Rimsky-Korsakov: Ivan the Terrible (In Italian) - Christoff, Panni, Bondoni, Gaetani; Schippers. Roma, 1969

$8.95



Listen to a Sample:

It is amazing the wonderful and adventurous operas that were coming out of Italy in the 60s.  Not only was there a bel canto renaissance going on in which great and forgotten works of Bellini, Rossini, Donizetti and Spontini were re-emerging, but they were also looking outside the boot and mounting works that are still rarities today.  It is most likely that RImsky-Korsakov's Ivan the Terrible was chosen as a vehicle for Boris Christoff.  Christoff's dark bass carries the whole opera and he is able to both sing the role with impeccable Italian as well as convey the Russian flavor of the work.  He is joined by an ensemble of excellent Italian singers and the performance is conducted by Thomas Schippers.  The sound is very good.

OD 10607-2