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MADAMA BUTTERFLY

--Standard Repertory--

By Giacomo Puccini

VIDEO: Stark, focused production from La Scala (1987) with Hayashi, Peter Dvorsky, and Zancanaro. HOM MAD 020 Stunning visual mastery and drama. Be warned, this has a VERY STRANGE Dolby setting (I don't recall the exact details) and a little tweaking is necessary. But the superb musical and dramatic preparation makes the tweaking worth it. [G.R.]

(A work this rich can never be encompassed by one interpretation, however sound; it's well worthwhile to have two or three permanently on hand, if possible):

AUDIO: A) EMI: Renata Scotto, Carlo Bergonzi, Rolando Panerai, Barbirolli conducting; Stereo

B) TESTAMENT: Victoria De Los Angeles, Giuseppe Di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Gavazzeni conducting; slightly more exciting colleagues, though De Los Angeles does not quite have the emotional peaks of Scotto (A); Mono [G.R.]

C) WALHALL: Licia Albanese, Armand Tokatyan, John Brownlee, Papi conducting ("live," 1941); Albanese, the finest Cio-Cio-San of her generation at her vocal freshest with a properly suave Pinkerton in Tokatyan; in fair sound only, but a rare limited edition and reasonably priced, considering; unfortunately, occasional snippets of various phrases are missing from time to time as the (single) machine is being changed; Mono

D) EMI: Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Mario Boriello, von Karajan conducting; the most riveting, if not the most affecting, interpretation available of the title role--some wonky top notes in the first act; Mono [G.R.]

E) SONY: Ying Huang, Richard Troxell, Richard Cowan, Conlon conducting; solid, well-led interpretation featuring the new artist Ying Huang in a revelatory performance of the title role from the soundtrack of a recent film production; Stereo [G.R.]

F) MET OPERA GUILD (for a King's ransom): Licia Albanese, James Melton, John Brownlee, Cimara conducting; "live" at the Met, 1946; an even more riveting interpretation in fair sound only--if not for the prohibitive price (well over a hundred dollars!) for such so-so sound quality and a disappointing Pinkerton, this would be higher up on the list; Mono [G.R.]

For Further Reading:

Madam Butterfly/Madama Butterfly (Opera Guide, No. 26), by Giacomo Puccini

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