Search - Vincenzo Bellini, Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Rome RAI Orchestra :: Bellini: Il Pirata

Bellini's masterpiece

Fabian E. Robles | Bayamon, P.R USA | 06/28/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first commercial recording of this opera, fortunately with an excellent and well known cast, except for virtually unknown tenor Bernabé Martí in the title role. But don't think he's not rendering a superb interpretation of Gualtiero. His is a liryc tenor with heroic thrust when needed, his colloratura is acceptable for the time it was recorded (1970) with no simplifications of the written lines as virtually every tenor did by then. He gets all the high notes marvelously, even surpassing Caballe's at the end of ensembles. With a couple of high D's ommited written in cadenzas(the creator of the role was Rubini, known to reach even high G's, but in that times these notes where executed in a kind of supported falsetto)he gives a couple more joined by high C's and the like. Caballé is simply spectacular: fluid colloratura and a kind of interpretation incomparable with any other. Her chest voice effects are really appropiate when used and her final mad scene is breathtaking. Unusually for her, she ends a couple of ensembles with the bravura high notes. She's just perfect. The rest of the cast is very well suited in their tasks and Maestro Gavazzeni does a wonderfull job with the right tempos in the right places. As for the story, it combines drama, jealousy, adventure, violence, action; all the rigth stuff to be a favorite. It is one of my favorites for the higlights as for the opera as a whole. That's why it was Bellini's first great succes, and a very well deserved one."

If You Don't Enjoy This Music, I'll Double Your Popcorn Back

David R. Eastwood | Long Island, NY | 11/16/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In his short life, Bellini was a major innovator. He was the ONLY composer that Richard Wagner praised whole-heartedly (and deliberately imitated in his "long melodies"). The plot of IL PIRATA is about as stupid as any in all of opera, but its music is out of this world. Here and there, one hears passages that remind us that this is the person who composed the far better-plotted and, rightly, more famous opera NORMA. Forget about IL PIRATA's plot and immerse yourself in this amazing man's music."

THIS IS AN OPERA TO ENJOY LIFE

Mario Gonzalez Dorado | 11/06/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Actually, I love opera, although I am not an opera-goer. This opera is sung by Montserrat Caballé as Imogene, and her husband, Bernabé Martí, as Gualtiero. I saw her onstage at the Teatro Colón, in Buenos Aires, and if you want to know my opinion, her singing is so beautiful personally as it is in her recordings. In this, for example. You have to listen to it if you want to know who is Calla's best pupil. Just amazing."