Verdi

Il Trovatore

Price, Pavarotti, Ludwig, Cappuccilli, Van Dam; Karajan
Wien 1977

Regular price $17.95
Select Format
Add to Wishlist Added to Wishlist

Il Trovatore

I think it was Caruso who joked that to put on Il Trovatore, all you need are the four greatest singers in the world. Herbert von Karajan came damn close in this glorious 1977 performance. Christa Ludwig would not necessarily be a natural fit for Azucena, but she has more than enough thunder at her disposal and she is predictably gripping as the haunted gypsy. Piero Cappuccilli, master of the firm legato line, is an exciting Conte di Luna, and José van Dam turns in an exceptional Ferrando in an example of luxury casting (while we're on the subject, also note the presence of the great Heinz Zednik, on hand for Ruiz's few utterances). Luciano Pavarotti, caught in his prime, is a gorgeously sung Manrico, who manages not only a thrilling ”Di Quella Pira” but also a melting “Ah sì, ben mio”. About his Leonora, the great Leontyne Price, little need be said. Everything you would imagine this performance to be, it is., if a little distant, and Karajan raises fire from the orchestra. Not to be missed.

Recently viewed

Example product title

Example product title

Example product title

Example product title

Example product title

Example product title

Customer Reviews

Share your experience with fellow collectors

4.5 Based on 13 reviews
5 ★ 9
4 ★ 2
3 ★ 1
2 ★ 1
1 ★ 0
Ruben G.✓ Verified Buyer

United States

Overall rating

I’ll Trovatore

Exciting performance by all principals specially Cappuccilli who was in superb form
Report
Rudolf W.✓ Verified Buyer

Austria

Overall rating

High intensity and expressivity

This is not a studio-recording, but a live-recording; the intensity of the singing ist extremly high. Pavarotti sings surprisingly expressiv, what I heard from him in later years never.
Report
Peter P.✓ Verified Buyer

United States

Overall rating

Trovatore

Great. Price is the greatest Leonora ever. It is a joy to hear Pavarotti always even though the role is a bit heavy for him. Ludwig is a wonderful mezzo but not for Verdi. Earlier performance with Corelli, Price, Simionato and Bastianini is the greatest of all but there was much to enjoy here
Report
Patricia B.✓ Verified Buyer

United States

Overall rating

Very happy with my CD"s!

Very happy with my CD"s!
Report
Jim R.✓ Verified Buyer

United States

Overall rating

wonderful performance

Price had a great night, she owned this role for a while and owns a good part of it for the ages.
Report
David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Thrilling Performance!

Everyone is "on" in this performance, conducted grandly, if too loudly by Karajan. Most of the time the singers can be clearly heard, but when the climaxes of the acts approach, watch out! Price sings a great D-flat at the end of Act One, but Karajan almost drowns her out. If this were a broadcast, the sound might have been better balanced. Price and Pavarotti are in excellent form and bring elan and excitement to their solos. I don't know if Leonora's "D'amor sull'ali rosee" has ever been sung better. Ludwig may not be a natural for Azucena, but she sings as if her life depended on the outcome (no, she doesn't try the top C in the cadenza in her Act Two duet with Manrico). Her B-flats are right on the money. Cappuccilli sounds terrific as Di Luna and Van Dam is a treat as Ferrando. It's so easy to take Pavarotti's glorious voice for granted: he lives up to the best his reputation here. Karajan leads with spirit though I find his approach a little too symphonic for my taste.If you love Trovatore or any of the soloists, get this! It's an exciting night at the opera.
Report
Amendola✓ Verified Buyer

France

Overall rating

Magnifique

Une des meilleures représentation du Trouvère avec un quatuor vocal quasi magique. Bonne qualité du son.Excellente soirée.
Report
Mario Z.✓ Verified Buyer

Italy

Overall rating

il Trovatore WIen 1977 Pavarotti-Price-Cappuccilli-Ludwig....Karajan

Nonostante il cast stellare, questo è un modesto "Trovatore", forse riconducibile alla registrazione pirata che non esalta i colori orchestrali a cui Karajan ci aveva abituati, e che qui sembra dirigere con la mano sinistra, con qualche taglio come nel duetto "L'onda dei suoni mistici" e la cabaletta di Leonora del quarto atto "Tu vedrai che amore in terra". con tempi discontinui durante tutta la recita.Si tratta delle tre repliche dello spettacolo viennese del 8-12-15 maggio che aveva questo cast importante ma disomogeneo a cominciare da Pavarotti, in un opera non sua, cantata alla bene e meglio a partire dal "Deserto in terra", e in cui tocca l'apice più basso nel duetto con Azucena del secondo atto, assieme alla Ludwig a dir poco imbarazzante e anche lei chiaramente fuori parte, Pavarotti risolve però bene sia "Ha si ben mio" e "Di quella pira" seppur abbassata di mezzo tono.La Price era già in fase calante della carriera, è qui voluta da Karajan a distanza di 13 anni dalle ultime sue recite alla Staatsoper, canta di mestiere, è affievolita negli acuti e sembra non tenere per tutta la recita, resta come sempre sempre generosa nel canto nonostante le evidenti difficoltà.Cappuccilli è il migliore della serata anche se tutto sommato non offre niente di più di una buona e routiniera recita tra le tante a cui ha abituato il pubblico, va bene anche così, ma forse ci si aspettava qualcosina di più, Van dam sembra non essere in serata. Pubblico generoso con gli applausi.
Report
Felice F.✓ Verified Buyer

Italy

Overall rating

FELICE FUMAGALLI

WHAT A EVENING!!
Report
Vincenzo S.✓ Verified Buyer

Italy

Overall rating

Vincenzo Scerra

The performance must be imagined with fantasy
Report
Stéphane B.✓ Verified Buyer

France

Overall rating

Stéphane BONNEAU

Impressive !
Report
Fabio Z.✓ Verified Buyer

Italy

Overall rating

Fabio Zanzucchi

fascinating rendition; Karajan's lecture is wonderful but in my opinion somehow distant from Verdi's rationale. Still, amazing.
Report
Joseph G.✓ Verified Buyer

United States

Overall rating

Joseph Giles

DREAM CAST!!!
Report