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La Forza del destino
The shortage of true Verdi voices today has made performances of La Forza del Destino increasingly rare. This recording, however, comes from a time when singers fully equipped for its technical and stylistic demands were plentiful. Anita Cerquetti is captured in her prime, her voice both radiant and silky, negotiating the role’s challenges—particularly in her scene with Guardiano—with effortless command.
A closer listen reveals an impressive performance from Flaviano Labò as Alvaro. I must admit, I had always considered him a house tenor, but this recording proves otherwise—this man knew how to sing. His "O tu che seno agli angeli" showcases a rock-solid technique, delivering not only thrilling high B-flats but also remarkably delicate phrasing through his passaggio.
Meanwhile, Cornell MacNeil is an almost titanic force of nature. His voice is actually darker than Nicola Zaccaria’s, who plays Guardiano. But a bass he is not—at least judging by his high notes, which seem to shake the very foundation of the house. The sound is slightly muffled.
Track List
Act I
1. Overture
2. Nulla dice il tuo amor
3. Temea restasse qui fino a domani
4. Me, pellegrina ed orfana
5. M’aiuti, signorina, più presto andrem.
6. Ah, per sempre, o mio bell’angiol
7. Seguirti, fino agli ultimi confini della terra
8. È tardi.
2. Nulla dice il tuo amor
3. Temea restasse qui fino a domani
4. Me, pellegrina ed orfana
5. M’aiuti, signorina, più presto andrem.
6. Ah, per sempre, o mio bell’angiol
7. Seguirti, fino agli ultimi confini della terra
8. È tardi.
Act II
9. Holà, holà, holà!
10. Al suon del tamburo
11. Padre Eterno Signor, pietà di noi
12. Viva la buona compagnia!
13. Son Pereda, son ricco d’onore
14. Sta bene
15. Sono giunta! Grazie, o Dio!
16. Madre, pietosa Vergine
17. Chi siete
18. Chi mi cerca
19. Chi può leggere il futuro
20. A te sia gloria, o Dio clemente
21. Sull’alba il piede all’eremo
22. Interlude
23. Il santo nome di Dio Signore
24. Il santo speco noi le schiudiamo
25. La Vergine degli Angeli
10. Al suon del tamburo
11. Padre Eterno Signor, pietà di noi
12. Viva la buona compagnia!
13. Son Pereda, son ricco d’onore
14. Sta bene
15. Sono giunta! Grazie, o Dio!
16. Madre, pietosa Vergine
17. Chi siete
18. Chi mi cerca
19. Chi può leggere il futuro
20. A te sia gloria, o Dio clemente
21. Sull’alba il piede all’eremo
22. Interlude
23. Il santo nome di Dio Signore
24. Il santo speco noi le schiudiamo
25. La Vergine degli Angeli
Act III
26. Attenti al gioco, attenti
27. La vita è inferno all’infelice
28. O tu che seno agli angeli
29. Al tradimento!
30. Amici in vita e in morte
31. Arde la mischia
32. Piano … qui posi …
33. Solenne in quest’ora
34. Morir! Tremenda cosa!
35. Urna fatale del mio destino
36. E s’altra prova rinvenir potessi
27. La vita è inferno all’infelice
28. O tu che seno agli angeli
29. Al tradimento!
30. Amici in vita e in morte
31. Arde la mischia
32. Piano … qui posi …
33. Solenne in quest’ora
34. Morir! Tremenda cosa!
35. Urna fatale del mio destino
36. E s’altra prova rinvenir potessi
Act IV
37. Fate la carità
38. Che Siete all’osteria
39. Sì, sì, ma in otto giorni
40. Auf! Pazienza non v’ha che basti!
41. Giunge qualcuno, aprite
42. Fratello… Riconoscimi.
43. Col sangue sol cancellasi
44. Le minaccie, i fieri accenti
45. Ah la macchia del tuo stemma
46. Ah, segnasti la tua sorte!
47. Pace, pace, mio Dio!
48. Io muoio! Confessione!
38. Che Siete all’osteria
39. Sì, sì, ma in otto giorni
40. Auf! Pazienza non v’ha che basti!
41. Giunge qualcuno, aprite
42. Fratello… Riconoscimi.
43. Col sangue sol cancellasi
44. Le minaccie, i fieri accenti
45. Ah la macchia del tuo stemma
46. Ah, segnasti la tua sorte!
47. Pace, pace, mio Dio!
48. Io muoio! Confessione!
Customer Reviews
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3.5
Based on 2 reviews
✓ Verified Buyer
Switzerland
Cerquetti wonderful
Very good; my file-formating-problems have their reason for sure in my old IT-equipment.
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✓ Top Reviewer
United States
Great Performance, Muddy Sound!
For whatever reason Mexico City opera broadcasts from the late 40s into the 60s are always an adventure. One never knows what to expect. Some are intact, but missing a scene or two. Some were recorded on tapes and acetate discs that have become damaged by time and use. This Forza, while not as painful as some, has its share of issues beginning with a transfer level that is so low one can hardly hear it. After boosting the volume considerably I was able to hear it better and concentrate on the performance. There are little bits and pieces missing here and there (including the last couple of seconds of the Alvaro/Carlo duet in Act Four). The performance though is worth the effort.Cerquetti is simply marvelous, secure from top to bottom, the voice rich and beautiful. She clearly knows what she's singing about too. Labo is her equal, justifying his high reputation in the opera world back in the 50s and 60s. Aside from a few intonation problems, MacNeil makes a terrific Carlo though he doesn't indulge in any of his trademark extra high notes here. Zaccaria and Corena are also first-rate in their roles. Preziosilla (a solid Aurora Woodrow) is only heard in Act Two, scene one as all the music after Carlo's "E salvo!" cabaletta is cut and we skip directly to Act Four. There doesn't sound like there was a lot of or any rehearsal. The ensemble is rather shoddy at times. But these singers deliver a hot performance - if one can tolerate the sonic unevenness.
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