Search - Gaetano Donizetti, Ettore Gracis, La Scala Theater Symphony Orchestra :: Donizetti: Lucrezia Borgia

Caballe's definite Lucrezia on stage!

Armindo | Greece | 06/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a glorious evening at La Scala! Caballe once again proves that the motherly role of Lucrezia suits her like no other. This 1970 performance has all the beauty and vocal perfection of the earlier testaments - namely the RCA studio and her Carnegie Hall debut - plus the vitality of a stage performance. She now sounds more self-assured and finds new nuances for this lovely role. Some highlights are the prologue finale in which she finishes the trademark pianissimo half way through the ensemble, to an incredible crescendo. The scene ends with one of the highest notes Caballe will ever sing - I thought she was a different singer. If only she'd done the same in studio! Lucrezia's "M'odi ah m'odi" is one of the most moving moments of the evening and the audience goes wild after Caballe's utterly heartbreaking reading! Her Gennaro is Gianni Raimondi who has a meatier voice than the more famous Kraus. Raimondi makes a great, passionate Gennaro though my all-time favourite remains the young Jose Carreras. Ezio Flagello is now a bit gruff and less opulent in tone than a few years before but he still sings a decent Don Alfonzo. Ana Maria Rota is a fine Maffio Orsini but I've never been so crazy about this trouser role. The unknown (to me) conductor Ettore Gracis conducts competently. With the travesty of Lucrezias around today, this performance brings us back to the essence an purity of bel canto. The sound is not great but sufficient to enjoy the evening."