L’Africaine

Giacomo Meyerbeer (1791–1864)

DESCRIPTION

In their day, Meyerbeer’s operas set a new standard for Grand Opera, elevating the composer to the heights of fame. Over time, however, they have steadily fallen out of favor, in part because of a dearth of singers with the vocal charisma to command the foreground amid the spectacle. This performance offers precisely that quality, and the results are striking.

Montserrat Caballé, though best known as a bel canto specialist, reveals here a voice of astonishing size—an attribute not often associated with the bel canto style. Plácido Domingo proves a worthy partner, delivering a performance of searing intensity and admirable vocal security.

CAST

Selika – Montserrat Caballé
Vasco da Gama – Plácido Domingo
Nelusko – Guillermo Sarabia
Inez – Christine Weidinger
Don Pedro – Dimiter Petkov
Grand Inquisitor – Eduardo Soto
High Priest of Brahma – Juan Thomas
Don Diego – Juan Pons
Anna – Miriam Ucelay
Don Alvaro – Pedro Gilabert

DETAILS

Location: Barcelona
Date: November 27, 1977
Conductor: Antonio de Almeida
Catalogue Number: OD 12245-2
Label: Opera Depot
Number of Discs: 2
In Mono

Act I

Act II

Act III

Act IV

Act V