Description:

There are clues in this recording that suggest Il Trovatore may not have been the highest priority that year at the Hamburg State Opera. For one, the chorus sings in German, and there are moments where the ensemble begins to slightly unravel. However, the soloists seem to embrace this fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants approach to opera production, delivering inspired performances with an air of improvisation.

The standout is Pauline Tinsley as Leonora. She is truly one of the great Verdi sopranos of all time. Her voice is full and lush while maintaining purity of tone. She never pushes and navigates the coloratura passages with aplomb.

Irene Dalis is equally stunning as Azucena. Her voice has even more richness than in her early years, but she focuses more on highlighting the character than showcasing her prodigious vocal abilities. She does not shy away from using her chest voice to thrilling effect.

The men are not quite as strong as the women. As Manrico, Umberto Borso has a nicely burnished tone and a sizeable instrument, but he lacks finesse and style.

NEW MASTER
- Pitch Corrected

OD 10585-2