Act Three, Part Two: Ahime! tu puzzi come una puzzola..Ruzzola, ruzzola - Tito Gobbi/Fedora Barbieri/Rolando Panerai
Act Three, Part Two: Un poco di pausa - Tito GobbiFedora Barbieri/Ralando Panerai/
Act Three, Part Two: Ogni sorta digente dozzinale - Tito Gobbi/Rolando Panerai/Fedora Barbieri/Renato Ercolani/Luigi Alva
Act Three, Part Two: un coro e terminiam la scena..Tutto nel mondo e burla - Tito Gobbi/Rolando Panerai
This Karajan Falstaff has much to recommend it: Fedora Barbieri's Mistress Quickly is a force of nature, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, only slightly affected, is a liquid, appealing Alice Ford, and Luigi Alva and the young Anna... more » Moffo are ideal as the young lovers, Fenton and Nanetta. But the star--as it should be--is Tito Gobbi in the title role. As is usual with this great singing actor, his characterization comes from within--his is a Falstaff born to be deflated, arrogant and self-deluding on a level that is actually funny. And the nice surprise is what good voice Gobbi's in-- he's in charge of all of his vocal colors here and he uses all of them well. Karajan's touch is light and, yes, funny, and he treats the opera as the divine ensemble work it is, all leading up to a superb final scene. A good time is had by all--listeners included. --Robert Levine« less
This Karajan Falstaff has much to recommend it: Fedora Barbieri's Mistress Quickly is a force of nature, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, only slightly affected, is a liquid, appealing Alice Ford, and Luigi Alva and the young Anna Moffo are ideal as the young lovers, Fenton and Nanetta. But the star--as it should be--is Tito Gobbi in the title role. As is usual with this great singing actor, his characterization comes from within--his is a Falstaff born to be deflated, arrogant and self-deluding on a level that is actually funny. And the nice surprise is what good voice Gobbi's in-- he's in charge of all of his vocal colors here and he uses all of them well. Karajan's touch is light and, yes, funny, and he treats the opera as the divine ensemble work it is, all leading up to a superb final scene. A good time is had by all--listeners included. --Robert Levine
CD Reviews
Get the remastered version!
Dante | New York, NY United States | 11/25/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is a great recording. Unfortunately, there's a notable hiss present, which is evident in the quieter passages. Be sure to buy one of the remastered versions, on which the hiss has removed without a discernible effect on the overall sound quality of the recording. :Falstaff / Verdi, Gobbi · Schwarzkopf · Moffo · Karajan (with libretto) or Verdi: Falstaff. (without libretto)"
An indispensable performance
Kareol | Arlington, VA USA | 03/17/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"If you bought this recording for Anna Moffo's Nannetta alone, you would be justified. (This is Moffo at her very best -- every line beautiful, tapered, and shaded.) But the entire recording is top notch, from the conducting down to the smallest of roles. Karajan's pacing is excellent. If Schwarzkopf and Merriman lack an italianate-ness of sound (a long-stading quibble about this recording in some circles), they sing well, and the interplay among ALL the singers in this most conversational of operas is lively and specific. This recording is, quite simply, a must-have."
Track Listings (20) - Disc #1