From a 1960 live performance in the Teatro Col�n Buenos Aires, Argentina, Ponchielli's La Gioconda's libretto was written by composter Arrigo Boito who adapted it from a play by Victor Hugo. A quintessential operatic tale of thwarted love and devotion this performance features the American soprano Lucille Udovich, noted mezzo-soprano Mignon Dunn, longtime Metropolitan Opera member bass Norman Scott, and tenor Flaviano Labo with the Teatro Col�n Orchestra and Choir conducted by Carlo Felice Cillario.

The stature and recognized genius of Mozart’s late operas, including Don Giovanni has forever transcended the considerable changes in performance traditions and audience tastes. Appreciation for a previous generation’s approach to this work can be heard on this live 1952 performance from Aix-en-Provence starring a fine, if not wholly well-remembered singing cast that includes Leonie Rysanek, Léopold Simoneau, Heinz Ruhfuss, Marcello Cortis and Carla Martinis. Hans Rosbaud, a conductor who has undergone some critical reassessment in the last few years, conducts.

The American Richard Tucker’s ringing, clarion, enthusiastic tenor in its prime is a self-recommending statement; his presence on the world’s opera stages and even on American television (search out footage of him singing under the razor-sharp control of the great Toscanini) always a joy to hear. This 1959 live Verdi Rigoletto from the Teatro San Carlo in Naples, Italy may, aside from Renato Capecchi and possibly Ivan Sardi, leave you amiss in the name-recognition department, but the cast and the sound, re-mastered and fine for its time and circumstance, will win listener’s over.

Classical Music

Long before Gioachino Rossini wrote his most famous opera, Giovanni Paisiello (1740-1816) had success with this same libretto. + Rarely heard in the present day, or in recent generations past, makes this Walhall recording, which is still considered the finest on the market, a valuable and intriguing sound document. + Recorded in 1959 and conducted by Renata Fasano, the fine cast features Nicola Monti, Graziela Sciutti, Renato Capecchi and Rolando Panerai. + This 24Bit/96kHz re-mastered volume also includes some bonus Vivaldi material.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music