Search - Beverly Sills, Nicolai Gedda :: Louise

Unfortunate production

02/28/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Louise is interesting and lovely work, the most important French answer to Italian "verismo" wich was, by the way, deeply influenced by Massenet in the beginning. This good sound recording is well conducted and has an idiomatic cast in every roles - except the title one, unfortunately. Both the young lovers are declining stars. In 1977 Sills had a style but her voice was lost. Although 52 years old, Gedda still had his clear tone and style, but his French is unidiomatic. The best of all is Jose van Damm as Father, curiously 12 years younger then his "daughter" Sills. With better production it would be a valuable recording, because Louise has few issues now. I didn't hear CBS/Sony version, but could be Cotrubas better?"

A Grand Louise

02/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"At 3 hours long, Charpentier's all but forgotten Louise is a great opera. If only singers like Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna can revive this opera on a studio recording! The ligher, more elegant, French-style voices of Beverly Sills and Nicolai Gedda make this particular version a lot like Massenet's Manon. Rudel conducts with a mixture of dramatic realism, romance and bubbly music. Sills is past her prime but can still sing a difficult role like Louise with a style that is uniquely her own and with undying commitment. Jose Van Dam and Mignon Dunn are fine as the "baritone" father and "mezzo" mother, making their roles as convincingly real as possible, though mostly lyrical. This is a fine opera and you shouldn't hesitate to buy it if you are a fan of any of the singers."