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In the Forum: Musical Discussions
In the Thread: The Mercury "Rigoletto"
Post Subject: The Mercury "Rigoletto"Posted by Paul S on: 4/19/2008
Verdi, "Rigoletto", Maggio Musicale (Florence)/Gavazzeni; Mercury "Living Presence" (stereo) SR3-9012, 1960

Cast:
Rigoletto: Ettori Bastiani
Gilda: Renata Scotto
Duke of Mantua: Alfredo Kraus
Sparafucile: Ivo Vinco
Maddalena: Fiorenza Cossotto

Talk about an audio-centric masterpiece!

I love Verdi, Rigoletto and this amazing re-creation!

Here it is performed very, very well by everyone involved, the hall/acoustics is/are spectacular, and the CR Fine engineered recording must be heard on a dialed-in system to be believed.

Any modern hot-shot recording whiz who has not heard this should sit down and give it a listen.

I think this record may be as "un-compressed" as anything I own that attempts anywhere near this scale.  Three omnis were kept in the same place in the 18th century theater throughout the sessions and the 3 channels were subsequently mixed down to stereo.  The results speak for themselves.

Bravo!

Paul S

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