{"product_id":"boito-mefistofele-kraus-ghiaurov-ligabue-guadagno","title":"Boito: Mefistofele - Kraus, Ghiaurov, Ligabue; Guadagno. Philadelphia, 1965","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"two-column-grid\"\u003e\n  \u003c!-- Left Column: Title, Composer, Description --\u003e\n  \u003cdiv\u003e\n    \u003ch1 class=\"title-header\"\u003eMefistofele\u003c\/h1\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eArrigo Boito (1842 - 1918)\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003chr\u003e\n    \u003ch3 class=\"section-heading\"\u003eDESCRIPTION\u003c\/h3\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003eIn the early years of the Metropolitan Opera, Faust was among the company’s most frequently performed operas, serving as the work chosen to open the house on October 22, 1883. Interestingly, only a few weeks later the Met presented Boito’s Mefistofele with \u003cstrong\u003eChristine Nilsson\u003c\/strong\u003e, who had also sung Marguerite in Gounod’s opera on opening night. The Met would return to Boito’s work over the ensuing decades, most notably in 1920 for a performance that marked the house debut of \u003cstrong\u003eBeniamino Gigli\u003c\/strong\u003e. Afterward, however, Mefistofele disappeared from the Met’s repertory until 1999. That long history of neglect makes this 1965 Philadelphia performance all the more noteworthy, with the cast making a compelling case for Boito’s distinctive masterpiece.\u003c\/p\u003e\n    \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAlfredo Kraus\u003c\/strong\u003e sings Faust. Noted also for his portrayal of the role in Gounod’s Faust, Kraus brings the same grace and stylistic refinement to Boito’s writing while also having the opportunity to reveal the more dramatic qualities of his tenor. \u003cstrong\u003eNicolai Ghiaurov\u003c\/strong\u003e is a commanding presence in the title role, displaying a voice of remarkable power and beauty. \u003cstrong\u003eIlva Ligabue\u003c\/strong\u003e is ideally cast as Margherita, bringing a soprano of striking color, impressive vocal control, and an excellent command of pitch.\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      Mefistofele – \u003cstrong\u003eNicolai Ghiaurov\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Faust – \u003cstrong\u003eAlfredo Kraus\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Margherita – \u003cstrong\u003eIlva Ligabue\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Elena – \u003cstrong\u003eMaria Coleva\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Wagner – \u003cstrong\u003eGene Bullard\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Marta – \u003cstrong\u003eCharlotte Povia\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\u003ePhiladelphia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Date: \u003cstrong\u003eOctober 26, 1965\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Conductor: \u003cstrong\u003eAnton Guadagno\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\n      Catalogue Number: \u003cstrong\u003eOD 12405-2\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":52117544337729,"sku":"12405-2","price":17.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"MP3","offer_id":52117544370497,"sku":"MP3 12405-2","price":9.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"FLAC","offer_id":52117544403265,"sku":"FLAC 12405-2","price":11.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0238\/9583\/files\/12405-2front.jpg?v=1787581088","url":"https:\/\/operadepot.com\/products\/boito-mefistofele-kraus-ghiaurov-ligabue-guadagno","provider":"Opera Depot","version":"1.0","type":"link"}