Menotti: The Consul

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
They don't make Broadway composers like opera composer Gian Carlo Menotti anymore. His 1950 hit The Consul is a cold war parable fusing Puccini-esque melodic sweep, the dark underbelly of Alban Berg's lurid expressionism, and pure, unadulterated film noir. Don't expect subtlety. Be captivated, instead, by Menotti's prodigious melodic gift and his ability to stage-manage vocal polyphony for optimum theatrical effect. Small wonder singers love this music, and Susan Bullock, who plays the heroine Magda, makes every note and word count. Likewise, Richard Hickox galvanizes his Spoleto forces to give their all in this excellently recorded live performance from the 1998 Spoleto Festival. The audience goes wild, and rightly so. Full texts are included. --Jed Distler

Tracks:

'Not While I'm Around'
The Sound Of Music: 'Edelweiss'
'Wiegenlied'
'Gestilte Sehnsucht'
'Geistliches Wiegenlied'
'Wiegenlied (Wie sich der Auglein)'
'Sandmannchen'
The Consul: 'Mother's Aria'
'Brezairola' (Berceuse)
Chants d'Auvergue: 'Oi Ayai'
'Ar hyd y nos' (All Through The Night)
'Sehnsucht nach dem Fruhling'
'Lass mich schlummern, Herzlein, schweige'
Siete Canciones populares espanolas: 'Nana' (Berceuse)
'Cancion de cuna para dormir a un negrito'
'The Little Horses' (Lullaby)
'Cantiga de Ninar' (Baby's Goodnight Song)
'Susse, susse Sommernacht'
'Wiegenlied' (Schlafe, schlafe, holder susser Knabe)
Into The Woods: 'Stay With Me'

Amazon.com

This record is most notable for its performances. Kirchschlager's singing is ravishingly beautiful and deeply expressive; the pianists and other instrumentalists are all first rate. Its content seems designed less for consistent musical quality and a balanced program than for variety and popular appeal. Yet the predominantly slow songs induce a certain monotony, and Mozart and Menotti, Brahms and Broadway musicals make strange stylistic bedfellows. However, many gems stand out in the mix: the two Brahms songs with viola, in which the renowned Yuri Bashmet is unfortunately almost inaudible; two Schubert Cradle Songs, one famous, one unknown; several enchanting Spanish songs; a Haydn arrangement of a Welsh lullaby better known as "All through the Night"; a lovely romantic song by Zemlinsky; and a lush, soaring one by Miguel Kertsman written for Kirchschlager and just right for her expressively inflected voice. She identifies with every idiom and pours so much care and affection into each song that one can well imagine a loving mother singing to her child, and indeed the record is dedicated to her little son. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Gentle crossover that gets a bit sleepy.......2006-06-01

When Sony's artist executives were German, they tried to promote the young Austrian mezzo Angelika Kirchschlager, but because of her difficult name (I am guessing) and the slackening classical music market, she never caught on. Today Kirchschlager is a star in Europe, and one sees her name on the Met roster. This, her second CD, is a gentle recital of lullabies, made more varied by adding Broadway tunes into the mix and bringing in star musicians like John Williams on guitar and Yuri Bashmet on viola.

The result is winning and thoroughly professional. Kirchschlager sings especially well in English, with a hybrid British-American accent but almost no German mannerisms. The closest comparison in terms of high mezzos would be with von Otter, and Kirchschlager's voice is at least as beautiful. But she lacks von Otter's imaginaiton, and after a while everything sounds a bit too square and placid--after all, these songs may be for babies, but the intended audience is also adults who go to lieder recitals, isn't it?

An Example of When Crossover Works.......2006-01-09

Angelika Kirchschlager is well known on the operatic stage and in chamber and orchestral programs where her forte is Mozart and Bach. Hers is a voice creamy rich and produced with incredible intelligence. She is also a communicator - in recital, in opera, in anything she does. It comes as no surprise then that an artist of this caliber (or her agent....!) is able to set the standard for the now ubiquitous 'crossover album' that most of the major singers find it necessary to make to gather in more admirers.

Selecting a wide variety of lullabies with varying settings feels so natural in Kirchschlager's elegant mezzo-soprano voice. Other artists have produced recitals of lullabies: Dawn Upshaw and Richard Goode immediately come to mind. But in this album, though not all of the works are of genius quality, Kirchschlager gives each her considerable talent and the result is a little night music that is equally as lovely for adults as for the intended audience of children (and of course their parents...).

With fine support from the London Metropolitan Ensemble, pianists Roger Vignoles and Helmut Deutsch, guitarist John Williams and violist Yuri Bashmet among others, Kirchschlager offers a rich variety of songs from Mozart, von Weber, Haydn, Brahms, Schubert, Canteloube, de Falla, Copeland, Sondheim, Rogers and Hammerstein and Zelimsky. And no matter the language or the setting they all work. This is an album to cherish and share and raises the respect for Angelika Kirchschlager even higher. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, January 06

Lullabies for All Ages.......2005-07-13

I bought this CD as a gift for my first grandchild to introduce her to the world of classical music. But when I played it, it enchanted me and my grandchild's parents even more than it did the baby. Angelika Kirschlager is a young Austrian mezzo-soprano who had previously been unknown to me. She sings these simple songs with a beautiful round warmth of tone.

The twenty selections on this CD include Brahms famous lullaby together with two lesser-known songs of Brahms accompanied by piano and viola. Schubert's two lullabies are included, and they are melting. There is a Mozart song (the theme of which he used in the third movement of his final piano concerto) and a Haydn arrangement of the Welsh folk -song "All Through the Night", which features an accompanying trio of violin, cello, and piano.
Aaron Copland's arrangement of "All the Pretty Little Horses" will delight young listeners, and there are songs by Richard Rogers, Steven Sondheim, C.M. Von Weber, and others to fill out an enchanting CD of music and dreams. Ms Kirschlager's singing is the highlight of this CD. She is accompanied well by a variety of pianists and by performers on the guitar, violin, cello, and flute. Texts and translations for the songs are included in the liner notes.

Although I bought this CD for my granddaughter, others dear to me have expressed interest, and I will be buying another copy.

Thanks to my Amazon friend Scott Morrison for recommending this CD and to the other perceptive reviewers of this lovely music.

Robin Friedman

A Wonderful Gift for a Baby!.......2005-02-15

Our family has just been blessed with a new grandson and one of my very thoughtful friends had the brilliant and generous idea to send the baby a copy of this wonderful collection of lullabies and nightsongs done so stunningly by the marvelous German mezzo, Angelika Kirchschlager. I am happy to report that the very first selection, Schubert's 'Wiegenlied' ('Cradle Song'), seemed to make him smile, even at his tender age. This bodes well for his developing discriminating musical taste because Ms Kirchschlager is a terrific singer. Her various accompanists provide sensitive support for her lovely and perfectly managed voice. She sings with impeccable diction in several languages and even in English I don't pick up any accent at all.

I must point out, however, that Amazon has listed the contents of this disc in an order different from that on the CD, but the musical samples they provide do match the titles listed.

Scott Morrison

Voice of an Angel.......2000-05-02

I was first introduced to Ms. Kirchlager three years ago and was instantly impressed. Her sumptuous voice and incredible beauty make her a delight to listen to, time and time again. When Night Falls, is only the most recent of what promises to be a long and impressionable career. From the ever popular "Edelweiss" to the easily recognizable "Wiegenlied", Ms. Kirchschlager approaches each song with the same heart-felt emotion as if she were singing to her own child. I have often listened to her CD late at night to help myself fall into my own sweet dreamland of "The Little Horses".

Eileen Farrell Sings Opera Arias & Songs

Average customer rating:

A document
A magnificent artist
Stunning vocalism
After they revived me....
One of the most impressive dramatic sopranos i've heard

Eileen Farrell Sings Opera Arias & Songs

Manufacturer: Testament UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Eileen Farrell Sings Verdi
Puccini Arias
Sings Torch Songs
Can't Help Singing: The Life of Eileen Farrell
Eileen Farrell - An American Prima Donna

ASIN: B000003XJE
Release Date: 1996-05-09

Tracks:

Alceste, Act 1: Divinities Du Styx
Oberon, Act II: Ozean, Du Ungerheuer
Ernani, Act I: Recit: Sorta e la notte
La Gioconda, Act IV: Suicidio
Jeanne d'Arc, Act I: Adieu, forets!
Herodiade, Act I: Celui Dont La Parole...
L'Enfant Prodigue: L'annee en vain...
The Consul, Act II: To this we've come
Song Recital: Summertime-From Porgy & Bess
Song Recital: Where is dis road a-leadin' me to?
Song Recital: There shall be more joy
Song Recital: Hickory Hill
Song Recital: Sing to me, sing, Op. 28
Song Recital: Through the years
Song Recital: To the Children, Op. 26, No.7
Song Recital: A Dream, Op. 48, No. 6
Song Recital: Down by the Sally Gardens
Song Recital: Danny Boy

Customer Reviews:

A document.......2005-02-13

What a joy! A shining example of great singing. This is dramatic singing at its finest. The voice is a phenomenon - I only wish I heard her live in the opera house. A voice of breadth, power and beauty, like a doric column - even from top to bottom, a true soprano dramitica agilita. (This is a woman that sang Bach cantata arias constantly as a member of the famous Bach Aria Group as well as the great dramatic parts).

I feel there are several definitive interpretations here, 'Ozean der Ungerheur' - the cantilena and coloratura are mind boggling for a voice of this size - Nilsson cannot even compare in this regard. Also the Menotti aria, what drama, what sound, what DICTION!

This recording is a document against which every serious, professional singer should test their 'mettle'. The collaboration with Thomas Schippers is very fine.

A magnificent artist.......2005-01-10

Eileen Farrell sings amazingly on this CD. She is superb in the opera arias; I especially like her in "Suicidio!", "Adieu, forêts!", Il est doux, il est bon", and "L'année en vain-Azaël! pourquoi mas-tu quittée". In the "La Gioconda", she sings with much passion and pours out glorious torrents of sound. Her singing of the phrase "un dì leggiadre volavan l'ore" is exquisite. She shows remarkable delicacy in the French opera arias, as well as her huge sound during the climaxes. I really am not as impressed with her "Ozean, du Ungeheuer". She doesn't do it for me in this aria the way Birgit Nilsson does. Also, the engineers scale back the sound during the cabaletta. This lessens the impact of Farrell's immense voice, which is really an incredible instrument. I love her singing of the aria from "The Consul", "To this we've come". She displays extraordinary emotion and fire in this aria, all the while singing in very clear English.

In the English-language songs, she sings with emotional warmth, sincerity, and great restraint. Her voice displays a timeless beauty in the song "Down by the Sally Gardens". Her rendition of "Danny Boy" is heartfelt and very touching. Her English diction is exemplary, every word clearly enunciated with care and clarity.

One thing I admire tremendously about Eileen Farrell is her seemingly natural way with any type of music she sings. She always adapts her voice to the demands of the piece. Also, her sincerity and utter guilelessness is very refreshing to hear. She never fakes emotions, overemotes, or wallows in her own sound. Listen up, Renée Fleming!

Farrell demonstrates on this CD why she is such a legendary singer.

Stunning vocalism.......2004-02-26

This recital is a great tribute to a sadly underrated singer. Some of the less familiar items are stunningly sung (e.g. the Debussy and Massenet arias), but the highlight for me is the "Suicidio." This just might be the best recording of this area ever (with nods to Ponselle, Callas, Tebaldi, et al). I think it blows the sox off the competition, much the same way the "In questa reggia" from the Puccini album does. Hopefully, Columbia will see fit to reissue the Puccini someday.

After they revived me...........2003-08-26

Nevermind the technical merit and attention to detail that a review should have, this is purely and simply a rave review. Nothing more, nothing less. I love opera, am hard to please, and generally don't like albums of arias, preferring the complete works to the fancy bits. But, God in heaven, what a voice. I've listened to it twice in the first day, and I can still hardly believe it's true. Don't wait. For heaven's sake, buy the thing NOW! THIS MINUTE! MOVE! Now I'm going to lie down to recover... Thank you.

One of the most impressive dramatic sopranos i've heard.......2001-06-20

I heard this recording many years ago (the operatic arias only), and it was high time for it to be reissued. Farrell is one of the most impressive dramatic sopranos i've ever heard. It's also probably her best recording, in full command of (majestic) voice and style.

Average customer rating:

Great Performance
A FINE AMERICAN OPERA
A wonderful work!
great recording!!
At last The Consul!

Menotti: The Consul
Richard Hickox , Susan Bullock , Louis Otey , Jacalyn Kreitzer , Charles Austin , Victoria Livengood , Herbert Eckhoff , Giovanna Manci , Robin Blitch Wiper , Malin Fritz , John Horton Murray , and Graeme Broadbent
Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Saint of Bleecker Street
Menotti: Amahl and the Night Visitors
Menotti: The Unicorn, the Gorgon and the Manticore
Menotti - The Consul / Patricia Neway, Chester Ludgin
Happy Endings: Comic Chamber Operas

ASIN: B00000I9A6
Release Date: 1999-03-23

Tracks:

The Consul: Act 1- Scene 1: 'Tu reviendras et voudras m'enfermer dans tes bras' - Gian Carlo Menotti
The Consul: Act 1- Scene 1: 'Quick, John! The Police!' - Gian Carlo Menotti
The Consul: 'Act 1- Scene 1: Don't Move Yet' - Gian Carlo Menotti
The Consul: Act 1- Scene 1: 'Now, O Lips, Say Goodbye' - Gian Carlo Menotti
The Consul: Act 1- Scene1: Interlude - Gian Carlo Menotti
The Consul: Act 1 - Scene 2: 'Next . Yes... What Can I Do For You? - Gian Carlo Menotti
The Consul: Act 1 - Scene 2: 'Next. Next!' - Gian Carlo Menotti
The Consul: Act 1 - Scene 2: 'Next. Hello. Oh! It's You!' - Gian Carlo Menotti
The Consul: Act 1 - Scene 2: 'I Beg Your Pardon, Madam' - Gian Carlo Menotti
The Consul: Act II - Scene 2: 'Tu reviendras et voudras m' enfermer dans tes bras' - Gian Carlo Menotti
The Consul: Act II - Scene 2: 'I Shall Find For You Shells And Stars' - Gian Carlo Menotti
The Consul: Act II - Scene 2: 'John, John, Why Did You Bring Me...' - Gian Carlo Menotti
The Consul: Act II - Scene 2: 'It Is The Signal' - Gian Carlo Menotti
The Consul: Act II - Scene 2: 'Mother, Why Are You So Still, Mother!' - Gian Carlo Menotti
The Consul: Act II - Scene 2: Interlude - Gian Carlo Menotti

Tracks:

The Consul: Act II - Scene 2: 'What Did You Say Your Name Was? - G.C. MENOTTI
The Consul: Act II - Scene 2: 'My Charming Ma'moiselle' - G.C. MENOTTI
The Consul: Act II - Scene 2: 'Any News For Me?' - G.C. MENOTTI
The Consul: Act II - Scene 2: 'To This We've Come' - G.C. MENOTTI
The Consul: Act II - Scene 2: 'You're Being Very Unreasonable, Mrs Sorel' - G.C. MENOTTI
The Consul: Act III - Scene 1: 'How Often Must I Tell You, Mrs Sorel' - G.C. MENOTTI
The Consul: Act III - Scene 1: 'Don't Forget To Sign' - G.C. MENOTTI
The Consul: Act III - Scene 1: 'Oh, Those Faces! All Those Faces!' - G.C. MENOTTI
The Consul: Act III - Scene 1: 'Who Are You? How Did You Get In?' - G.C. MENOTTI
The Consul: Act III - Scene 1: 'You Cannot Arrest Him Here' - G.C. MENOTTI
The Consul: Act III - Scene 1: 'Don't Be Afraid, Mr Sorel!' - Interlude - G.C. MENOTTI
The Consul: Act III - Scene 2: 'I Never Meant To Do This' - G.C. MENOTTI
The Consul: Act III - Scene 2: 'Lo, Death's Frontiers Are Open' - G.C. MENOTTI
The Consul: Act III - Scene 2: 'No! Wait! Wait... I'm Coming With You' - G.C. MENOTTI

Amazon.com

They don't make Broadway composers like opera composer Gian Carlo Menotti anymore. His 1950 hit The Consul is a cold war parable fusing Puccini-esque melodic sweep, the dark underbelly of Alban Berg's lurid expressionism, and pure, unadulterated film noir. Don't expect subtlety. Be captivated, instead, by Menotti's prodigious melodic gift and his ability to stage-manage vocal polyphony for optimum theatrical effect. Small wonder singers love this music, and Susan Bullock, who plays the heroine Magda, makes every note and word count. Likewise, Richard Hickox galvanizes his Spoleto forces to give their all in this excellently recorded live performance from the 1998 Spoleto Festival. The audience goes wild, and rightly so. Full texts are included. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Great Performance.......2006-04-24

This is a very moving score, and masterfully performed by all. Magda's nightmare is chilling, yet even more so is the opera's final scene. The message, which touches on humanity, or rather, inhumanity, is powerful and well delivered. The music and the drama haunts the listener for days.

My one concern about this recording is in regards to the soprano who sings the role of the Foreign Woman. Yes, she sings beautifully, but her timing is wrong, and so are several of the notes in her aria. To the average listener, this would pose little concern, as her errors are hardly noticable without a score sitting in front of you. However, if you are performing this role, as I myself have done, it is a bit of a drawback, and can take a lot of unnecessary hard work to correct problems resulting from this.

This aside, you cannot find a better recording of this opera, and it is highly recommended to any lover of opera.

A FINE AMERICAN OPERA.......2002-01-13

One of the finest American operas ever written, Gian Carlo Menotti's THE CONSUL is particularly pertinent today composed as it was around a story of a woman fighting unknown forces who want to destroy her for unknown reasons. The protagonist, Magda Sorel, tries logic, patience, brave denounciations, abject begging but in the end nothing works because her enemies simply do not think and reason as she does.

Magda's character is very much in the mold of Leonore in Beethoven's "Fidelio" ready to risk everything in order to save her innocent husband. The Beethoven ends happily with a government official, Don Fernando, coming to Leonore's rescue; there is no happy ending for Magda because she is fighting the government and its officials. She commits suicide rather than face another day of torment.

This Chandos set of 2 CD's has superb sound, especially for a live performance. All of Menotti's operas must be acted as well as sung and this cast is uniformly first rate, especially Susan Bullock as 'Magda' and Victoria Livengood as the mysterious governmental 'Secretary.' Richard Hickox is the conductor of the superb Spoleto Festival Orchestra. The Spoleto Festival is, of course, the brainchild of Menotti, himself. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

A wonderful work!.......2001-11-12

As a student of opera, I found this work to be incredibly inspiring and entertaining. Menotti is one of my favorite composers and is becoming more so every day. Not only is the opera wonderful but the cast on this CD is remarkable. My collection would not be complete without it.

great recording!!.......2001-06-13

I admit I was glad beyond belief to actually find a recording of this rarely performed/recorded opera. It is an excellent buy for a live recording, and the singers (most, if not all of them are unknown to me) exceed my expectations in terms of their interpretation and quality of performance. Susan Bullock, although not quite the dramatic voice I was hoping for, does a great job in potraying Magda. She is accompanied by a musically effective cast, and is rightly applauded by the audience in the most appropriate moments. If you're looking for one of the best American operas ever recorded, this is it!!!

At last The Consul!.......1999-07-22

Long the most important opera absent from the CD catalogue, THE CONSUL proves worth the wait. It may not be the greatest music (despite its somber subject, it is still ice cream music, Fedora music, not spinach-Moses und Aroin music...), but when it is presented with such quality and conviction, it is a great pleasure. Maybe the best U.S. opera CD since the Mauceri Street Scene and Regina.

Average customer rating:

Menotti: Il Console (The Consul)

Manufacturer: Opera D'oro
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000931PO
Release Date: 2003-05-06

Tracks:

Tu Reviendras Et Voudras M'enfermer
Oh, Quanto Durera Cosi? (Oh, When Will All This Sorrow End?)
Come Si Chiama?...Magda Sorel (What Is Your Name?...Magda Sorel)
Aspetta. Fermo. Sono Andati, Mamma? (Don't Move Yet. Wait. Have They Gone, Mother?)
Labbra, Ditegli Addio (Now, O Lips, Say Goodbye)
Interlude; Si...Cosa Desidera? (Yes...What Can I Do For You?)
Un Altro! Un Altro!...Tocca A Lei (Next! Next!...Go Ahead)
Posso Andare Dal Console? (May I Speak To The Consul?)
Tu Reviendras Et Voudras M'enfermer
Ma Mai Ho Visto Un Pupo Piu Triste Di Te! (I've Never Seen A Baby So Little And Sad)
John, John, Perche Quei Rami (John, John Why Did You Bring Me All These Branches And Stones?)
Mamma, Mamma!...Calmati, Magda (Mother! Mother!...What Is It, Magda?)
Signora Sorel, Per Lei ho Simpatia (Madame Sorel, I Like You Very Much)
Mamma, Perche Taci Cosi Mamma (Mother, Why Are You So Still, Mother?)

Tracks:

Interlude; Come Ha Detto Che Si Chiama? (What Did You Say Your Name Was?)
Ma Come Ho Fatto? (How Did You Do It?)
Ipnotismo!...Guardami Negli Ochhi (Hypnotism!...Look Into My Eyes)
Anche Il Piu Grande Artista (Even A Great, Great Artist)
Dunque E Cosi: Che L'uomo Nega (To This We've Come: That Men Withhold)
Carte! Carte! Carte! Ma Quando Capira? (Papers! Papers! Papers! But Don't You Understand?)
Lei Diventa Irragionevole, Signora Sorel (You're Being Very Unreasonable, Mrs. Sorel)
Quante Volte Debbo Dirlo, Signora Sorel! (How Often Must I Tell You, Mrs. Sorel)
Ha Visto Per Caso La Signora Sorel? (Have You Seen Mrs. Sorel By Any Chance?)
E Andanta...Poco Male. Tornera Domani. (She's Gone...Oh Well, She'll Be Back Tomorrow)
Interlude; Non Volevo Far Questo (I Never Meant To Do This)
Oh, Dio, Perdono...Avanti! Avanti! Avanti! (Oh, God, Forgive Me...All Aboard! All Aboard! All Aboard!)
La Danza Comincia...Magda, Amor Mio (The Dance Is On...Magda, My Dear)

Average customer rating:

Finally!
Consul a Hit

Menotti: The Consul

Manufacturer: Newport Classic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

The Consul: Vocal Score (1980)
Saint of Bleecker Street
Menotti - The Consul / Patricia Neway, Chester Ludgin

ASIN: B00004TKQF
Release Date: 1998-01-01

Tracks:

Act One - Scene One "Tu reviendras"
Act One - Mother: "Shall we ever"
Act One - Magda: "Don't Move Yet"
Act One - Trio: "Now, O Lips"
Act One - Interlude
Act One - Scene Two "Next!"
Act One - Secretary:"Next!"
Act One - Magician: 'I Beg Your Pardon"
Act Two - Mother:"Oh, don't"
Act Two - Magda: 'John, John,"
Act Two - Magda: "Mother!"
Act Two - Scene One "Tu reviendras"
Act Two - Police: "What an indelicate"

Tracks:

Act Two - Asan: "Well, now"
Act Two - Mother: "I'm not crying"
Act Two - Scene Two. "What did you say?"
Act Two - Magician: "My charming"
Act Two - Magician: "You're not"
Act Two - Magda: "Any news?"
Act Two - Magda: "To this we've come"
Act Two - Magda: "Papers, papers!"
Act Two - Secretary: "You're being"
Act Three - Scene One "How often must I tell you"
Act Three - Secretary: "Oh, those faces"
Act Three - Scene Two "I never meant to do this"
Act Three - Magda: "Why do their words"

Customer Reviews:

Finally!.......2005-04-12

This is an outstanding recording in absolutely every respect. It has the excitement of a live recording, although it was done in the studio. Certainly, this is because it was recorded in conjunction with a series of live performances by the same company and artists. Also, it is because the artists cast here are uniformly superb. It is impossible to imagine anyone other than the remarkable Beverly O'Regan Thiele in the role of Magda Sorel after hearing her searing performance here. Likewise, the overwhelming presence of Joyce Castle as the Mother is simply a force of nature. Also, there is some luxury casting here, especially in the choice of veteran Metropolitan Opera Bass-Baritone John Cheek in the role of the Police Agent. Also not to be slighted is the emerging young American baritone Michael Chioldi's appearance as John Sorel. The conducting is dynamic and exciting.

I can't say this for sure, but it seems to me this recording using the same orchestration, as written for the Broadway premiere production, rather than any later revisions or enlargements of the orchestra for the opera house. At any rate, it sounds lean and angular, exactly as Menotti obviously intended.

So, this recording is a knockout and immediately becomes the preferred version of Menotti's Pulitzer Prize winning masterpiece.

Thank God someone finally got around to doing this score justice.

Consul a Hit.......2001-12-29

For years and years there was only one mouldering LP recording of the great Menotti work available, and although it features the "original" Broadway cast with Pat Neway and Marie Powers, the recording was compromised by many little cuts (perhaps to accomodate LP timings?) and, of course, poor fidelity.
Now, suddenly there are two, one from the Spoleto Festival with an English conductor and this excellent offering from Newport Classic with an all-American cast performing at white heat, with the gifted Joel Revzen conducting.
Mezzo Joyce Castle has graced many a contemporary American opera production in and out of New York over the years and she delivers the goods here as the weary Grandmother, as does Beverly Lee Reagan as Magda Sorel. Kudos to the uniformly excellent supporting cast and Revzen's insightful direction and Newport's good, clean sound. This is terrific stuff. The now-aged composer (is he 90?) must be delighted to have this attention finally accorded him. Menotti's an American treasure.

Average customer rating:

Inge Borkh:Hidden treasure

Inge Borkh

Manufacturer: Gala
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Customer Reviews:

Inge Borkh:Hidden treasure.......2004-06-14

One of the outstanding singers of the last 60 years, among the most exciting 'Elektras', yet almost unrepresented on commercial recordings ('Elektra' and 'Salome' excerpts with Reiner, and Decca's 1959 'Turandot' with Del Monaco are about all). This set is a great bargain intro to this full-voiced, edgy, sexy, nuancy, spinta (comparisons are always lazy and odious, but consider your condition if you'd missed Gencer, Olivera, or Cerqueti.)

Gian-Carlo Menotti: The Consul [Complete Soundtrack of the Television Production]

Average customer rating:

Gian-Carlo Menotti: The Consul [Complete Soundtrack of the Television Production]

Manufacturer: Video Artists Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00018D544
Release Date: 2004-03-16