Search - Donizetti, Tansini :: Lucia Di Lammermoor

Still gripping as it wings across the decades

Mark McCue | Denver | 07/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It takes less space to talk about the minuses of this release rather than its multitude of pluses. There are cuts. Malipiero indulges in some scooping and singing around the pitch at times, and Pagliughi probably overdecorates some points, no matter how tasteful.Still, the conducting and orchestral work is fully up to these immortal singers' standards and the sound isn't half bad--more or less as good as the original discs played on a good table. The presentation holds your attention and mesmerises in many places. And the famous mad scene and recitativi surrounding it are heartrending without any clamor, smash, dash, or playing to the gallery. Pagliughi plays her role as a very sweet but dangerous woman on a mental tightrope--she avoids the piercing wailing (and ducked notes) of Callas, the simpy limp-wrist-holding-Victorian handkerchief of Sutherland, the pretty, cute little void of Scotto. Though a bit facile, Pagliughi's Lucia borders on the scary while being totally attractive, maniacally up and down.Malipiero is also original--he comes off as kind of an admirable lug,caught in something he can't handle, experiencing emotions he can't understand. What an underrated artist he was and those who questioned Toscanini's praise of him will surely understand why the Maestro admired him when they listen to this award-winning work.Supporting roles are handled well and there's more than just a nod to ensemble and sense of the theatre. This is an altogether outstanding reissue of the Cetra original--material that keeps its hold on us after all this time."