Description:

The radiant Gré Brouwenstijn possessed a voice that combined dramatic cut with lyrical finesse, making her equally at home in both the German and Italian repertoires. This versatility serves her especially well in the role of Amelia in Un Ballo in maschera, where Verdi demands both the expressive weight of a tragedienne and the vocal elegance rooted in bel canto tradition. Brouwenstijn rises to the challenge, delivering a performance of emotional depth and vocal beauty.

Giuseppe Zampieri sings Riccardo with a dark-hued tenor that reveals why he once showed promise for the great dramatic roles. While his voice retains much of its appeal, this performance also exposes some technical inconsistencies that hint at the struggles which ultimately curtailed his career. Scipio Colombo offers a solid, robust Renato, Anny Delorie gives Ulrica an earthy edge, and Eugenia Ratti delivers a charming Oscar without tipping into excessive brightness.

In Stereo

OD 11391-2