Search - Giacomo Puccini, Sir Edward Downes, Angela Gheorghiu :: The Puccini Experience ~ Gheorghiu, Rautino, Botha, Michaels-Moore, ROH Covent Garden, Downes

Ravishing Artists, Glorious Music--Dragging Tempo

Aurora Vronsky | USA | 03/14/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This album from the Royal Opera House features top-knotch performers performing popular as well as rarely performed Puccini masterpieces. The contrast of the singers' voices is indeed interesting. From the first class lyric soprano of Angela Gheorghiu, to the full dramatic soprano,Nina Rautio. The male artists tenor, Johan Botha and baritone Anthony Michaels Moore also rise to occasion in this unique recital. The one fault with this recording,(O mio babbino caro being the most odvious example)is the overall tempo of the pieces. They are much too slow! At times the passion of Puccini is lost and the arias drag. This is a good CD to own for advid Puccini lovers who already own an array of recordings by this prolific composer and would like to experience new interpretations. However, it is not recommended for newcomers for whom it is crucial to hear this brilliant opera giant at his most dramatic."