fyglia

One of the most important operatic videos of all time: A live performance of Verdi's powerful tale of lost love featuring a "golden age" cast: Renata Tebaldi, Franco Corelli, Ettore Bastianini, Boris Christoff, Oralia Dominguez, and Renato Capecchi. Recorded in actual performance at the Teatro di San Carlo Napoli on March 15, 1958. The orchestra is under the direction of Francesco Molinari-Pradelli. Now available for the first time in DVD format in the best possible audio and video quality.

REVIEW:
By Jon B. (Boise, ID), arkivmusic.com

"This is what opera is all about. The live performance is completely captivating from the first notes of the ultra-dramatic overture to the last gasp of Leonora. Although some may cringe at the grainy black and white images, old-fashioned sets and especially the silly snood or hair net Corelli wears, there is such power, intensity and emotion in this version that you can just shut off the picture and wallow in the sound. Tebaldi and Corelli are in excellent voice and hold nothing back. Bastianini is powerful and eminently detestable as the brother who is determined to avenge his father's death and fulfill the curse he bellowed at his daughter as he died. There is a gorgeous quality to the music, which is performed flawlessly. Just the overture would be enough for most dramas. I found this performance riveting from beginning to end. There was also a little distracting noise,with some "Bravos" and flowers hurled at the stage. It just added to the drama. Also, the stills showing the act and scene were eventually an act behind. No big deal. You will not get lost. Afterward, I could not let go of Leonora's great aria, "pace mio Dio," so I played it again with Leontyne Price, who was more gentle, Sondra Radvanovsky, who was louder but perhaps less insightful, and finally Maria Callas, who knocked the paint off the walls. Seriously - as she was singing, a thunder storm that had been rumbling in the distance suddenly arrived with a loud crash and the power went off. I had to start over again. What atmospherics! But great as Callas is, I would not take Richard Tucker over Corelli, at least not in this role. If you listen to this rendition once, you will be converted. They just don't make operas like this any more."

Works on This Recording
La forza del destino by Giuseppe Verdi
Performer: Renato Capecchi , Ettore Bastianini, Renata Tebaldi, Franco Corelli, Boris Christoff, Oralia Dominguez
Conductor: Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Period: Romantic
Written: 1862/1869; Italy