Verdi: Simon Boccanegra - Cappuccilli, Freni, R. Raimondi, Luchetti, Foiani; Abbado. London, 1976
$5.37
Listen to a Sample:
In 1976 Claudio Abbado and the forces of La Scala traveled to London to deliver one of their most celebrated productions of the 1970s, Simon Boccanegra. The cast is almost identical to the recording made a few years later with one very interesting exception: Ruggero Raimondi sings Fiesco in place of Nicolai Ghiaurov. Boccanegra was one of Piero Cappuccilli’s best roles. He brought a rough elegance to the part which made him uniquely able to convey the pirate-turned-loving-father. Mirella Freni brings opulence to the part of Amelia/Maria, coping equally well with the ethereal and the spinto demands of the role. Ruggero Raimondi’s suave bass makes for a softer Fiesco than Nicolai Ghiaurov. Claudio Abbado leads a brisk performance. The sound is good.
OD 11289-2
