Verdi

Otello

Del Monaco, Ricciarelli, Protti; Ferraris
Bruxelles, 1972

Regular price $17.95
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Otello

One could say that this performance features something old and something new… Mario Del Monaco may have been past his prime when this performance of Otello took place. Although the top notes are still thrilling, his dynamic palette consisted of loud and louder. The real gem of this performance is the Desdemona of the young Katia Ricciarelli. Tenor Richard Cassilly once told me that of all the Desdemonas that he worked with (i.e. all of them from his era) Ricciarelli was his favorite. You can hear why from this performance. She sings with a sublime ethereal quality which makes the tragedy of this opera sting all the more coupled with the interesting "May-December" dynamic between her and her co-star. Aldo Protti's Iago is among the suavest I have heard.

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4.5 Based on 2 reviews
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4 ★ 1
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David R.✓ Top Reviewer

United States

Overall rating

Exciting Performance in Very Good Sound!

By 1972 Del Monaco was very near the end of his career; Ricciarelli, by contrast, was just beginning hers. I've heard many Del Monaco Otellos and this is one of his best. The voice is no longer in its freshest estate, but he still possesses ringing top notes that will drive you crazy: the top B-flat at "O gioia!" in Act Three is a case in point. All right, he's grandstanding for the crowd, but so what?Ricciarelli sounds like the proverbial angel. The voice is lovely from top to bottom. Moreover she is a passionate Desdemona, completely in love with her Otello. Protti is a very good Iago, not very individual, but he knows how the role is supposed to go and has that kind of dramatic Italian baritone that is no longer common. Anna di Stasio is an uncommonly strong Emilia. Franco Ferraris leads a very effective performance. The sound is probably taken from a house tape, but there's a good balance between orchestra and singers so the voices rarely sound muffled or recessed.
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Jean-pierre L.✓ Verified Buyer

France

Overall rating

LAST DEL MONACO OTELLO

EXCELLENT, very moving
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