Donizetti: La Favorita - Verrett, Kraus, Elvira, Morris, Hendricks; Queler. 1975
$9.95
Description:
If you are going to present a Donizetti rarity like La Favorita, you had better assemble a world-class cast that can make a worthy case for the opera. Eve Queler does just that in this performance, bringing a keen sense of style while giving her singers room to showcase their considerable vocal prowess. The title role never seems to get a break, but once Shirley Verrett hits her stride, there's no stopping her.
Alfredo Kraus sings with sweetness and poise, and surprisingly never seems outmatched by Verrett—a credit both to his musical intelligence and to her generosity as a colleague. Barbara Hendricks, as Ines, quickly asserts herself as a world-class talent, and James Morris and Pablo Elvira, both early in their careers, are excellent as Baldassare and Alfonso respectively.
There are occasional patches of static in Acts 2 and 3.
In Mono
OD 11930-2
