Search - Gioachino Rossini, Silvio Varviso, Umberto Vedovelli :: Rossini: L'Italiana in Algeri

Delightful

Michel | Montreal, Quebec | 08/05/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1963 version of Italiana in Algeri has a lot going for it - foremost

it features very beautiful voices in the four leads. Teresa Berganza is

perhaps not the spunkiest of Italiana but in purely vocal terms she is a

sheer delight - she sings superbly and is very agile in coloratura and

the voice is truly gorgeous. Fernando Corena is not the most meticulous

singer but he has a big colorful voice and portrays an imposing Mustafa.

Luigi Alva is a thoroughly charming Lindoro and Rolando Panerai is luxury

casting in the smallish role of Taddeo. Chorus and orchestra are excel-

lent and Varviso conducts with considerable verve in the great ensembles.

The sound is vintage 1960's DECCA - vivid and well balanced.

"

A nice little L'Italiana

J. T. Smith | Seattle, WA USA | 05/19/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I first had this recording on vinyl back in the 70's and was pleased to see it re-issued and remastered on CD. Overall it is a very satisfactory performance and Teresa Berganza is at her best vocally and stylistically, her coloratura right on and her personality shows thru in her characterization as Elvira, the italian girl of the title. As Lindoro, Luigi Alva is fine though his florid singing lags behind say, a Florez, but all together a worthy undertaking. Corena, as Mustafa, is at his comic best coming across as haughty yet unsure as to dealing with an Italian girl who has her own agenda. Rolando Panarai is wonderful as Elvira's "uncle" Taddeo and is suitably nervous when made "Kaimakan" by Mustafa. In the small role of Haly, Paolo Montarsolo is excellent and sings his one aria with great aplomb. Silvio Varviso conducts a witty and vivacious performance of an early rossini gem. Highly recommended at a budget price."