Verdi

Macbeth (In English)

Tinsley, Lewis, Burrows; Balkwill
Wales, 1966

Regular price $17.95
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Macbeth

This recording makes a compelling case for Pauline Tinsley as one of the greatest Verdi sopranos of her time. Her voice is both powerful and impeccably precise—thrilling yet refined. Notably, the performance is in English with an all-English cast, creating a unique connection to Shakespeare. The singers deliver the text with the eloquence of great English orators, and unlike many opera recordings in English, the words are remarkably clear.

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4.0 Based on 4 reviews
5 ★ 1
4 ★ 2
3 ★ 1
2 ★ 0
1 ★ 0
David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Terrific Macbeth in Shakespeare's English!

Whoever did the singing translation for this performance attempted to get as close to Shakespeare's original text as possible. Some of it works, some is a little iffy, but one can truly understand what is going on while listening. I think this was the same translation used in the performance with Gwyneth Jones, also in Opera Depot's catalogue.Tinsley is terrific as Lady Macbeth, an ambitious, passionate woman who will brook no opposition to her plans. She sings every trill, run, and high note expertly, shirking nothing. She adds a D-flat to the end of Act One and sings a splendid fil di voce one at the end of the Sleepwalking Scene. Nothing is too much for her. She probably would've had a more international career had she made more commercial recordings. The unnamed Macbeth sings and acts very well with excellent diction. Burrows is very moving in Macduff's aria. The Banquo is also very good. Balkwill's conducting keeps things moving along; he cuts a part of the Witches' first scene (did he think it was too frivolous?).The sound is very listenable although as David M. mentions below there are some minor tape problems (they don't last long nor do they obscure the music.) Half of Act Three (Macbeth and the Witches) is missing from the source tape and the final chord of the opera gets garbled. But Tinsley admirers and lovers of opera in English should get this.
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David M.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Tinsley leads the way

I second everything Andy has said about this performance. As Lady Macbeth, Pauline Tinsley has it all: a well-knit voice with steely, thrusting tone and brilliant top notes, along with a superb feeling for the text. Her unnamed Macbeth is mostly adequate, especially when juxtaposed by Tinsley, but the Banquo does an exceptional job. Stuart Burrows demonstrates that his ambrosian voice could be put to dramatic ends as Macduff. The performance is idiomatically shaped by Bryan Balkwill. The only drawback, other than the lack of information, is some tape de-lubrication that sets in during Come dal ciel precipita. Recommended.
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Bernard C.✓ Verified Buyer

United Kingdom

Overall rating

Bernard Coode

Too early to reply on these and other recordings
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Colin O.✓ Verified Buyer

United Kingdom

Overall rating

Colin Oxenforth

I am a great Tinsley fan and heard her in this role a few times. A VERY under appreciated artist and under recorded too
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