the evil, arrogant king, he is majestic and sometimes paternal (Verdi baritones ALWAYS sound paternal and it doesnt help that the music written fo them are mellow). Cappucilli is another great Verdi singer that together with Domingo make this recording exceptional. Opposite the more dragon-lady-like Ghena Dimitrova, he seems to be weak though....as in the scene "Prisoner ? Si! Prisioner SI!!"

But Cappuccili holds his own and is in fine shape in this recording. He is also the best Macbeth, and his voice is prominently displayed in a DG recording he sang opposite Shirley Verret's imperious Lady Macbeth.



The ladies in this recording are electrifying. Ghena Dimitrova, a Bulgarian-born soprano, is the best Abigaille ever recorded or performed. Not even Callas reaches the technical bravura and character integrity she essays. Her voice is strong, full and powerful. It is even said that Dimitrova had the highest and strongest dramatic soprano voice. Her career was short-lived because of all the intense roles she sang (Turandot, Tosca, Norma, Lady Macbeth). Abigaille she sang numerous times and it was even her signature role. Mezzo soprano Lucia Valentini-Terrani is prolly the weakest in the bunch, but she masters the role of Ferena with aplomb. I cant complain. I love everything about this recording, including the somewhat wooden Terrani. This recording deserves more recognition. Opera lovers go out and get this recording. Pass it on....."