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Fidelio
Listening to this recording, I was surprised by how natural Fidelio sounds in Italian. That’s not to say there’s anything distinctly Italian about the interpretation—on the contrary, the performers succeed in delivering a stylized reading that remains true to the opera. Still, there are moments that might inspire a knowing grin. For instance, "Abscheulicher!" is translated as "Ah, Perfido!"—one wonders if the translator had Beethoven’s concert aria in mind.
Dorothy Dow sings beautifully and proves well suited to an Italian-language Leonora. Her voice possesses the purity and control that Beethoven demands while also carrying a lush quality that suits the language. Amedeo Berdini adds an appealing Italianate flair to Florestan, while Giuseppe Taddei delivers a chillingly effective Pizarro. Boris Christoff, best known for his commanding portrayals of kings and czars, surprises with a notably human Rocco. Vittorio Gui also deserves recognition, particularly for his masterfully shaped prelude to Act II.
Track List
Act I
1. Ouvertüre
2. Jetzt, Schätzchen, jetzt sind wir allein
3. Dialogue
4. O wär' ich schon mit dir vereint
5. Dialogue
6. Mir ist so wunderbar
7. Dialogue
8. Hat man nicht auch Gold beineben
9. Dialogue
10. Gut Söhnchen, gut
11. Dialogue
12. Marsch
13. Dialogue
14. Ha! Welch ein Augenblick!
15. Dialogue
16. Jetzt, Alter, jetzt hat es Eile!
17. Abscheulicher!
18. Dialogue
19. O welche Lust
20. Nun sprecht, wie ging's?
21. Ach, Vater, Vater, eilt!
22. Leb wohl, du warmes Sonnenlicht
2. Jetzt, Schätzchen, jetzt sind wir allein
3. Dialogue
4. O wär' ich schon mit dir vereint
5. Dialogue
6. Mir ist so wunderbar
7. Dialogue
8. Hat man nicht auch Gold beineben
9. Dialogue
10. Gut Söhnchen, gut
11. Dialogue
12. Marsch
13. Dialogue
14. Ha! Welch ein Augenblick!
15. Dialogue
16. Jetzt, Alter, jetzt hat es Eile!
17. Abscheulicher!
18. Dialogue
19. O welche Lust
20. Nun sprecht, wie ging's?
21. Ach, Vater, Vater, eilt!
22. Leb wohl, du warmes Sonnenlicht
Act II
23. Gott! Welch' Dunkel hier!
24. In des Lebens Frühlingstagen
25. Wie kalt ist es in diesem unterirdischen Gewölbe
26. Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben
27. Dialogue
28. Euch werde Lohn in bessern Welten
29. Dialogue
30. Er sterbe!
31. O namenlose Freude!
32. Heil! Heil sei dem Tag!
33. Des besten Königs Wink und Wille
34. Du schlossest auf des Edlen Grab
35. Wer ein holdes Weib errungen
24. In des Lebens Frühlingstagen
25. Wie kalt ist es in diesem unterirdischen Gewölbe
26. Nur hurtig fort, nur frisch gegraben
27. Dialogue
28. Euch werde Lohn in bessern Welten
29. Dialogue
30. Er sterbe!
31. O namenlose Freude!
32. Heil! Heil sei dem Tag!
33. Des besten Königs Wink und Wille
34. Du schlossest auf des Edlen Grab
35. Wer ein holdes Weib errungen
Customer Reviews
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4.0
Based on 4 reviews
✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Great Performance, Great Sound!
Fidelio goes extremely well in Italian. The translation used here follows the German closely and was probably, in some cases, easier to sing. The cast is terrific from the leads to the smaller roles with an excellent chorus and orchestra to boot.Dow had a huge repertoire and sang a lot of modern music. She was a fine singer, having no difficulty with Leonore's many top notes and singing very lyrically along the way. Berdini is a great Florestan, combining strength with lyricism. Taddei and Christoff are both so distinctive; one has no difficulty telling them apart. Gasperoni is a charming Marcellina and Monti a fervent Jaquino. Gui leads a very satisfying performance. Actors double the singers in the dialogue (Italian is such a beautiful spoken language too); its all tracked separately so one can always skip it, but I urge you not to.I wish Gui had included Leonore Overture #3, but that wasn't in the Italian performing tradition at this time. The sound is not only clear and detailed, but the pitch of the tape is correct throughout the performance.All Fidelio lovers should get this!
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✓ Verified Buyer
Switzerland
Shoddy Presentation
Yet another release where the download version has no track listings other than "Track 01" etc. and the cast list contains no first names. Caveat emptor.
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✓ Verified Buyer
United States
Forever Fidelio
What an overwhelming joy this performance is. The Italian narrators really moving it along. You don't have to speak it to know what they're saying and to know what they're singing, Gui, as usual, in command moving it along briskly The cast is to a singer superb. The beautifully sounding Italian gives the opera even more heart. Taddei as Pizarro gives "Ha welch ein augenblick" the greatest performance of the aria i've ever heard. Christoff with more heart than i've heard from him The sound is very good. Buy this!
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✓ Top Reviewer
United States
FIDELIO IN ITALIANO? SI!
This is likely a RAI Roma broadcast, with actors (uncredited) doubling the singers in dialogue, which is kept to a sensible measure. Gui leads a briskly paced reading, placing the score firmly in the classical school. None of the melodrama is lost. If anything, the precision of singers and orchestra adds immediacy to the action. The cast is uniformly superb. Dow is lyric and brilliant with a gleaming top. Gasperoni rivals any other “Marcellina”, blending beautifully with Dow in ensemble. Berdini blends lyricism and heroic ring. Christoff is father and confessor, soulful and intimate. Taddei is a terrific blackguard of a villain. Monti personifies humility and charm. Calabrese is excellent. Sound very good.
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