{"title":"PUCCINI, Giacomo","description":"","products":[{"product_id":"puccini-tosca-galvany-maresca-mastromei-veltri-brazil-1977","title":"Puccini: Tosca - Galvany, Maresca, Mastromei; Veltri.  Brazil, 1977","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt should come to no surprise to anyone who admires Marisa Galvany that she is superb in this recording of \u003cem\u003eTosca\u003c\/em\u003e. Although there was almost no style that she didn't excel at, she was particularly well suited to roles that require red-hot temperament, like Tosca. Her outbursts are full-throated without sacrificing the integrity of the long melodic lines in \u003cem\u003e\"Vissi d'arte.\"\u003c\/em\u003e The sound is fair. The voices are slightly distant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10942-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292666970248,"sku":"10942-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098777156,"sku":"MP3 10942-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10942-2front.jpg?v=1751037335"},{"product_id":"puccini-edgar-tinsley","title":"Puccini: Edgar - Tinsley, Dowd, Biggar, Sharpe, Dodgson; Balkwill.  1972","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am convinced that \u003cem\u003eEdgar\u003c\/em\u003e would be in the standard repertoire of opera companies if it weren't for one glaring flaw. The libretto is absolute gibberish. The story is an Italian \u003cem\u003eTannhäuser\u003c\/em\u003e of sorts about a man who has to choose between virtue and sexual desire. Despite the ham-fisted story, Puccini demonstrates a very advanced understanding of orchestration, ambiance and, of course, melody. Musically this score seems the work of a seasoned opera composer and not a relative newcomer. British soprano Pauline Tinsley is radiant as Fidelia. The sound is good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10922-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292665921672,"sku":"10922-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098753860,"sku":"MP3 10922-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10922-2front.jpg?v=1751037310"},{"product_id":"puccini-rondine-virginia-zeani","title":"Puccini: La Rondine - Zeani, Ravazzi, Saldari, Marchiandi; Verchi.  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The supporting cast delivers solid work overall, though \u003cstrong\u003eGabriella Ravazzi\u003c\/strong\u003e’s Lisette raises some concern — she sings much of the role down an octave, suggesting she may have been under the weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNEW MASTER\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- Track information added and audio cleaned up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBONUS:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVirginia Zeani and Richard Tucker Sing Excerpts from \u003cem\u003eManon Lescaut\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRoma, 1969\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10048-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292664152200,"sku":"10048-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098769860,"sku":"MP3 10048-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":50252776276289,"sku":"FLAC 10048-2","price":7.17,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10048-2front.jpg?v=1751037265"},{"product_id":"puccini-la-fanciulla-del-west-silja","title":"Puccini: La fanciulla del West - Silja, Ilosfalvy, Janulako, Feller; Mackerras. 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The real surprise is \u003cb\u003eVassilio Janulako\u003c\/b\u003e as Rance, bringing a dark baritone that captures both the character’s menace and his misguided romanticism. \u003cb\u003eCharles Mackerras\u003c\/b\u003e, also not especially associated with Puccini, leads a performance of sweeping grandeur.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003chr class=\"mobile-only-hr\"\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n  \u003c!-- Right Column: Cast and Details --\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eCAST\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n      Minnie – \u003cstrong\u003eANJA SILJA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Jack Rance – \u003cstrong\u003eVASSILIO JANULAKO\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Dick Johnson – \u003cstrong\u003eROBERT ILOSFALVY\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Nick – \u003cstrong\u003eHEUBER NOEHLER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Ashby – \u003cstrong\u003eCARLOS FELLER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Sonora – \u003cstrong\u003eTAKAO OKAMURA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Jake Wallace – \u003cstrong\u003eJAN VAN REE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      José Castro – \u003cstrong\u003eUDO KABOT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Trin – \u003cstrong\u003eFRANCISCO VERGARA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Jack – \u003cstrong\u003eRONALD BURGER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Harry – \u003cstrong\u003eALFONSO VASQUEZ\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003chr\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eDETAILS\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\n      Location: \u003cstrong\u003eKöln\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Date: \u003cstrong\u003eSeptember 26, 1976\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Conductor: \u003cstrong\u003eCharles Mackerras\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Catalogue Number: \u003cstrong\u003eOD 10167-2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Label: \u003cstrong\u003eOpera Depot\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Number of Discs: \u003cstrong\u003e2\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      \u003cstrong\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n    \u003c\/p\u003e\n  \u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292660875400,"sku":"10167-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098761284,"sku":"MP3 10167-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":51604601045313,"sku":"FLAC 10167-2","price":7.17,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10167-2front.jpg?v=1776096698"},{"product_id":"puccini-tosca-rysanek-king-waechter","title":"Puccini: Tosca - Rysanek, King, Wächter; Klobucar.  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Under the baton of \u003cstrong\u003eBerislav Klobučar\u003c\/strong\u003e, the orchestra provides a nuanced and dynamic interpretation of Puccini's score. The audio quality, while not pristine, is sufficient to convey the strengths of the performances.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNote: \u003c\/strong\u003eThis performance replaces a previous master. The pitch has been corrected and I have added track information.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10216-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292658942088,"sku":"10216-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098780420,"sku":"MP3 10216-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":49876852506945,"sku":null,"price":7.17,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10216-2front.jpg?v=1751037146"},{"product_id":"puccini-la-boheme-freni-pavarotti-taddei","title":"Puccini: La Bohème - Freni, Pavarotti, Taddei, Oran, Arie; Sanzogno.  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Joining this duo is veteran baritone \u003cstrong\u003eGiuseppe Taddei\u003c\/strong\u003e, who manages to give the role of Marcello a multi-hued dimension that you almost never hear in this role. \u003cstrong\u003eNino Sanzogno\u003c\/strong\u003e leads a thoughtful yet somewhat restrained performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNEW MASTER\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e- Re-pitched, clipping\/distortion removed, sound cleaned up\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10248-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292658188424,"sku":"10248-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098758020,"sku":"MP3 10248-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":50250069410113,"sku":"FLAC 10248-2","price":7.17,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10248-2front.jpg?v=1751037125"},{"product_id":"puccini-madama-butterfly-olivero-cioni-zanasi-rescigno","title":"Puccini: Madama Butterfly - Olivero, Cioni, Zanasi; Rescigno. 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Her \u003ci\u003e\"Un bel dì\"\u003c\/i\u003e is among the most vivid accounts I have ever heard, using the voice to paint rather than merely sing. \u003cb\u003eRenato Cioni\u003c\/b\u003e is a sturdy Pinkerton and \u003cb\u003eMario Zanasi\u003c\/b\u003e brings suave elegance to Sharpless. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10486-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292645834888,"sku":"10486-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098766276,"sku":"MP3 10486-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":50321979572545,"sku":"FLAC 10486-2","price":7.17,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10486-2front.jpg?v=1751036898"},{"product_id":"puccini-gianni-schicchi-renato-capecchi-votto","title":"Puccini: Gianni Schicchi - Capecchi, De Georgio, Ribetti; Votto. 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With the guidance of conductor \u003cstrong\u003eAntonino Votto\u003c\/strong\u003e, they make every change of meter and tempo feel like an organic reaction to the unfolding drama.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn Mono\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10491-1\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292645671048,"sku":"10491-1","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098754884,"sku":"MP3 10491-1","price":3.57,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":50260230996289,"sku":"FLAC 10491-1","price":4.17,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10491-1front.jpg?v=1751036893"},{"product_id":"puccini-tabarro-collier-craig-gobbi-pritchard","title":"Puccini: Il Tabarro - Gobbi, Collier, Craig, Bainbridge; Pritchard.  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He navigates the demands of this notoriously taxing part with seeming ease, his voice tireless throughout.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10524-1\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292644688008,"sku":"10524-1","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098771716,"sku":"MP3 10524-1","price":3.57,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10524-1front.jpg?v=1751036859"},{"product_id":"puccini-la-boheme-del-monaco-bechi-gui","title":"Puccini: La Bohème - Del Monaco, Rizzieri, Bechi, Neroni; Gui.  Napoli, 1950","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe phrase \u003cem\u003elive recording\u003c\/em\u003e evokes mixed reactions among opera enthusiasts. Personally, I have always favored live performances over their often sterile studio counterparts. However, I recognize that many associate them with scratchy, poor-quality relics. In curating my collection, I have aimed to satisfy both perspectives by ensuring only recordings with adequate sound make the cut. With this in mind, I nearly dismissed this \u003cem\u003eLa Bohème\u003c\/em\u003e recording due to its imperfect sound and missing sections.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYet, just as my finger hovered over the eject button, the young \u003cstrong\u003eMario Del Monaco\u003c\/strong\u003e pulled me back in. His voice in 1950 was remarkably lyrical, with a slightly brighter timbre, and its sheer brilliance soon overpowered the surface flaws of the recording. \u003cstrong\u003eGino Bechi\u003c\/strong\u003e, as Marcello, proves another great asset, matching Del Monaco in both sound and youthful vigor. \u003cstrong\u003eElena Rizzieri\u003c\/strong\u003e, whom I had not known before, brings a luminous sheen and opulence to Mimì, holding her own alongside her formidable castmates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are a few technical shortcomings: the first few minutes of Acts One and Three are missing, a thirty-second gap appears before \u003cem\u003eDonde lieta\u003c\/em\u003e, and the final bars of the opera fade in and out. Fortunately, none of these interruptions occur during the most glorious singing. If you are undeterred by an imperfect recording, I highly recommend this wonderful (and nearly perfect) performance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10528-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292644556936,"sku":"10528-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098757316,"sku":"MP3 10528-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10528-2front.jpg?v=1751036855"},{"product_id":"puccini-stella-cioni-quilico-basile","title":"Puccini: Tosca - Stella, Cioni, L. Quilico; Basile. Roma, 1965","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eThis recording captures the great \u003cstrong\u003eAntonietta Stella\u003c\/strong\u003e as Tosca in glorious sound. By 1965, her voice remained refulgent, now displaying a darker hue than in the 1950s. 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She sings with extreme delicacy in Act I only to switch into overdrive in the subsequent acts as Butterfly's situation becomes more dire. She is joined by Charles Craig as Pinkerton. Craig's over-sized tenor voice was not necessarily Italianate by nature, but he nonetheless demonstrates a keen sense of style. Josephine Veasey offers what may be one of the most vocally distinquished Suzukis I have ever heard. 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Shuard's rather cool soprano plays well against Franco Corelli's red-hot tenor and although the two singers seem of different worlds they ignite the stage and match each other decibel for decibel. Elizabeth Vaughan is lovely as Liù. The whole evening is aided by the deft hand of Charles Mackerras in the pit. The sound is fair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10866-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292630040712,"sku":"10866-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098786436,"sku":"MP3 10866-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10866-2front.jpg?v=1751036411"},{"product_id":"puccini-il-trittico-collier-gobbi-craig-vaughan-fisher-minton-pritchard","title":"Puccini: Il Trittico - Collier, Craig, Gobbi, Carlyle, Fisher, M. Price, Minton, Vaughan, Coates; Pritchard.  London, 1965","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis performance of \u003cem\u003eIl Trittico\u003c\/em\u003e pairs some of the the finest British singers of the time with one very notable Italian singer. Tito Gobbi lends his talents to the roles of Michele and Gianni Schicchi. By the mid-sixties, the voice wasn't quite what it used to be but in neither case does it matter because his powers as an actor more than compensate. His anguish at having lost his wife's heart in \u003cem\u003eTabarro\u003c\/em\u003e is very moving and it is a true delight to hear him manipulate all of Buoso's relations in \u003cem\u003eGianni Schicchi\u003c\/em\u003e. Marie Collier is a passionate yet delicate Giorgetta. Charles Craig's burly and tireless tenor is heard to good effect as Luigi. Joan Carlyle is also very good as Angelica. Her voice may lack the heft that one generally associates with Puccini, but she rises to the demands of the role very well and delivers a performance that easily moved me to tears. The sound is excellent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10871-3\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292629844104,"sku":"10871-3","price":16.17,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098755908,"sku":"MP3 10871-3","price":8.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10871-3front.jpg?v=1751036404"},{"product_id":"puccini-tosca-rysanek-johns-gobbi","title":"Puccini: Tosca - Rysanek, Johns, Gobbi.  Mannheim, 1976","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis performance of \u003cem\u003eTosca\u003c\/em\u003e captures the great Leonie Rysanek and Tito Gobbi at the tail end of their careers (although Rysanek would go on to sing character parts for the following two decades.) Although some of the high C's may have been a little more tentative than in the past, Rysanek still maintains her signature intensity and commitment. The venom into which she injects the line \u003cem\u003e\"Assassino\"\u003c\/em\u003e is particularly terrifying. Tito Gobbi's voice was nearly bereft of beauty by 1976, but it hardly matters as beauty of tone can often be a liability in the role of Scarpia. Nonetheless, Gobbi alternates seamlessly between Scarpia the politician and Scarpia the sociopath and proves an apt foil to Rysanek. William Johns sings the role of Cavaradossi. Johns would go on to sing the dramatic Wagner roles in the 80s and 90s. Hearing this performance makes you wish that he had stuck with less dramatic fare as he displays and youthful and lyrical tone which didn't hold up well after a steady diet of Wagner. The sound is fair.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 10960-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292627288200,"sku":"10960-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098780356,"sku":"MP3 10960-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/10960-2front.jpg?v=1751036341"},{"product_id":"puccini-la-boheme-cotrubas-bonisolli-rysanek-taddei-giaiotti-guadagno","title":"Puccini: La Bohème - Cotrubas, Bonisolli, Lo. Rysanek, Taddei, Giaiotti; Guadagno.  Wien, 1973","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Viennese were quite fortunate to have Franco Bonisolli in town on the occasion of this performance of \u003cem\u003eLa Bohème\u003c\/em\u003e to fill in for an indisposed Jaime Aragall. Despite the lack of rehearsal, Bonisolli throws himself into the role of Rodolfo singing with the kind of raw intensity that was his trademark. He is joined by Ileana Cotrubas who brings restrained pathos and silvery tone to the role of Mimì. Giuseppe Taddei is excellent as Marcello and Lotte Rysanek is the kind of full-voiced Musetta that one rarely hears these days. The sound is very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11003-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292626174088,"sku":"11003-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098756804,"sku":"MP3 11003-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11003-2front.jpg?v=1751036305"},{"product_id":"puccini-turandot-amy-shuard-marie-collier-kaart-rouleau-pritchard","title":"Puccini: Turandot (In English) - Shuard, Kaart, Collier, Rouleau, Tree, MaCDonald; Pritchard.  London, 1960","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis recording of \u003cem\u003eTurandot\u003c\/em\u003e harkens back to the era in which Covent Garden would present all of their operas in English. The superb cast is headed by Amy Shuard who brings both bone-chilling intensity along with vocal warmth which one rarely hears in this role. Hans Kaart, a tenor who was unknown to me, is outstanding as Calaf and Marie Collier brings her signature pathos to the role of Liù. The sound is fair to good\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBONUS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAmy Shuard sings arias from \u003cem\u003eMacbeth.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11011-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292625879176,"sku":"11011-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098782916,"sku":"MP3 11011-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11011-2front.jpg?v=1751036296"},{"product_id":"dallapiccola-prigioniero-cassilly-treigle-stokowski-tosca-steber-zsschau","title":"Dallapiccola: Il Prigioniero (In English) - Treigle, Cassilly, McNight, Stern, Macurdy; Stokowski. 1960","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eListen to a Sample of \u003cem\u003eTosca:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003caudio controls=\"controls\"\u003e\n  \u003csource src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/OD-Downloads\/S11016-1a.wav\" type=\"audio\/wav\"\u003e\n  \u003csource src=\"https:\/\/s3.amazonaws.com\/OD-Downloads\/S11016-1a.MP3\" type=\"audio\/mpeg\"\u003e\nYour browser does not support the audio element.\n\u003c\/source\u003e\u003c\/audio\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am always fascinated to hear Italian music post-Puccini. Some like Montemezzi carried on many of the traditions whereas Zandonai's palate seemed to borrow equal parts from French, Italian and German styles. Luigi Dallapiccola's \u003cem\u003eIl Prigioniero\u003c\/em\u003e seems to have taken the most from Alban Berg's playbook. Although there are aspects of atonality throughout the opera, a keen ear will note that, like Berg's music, it is still rooted in a tonal center. Likewise the nightmarish subject matter of an abject prisoner, alienated from society and tormented by superiors certainly contains many of the same themes as \u003cem\u003eWozzeck\u003c\/em\u003e. That said, his Italian roots do manage to come through in the form of the occasional melody. This performance, sung in English, features the great Norman Treigle in the title role. Treigle's ability to fully inhabit a role make him an ideal exponent, and the doomed optimism that he conveys goes a long way to make the ending all the more tragic. Richard Cassilly was also a good choice as the jailor and grand inquisitor alternating sweet lyricism with dramatic heft making the motivations of the character seem all the more uncertain. The sound is very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBONUS:\u003cbr\u003eAct III of\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cem\u003eTosca\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e with Steber and Cassilly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo fill out the rest of the CD I have included this glimpse of a wonderful performance of \u003cem\u003eTosca\u003c\/em\u003e featuring the great Eleanor Steber. Steber was nearing the end of her career when this performance was made. Although some of the bloom of her early days may have worn off, she still sings Tosca with ruthless abandon delivering, among other things, a spine-tingling high C. She is joined by Richard Cassilly as Cavaradossi and a young Marilyn Zschau as the Shepherd. The sound is very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11016-1\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292625715336,"sku":"11016-1","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098658116,"sku":"MP3 11016-1","price":3.57,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11016-1front.jpg?v=1751036290"},{"product_id":"puccini-tosca-maris-galvany-jose-galvany-shinall","title":"Puccini: Tosca - Galvany, Carreras, Shinall; Morelli.  1974","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite the fact that Marisa Galvany and José Carreras were very different artists whose career trajectories went in completely different directions, they still manage to achieve the alchemy needed for a great performance of \u003cem\u003eTosca.\u003c\/em\u003e Galvany throws herself into the title role with the gutsy abandon that made her a great Lady Macbeth and Abigaille without sacrificing Tosca's femininity. José Carreras sings Cavaradossi with exquisite style and youthful virility. Vern Shinall brings a suave malevolence to the role of Scarpia. The sound is fair to good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBONUS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eJosé Carreras sings arias from \u003cem\u003eMadama Butterfly, La Bohème\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eAdriana Lecouvreur.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11025-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292625485960,"sku":"11025-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098778948,"sku":"MP3 11025-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11025-2front.jpg?v=1751036282"},{"product_id":"puccini-tosca-dorothy-kirsten-james-king-ausensi-guadagno","title":"Puccini: Tosca - Kirsten, King, Ausensi; Guadagno.  1969","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDorothy Kirsten was an ideal exponent of Puccini. Her slender voice had all of the steel needed to contend with the orchestral demands and she also brought a vulnerability that played well into the pathos of Puccini’s heroines. This vulnerability might have been a liability for her if she were singing Leonora or Aida but it aluminates the role of Tosca who, although tough, is also naive to the craven nature of humanity embodied in Scarpia. James King joins her as Cavaradossi proving, once again, that he could sing just about anything. Manuel Ausensi is an excellent Scarpia. Kudos also go to Anton Guadagno for crafting nuanced and vibrant pacing. The sound is very good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11052-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292623978632,"sku":"11052-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098776836,"sku":"MP3 11052-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11052-2front.jpg?v=1751036245"},{"product_id":"puccini-tosca-magda-olivero-fernandi-colombo","title":"Puccini: Tosca - Olivero, Fernandi, Columbo; Tieri.  Milano, 1957","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere are few singers in the world as remarkable as Magda Olivero. Although there are many that you could site who may have had more compelling instruments, Olivero was able to dwarf their superficial vocal gifts with the zen-like intensity that she brought to each role that she inhabited. This performance of \u003cem\u003eTosca\u003c\/em\u003e is no exception. Olivero not only delivers on all of the big dramatic moments, she manages to create one of the most well-rounded characterization of Tosca that you are likely to come by. Her \u003cem\u003e”Vissi d’arte”\u003c\/em\u003e is a lesson in bel canto. The rest of the cast is very good but ultimately it is Olivero’s night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBONUS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eMagda Olivero sings excerpts from \u003cem\u003eMadama Butterfly\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNapoli, 1960\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11066-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292623585416,"sku":"11066-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098778628,"sku":"MP3 11066-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11066-2front.jpg?v=1751036231"},{"product_id":"puccini-turandot-ingrid-bjoner-james-king-hilde-guden","title":"Puccini: Turandot (exc) - Bjoner, King, Gueden; Caridis. Bjoner in Arias from Turandot, Forza \u0026 duet from Aida w\/ Resnik","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOk, so the sound of this \u003cem\u003eTurandot\u003c\/em\u003e is far from perfect, but the cast was too delectable to pass up especially because these were roles that were off the beaten path for the three principals. Ingrid Bjoner’s steely, cool voice is perfect as the ice princess. She manages to come across alluring and ferocious simultaneously. James King demonstrates that if he hadn’t gravitated towards Wagner he could have easily have distinguished himself as one of the preeminent Italianate tenors of his day (no small feat considering the competition.) His voice is robust and beautiful and he treats the audience to a spectacular high C in the riddle scene. Hilde Güden is surprisingly good as Liù, bringing a sumptuous quality to her voice that I had not heard previously. There are also some fun Bjoner extras including a concert performance of \u003cem\u003e”In questa reggia”\u003c\/em\u003e in very good sound, a performance of \u003cem\u003e”Pace mio dio”\u003c\/em\u003e and the Aida\/Amneris duet with none other than Regina Resnik!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBONUS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIngrid Bjoner sings excerpts from \u003cem\u003eTurandot, La Forza del destino\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eAida\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11085-1\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292623159432,"sku":"11085-1","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098785924,"sku":"MP3 11085-1","price":3.57,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11085-1front.jpg?v=1751036213"},{"product_id":"puccini-tosca-maria-callais-giuseppe-di-stefano-campologhi","title":"Puccini: Tosca - Callas, Di Stefano, Campologhi; Picco. Mexico City, 1952","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTosca\u003c\/em\u003e is usually a three-singer-opera, but in this performance from Mexico City it is decidedly a duo affair. Piero Campolonghi's Scarpia is perfectly respectable, but he isn't much of a match for Maria Callas' legendary performance in the title role, and Giuseppe Di Stefano at the height of his powers as her lover. The latter proves so popular with the Mexico City audience that he is asked to sing \"E Lucevan le stelle\" twice, lavishing each phrase with yearning and powerful anguish. Callas is in fine form, her high notes as secure as they ever were, and with power enough for seven Toscas. Each phrase is laden with attention to detail (notice the way she slowly melts in the act one love duet) and the end of the opera is gut-wrenching. The sound is poor (and the prompter is a fairly constant presence) but even if the capture were twice as bad, this would still be a performance for the ages.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11079-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292622504072,"sku":"11079-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098778692,"sku":"MP3 11079-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11079-2front.jpg?v=1751036200"},{"product_id":"puccini-tosca-montserrat-caballe-carlo-bergonzi-kostas-paskalis-horst-stein","title":"Puccini: Tosca - Caballé, Bergonzi, Paskalis; Stein. Wien, 1976","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis performance really makes a case that \u003cem\u003eTosca\u003c\/em\u003e should be called \u003cem\u003eCavaradossi\u003c\/em\u003e. Montserrat Caballé's Tosca is gorgeously sung, though a little placid, but Bergonzi, caught in his late prime, could sing a sterling Cavaradossi in his sleep. However, he is very much awake here, and the results are thrilling. \u003cem\u003e”Recondita armonia”\u003c\/em\u003e is meltingly ardent and plaintive, and \u003cem\u003e”E Lucevan le stelle”\u003c\/em\u003e features impeccable pianissimi before exploding into cries of anguish at the end. Greek Baritone, Kostas Paskalis is a resounding, elegant Scarpia, and there are strong supporting appearances from Manfred Jungwirth's thankfully well-sung Sacristan and a luxury-cast Dimitar Uzunov, who was more often heard in leading roles, as Spoletta. Horst Stein conducts the orchestra and chorus of the Wiener Staatsoper, and while he does let the tension lag a bit in Act II, he certainly gets a lush, Italianate sound out of them, especially in the Act III prelude. The sound is fait to good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11110-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292621422728,"sku":"11110-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098779588,"sku":"MP3 11110-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11110-2front.jpg?v=1751036183"},{"product_id":"puccini-tosca-sena-jurinac-carlo-cossutta-hans-hotter-andre-cluytens","title":"Puccini: Tosca - Jurinac, Cossutta, Hotter; Cluytens. Wien, 1966","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis performance of \u003cem\u003eTosca\u003c\/em\u003e provides a fascinating and rare glimpse of two great singers in an opera that was slightly outside their normal diet of (mostly) Germanic works. Sena Jurinac brings an intelligence to the title role that one rarely hears, showing that a good Tosca needs to have more than just red-hot temperament. The great Hans Hotter sings Scarpia. Even though it was late in his career I would love to report back that his artistry nonetheless sustained him through the role. Unfortunately, it is clear that he was having a off night and the struggle to make it through the role seems to monopolize his focus. Carlo Cossutta gets a chance to display the lyricism of his voice as Cavaradossi. André Cluytens harnesses the formidable forces of the Vienna Philharmonic to exciting effect. The sound is fair to good.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11107-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292620996744,"sku":"11107-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098780548,"sku":"MP3 11107-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11107-2front.jpg?v=1751036169"},{"product_id":"puccini-turandot-nilsson-bjorling-dose-ehrling","title":"Puccini: Turandot - Nilsson, R. Bjoerling, Döse; Ehrling.  Gothenburg, 1973","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 60s and 70s were an era in which stars burned bright and fast. Despite their early brilliance sopranos like Tebaldi, Callas, Stella, Souliotis couldn’t sustain that early promise throughout their careers. The one odd exception was Birgit Nilsson. I say “odd” because she sang some of the most dramatic repertoire ever written. This 1973 performance of \u003cem\u003eTurandot\u003c\/em\u003e bares out her prodigious vocal achievements as well as her remarkable longevity (she was already in her mid-50s.) She is tireless in this role and hurls her laser-beam high notes with the same ease as when she recorded \u003cem\u003eTurandot\u003c\/em\u003e with her tenor’s father, some 15 years earlier. That tenor in question is Rolf Björling. Björling had both the fortune and misfortune of being the son of Jussi Björling. On one hand he must have benefited enormously from the guidance (and genes) of his father, on the other, his talent would always invite comparisons to his great father. Even if he may not have inherited his father’s exquisite vocal beauty, he displays an attractive tenor with excellent legato and secure top. Helena Döse’s nordic sound is a good fit as Liù despite the fact that the pitch at the top of her voice tends to sag. The sound is in stereo and generally excellent despite the occasional very mild static.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11115-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292620963976,"sku":"11115-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098786116,"sku":"MP3 11115-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11115-2front.jpg?v=1751036168"},{"product_id":"puccini-turandot-berit-lindholm-chauvet-santi","title":"Puccini: Turandot - Lindholm, Chauvet, Brunner, Wildermann, Santi.  Genève, 1972","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf you think that you have accounted for all of the great Turandots in recorded history, you may have to make room for one more. Berit Lindholm’s slender soprano, with its distinctive nordic color, is a perfect fit as the ice princess. Like her fellow Swede Birgit Nilsson, her high notes have a laser-like point and tireless ease of production. But Lindholm’s Turandot is more than a virtuosic display of vocal acrobatics. She brings a vulnerability to the role which particularly comes through in her Act III aria \u003cem\u003e”Del primo pianto”.\u003c\/em\u003e The humanity she displays goes a long way to make Calàf’s infatuation with her a little more credible. Guy Chauvet’s stentorian tenor makes for a brash Calàf, albeit somewhat lacking in style. Nello Santi leads a taught performance. The sound is excellent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11123-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292620570760,"sku":"11123-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098784452,"sku":"MP3 11123-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11123-2front.jpg?v=1751036161"},{"product_id":"puccini-manon-lescaut-virginia-zeani-richard-tucker-thomas-schippers","title":"Puccini: Manon Lescaut - Zeani, Tucker, Rinaudo, Aliberti; Schippers.  Roma, 1969","description":"\u003ch1\u003eDescription:\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is quite remarkable that the Rome Opera House, a major hub of Italian operatic activity, would employ an American tenor, a Romanian soprano and an American conductor, respectively, in a very Italian opera. The decision proved to be a sound one (no pun intended) as this cast ignites the stage. Virginia Zeani is near ideal in the title role. Her voice had the perfect balance of innocence and vocal heft to convey both the youth of Manon without shortchanging the spinto nature of this role. I was particularly impressed with the power she could muster at the climaxes, even matching her partner Richard Tucker. Tucker was most at home in roles which plunged the characters into depths of despair, and he is nothing short of astonishing particularly in his aria \u003cem\u003e“No, pazzo son!”\u003c\/em\u003e. His intensity is made all the more impressive considering how many tenors vocally crash and burn at this moment. But no one would ever accuse Tucker of being a “careful” singer, and he soars to the final b natural as if the note come from the abyss of his soul rather than the result of vocal technique. Thomas Schippers manages the many colors in Puccini’s orchestration well evoking brilliance and lyricism from the players. The sounds is excellent.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBONUS:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eVirginia Zeani sings excerpts from \u003cem\u003eManon Lescaut\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cbr\u003eBarcelona, 1971\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOD 11127-2\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Opera Depot","offers":[{"title":"CD","offer_id":31292620439688,"sku":"11127-2","price":10.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":14098769156,"sku":"MP3 11127-2","price":5.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/11127-2front.jpg?v=1751036157"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/collections\/Puccini-Giacomo.png?v=1746404322","url":"https:\/\/operadepot.com\/collections\/giacomo-puccini.oembed?page=10","provider":"Opera Depot","version":"1.0","type":"link"}