Barbieri / Raimondi / Tagliabue / Neri / RAI Symphony Orchestra & Chorus,
La Favorita
- Type CD
- Label Opera D'Oro
- UPC 0723721719357
- Catalog number OPD 1494
- Release date 11 November 2013
About the album
The great conductor Arturo Toscanini once said, “the opera La Favorita is all beautiful; the last act — every note a masterpiece.”
Perhaps even more impressive, however, was the verdict of Richard Wagner, who dismissed most Italian operas; nevertheless he asserted that in Favorita, “there is greater skill, and a dignity you would seek in vain in the other countless works of the inexhaustible maestro” — referring to Donizetti’s amazing fecundity, often resulting in two or three new operas per year. In La Favorita, a young monk leaves his order to pursue the beautiful Leonora, unaware that she is the secret “favorite” (mistress) of King Alfonso XI of Spain. When he finds out he angrily rejects her, but at the end they are reconciled, and she dies in his arms.
“A big advantage is ... the presence of Giulio Neri. He was one of the few Italian basses to have a big black sound in the Boris Christoff mould ... His fury at the end of Act II, abetted by Questa, is awe-inspiring ... Another strong point is Carlo Tagliabue as Alfonso. He was nearing the end of his career (he retired in 1957) but signs of age in the voice, which still retains a firm, golden quality, are used artistically to create a king who has regal dignity but also humanity ... [The recording also has] the best Ines ... [a tenor] with several points in his favour ... [and] a magnificent Leonora. Any dedicated opera fan is going to want to hear it.” — Musicweb-International.com
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11Act One: Overture
06:18 -
12Act One: Bell'alba foriera
02:17 -
13Act One: Quegli accenti odi tu
01:48 -
14Act One: Una vergine un angel di Dio
03:26 -
15Act One: E fia vero?
06:30 -
16Act One: Bei raggi lucenti
03:36 -
17Act One: Silenzio!...Dolce zeffiro
02:36 -
18Act One: Messaggera gentil
02:06 -
19Act One: Ah mio ben, un Dio t'invia
02:21 -
110Act One: Crudo il fato
05:33 -
111Act Two: Giardini dell'Alcázar
04:26 -
112Act Two: Vien Leonora a' piedi tuoi
02:46 -
113Act Two: De' nemici tuoi lo sdegno
01:11 -
114Act Two: Per la festa previeni...
01:12 -
115Act Two: Quando le soglie paterne varcai
05:59 -
116Act Two: Ah, Sire
03:30 -
117Act Two: Ah paventa del furor
02:57 -
118Act Two: Voi tutti che mi udite
01:29 -
119Act Two: Ah! Che diss'egli!
01:04 -
120Act Two: Si, d'un Nume terribile, irato
01:40 -
121Act Three: A lei presso alfiri
05:56 -
122Act Three: A tanto amor, Leonora
03:11 -
21Act Three: Fia dunque vero... O mio Fernando
05:27 -
22Act Three: Su crudeli... Scritto è il cielo
01:53 -
23Act Three: Di già nella cappella
01:27 -
24Act Three: Ah, che da tanta gioia
04:01 -
25Act Three: Oh viltade...
03:59 -
26Act Three: Per me del ciel
05:13 -
27Act Three: Oh ciel, di quest'alma
03:48 -
28Act Three: Orsù Fernando, ascoltami
01:39 -
29Act Three: Grazia, o Sire
01:46 -
210Act Four: Compagni, andiamo
05:50 -
211Act Four: Splendono più belle
03:35 -
212Act Four: Figlio diletto
02:25 -
213Act Four: Favorita del re! Spirto gentil
04:27 -
214Act Four: Figlio, deh vien!
09:21 -
215Act Four: Ah, va, t'invola
05:49 -
216Act Four: Addio, fuggire mi lascia
02:04 -
217Act Four: Vieni, ah vien
04:21