Search - Verdi, Price, Tucker :: Forza Del Destino (Complete)

Victorious Verdi from Victor (records).

04/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This opera marked a stylistic maturity in Verdi's artistry, and this wonderful recording makes it quite evident. The late Thomas Schippers was a very dramatic conductor, yet expressive of every nuance of the music; an ideal talent for conducting Verdi's music to the fullest. The orchestra's wonderful performance, beginning to end, practically embodies "the force of destiny" itself, driving the action of the opera inevitably towards its tragic end. A superb job "from the pit." Leontyne Price, in one of her signature roles, is enrapturing as Leonora. Her voice is warm throughout, caressing during the peaceful passages, billowing for the more dramatic moments. Her "La Vergine degli angeli" strums the heartstrings, and the "Pace, pace, mio Dio!" is performed to the hilt (the ending is astounding for its dramatic intensity). The review below is very apt in describing the friendship of Richard Tucker and Robert Merrill as being evident in their performances of Alvaro and Carlo, respectably. Like Price, they sang these roles quite often at the Met, usually together in the same cast. Alvaro is truly romantic and tortured, Carlo teeming with a thirst for vengeance. Two performances that flame the fire of this recording even higher. Shirley Verrett shows just how showstopping the role of Preziosilla can be, her timbre ringing, balanced, and skillful. Her performance of the gypsy brings sunshine to an otherwise dismal storyline. Giorgio Tozzi personifies the paternal authority of Padre Guardino with his splendid bass voice; he can sing with sageful wisdom or pious thought suitable to the drama. His fellow bass Ezio Flagello's Fra Melitone is blustering and very involved (whether he likes it or not). The comprimarii and chorus are just as important as soloists and music, and they also add wonderfully here to the mix. I myself have sung in the chorus for several of Verdi's operas, including the first opera I ever sang in, so his music is very important to me. I'm happy to have found a recording such as this. This is what Verdi opera is all about!"

Tucker, Merrill, Price lead perfect 1960s cast

Todd L. Kosovich | St James, Minnesota United States | 03/18/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is as good as italian opera could get in the 1960s. Richard Tucker and Robert Merrill were friends and their chemistry is evident here. Both are at their vocal prime in this great recording. Price gives a memorable performance of one of her signature roles. Tozzi and Flagello shine in the basso roles. The whole performance has a "warm" feel to it and captures the power of Verdi's music. It is one of my "desert island" recordings."

Unbeatable!!

Todd L. Kosovich | 12/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This early 60's recording of Verdi's La Forza Del Destino, "The Force of Destiny" stars a young Leontyne Price at the height of her powers as Leonora a fabulous Richard Tucker as Don Alvaro, Robert Merrill as Leonora's vindictive brother, Shirley Verrett as a charismatic Preziosilla, Giorgio Tozzi as the Father in the Monastery and the RCA Italian Opera Orchestra is conducted by Thomas Schippers, whose terrific career was cut short by his death of cancer. This recording is by far superior to the second Leontyne Price Forza under RCA made in the mid 70's with Placido Domingo, Sherill Milnes and Fiorenza Cossotto. While that recording features a terrific cast, its flawed because Leontyne Price is past her prime and singing with faulty diction and rougher voice. She maintains a "princess" like grace for this Leonora, similar to her Leonoras at the Met upon her debut in the early 60's. She has the right kind of lyrico spinto voice for the role. Her "Pace Mio Dio" is unsurpassed. Though accused of singing beautifully without dramatic integrity, I find that Price lived her roles. I like her Leonora better than Renata Tebaldi, to whom many credit as the best Leonora of Forza. Price is well supported by tenor Richard Tucker, who was also paired with her for the Madame Butterfly under Leinsdorf. This is an excellent old school recording, and we hear what we might have heard at a Met production in the 60's. Beloved American tenor Robert Merrill sings with excellent prowess and he pulls out all the stops in this one. Shirley Verrett, another great African American opera diva, sings with charm, agility and power as Preziosilla, the exciting Gypsy leader. Schippers conducts with a fine sense of pace and style, the music never overwhelming the singers except for the climaxes which often happen anyways. This is a terrific, absolutely unbeatable performance."