Verdi - Rigoletto / Sutherland, Pavarotti, Milnes, LSO, Bonynge

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
This Rigoletto has been around for so long it might be easy to take it for granted or skip it for a newer set. Don't! It features all three principals in superb voice, as well as pacing from Maestro Bonynge that is much heavier on drama than most of us expect from him. Sutherland may sound a bit mature (and mush-mouthed) for Gilda, but not only is she sympathetic, she sings gorgeously. And speaking of gorgeous, those familiar only with the Pavarotti of the last 10 years would be wise to hear him here--this is stylish, full-blooded, Golden Age singing. The beautifully round tone, the easy high notes, the impeccable diction, and the pointed characterization are unique. Milnes, in the title role, is also in splendid voice, offering smooth legato, brilliant, Verdian ring and real attention to the text. The ADD sound is excellent. No other modern recording offers the visceral thrill of this Rigoletto--go for it. --Robert Levine

Verdi - Rigoletto / Sutherland, Pavarotti, Milnes, LSO, Bonynge, Music, Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Bonynge, Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Sherrill Milnes, Joseph Clement, John Gibbs, Clifford Grant, Kiri Te Kanawa, Gillian Knight, Ricardo Cassinelli, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, Classical, Classical Music, Italian Romantic Opera, Opera, Opera / Operetta / Oratorio, Opera/Operetta

Verdi - Rigoletto / Sutherland, Pavarotti, Milnes, LSO, Bonynge
Average customer rating:

Great performance

Awesome!

Almost the best

The Definitive Rigoletto

Awed

Verdi - Rigoletto / Sutherland, Pavarotti, Milnes, LSO, Bonynge
Giuseppe Verdi , Richard Bonynge , Luciano Pavarotti , Joan Sutherland , London Symphony Orchestra , Sherrill Milnes , Joseph Clement , John Gibbs , Clifford Grant , Kiri Te Kanawa , Gillian Knight , Ricardo Cassinelli , and Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000041Q2
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Rigoletto: Act I: Preludio
Rigoletto: Act I: Della mia bella incognita borghese (Duca)
Rigoletto: Act I: Questa o quella per me pari sono (Duca)
Rigoletto: Act I: Gran nuova! Gran nuova!
Rigoletto: Act I: Ch'io gli parli
Rigoletto: Act I: Quel vecchio maledivami! (Rigoletto)
Rigoletto: Act I: Pari siamo! (Rigoletto)
Rigoletto: Act I: Figlia! Mio padre! (Rigoletto, Gilda)
Rigoletto: Act I: Ah! vegiia, o donna (Rigoletto)
Rigoletto: Act I: Giovanna, ho dei rimorsi (Gilda)
Rigoletto: Act I: Che m'ami, deh, ripetimi (Duca)
Rigoletto: Act I: Gualtier Malde...Caro nome (Gilda)
Rigoletto: Act I: Riedo! Perche? (Rigoletto)
Rigoletto: Act I: Zitti, zitti

Tracks:

Rigoletto: Act II: Ella mi fu rapita! (Duca)
Rigoletto: Act II: Duca, duca!
Rigoletto: Act II: Possente amor mi chiama (Duca)
Rigoletto: Act II: Povero Rigoletto!
Rigoletto: Act II: Cortigiani, vil razza dannata (Rigoletto)
Rigoletto: Act II: Mio padre!...Tutte le feste al tempio (Gilda)
Rigoletto: Act II: Schiudete, ire al carcere
Rigoletto: Act III: E l'ami? (Rigoletto)
Rigoletto: Act III: La donna e mobile (Duca)
Rigoletto: Act III: Un di, se ben rammentomi (Duca)
Rigoletto: Act III: Bella figlia dell'arnore (Duca)
Rigoletto: Act III: Venti scudi hai tu detto? (Rigoletto)
Rigoletto: Act III: Ah, piu non ragiono! (Gilda)
Rigoletto: Act III: Della vendetta alfin giunge l'istante! (Rigoletto)
Rigoletto: Act III: V'ho ingannato, colpevole fui (Gilda)

Amazon.com essential recording

This Rigoletto has been around for so long it might be easy to take it for granted or skip it for a newer set. Don't! It features all three principals in superb voice, as well as pacing from Maestro Bonynge that is much heavier on drama than most of us expect from him. Sutherland may sound a bit mature (and mush-mouthed) for Gilda, but not only is she sympathetic, she sings gorgeously. And speaking of gorgeous, those familiar only with the Pavarotti of the last 10 years would be wise to hear him here--this is stylish, full-blooded, Golden Age singing. The beautifully round tone, the easy high notes, the impeccable diction, and the pointed characterization are unique. Milnes, in the title role, is also in splendid voice, offering smooth legato, brilliant, Verdian ring and real attention to the text. The ADD sound is excellent. No other modern recording offers the visceral thrill of this Rigoletto--go for it. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Great performance.......2006-09-16

I love this recording. I love the voice of Joan Sutherland - such a full, warm, beautiful sound. However, I must correct a reviewer who mentions that Sutherland recorded every optional high note; She does end the ensembles with SPECTACULAR high notes, but does not follow suit with "Caro Nome". In fact, before I became one of her BIGGEST fans, after hearing this version of the aria, I was THOROUGHLY disappointed. I was used to hearing the final high e''' (thanks to Moffo, in her EMI recording, and surprisingly enough, Leontyne Price), so when Sutherland ended the aria an octave lower (though sustained for quite some time), I lost what little respect I had for her at the time (late 1994, early 1995?). Shortly thereafter, I heard her 1971 (I think?) recording of the Doll's song from 'Hoffmann', and was instantly mesmerized. She may not have sung Zerbinetta or any arias with a g''', but I believe she is THE coloratura assoluta.
By the way, her E-flat at the end of Act II in her 1961 'Rigoletto' recording is perhaps the best high E-flat EVER.

Awesome!.......2006-02-27

I have heard many Rigoletto's during my life, but any like this. Bonyge is an absolute master, conducting London Symphony Orchestra brilliantly. Pavarotti's Duke surpasses the best of tenors, and even though I am not one of Pavarotti's greatest fans-don't misunderstand me, I agree he is very good-I think that, in this performance, he has reached his level best, thus I give him the deserveful credit of five stars.
Sutherland's Gilda is melodious-something of and achievement-but not staggering.
Sherill Milne's Rigletto's shines throughout the whole opera, thus making it "a must", a classic amongst the best performances.
The recording is perfect, however it is extremely upsetting that it can't be played in some sound systems.

Almost the best.......2005-12-23

I really do love this recording. But because of several minor flaws, it is not my absolute favorite Rigoletto recording.
Here are some of what I consider to be the weaknesses:
(a) Milnes' singing, as beautiful, powerful and musical as it is, has pitch problems that bother me,
(b) Sutherland, for all her gorgeous, artistic and appropriately gloomy singing, isn't all that exciting, and
(c) Bonynge's conducting has some minor ragged moments, and less urgency than much of his competition (though he's more "urgent" here than on many of his own other recordings).
I hope you understand from what I said that for the most part this set is wonderful!
The only Rigoletto set that I prefer to this one is Solti's: Solti's conducting is very fiery and dark, and yet sensitive and musical; Alfredo Kraus is a more consistently musical (but less vocally opulent and also less appropriate character-wise)than Pavarotti; Robert Merrill had a voice that I personally prefer to Milnes' (but that's totally a taste-related preference; Milnes' voice is phenomenal, too!), and Anna Moffo sang gorgeously, sensitively and excitingly as well (though with regard to pure vocal sound, I prefer Sutherland's voice to Moffo's [actually, to everybody's!]).
ENJOY! Buy both sets if you can!

The Definitive Rigoletto.......2005-12-18

I have owned this recording for years, and now I can't listen to any other recording. I've even performed in this opera. While Sutherland is indeed too old for Gilda, these are still the glory days for her (early 70s). However, Pavarotti and Milnes are simply GLORIOUS in these roles. This is the height of virtuosity with Pavarotti singing to a High D, and Milnes to a High B-natural - Simply AMAZING. The drama is all here, and the majestic beauty of one of Verdi's best operas.

Awed.......2005-10-30

October 29, 2005

This recording was broadcast as the Saturday afternoon opera today. My favorite Rigoletto beforehand had been the Pavoratti version issued on VHS (and I guess DVD), and I didn't even know this version existed. And gosh, merely performed with Sutherland, Milnes, et. al.

In my opinion, there isn't anyone singing today that is equivalent to any one of them, much less a cast that could equal the three together. But, hey, I've got the Callas version and one done by Bjorling that I like, so why look further. I didn't even hear the complete broadcast, and here I am on line (after ordering it) saying to one and all that you don't get as lucky that often to discover one like this. Nuff' said.

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