Puccini: Madama Butterfly - Jones, Greer, Grundheber, Fredricks; Martinez. Hamburg, 1977
$8.95
Description:
I had high expectations for Gwyneth Jones’s Madama Butterfly, and this recording exceeded them. As anticipated, when Jones unleashes the full power of her soprano, the orchestra doesn’t stand a chance—particularly at the opera’s devastating conclusion, where her portrayal of Cio-Cio San’s despair becomes almost too much to bear. What surprised me most, however, was the finesse she brings to the role. Her delicacy and control in the softer moments are remarkable, offering a convincing portrayal of a young girl caught in tragic circumstances. It is no secret that I’m a devoted Jones admirer, but even putting that aside, I can say with confidence that hers is one of the finest Cio-Cio Sans I’ve ever encountered. The only drawback is that this release includes only the scenes featuring Butterfly—which, fortunately, make up about 95% of the opera—but it does mean missing out on Franz Grundheber’s excellent Sharpless.
In Stereo
OD 11973-2
