Search - Armando Gabba, Renato Bruson, Giuseppe Verdi :: Verdi: Rigoletto (Highlights)

Justice at last ...

D. Macdonald | Johannesburg - South Africa | 01/04/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I really wanted the Pavarotti/Gruberova/Wixell recording of this opera, having seen it on film, but Decca has never seen fit to release the soundtrack on CD (VHS and DVD are available and it was even released on video disc - if you remember those). It was this film version that introduced me the magnificent Edita Gruberova, who if anything here shines even brighter in this offering from Philips. Gilda is placed right at the centre of this work (as it should be) and her Caro Nome remains probably my all time favourite recording of the coloratura soprano voice. Very rarely have I seen fit to buy 'the same' disc twice, but at last this highlights package (remastered) includes the Duke's aria Questa O Quella, which was inexplicably omitted from the original highlights release. I always found Schicoff a little lightweight in the role of the Duke (perhaps explaining the 'cut' notes mentioned by a previous reviewer), but somehow the inclusion now of this piece rounds out the character more and prepares you for his later somewhat wistful rendition of La Donna e Mobile. Bruson I find a magnificent Rigoletto, different but the equal in every respect of Wixell. His growing pain is palpable. Beautifully orchestrated by Sinopoli, with a strong supporting cast, this recording on the Philips budget series(so no liner notes/synopsis) is well worth seeking out."