Search - Melanie Feld, Samuel Ramey, Frederica von Stade :: Rossini Gala

FINALLY we have THE event

11/19/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I shall have to go back to my video of the gala to see if virtually very number sung is there (though I am sure a couple are missing as Marilyn Horne sang an aria from Tancredi to replace June Anderson, who was ill; this is not on this recording). Still, in this recording we are getting a better representation of the wonderful night of great and glorious singing. All of the singers were sublime! I don't know what the hold up is to just releasing the entire concert as it was sung. Why companies think they need to "edit" the gala is beyond me, for it was fabulous and it didn't have a dull moment. Fortunately, we are now able to listen to the selection that ends the first section and drove the audience wild. The trio from Bianca e Fallieri. This piece was virtually unknown to the public at the gala at that time. Did it ever drive them wild, and did the artists ever do a fabulous job. The sound is fine, but this is a live performance, so you will hear the clapping and a few (but very few) audience noises. In the original broadcast of the gala when Thomas Hampton sang the Largo di factotum from Barbiere he had some funny interactions with the members of the chorus and was quite a personality. That comes through wonderfully, and the audience responded with excitement. In the closing number from the Voyage to Reims, the audience actually laughed, not because of the singing, but because in a very specific place Horne and Merit, I believe, were singing a part, immitating each other, and their expressions were priceless. Sadly, as I said, once again it is not complete. However, what you get is a wealth of wonderful Rossini singing at its best. Some of the numbers that were issued on the original released CD of this event (limited to only one CD, and even then the numbers were sometimes cut) are not included in this one. I guess the only way to get the entire thing is to buy both versions of the gala, even then a few very excellent numbers are left out. It is worth the money, and it is enjoyable, but like I said, "WHEN WILL THE RECORDING COMPANIES STOP FOOLING AROUND WITH THE GALA AND SIMPLY RELEASE THE WHOLE OF IT!" When that happens, rush out and get it, you won't be disappointed."