Rate Points :5.0
Binding :Audio CD
Label :EMI Classics
Manufacturer :EMI Classics
MPN :85108
ProductGroup :Music
Studio :EMI Classics
Publisher :EMI Classics
UPC :724358510829
EAN :0724358510829
Price :$16.98USD
Lowest Price :$10.62USD
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :2
Renata Scotto was an esteemed soprano of the 1950s and 1960s and into the 1970s. She was known well for her characterization. She combined a rich, skilled voice with the ability to create characters on stage. This 2 CD set illustrates her art quite nicely.
Some illustrative cuts:
"Si, mi chiamano Mimi": This wonderful aria from "La Boheme" is natural for Scotto. Her smooth, rich voice captures the young Mimi nicely. There is a poignant characterization evident as well. She is a great stylist here, without some of the annoying affectations that occasionally mar singers performances. Nice transition from register to register.
"O soave fanciulla": This represents one of the great duets in opera. She and her partner, Alfredo Kraus, blend their voices most attractively. Kraus begins wonderfully when Scotto joins him, it is "goose bump city." A wonderful version of this duet.
"Qui la voce. . .Vien diletto": Scottos lush voice is attractive here. She is not a coloratura soprano per se, but her characterization is striking. There is a hint of vocal strain here and there there is also a bit of shrillness on occasion. But no big deal. The cabaletta is musical, but without much ornamentation.
"E strano. . .Sempre libera": One of Scottos signature roles was Violetta in "La Traviata." This was sung later in her career, and it shows. Her characterization is fine, but the voice is not what it once was. There is some harshness here and there the shift from middle to higher register is not as smooth as earlier in her career. Nonetheless, a compelling start and an animated "Sempre libera."
"Spargi damaro pianto": One thinks of Joan Sutherland or Beverly Sills here, not Renata Scotto. This was recorded in 1959, in her prime. This cabaletta is richly sung, without much ornamentation. While it is rather vanilla, there are nice staccato notes and a fine concluding high note.
"Un bel di vedremo": Ravishing. Thats the word Id use to describe her singing on this well known aria.
All in all, a very nice introduction to Renata Scottos musical corpus. Well worth listening to.
Great CD
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :0
Renata Scotto is captivating in this very best collection of Opera Arias, I definitely recommend this CD.
The "Singers Singer"
Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :7
I am thrilled to write the first review of this CD. It is wonderful, and a must-have for fans of lyric sopranos and opera lovers in general.
This CD is a real treat, because it has recordings of Ms. Scotto at various stages of her career: the mid-late 50s, 60s, 70s, and early 1980s. It is instructive and interesting to hear the trajectory of her voice over the years, and priceless to hear some of the roles and arias she truly made her own.
Lets start with the earlier recordings, made between 1958 and 1966. Here is the Renata Scotto that took the world by storm after stepping in for an "indisposed" Maria Callas in 1953. These are truly awesome. One of my favorites is her "Una voce poco fa". She sings it like she was born to sing it. I can also imagine a very cute 24 year old Renata Scotto charming everyone as Rosina. But the highlight of this group is definitely the "Madama Butterfly" from the famous 1966 recording she made with Barbirolli. There are six full arias/duets, starting with "A! Quanto cielo!" and ending with "Tu? tu? piccolo iddio!" The "Un bel di" is sublime, and the "Vogliatemi bene" duet with Carlo Bergonzi was transporting.
She then includes two arias from "Nabucco". This is probably one of those problematic career roles many people fault her for. Abigail is a very strenuous role. The character is mad...through the whole opera. Shes constantly agitated and yelling. That means it is a scream fest for soprano. I just wince when I hear these arias. She does them OK, but really has to push.
The later selections show a mature Scotto. These recordings were made in 1980 and 1981. There are some amazing things here. I was least impressed by her three selections from "La Boheme". Her money notes in "Si. Mi chiamano Mimi" are unsteady and her vibrato kind of wide. But, you think, hey it happens over time, right? Then, you hear a recording of six selections from "La Traviata" from two years later. Incredible. The very difficult first big scene, starting with "E strano" and ending with "Sempre libera" was perfect. Her "Teneste la promessa" will break your heart. It was without a doubt, one of the best Violettas Ive ever heard.
And, before we end, her "Vissi darte" was the best Ive ever heard. It is an amazing performance by a woman, who at age 47, really understood what the aria is about. Ive heard it so many times, and by so many great singers. With Renata, I felt I was hearing it for the first time.
Brava Scotto and EMI. Thank you for this wonderful CD.
Highly recommended.
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Amazon.comThe bulk of this wonderful CD was recorded in l974, before the top of Scottos voice--always a bit acidic--had turned positively treacherous. Selections from six Puccini operas, Catalanis La Wally, and Mascagnis Lodoletta and Iris find her nVery Best of The Very Best of Victoria de los Angeles
Amazon.comThe bulk of this wonderful CD was recorded in l974, before the top of Scottos voice--always a bit acidic--had turned positively treacherous. Selections from six Puccini operas, Catalanis La Wally, and Mascagnis Lodoletta and Iris find her n
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