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Turandot
Turandot might not have the dramatic substance of Puccini's other great operas, but this performance demonstrates that if you put great singers into the mix, you can start to find coherence where there was seemingly none. This performance finds Placido Domingo in complete command of his voice. He even holds the high C with Turandot (a note that more often than not eluded him.) Angeles Gulin brings a formidable instrument and relative ease on top to the title role even if she doesn't match the level of her colleagues. Which brings me to Mirella Freni who is exquisite as Liù. Very few singers had both the purity of tone and spinto reserves required to transcend this part from secondary soprano role to show-stopper. Oliviero De Fabritiis leads a brisk performance. The chorus, unfortunately, is not quite up to the task and struggles to find the beat.
Track List
Act I
1. Popolo di Pekino!
2. Gira la cote, gira, gira!
3. O giovinetto! Grazia!
4. Figlio, che fai?
5. Fermo, che fai? T'arresta!
6. Signore, ascolta!
7. Non piangere, Liù!
2. Gira la cote, gira, gira!
3. O giovinetto! Grazia!
4. Figlio, che fai?
5. Fermo, che fai? T'arresta!
6. Signore, ascolta!
7. Non piangere, Liù!
Act II
8. Olà, Pang! Olà, Pong!
9. Ho una casa nell'Honan
10. Addio, amore! addio, razza!
11. Noi si sogna e il palazzo già formicola
12. Un giuramento atroce mi costringe
9. Ho una casa nell'Honan
10. Addio, amore! addio, razza!
11. Noi si sogna e il palazzo già formicola
12. Un giuramento atroce mi costringe
Act III
13. In questa Reggia
14. Straniero, ascolta!
15. Gelo che dà foco
16. Figlio del cielo!
17. Tre enigmi m'hai proposto!
18. Così comanda Turandot
19. Nessun dorma!
20. Tu che guardi
21. Principessa! Divina!
22. Tanto amore, segreto, inconfessato
23. Tu che di gel sei cinta
24. Principessa di morte!
25. Del primo pianto
26. Padre augusto, conosco il nome dello straniero!
14. Straniero, ascolta!
15. Gelo che dà foco
16. Figlio del cielo!
17. Tre enigmi m'hai proposto!
18. Così comanda Turandot
19. Nessun dorma!
20. Tu che guardi
21. Principessa! Divina!
22. Tanto amore, segreto, inconfessato
23. Tu che di gel sei cinta
24. Principessa di morte!
25. Del primo pianto
26. Padre augusto, conosco il nome dello straniero!
Customer Reviews
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4.3
Based on 4 reviews
✓ Top Reviewer
ANGELES GULIN, A GREAT TURANDOT
The first important thing of this recording is the arguably fine Turandot of Angeles Gulin. She was one of the most underrated sopranos of her generation and steadily avoided by the great record companies... Very few great sopranos tackled with this difficult role (Gina Cigna and Birgit Nilsson). The starry cast also features Placido Domingo (in his prime) as Calaf and Mirella Freni (in her prime, too) as Liu. Maestro Oliviero de Fabritiis shows himself a great conductor once again. A must for every opera aficionado/connoisseur! Thank you so much, my dear friends at Opera Depot! Thanks a lot, my dear friend Andy!
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✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Excellent Principals, Acceptable Sound
Not many opera lovers remember Angeles Gulin with her huge, flexible voice. As Turandot she doesn't get to show off her coloratura, but one does get a sense of how big her voice was from this performance. She is allowed "Dal primo pianto" and sings it beautifully. Domingo sings gorgeously with a secure top C in the riddle scene (he ducks the optional one later on). Freni matches her colleagues and then some; her three arias are a highlight of the performance. The supporting cast is good though the Mandarin is a bit unsteady. De Fabritiis conducts his unruly forces capably.The sound is good with a few loud bumps along the way. An enjoyable performance then for those who want to understand why Gulin was such a big deal!
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✓ Top Reviewer
Australia
Marvellous Gulin
The reason I wanted this recording was because of the presence of Angeles Gulin. Gulin is another example of neglect by the recording companies. Fortunately we have a few studio performances and some quality live recordings of her,of which this is one. Her full burnished sound and considerable vocal resources make her an ideal Turandot. She is here accompanied by two great singers in their absolute prime: Mirella Freni, a touching and beautifully sung Liu; and Placido Domingo, an heroic Calaf. In spite of a couple of loud clunks at the outset the sound is good.
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✓ Verified Buyer
Spain
