Bella Ragazza

1. Bella Ragazza Dalle Trecce Bionde (Pretty Blond-Haired Girl) - Carlo Buti, , , Chorus

2. Sul Lungarno (On the Lungamo

3. O Balcone 'E Napule (On a Balcony in Naples)

4. Violino Tzigano (Gypsy Violin)

5. Sorrento

6. Fantasia d' `E Vase (Fanciful Kisses)

7. Chitarrata a Chi Sente (Serenading Guitar

8. Santa Lucia

9. Dove Sté Zazà? (Where's Zaza?)

10. Io Pe' Te Moro! (I'll Die for You)

11. Reginella Campagnola (The Woodpecker Song)

12. Fiorin Fiorello (Precious Little Flower

13. Core 'Ngrato (Ungrateful Heart) [Sung in Neapoplitan]

14. 'Na Sera `E Maggio (On Evening in May)

15. Comm' `A `Nna Vota (Like Once Upon a Time) [Sung in Neapolitan]

16. Stronelli Alla Romana (Triplets in Roman Style)

17. 'O Marenariello (The Sailor) [Sung in Neapolitan] - Carlo Buti, , , Chorus

18. Piccinina (The Darling Little Girl)

19. Questa È la Vita (That's Life)

20. Mattinatella (Little Morning Song)

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Bella Ragazza,Alberto Barberis,Cesare Andrea Bixio,Salvatore Cardillo,Giuseppe Cioffi,Teodoro Cottrau,Ernesto de Curtis,Donnarumma,Salvatore Gambardella,Giancola,Gomez,Eldo di Lazzaro,Marolla,Angelo Mascheroni,Olivares,Ernesto Tagliaferri,Italian Traditional,Dino Olivieri,Gian Mario,Mario Consiglio,Stefano Ferruzzi,Dino Olivieri Orchestra,Gian Mario Orchestra,Mario Consiglio Orchestra,Stefano Ferruzzi Orchestra,Carlo Buti,Asv Living Era,Int'l & World Music,Italian,Italian Folk,Italy,Miscellaneous,Miscellaneous Music,Pop,Popular Music,Raga,Solo Voice(s) and Orchestra,Vocal,Vocal Music

Average customer rating: Brow Italiano Who else, but Buti

Bella Ragazza Carlo Buti Manufacturer: Asv Living Era ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Greatest Hits Le Rose Rosse Greatest Hits I Grandi Successi Originali Cafe Italia ASIN: B00006L82Q Release Date: 2002-11-26

Customer Reviews:

Brow Italiano.......2007-01-10

It is great to have this material to play in any motor vehicle. Most newer vehicles do not have cassette any more. My new Kia Amanti has both a cassette and a CD making all my old favorites possible to play.

Who else, but Buti.......2003-01-18

Among opera singers there is often a role associasted with a singer (for example, Callas/Tosca, Bastianini/Carlo Gerard, Gobi/Scarpia)..But in time others attempt the same role with various degrees of success, and sometimes even unseat the front runner!...Not so with Carlo Buti...there will never be another popular song interpreter like him, who has been imitated but never equaled. Every song in this collection - some of which are very hard to find - is recommended 100% by one who has heard him in person as well as in recordings. Bravo Buti, Bravissimo!

Average customer rating: Good "Elixir of Love" with Bergonzi at his blazing best Great recording, but it's now available on video Sparkling and romantic as the Elixir of Love must be! Bergonzi is great Scotto and Bergonzi=Heaven

Donizetti: L'elisir d'Amore Manufacturer: Opera D'oro ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Scotto, Renata | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore (The Elixir of Love) / Pido, Alagna, Gheorghiu, Opera National de Lyon Verdi - Simon Boccanegra / Freni, Cappuccilli, Carreras, Ghiaurov, van Dam, Foiani, Teatro alla Scala, Abbado Eugene Onegin ASIN: B000000UO9 Release Date: 1997-09-16

Tracks:

1. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Preludio e coro d'introduzione
2. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Quanto e bella, quanto e cara!
3. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Benedette queste carte!
4. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Come Paride vezzoso
5. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Or se m'ami, com'io t'amo...
6. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Intanto, o mia ragazza, occupero la piazza
7. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Una parola, o Adina
8. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Che vuol dire codesta sonata?
9. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Udite, udite, o rustici
10. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Ardir! Ha forse il cielo...
11. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Caro eliser! sei mio!
12. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Lallarallara la la la
13. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Tran tran... In guerra ed in amore...
14. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Signor sargente, signor sargente
15. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Adina, credimi, te ne scongiuro...
16. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 1: Andiam, Belcore, si avverta il notaro

Tracks:

1. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 2: Cantiamo, facciaam brindisi
2. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 2: Poiche cantar vi alletta...
3. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 2: La Nina Gondoliera, e il Senator Tredenti
4. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 2: Silenzio! E qua il notaro
5. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 2: La feste nuziali...
6. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 2: La donna e un animale...
7. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 2: Saria possibile?
8. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 2: Dell'elisir mirabile...
9. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 2: Come sen va contento!... Quanto amore!...
10. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 2: Una furtiva lacrima
11. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 2: Prendi; per me sei libero...
12. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 2: Alto!... Fronte!...
13. L'Elisir d'Amore: Act 2: Ei corregge ogni difetto...

Customer Reviews:

Good "Elixir of Love" with Bergonzi at his blazing best.......2006-11-21

SOURCE: Live 1967 performance from the May Festival in Florence.

SOUND: Overall the sound is generally satisfactory. No-one will confuse it with a digital studio recording or even a live recording from Bayreuth, but not bad at all for a live performance. Stage noises are minimal and the audience is better behaved than many Italian audiences.

CAST: Adina, a prosperous country landowner inclined to be flirtatious and flighty - Renata Scotto (soprano); Nemorino, country bumpkin and prize chump hopelessly in love with Adina - Carlo Bergonzi (tenor); Belcore, a sergeant in a regiment encamped near Adina's farm, hopelessly in love with Belcore but also inclined to marry Adina - Giuseppe Taddei (baritone); Doctor Dulcamara, a traveling quack, purveyor of bogus nostrums and love potions, in love with money and his next meal - Carlo Cava (bass-baritone); Gianetta, a country girl who is not entirely averse to snagging a wealthy husband - Renza Jotti (mezzo-soprano). CONDUCTOR: Gianandrea Gavazzeni with the Florence May Festival Orchestra and Chorus.

DOCUMENTATION: No libretto. Brief history of the opera and short summary of the plot. Track list which identifies some but by no means all the singers on each track, and omits timings. Nothing on the performers and little more on the circumstances of this recording.

TEXT: This recording includes the performance cuts that were traditional for more than a century. Some earlier reviewers are clearly appalled by that fact and are quite evidently suffering the vapors because of it. I do not adhere to the cult of recording every note ever written and re-affirming every preliminary draft and bad idea. The simple fact is that original intentions sometimes do not survive encounters with real audiences. Opera is theater at its very largest and not every academic restorer understands that. If you have any doubts on the matter, just consider the cataclysmic effect on "The Tales of Hoffmann" when "restored" to Wagnerian length, as it is on some recent recordings.

COMMENTARY: "L'elisir d'amore" is yet another opera that can be traced back to that ubiquitous hack of all seasons, Eugene Scribe. Scribe's original libretto, "Le philtre," had been set to music by Auber in 1831, to no particular effect. In 1832, Donizetti needed a libretto on fairly short notice. His hack librettist, Felice Romani, knew a good thing when he could steal it. "Le philtre" was quickly paraphrased into Italian doggerel as "L'elisir d'amore" Donizetti devoted a long time--a full month!--to setting it. "L'elisir d'amore" opened to triumph in Milan in May 1832. One hundred and thirty five years later, the Florence May Festival offered this fine performance.

There are three international stars among the singers, but the performance really belongs to Carlo Bergonzi. The always acute and knowledgeable Amazon reviewer Armindo was so impressed that he was moved to utter these exclamations: "Bergonzi is the most characterful and romantic Nemorino ever! It's really unbelievable how much feeling and spirit he infuses in his singing without ever reducing its musical quality! I know no other singer--male or female--who ever achieved such level of musicality. He truly sounds like the young bumpkin! The most idiomatic and tender Una furtiva lagrima you will ever hear, is only one highlight of his performance." I am not quite as bowled over as Armindo. I think Ferruccio Tagliavini might have been as good or better about 1948 and so, too, might Tito Schipa have been around 1930 and maybe even Alessandro Bonci in, say 1910. But, of course, Tagliavini, Schipa and Bonci are not available in their best voices on (more or less) complete recordings of "L'elisir" while Bergonzi is-right here! He is as good as we're ever likely to hear in this lifetime.

Renata Scotto sings very well here. Her many fans may rest assured that Scotto does everything that they might wish from her and does it very impressively, too. I am not one of her fans and the fault is probably much more mine than hers. To me, she is like one of T. S. Elliot's mermaids. I hear them singing each to each but I do not think they will sing to me.

The third big name in the cast is Giuseppe Taddei. The Italians like to say they gave Gobbi to the world but kept Taddei for themselves. He did, in fact, sing outside Italy. He made his debut at the Metropolitan Opera at the age of 67. On this recording, the 51 year-old baritone offers a good, solid performance as Sergeant Belcore. I have no criticism of him in the role of Belcore except that he should not be singing it. Taddei was an excellent Leporello and a tremendous Falstaff. If I had been the producer of the May Festival I would have moved heaven and earth to have him sing Doctor Dulcamara. Any good baritone can be Belcore. Taddei would have been fabulous as the quack doctor and perhaps only Salvatore Baccaloni at his prime might have been better. I can only guess that Taddei took Belcore because he did not wish to be typecast in the buffo parts.

Carlo Cava was a reliable singer of lower-voiced parts. His recording career, to the best of my admittedly limited knowledge, was pretty much confined to short supporting parts. I'd not be at all surprised if this Dulcamara is his most significant appearance on disk. Cava is all right as the snake oil-peddling quack. He's looser than some in the role, but still generally staid in a part that practically cries out for a larger-than-life buffo baritone who delights in chewing the scenery and anything else that comes to hand.

Gianetta is a relatively small part which, nevertheless, offers some nice bits. Renza Jotti is an admirable Gianetta.

Gavazzeni conducts a fairly rapid-moving, Italianate performance in which everything keeps moving forward, unlike, say, Richard Bonynge who distorts the overall shape of the opera for the benefit of his singers. The orchestra and chorus are fine.

This is a good performance with a blazing tenor in a barebones package, all at low price. I think it's worth five stars.

Great recording, but it's now available on video.......2006-02-08

This 1967 performance from Florence is a wonderful recording, with Carlo Bergonzi, Renata Scotto, and Giuseppe Taddei all at their very best. Bergonzi has some pitch problems, but overall he sings with great beauty and musicianship. However ... this performance is now available on video, on the label Hardy Classics. The video is somewhat expensive, but it's worth it, as Carlo Bergonzi on the video is an endearingly naive country boy. Renata Scotto despite not having a conventionally beautiful face convinces us that she's the town flirt through her excellent acting. The sets are simple and the film is B&W, but as I said, I think if you liked this performance on cd, the DVD is worth getting.

Sparkling and romantic as the Elixir of Love must be!.......2004-06-15

This is one of the greatest Florence May Festival performances and should be in every opera collection. The experienced Gavazzeni, a maestro of the traditional Italian school of conducting, leads a superb cast and creates an amusing yet warm Elisir.

Bergonzi is the most characterful and romantic Nemorino ever! It's really unbelievable how much feeling and spirit he infuses in his singing without ever reducing its musical quality! I know no other singer - male or female - who ever achieved such level of musicality. He truly sounds like the young bumpkin! The most idiomatic and tender Una furtiva lagrima you will ever hear, is only one highlight of his performance.

Equally inspired is Renata Scotto's Adina and though I have never warmed up to her slightly metallic sound, I recognise her greatness. You won't find a more capricious Adina! Scotto moreover has all the abilities to shine and excite in the coloratura parts. Her big aria is a showstopper! Taddei's strong and suave Belcore is one of the best on records while Cava's funny Duclamara gets better and better as the show goes on. Even Giannetta is wonderfully performed by Renza Jotti.

It's not only the individual performances that are perfect but there is so much chemistry between the artists in the duets, the recitatives and ensembles. This is what truly makes this Elisir stand out as the best ever! A definite, intoxicating recommendation!

Bergonzi is great.......2001-08-27

What a wonderful live performance of this opera. Bergonzi is great as Nemorino. I can't recall ever hearing a more impassioned rendition of "una furtiva lagrima". Bergonzi is just perfect in this role. Scotto is no slouch either. If you like this opera, you should not be without the CD. The price is a steal. Buy it and enjoy!

Scotto and Bergonzi=Heaven.......2001-04-03

First of all, the sound quality of this recording is very acceptable and you could do far worse with some digital versions (Pavarotti/Battle or Carreras/Ricciarelli). As for the performance itself, well, it's vintage Italian singing. The important thing about this recording is that neither Carlo Bergonzi nor Renata Scotto recorded this opera commercially, so for their performances alone this set is priceless. Bergonzi sings a youthful, passionate Nemorino surpassed on records only by Giuseppe Di Stefano. Renata Scotto invariably gives a masterclass on true belcanto style, no other soprano of her generation was a better Adina, so we are very grateful indeed for this recording. If you want a digital version I can only recommend the Alagna/Devia version on ERATO.

Average customer rating:

Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore / La Scola, Ruffini, Alaimo, Frontali, Spotorno, Morandi Gaetano Donizetti , Pier Giorgio Morandi , Vincenzo La Scola , Alessandra Ruffini , Hungarian State Opera Chorus , Hungarian State Opera Orchestra , Simone Alaimo , Roberto Frontali , Jeno Simon , Istvan Zakarias , and Mariangela Spotorno Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B0000014BD Release Date: 1996-09-17

Tracks:

1. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 1. Prelude
2. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 1. Chorus: Bel conforto al mietitore (Giannetta)
3. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 1. Cavatina: Quanto e bella, quanto e cara (Nemorino, Giannetta)
4. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 1. Cavatina: Benedette queste carte...Della crudele Isotta (Adina, Giannetta, Nemorino)
5. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 2. March
6. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 2. Cavatina: Come Paride vezzoso (Belcore, Adina, Giannetta, Nemorino)
7. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 3. Recitative: Intanto, o mia ragazza (Belcore, Adina, Nemorino)
8. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 3. Scena & Duet: Chiedi all'aura lusinghiera (Adina, Nemorino)
9. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 4. Chorus: Che vuol dire cotesta suonata?
10. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 5. Cavatina: Udite, udite, o rustici (Dulcamara)
11. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 6. Recitative: Ardir! Ha forse il cielo (Nemorino, Dulcamara)
12. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 6. Scena & Duet: Voglio dire, lo stupendo Elisir (Nemorino, Dulcamara)
13. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 7. Recitative: Caro Elisir! sei mio! (Nemorino, Adina)
14. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 8. Duet: Lallarallara la la la la la (Nemorino, Adina)
15. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 9. Terzetto: Tran tran tran... In guerra ed in amore (Belcore, Adina, Nemorino)
16. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 10. Signor sargente (Giannetta, Belcore, Nemorino, Adina)
17. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 10. Adina, credimi (Nemorino, Belcore, Adina, Giannetta)
18. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 10. Fra lieti concenti (Adina, Giannetta, Nemorino, Belcore)

Tracks:

1. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 1. Chorus & Recitative: Cantiamo, cantiam (Giannetta, Belcore, Dulcamara, Adina)
2. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 1. Barcarolle For Two Voices: Io son ricco e tu sei bella (Dulcamara, Adina, Belcore, Giannetta)
3. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 2. Recitative: Le feste nuziali (Dulcamara, Nemorino)
4. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 3. Scene: La donna e un animale (Belcore, Nemorino)
5. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 3. Duet: Ai perigli della guerra (Nemorino, Belcore)
6. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 4. Chorus: Saria possibile? (Giannetta)
7. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 5 & 6. Quartet: Dell'elisir mirabile (Adina, Giannetta, Nemorino, Dulcamara)
8. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 7. Recitative: Come sen va contento (Adina, Dulcamara)
9. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 7. Duet: Quanto amore (Adina, Dulcamara)
10. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 8. Romance: Una furtiva lagrima (Nemorino)
11. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 9. Recitative: Eccola..Oh! qual le accresce belta (Nemorino, Adina)
12. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 9. Aria: Prendi, prendi, per me sei libero (Adina, Nemorino)
13. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 10. Scene: Alto!... fronte!...Che vedo? (Belcore, Adina, Dulcamara, Nemorino, Giannetta)
14. L'eliser d'amore: Scene 10. Aria & Finale: Ei correggo ogni difetto (Dulcamara, Adina, Nemorino, Belcore)

Average customer rating: Fine studio-made "L'elisir" with a Grand Old Man conducting Italian opera as it used to be - thank goodness!

Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Verdi: La Traviata Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore / Eschwe, Netrebko, Villazon, Wiener Staatsoper ASIN: B000002S6I Release Date: 2002-11-05

Tracks:

1. Preludio - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
2. Bel Conforto Al Mietitore - Angela Vercelli
3. Quanto E Bella, Quanto E Cara! - Luigi Alva
4. Chi La Mente Mi Rischiara?...Del Merigio Il Vivo Ardor - Angela Vercelli/Luigi Alva
5. Benedette Queste Cartel - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
6. Della Crudele Isotta - Rosanna Carteri/Angela Vercelli/Luigi Alva
7. Come Paride Vezzoso - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
8. Or Se M'ami, Com'io T'amo - Rolando Panerai/Rosanna Carteri/Angela Vercelli/Luigi Alva
9. Intanto, O Mia Ragazza - Rolando Panerai/Rosanna Carteri/Luigi Alva
10. Chiedi All'aura Lusinghiera - Rosanna Carteri/Luigi Alva
11. Che Vuol Dire Cotesta Suonata? - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
12. Udite, Udite, O Rustici - Giuseppe Taddei
13. Ardir! Ha Forse Il Cielo - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
14. Voglio Dire...Lo Studendo Elisir Che Desta Amore...Obbligato, Ah! Si, Obbligato! - Luigi Alva/Giuseppe Taddei
15. Caro Elisir! Sei Mio! - Luiga Alva/Giuseppe Taddei/Rosanna Carteri
16. La La La La La...Non So Se E Finta O Vera - Luigi Alva/Rosanna Carteri
17. Tran Tran, Tran Tran, Tran Tran. In Guerra Ed In Amor...Ebben, Gentil Sargente - Rolando Panerai/Rosanna Carteri/Luigi Alva
18. Signor Sargente - Angela Vercelli/Rolando Panerai/Luigi Alva/Rosanna Carteri
19. Adina, Credimi, Te Ne Scongiuro - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
20. Andiam, Belcore - Luigi Alva/Rolando Panerai/Rosanna Carteri/Angela Vercelli

Tracks:

1. Cantiamo, Cantiam, Cantiam, Cantiam! - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
2. Lo Son Ricco, E Tu Sei Bella - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
3. E Qua Il Notaro - Rolando Panerai/Giuseppe Taddei/Angela Vercelli/Rosanna Carteri
4. Le Feste Nuziali Son Piacevoli Assai - Giuseppe Taddei/Luigi Alva
5. La Donna E Un Animale - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
6. Ai Perigli Della Guerra - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
7. Que La Mano, Giovinotto - Rolando Panerai/Luigi Alva
8. Saria Possibile? - Angela Vercelli
9. Dell'elisir Mirabile - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
10. Come Sen Va Contento! - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
11. Quanto Amore! Ed Io, Spietata!...Dunque...Adesso - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
12. Bella Adina, Qua Um Momento... - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
13. Una Tenera Occhiatina - Rosann Carteri/Giuseppe Taddei
14. Una Furtiva Lagrima - Luigi Alva
15. Eccola...Oh! Quale Accresce - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
16. Prendi. Prendi, Per Me Sei Libero - Orch E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Tullio Serafin
17. Ebben, Tenete. Poiche Non Sono Amato - Luigi Alva/Rosanna Carteri
18. Il Mio Rigor Dimentica - Rosanna Carteri
19. Alto!...Fronte! Che Vedo? - Rolando Panerai/Rosanna Carteri/Giuseppe Taddei
20. Ei Corregge Ogni Difetto - Giuseppe Taddei/Rosanna Carteri/Luigi Alva/Rolando Panerai

Customer Reviews:

Fine studio-made "L'elisir" with a Grand Old Man conducting.......2007-01-29

SOURCE: Studio production recorded in August 1958 at La Scala in Milan.

SOUND: Perfectly acceptable early analogue stereo. The digital remastering of 1993 is generally satisfactory, making this one of the more successful offerings from the EMI in that era.

CAST: Adina, a prosperous country landowner who is flirtatious, flighty and a bit pig-headed - Rosanna Carteri (soprano); Nemorino, a country bumpkin and prize chump who is hopelessly in love with Adina - Luigi Alva (tenor); Belcore, a sergeant in a regiment encamped near Adina's farm who is hopelessly in love with ... Belcore but also determined to marry Adina - Rolando Panerai (baritone); Doctor Dulcamara, a traveling quack, a purveyor of bogus nostrums and fake love potions who is in love with money ... and his next meal - Giuseppe Taddei (baritone); Gianetta, a country girl who is not entirely averse to snagging a wealthy husband - Angela Vercelli (mezzo-soprano). CONDUCTOR: Tullio Serafin with the Orchestra e Coro del Teatro alla Scala, Milano.

DOCUMENTATION: Libretto in Italian and English. Brief history of the opera and summary of the plot that ties into the CD tracks. Track list with timings.

TEXT: This recording offers the standard, stage-proven version of "L'elisir" that was in use when it was recorded. In the Nineteenth Century, before Verdi came close to eliminating the practice in Italy, operas were expanded, cut and reshaped at the whim of impresarios, based on what their ticket-buying audiences wanted or were accustomed to. This led to variant editions and alternative versions, sometimes arising from the egos of local singers and more often from their technical limitations. My test for a performance is not whether it is "complete" but whether it works. This performance works.

COMMENTARY: "L'elisir d'amore" is one of the many operas that can be traced back to that ubiquitous hack of all seasons, Eugene Scribe. Scribe's original libretto, "Le philtre," had been set to music by Auber in 1831, to no particular effect. In 1832, Donizetti needed a libretto on short notice. His librettist, Felice Romani, knew a good thing when he could steal it. He quickly paraphrased "Le philtre" into Italian doggerel as "L'elisir d'amore." Donizetti devoted a long time--a whole month!--to setting the words to music. "L'elisir d'amore" opened at La Scala in May 1832. It enjoyed a triumph. Unlike most bel canto operas, "L'elisir d'amore" never faded away. It has held its position in the standard operatic repertory from the night it opened.

Tullio Serafin (1878-1968) was one of the Grand Old Men among Italian conductors. Arturo Toscanini hired him to be an assistant conductor at La Scala in 1898. He became principal conductor there in 1909. In the 1920s and 30s he was an important conductor at the Metropolitan in New York. He was particularly skilled at developing the careers of great singers. Before World War II he guided Rosa Ponselle on her path to superstardom. After the war he oversaw the transformation of Maria Callas from Wagnerian to bel canto soprano and was her collaborator in her ascent to the status of "La Divina." (The date when Callas threw him aside in a dispute over a recording of "La Traviata" is as good as any to mark the beginning of her fall.) He was also important to the early career of Joan Sutherland. Serafin was one of the great expanders of the operatic repertory, both in premiering new works and in reviving faded ones. He is the central figure in the mid-Twentieth Century revival of bel canto and the successful re-entry of many bel canto operas into the standard repertory.

With regard to this recording, some have complained that the eighty year-old Serafin had slowed down, but no-one could possibly deny his deep feeling for and understanding of the opera. For my own part, while I have heard some parts of "L'elisir" go faster, I am not entirely convinced that I have heard them sound better for it.

The two best known names in this strong cast are the baritones, Rolando Panerai and Giuseppe Taddei. Panerai is excellent as that preening military man, Sergeant Belcore. Taddei is even better as that quick-witted quack, Doctor Dulcamara. Nine years later he would sing Belcore in a fabulous live performance with Scotto and Bergonzi at the Florence May Festival (available from Opera d'Oro), but here Taddei clearly demonstrates that he was born to be an unmitigated purveyor of phoney love potions.

Rosanna Carteri is very good, a little heftier in voice than other famous Adinas but still very sound, very earthy. Luigi Alva is lighter in voice than Pavarotti and Bergonzi, two famous recorded Nemorinos, although heavier than the typical ultra-light bel canto so-called "specialists" of today. If he is less exciting than Pavarotti and Bergonzi he is almost certainly closer to the kind of tenor that Donizetti had in mind when he wrote the piece. All things considered, Alva is very satisfying as that love-sick goof Nemorino. Angela Vercelli is competent in the small part of Gianetta.

This is not the best-known "L'elisir" but it is a well-considered and authentic, very Italianate performance from beginning to end.

I give five stars for the grand old geezer's final go at a great operatic comedy.

Italian opera as it used to be - thank goodness!.......2006-05-21

This is a wonderful Elixir of Love. Anyone buying it must be aware that the old traditional cuts are followed to the T. This means there is one whopping cut in act two and lots of other verses, measures, and phrases cut. But the performance is nearly definitive.
Luigi Alva may have done lots of coloratura tenor roles on recordings, but Nemorino fits his voice so beautifully, and his "Una furtiva" is enough to make you weep. Adina is Rosanna Carteri, a highly underrated soprano from the 50s. Rolando Panerai isn't subtle as Belcore (the character doesn't warrant it), but he sings it very well. Giuseppe Taddei IS Dulcamara. (He also recorded Belcore, but that's not his role.) He relishes every word of the Italian, and he has just the right weight in his voice to make you love the character. Serafin conducts with a total understanding of the score. Unlike the Alagna/Gheorghiu/ Pido recording, which is complete, this one takes no alternate versions of arias, and it takes enough time for the music to sing. Pido conducts as if this was Rossini and thus has no heart. This would be 5 stars plus if only it had no cuts.

Average customer rating:

The Complete Gramophone And Pathe Recordings (1913-1921) Manufacturer: Marston ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Franck, César | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Schipa, Tito | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Tenors | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Reggae | International | Styles | Music ASIN: B000006AHO Release Date: 1998-03-10

Tracks:

1. Manon: Ah, Dispar Vision
2. Gioconda: Cielo E Mar
3. Lucia Di Lammermoor: Tu Che A Dio
4. Tosca: Recondita Armonia
5. Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle
6. Boheme: Che Gelida Manina
7. Traviata: Un Di Felice, Eterea
8. Rigoletto: Ella Mi Fu Rapita...Parmi Veder
9. Cavalleria Rusticana: Siciliana
10. Traviata: Libiamo, Libiamo
11. Cavalleria Rusticana: Brindisi
12. Faust: Salve Dimora
13. Tosca: O Dolci Mani
14. Zaza: Ed Ora Io Mi Domando
15. Arlesiana: Lamento Di Federico
16. Barbiere Di Siviglia: Ecco Ridente In Cielo
17. Tosca: Amaro Sol Per Te
18. Pagliacci: O Colombina
19. Manon: Chiudo Gli Occhi
20. Rigoletto: Questa O Quella

Tracks:

1. Boheme: Che Gelida Manina
2. Tosca: Recondita Armonia
3. Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle
4. Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile
5. Cavalleria Rusticana: Siciliana
6. Guyana: Ay, Ay, Ay
7. Emigrantes: Granadinas
8. Pesca D'ammore
9. Chi Se Nne Scorda Cchiu
10. Amarilli Mia Bella
11. Panis Angelicus
12. Agnus Dei
13. Ave Maria
14. Bruja: Jota
15. Corte Del Amor: La De Ojos Azules
16. Traviata: De' Miei Bollenti Spiriti
17. Cuando Te Aai La Faace
18. Bella Ragazza Delle Trecce Bionde
19. Somewhere A Voice Is Calling
20. Sonnambula: Prendi, L'anel Ti Dono
21. Don Pasquale: Cerchero Lontana Terra
22. Falstaff: Dal Labbro Il Canto Estasiato
23. Santa Lucia
24. Marechiare

Amazon.com

Few singers have done so much with so little. Tito Schipa's voice was notoriously short; he routinely transposed pieces with high tessitura and bottom notes were a stretch. But what a middle! The sheer sound of his lyric tenor can send shivers down your spine. This collection, comprising his complete recordings for the Gramophone and Pathe companies made between 1913 and 1921, demonstrates the vocal freedom and melting lyricism of the young Schipa. The selections are infused with charming elegance of timbre and phrasing. The songs are icing on a cake topped with such cherries as a ravishing "Cielo e mar," honeyed Tosca arias, and much else. Marston's superb transfers make these acoustic recordings sound like much later electricals. --Dan Davis

Average customer rating: Bravo Buti

Bella Ragazza: Original Recordings 1934-1949 Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Reggae | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | International General | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | International General | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Greatest Hits Le Rose Rosse Bella Ragazza The World of Italian Hits of the 50's ASIN: B0001Z65D0 Release Date: 2004-05-25

Tracks:

1. Bella Regazza Dalle Trecce Bionde
2. Sul Lungarno (Stornellata Fiorentina)
3. 'O Balcone 'E Napule
4. Sorrento
5. Carioca, Carioca...!
6. Resta Con Me
7. Fantasia D' 'E Vase
8. Due Chitarre
9. Mattinatella
10. Dove Sta Zaza?
11. Io Pe' Te Moro!
12. Chitarrata A Chi Sente
13. Munasterio 'E Santa Chiara
14. Verde Luna
15. Ponti Sull'Arno
16. Malinconia Di Capri
17. Ritorna Amor
18. Tutt' 'E Sere
19. La Vita A Rosa (La Vie En Rose)

Customer Reviews:

Bravo Buti.......2006-02-26

Those who know and appreciate good vocal music will appreciate this disk - or for that matter ANYTHING from this artist. These include music lovers like myself who ordinarily listen to classical and operatic nusic only. Suffice it to say that before there was Lanza, before there was Bocelli, there was Carlo Buti who, perhaps with fellow Corsican Tino Rossi the Frenchman, started today's phenomenon of serious-tenors-singing-popular music. Yes, I am aware that Caruso and Gigli and many others also sang Neopolitan Songs; but like Buti there is none!
Run - not walk - to the nearest music store and buy this CD or any others you can find of this artist. Then perhaps you'll hear the imitatators from Crosby to Iglesias!

Rock Music:

1. Bellydance Superstars [Import]
2. Best of [Original recording remastered]
3. Bliss
4. Calore Umano [Import]
5. Capercaillie: Live in Concert [Live]
6. Celtic Circles
7. Che Fantastica Storia E'la Vita [Import]
8. Clasicos
9. Com Que Voz [Import]
10. Crazy Cajun Recordings [Import]

Rock Music

rock music

Recommended Music:

Black Is Black

Best of the Classical Masters

Dvorák: Cello Concerto; Waldesruhe

Male Country Hits, Vol. 269 [Karaoke]

Closer to Heaven [Import]

Bop Boys

Black Coffee [Import]

Da Baddest Bitch [Clean]

El Condor Pasa: Flute of the Andes

By George It's Gershwin

Business As Usual

Desde Que Dios Amanece

Demolition Bass

Mendelssohn: Complete Works for Violin and Piano

Something Borrowed Something Blue