Gaetano Donizetti (1797 -1848)
Leyla Gencer, Jaume Aragall, Renato Bruson
Plinio Clabassi, Luigi Risani
Orchestra e Coro del Teatro di San Carlo di Napoli
di: Carlo Felice Cillario
Myto (1992) 2MCD921.53 2 CDs ADD
Rec.live May 28, 1972 S.Carlo di Napoli ( Good sound)
Bonus: Leyla Gencer in Lucrezia Borgia
[flac & cue, cover, inlays, booklet & discs scans]
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di: Carlo Felice Cillario
Myto (1992) 2MCD921.53 2 CDs ADD
Rec.live May 28, 1972 S.Carlo di Napoli ( Good sound)
Bonus: Leyla Gencer in Lucrezia Borgia
[flac & cue, cover, inlays, booklet & discs scans]
Review
"This performance of Caterina Cornaro was reviewed in Opera by Enrico Tellini. He said that it was one of the most important happenings of the year. He wrote: “The title role was sung by Leyla Gencer who was in glorious voice. Giacomo Aragall sang with enthusiasm and clear pronunciation, while Renato Bruson was so elegant in his phrasing that his singing appeared a lesson.” Tellini was less enthusiastic about Plinio Clabassi, but I admire him. However, I certainly agree with Tellini in regard to the other singers. Carlo Felice Cillario’s conducting is excellent.
Caterina Cornaro was premiered on January 18, 1844. It was not a success. The last 19th-century performance was at Parma on February 2, 1845. This performance was the first revival of the opera since that date. In Fanfare 10:5, Anthony D. Coggi reviewed the recording issued on Rodolphe featuring Montserrat Caballé, Giacomo Aragall, and Ryan Edwards. (That performance was also issued on CD by Phoenix.) In his review he stated that this Gencer/Aragall/Bruson performance was superior, although at that time it was only on LP. While this is not one of Donizetti’s best operas, it does have striking moments, and is certainly well worth having. The audience is loud and enthusiastic; there is much applause and shouts of bravo.
Since Caterina Cornaro is a short opera, there are 14 bonus tracks from a live performance of Lucrezia Borgia given in October 1971. Both Gencer and Grilli are very good in their roles. On both the Caterina Cornaro complete opera, and the Lucrezia Borgia excerpts the sound is good. Unfortunately there is no booklet, only a list of bands. " FANFARE: Bob Rose