Leoncavallo - Pagliacci / Cura, Frittoli, Álvarez, Keenlyside, Concertgebouw, Chailly

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Does the world need another Pagliacci? Well perhaps, if it amounts to something materially unlike the others on the market--and this new recording from Riccardo Chailly is just that. Where Karajan's classic DG version goes for expansive grandeur and Muti's various Philips readings for rapid gloss, Chailly makes no particular stand on tempi and avoids glossy effects. Instead, he gives you a dark and grainy-textured piece of drama with voices to match, the tone set by Carlos Alvarez (Tonio) in a prologue that leaves no doubt about who'll be the villain of the piece. You also get a shadow in the voice of José Cura (Canio), who makes this disc a calling card for his credentials as a serious singer-actor and contains the bell-like potential of his singing in an earthy desperation--more cinéma vérité than conventional verismo. The sobs are there for "Vesti la giubba," but not in the dimensions that come with Pavarotti's hankie to attend them. You feel the private trauma of a man on the edge rather than the public histrionics of a performer playing to the gallery. Barbara Frittoli makes a slightly cool Nedda but registers in vocal coloring how differently she feels toward the three men in her operatic life. Among them, Simon Keenlyside cuts an ardent, eloquently virile figure as her lover Silvio. And the Concertgebouw almost counts as a lover too, with brilliantly articulated playing that compensates for a soft-edged chorus--and is seductive. A distinctive Pagliacci? Yes. --Michael White

Leoncavallo - Pagliacci / Cura, Frittoli, Álvarez, Keenlyside, Concertgebouw, Chailly, Music, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, Riccardo Chailly, José Cura, Barbara Frittoli, Carlos Alvarez, Simon Keenlyside, Netherlands Radio Choir, Classical, Classical Music, Opera, Opera / Operetta / Oratorio, Opera/Operetta

Leoncavallo - Pagliacci / Cura, Frittoli, Álvarez, Keenlyside, Concertgebouw, Chailly
Average customer rating:

A very fine concert performance, with committed singing all around

High drama, great music-making, less than thrilling vocalism

Perfect

IMPRESSIVE PAGLIACCI

Best modern Pagliacci

Leoncavallo - Pagliacci / Cura, Frittoli, Álvarez, Keenlyside, Concertgebouw, Chailly
Ruggero Leoncavallo , Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam , Riccardo Chailly , José Cura , Barbara Frittoli , Carlos Alvarez , Simon Keenlyside , and Netherlands Radio Choir
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Verdi - Il Trovatore / Cura, Hovorostovsky, Villarroel, Naef, Rizzi, Covent Garden

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ASIN: B00004XPU7
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

Pagliacci: Prologo: Introduzione
Pagliacci: Si puo? si puo?
Pagliacci: Atto Primo - Scena 1: Son qua! Ritornano...
Pagliacci: Un grande spettacolo a ventitre ore
Pagliacci: Un tal gioco, credetemi
Pagliacci: I zampognari! ... Don, din, don
Pagliacci: Scena 2: Qual fiamma avea nei guardo! ... Stirdono lassu
Pagliacci: Sei la! Credea che te ne fossi andato
Pagliacci: Scena 3: Nedda! - Silvio, aquest'ora, che imprudenza...
Pagliacci: Decidi il mio destin
Pagliacci: Non mi tentar!
Pagliacci: E allor perche, di
Pagliacci: Scena 4: Cammina adagio e li sorprenderai
Pagliacci: Recitar! ... Vesti la giubba
Pagliacci: Intermezzo
Pagliacci: Atto Secondo - Scena 1: Ohe! ... ohe! presto, affrettiamoci
Pagliacci: Pagliaccio, mio marito
Pagliacci: Di fare il segno convenuto appressa l'istante
Pagliacci: Arlecchin! - Colombina!
Pagliacci: Scena 2: Versa il filtro ne la tazza sua
Pagliacci: No, Pagliaccio non son

Amazon.com

Does the world need another Pagliacci? Well perhaps, if it amounts to something materially unlike the others on the market--and this new recording from Riccardo Chailly is just that. Where Karajan's classic DG version goes for expansive grandeur and Muti's various Philips readings for rapid gloss, Chailly makes no particular stand on tempi and avoids glossy effects. Instead, he gives you a dark and grainy-textured piece of drama with voices to match, the tone set by Carlos Alvarez (Tonio) in a prologue that leaves no doubt about who'll be the villain of the piece. You also get a shadow in the voice of José Cura (Canio), who makes this disc a calling card for his credentials as a serious singer-actor and contains the bell-like potential of his singing in an earthy desperation--more cinéma vérité than conventional verismo. The sobs are there for "Vesti la giubba," but not in the dimensions that come with Pavarotti's hankie to attend them. You feel the private trauma of a man on the edge rather than the public histrionics of a performer playing to the gallery. Barbara Frittoli makes a slightly cool Nedda but registers in vocal coloring how differently she feels toward the three men in her operatic life. Among them, Simon Keenlyside cuts an ardent, eloquently virile figure as her lover Silvio. And the Concertgebouw almost counts as a lover too, with brilliantly articulated playing that compensates for a soft-edged chorus--and is seductive. A distinctive Pagliacci? Yes. --Michael White

Customer Reviews:

A very fine concert performance, with committed singing all around.......2007-02-25

With a symphony orchestra in the pit and a large chorus arranged across the back of the stage, this Pagliacci sounds like a very good concert performance rather than an exciting night at the opera house. That very much suits the detail-oriented Chailly, an excellent musician who doesn't stopp to mere emotion. Pagliacci has enough emotion, and to spare, so hearing the score done so meticulously is refreshing. Needless to say, the Royal Concertgebouw is ravishing.

As for the soloists, there ae few complaints. Simon Keenlyside was a rising star in 2000 and has since matured into a serious artist, the best of the current English baritones along with Gerald Finley; his only fault as Silvio is that he would never be mistaken for an Italian peasant. Barbara Frittoli became La Scala's leading diva through a combination of striking looks, an even better figure, highly convincing stage presene, and only last her voice. It's dark-toned and supple, and she acts with it convincingly despite an uncontrolled wobble that shows up mercilessly under the microphones.

And Jose Cura? I share the general mystification over why this charmismatic tenor hasn't risen as high as his early promise might indicate. His basritonal, earthy tone adds the right rough note to Canio. In terms of power and emotional conviction he can't be faulted. But the singing is unsubtle, and the voice isn't bright and exciting. Even so, it's great that he can rough up Chailly's mild manners.

The best news is that this, the pick of modern Pagliaccis, adds up to more than the sum of its parts. You will come away moved and impressed, and only those who want a superstar Canio will be disappointed.

High drama, great music-making, less than thrilling vocalism.......2003-06-29

In the midst of all these glowing reviews, somehow, I find it necessary to make a point clear. While I'll agree, whole-heartedly, that this recording is masterfully conducted, well-engineered and well-acted (as far as one can tell from a recording), it is NOT representative of the finest vocalism our world has to offer (at least, I hope not). I'm speaking mostly about that of Jose Cura as Canio and Carlos Alvarez as Tonio. I found their performances over-worked, over-muscled, and greatly lacking in the lyricism and consistency of timbre that can make this music shine. One only has to listen to Sherrill Milnes' Prologue, or Placido Domingo's 'Vesti la giubba' to get a sense of what I am talking about. It is possible to give a dramatically riveting performance without excess weight and muscle when singing. While Cura's top fare's better, Alvarez clearly struggles because of this weight. His A-flat in the Prologue is forced into a lighter balance that is totally incongruous with what precedes it and his G at the end beats heavily with a wide vibrato.
As a supplement to another recording, this one is worth having in your collectionn as Frittoli and Keenlyside shine together and Nedda and Silvio. It's just a shame that vocally, a more consistent cast could not have been put together.

Perfect.......2003-03-28

This recording is just great. The chorus is just wonderful on this recording. Adding to the wonder of the chorus are superb performances by Barbara Frittoli and Simon Keenlyside. They are just wonderful. The Silvio/Nedda duet is just perfect. Carlos Alvarez also adds some gripping singing to this recording. Buy it, it's well worth it for Frittoli and Keenlyside.

IMPRESSIVE PAGLIACCI.......2002-10-14

This recording of Pagliacci is very impressive and most enjoyable. I was very thrilled with Jose Cura when I heard his first recital disc of Puccini Arias; however, I've been somewhat disappointed in his subsequent recordings. This recording of Pagliacci certainly restores my hopes that Jose Cura is a leading tenor. I truly feel he makes a huge mistake by conducting his own recordings and by singing roles that require a lighter voice than he possess. This recording, to me, proves that point--top opera conductor and a dramatic role.

I find Jose Cura's Pagliacci, in this recording, to be very well sung and very emotional. His Vesti la Giubba is gripping but not overdone--the laughs and sobs are rendered very movingly and tastefully. The rest of the cast is spendid! Carlos Alvarez has a true dramatic baritone voice that he uses very well. Barbara Fritolli is "new" to me; however, I was very impressed. She sings Nedda for all it's worth. I look forward to hearing more from her.

In summation, Bravo to all especially to Riccardo Chailly for conducting this much abused opera so well.

Best modern Pagliacci.......2002-04-09

As another reviewer says here is my favourite too EMI:s version with Björling but this is a thriller of modern age. Chailly doesnt hang on to some bad taste effects and instead of that he gave us a true dark verismo opera with fantasic singers. Jose Cura is really something extra here but ALL singers is extremly good and so is Royal Councertgebouw Orchestra, performing this verismo opera at top level and sound is also PERFECT so dont hesitate to buy this set.

Yes we need a Pagliacci like this, from a good opera conductor like Chailly, and I hope he do Cavalleria Rusticana (Mascagnis masterpiece) too and that SOON.

Buy this and enjoy.

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