COMPOSERS: Verdi
LABELS: Foyer
WORKS: Don Carlo
PERFORMER: Montserrat Caballé, Grace Bumbry, Franco Corelli, Sherrill Milnes, Cesare SiepiMetropolitan Opera/Francesco Molinari Pradelli
CATALOGUE NO: 2-CF 2092 AAD
This is a live recording of a 1972 performance of the four-act Italian version of Don Carlos. Corelli was past his vocal prime, but the other singers are much more impressive. Caballé may not project a strong personality but sings with gloriously limpid tone. Bumbry's exciting performance has been well caught; Milnes is a stylish Rodrigo, and Siepi a forceful King Philip.
The Met Orchestra under Pradelli plays the score as to the manner born, and the recording captures something of the live atmosphere. But this is a performance for admirers of Caballé or Bumbry rather than for lovers of Verdi. Charles Osborne