Search - Carol Neblett, Plácido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes :: Giacomo Puccini: La Fanciulla Del West (The Girl of the Golden West) [Carol Neblett, Placido Domingo, Sherrill Milnes, Gwynne Howell; Zubin Mehta] (Original CD Release with Libretto and Translation)

On Deutsche Grammophon 419640; 2 CD's; Based on a Covent Garden stage production, with Sherrill Milnes brought in as an extra star to make Jack Rance a noble villain, this DG set of "La Fanciulla Del Wes"t remains among the most successful of Zubin Mehta's opera recordings, taking the Gramophone Record of the Year award in 1978. His often brisk manner gives the performance extra tautness and cohesion, never detracting from expressive warmth. In practical terms it means that Act 1 is complete on the first disc, Acts 2 and 3 on the second with no mid-act breaks involved. The transfer captures the fullness and boldness of the original recording. Domingo's Dick Johnson remains a fine heroic performance, characterful and marvelously sung. Carol Neblett makes a touching Minnie, vibrant, rich and true throughout, as well as in the formidably exposed top notes. Milnes brings out the nobility of Rance without diminishing his menace, and the rest of the cast, with Covent Garden stage experience behind them, provide a formidable team, with Gwynne Howell outstanding in Jake Wallace's haunting minstrel ballad in the opening scene. This set provides an outstanding answer for anyone wanting this colorful, fascinating opera on CD.