Description:

On paper, Beverly Sills and Luciano Pavarotti might seem like an unlikely pairing. While both singers reached the pinnacle of the operatic world, they did so via very different paths. However, this recording proves how two contrasting artists can challenge and inspire one another to even greater artistic heights.

Beverly Sills’ unwavering dedication to the drama, even when navigating monstrously difficult music, has become legendary. From Lucia’s first lines, Sills conveys her fragility, drawing listeners into the heroine’s descent into madness with heartbreaking nuance. Luciano Pavarotti, by contrast, was not widely celebrated for his acting, but Sills seems to awaken his inner thespian in a way that other sopranos didn't, resulting in an impassioned and deeply committed performance.

Vocally, this role showcases everything that made Pavarotti one of the greatest tenors of his time. His golden tone and rock-solid technique shine through, effortlessly meeting the role’s challenges. The way he ascends stepwise to the high As in the opera’s final moments is nothing short of perfection.

This recording is a must-have for fans of the opera and these two legendary artists. The sound is good, though unfortunately, the first three minutes of the tenor’s final scene are missing.

BONUS:
Sills & Pavarotti sing scenes from I Puritani
1972

OD 10600-2