Price: £25.39RRP: £30.99 This item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery
You save: £5.60 (18 %)
Availability: Usually dispatched within 24 hours
Average customer rating:
Binding : Audio CDEAN : 0028947371021Label : Universal ClassicsManufacturer : Universal ClassicsPublisher : Universal ClassicsRelease date : 2003-05-05Title : Puccini: ToscaFormat : Box setOriginal release date : 2003-05-05Running time : 113Studio : Universal ClassicsNumber of discs : 2 This is a truly dreadful recording; the voices are miked far too close, so that the orchestra is barely audible at times, although Zubin Mehta's conducting is pretty ponderous at the best of times. Bocelli sings unremittingly loudly; Cedolins is more interesting. Guelfi is a fine singer, but hardly sounds a menacing Scarpia here. Avoid at all costs - Leontyne Price/ Vienna PO/ Karajan is available at a fraction of the price here and has plenty of dramatic bite, despite its years. The classic Callas/Gobbi recording is now out at budget price on competing EMI and Naxos labels. For a more up-to-date recording, try Gheorghiu's recording with the Covent Garden forces under Pappano (also available on DVD).
This music was a revelation to me. I had been listening to Mozart and classical stuff, and ventured into romantic territory as I had tickets for the opera. The first time I heard it I was dismayed-what is this cacophony of noise, I thought. I decided to persevere, and slowly I noticed a myriad of detail, from the musical intros for different characters, the repetetive motifs, and some really beautiful arias. I now love this music AND feel like I have had my eyes opened-I thoroughly recommend it!