Donizetti

Anna Bolena

Davy, Simionato, Cassilly, Smith; Gamson
1957

Regular price $17.95
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Anna Bolena

This performance of Donizetti's Anna Bolena is a true vocal feast, featuring the superb soprano Gloria Davy in the title role. Her performance is both poised and emotionally incisive, a reminder of her remarkable artistry and the underrepresentation of her work on commercial recordings. Giulietta Simionato brings her trademark richness and gravitas to Giovanna, offering a dramatically compelling counterpoint to Davy's Anna.

Richard Cassilly impresses as Percy, his ample tenor negotiating the bel canto demands of the role with unexpected ease and finesse. The overall experience is a rare treat—Donizetti sung with voices of substantial weight and expressive power, lending a unique dimension to the opera's emotional landscape.

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3.7 Based on 3 reviews
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4 ★ 2
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Leyla S.✓ Verified Buyer

United States

Overall rating

Meh

There are so many more exciting performances of this opera. Yes, Davy has the pipes but that just isn’t enough reason to pick this recording over any of the others.
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James E.✓ Verified Buyer

United States

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Addendum

Meant to note that the heavy cuts lead to the entire role of Smeton being gone !!!
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Jim E.✓ Verified Buyer

United States

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Bolena' Redux !

Despite very heavy cuts, (The text used is even shorter than the one used for Callas the same year.) this is an engaging, often exciting performance.The oddest cut, Bolena's 'Entrata' is limited to its cabaletta only.Gloria Davy is generally first rate, although she totally misfires in the long runs at the end of the mad scene, so brilliantly handled by Callas in her 'Mad Scenes' album. Davy's voice is beautiful, and legato passages are truly wonderful.Cassilly and Simionato are superb.Gamson paces what remains of the score, beautifully, but the usual complaint about American Opera Society performances, lack of adequate rehearsal time for orchestra and chorus, is painfully in evidence.The sound recording is passable, and there is a track listing !
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