Search - Kubelik, La Scala Theater Orchestra, Milan Symphony Orchestra :: I Troiani (Les Troyens)

If you don't mind tape hiss and distortion, and all the defe

E. | Huntington, NY USA | 09/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I should say up front that I have a personal reason for liking this recording- I recorded Kubleik's 1973 Metropolitan Opera Saturday Matinee radio broadcast of this opera, but lost the tape. The performance was so much better than the only other recording available at the time (it was conducted by Colin Philips, I think on Angel records, and rated just a yawn) that I was very sad about losing this tape. But here is by far the best interpreter of Berlioz, conducting a terrific orchestra and cast, with the whole orchestra, choruses, and soloists being quite audible (though a bit distorted at times) bringing to life a great but difficult and under-rated composer's greatest work. Hearing Kubelik conduct Berlioz changed my mind about Berlioz, in general- and this recording might just change yours- he did what Wagner did, but about 20 years too soon to be appreciated."