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L'Elisir d'amore
When you think of Giuseppe Di Stefano, you probably don’t think of comedy, but he proves in this performance of L’Elisir d’amore that he was a Nemorino to be reckoned with. Di Stefano’s approach is different from other tenors in this role that I have heard. He was always great at making the suffering of a character so palpable that as a listener you almost couldn’t help but experience it with him and even though Nemorino is far from a tragic role, Di Stefano instantly draws you in by conveying the frustrated love he feels for Adina. And with an Adina like Renata Scotto it is hard not to see why he would be smitten. Scotto, still in her twenties, bubbles with charm, demonstrating an understanding of bel canto well beyond her years. Ivo Vinco brings more basso than buffo to the role of Dulcamara giving the character a slickness that works very well to his advantage. Gianandrea Gavazzeni’s tempos are a little slow for my taste but he supports the singers well through the long bel canto phrases.
Track List
Act I
1. Preludio
2. Bel conforto al mietitore
3. Quanto è bella
4. Benedette queste carte!
5. Come Paride vezzoso
6. Or se m'ami, com'io t'amo
7. Una parola, o Adina... Chiedi all'aura lusinghiera
8. Che vuol dire codesta sonata?
9. Udite, udite, o rustici
10. Voglio dire... lo stupendo elisir
11. Caro elisir! Sei mio!
12. Tran tran, tran tran
13. Signor sergente, signor sergente
14. Adina, credimi, te ne scongiuro...
15. Fra lieti concerti gioconda brigata
2. Bel conforto al mietitore
3. Quanto è bella
4. Benedette queste carte!
5. Come Paride vezzoso
6. Or se m'ami, com'io t'amo
7. Una parola, o Adina... Chiedi all'aura lusinghiera
8. Che vuol dire codesta sonata?
9. Udite, udite, o rustici
10. Voglio dire... lo stupendo elisir
11. Caro elisir! Sei mio!
12. Tran tran, tran tran
13. Signor sergente, signor sergente
14. Adina, credimi, te ne scongiuro...
15. Fra lieti concerti gioconda brigata
Act II
16. Cantiamo, facciam brindisi
17. Io son ricco, e tu sei bella
18. La donna è un animale stravagante davvero
19. Sarà possibile?... Possibilissimo.
20. Quanto amore! Ed io, spietata
21. Una furtiva lagrima
22. Prendi; per me sei libero
23. Ei corregge ogni difetto
17. Io son ricco, e tu sei bella
18. La donna è un animale stravagante davvero
19. Sarà possibile?... Possibilissimo.
20. Quanto amore! Ed io, spietata
21. Una furtiva lagrima
22. Prendi; per me sei libero
23. Ei corregge ogni difetto
Customer Reviews
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4.2
Based on 5 reviews
✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Charming Performance in Excellent Sound!
By 1961 some of the enamel had started to come off Di Stefano's tone, the inevitable result of his open-throated singing and choice of roles that were too heavy for his lyric instrument. However, Nemorino never causes him to force, nor does he feel the need to overcompensate
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✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Continued from Below
However, Nemorino never causes him to force, nor does he feel the need to overcompensate by shouting. He presents the character has a lovesick young man, not an goofy oaf. His "Una furtiva lagrima" is simply beautiful and enthusiastically applauded by the audience. Scotto is a terrific Adina. She has just the right mix of charm and flirtatiousness and isn't afraid to show the stubborn side to Adina's nature. Her singing is a model of bel canto. Fioravanti is also excellent as Belcore and Vinco gives us a Dulcamara less buffo than usual. His duet with Adina finds both singers at their best. Gavazzeni's tempi are a little too relaxed and he makes the traditional cuts, especially in the second act, that disfigure the score: there is no quartet or final cabaletta for Adina. He does give us the full finale though. I was surprised that Scotto allows Di Stefano the final high note by himself.The sound is from a good broadcast source. The audience is very enthusiastic throughout the performance.
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✓ Verified Buyer
United States
L'Elisir d'Amore
Once settled in vocally de Stefano gave us the warm honeyed Nemorino we know. and love. I'd forgotten how girlish Scottos voice was when she first started and was delighted to hear her devilish Adina again. Vinco a somber surprise that really worked His duet with Adina very witty. Gavazzeni could have been spritelier.
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✓ Top Reviewer
"L'ELISIR D'AMORE" TO BE LOVED
A wonderful live performance and recording of a great "opera buffa", one of Gaetano Donizetti's masterpieces, "L'elisir d'amore"... A starry cast, featuring some of the greatest belcanto singers belonging the old great golden / platinum belcanto age. Strongly recommended!
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✓ Top Reviewer
Australia
John Stanton
Nemorino was one of Di Stefano's most famous role which he recorded for Decca in 1956. By 1961 his voice was past it's best but here in line with the singer's stated preference for the live performance over the studio he is more vibrant and expressive and makes even greater use of his unsurpassed pianissimo. Scotto early in a career that was to see her become one of the finest singer-actors of her generation is delightful, the voice pure and girlish. Giulio Fioravanti is not a very mellifluous Belcore but his lean malleable baritone copes well with the music. A bonus is the great bass Ivo Vinco as Dulcamarra.The sound is good
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