Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review
(151 customer reviews) 179 of 185 people found the following review helpful
A PERFECT OUTING FROM THAT GREAT DUO,
January 29, 2000 Tracy L. Powell (Bangkok, Thailand) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Puccini - Turandot / Sutherland · Pavarotti · Caballé · Ghiaurov · Krause · Pears · LPO · Mehta (Audio CD)
Turandot, Puccini's last opera, contains some of the most glorious music that he composed. And this performance does complete justice to the music. It is as close to a perfect performance that is possible. Dame Joan Sutherland, who never performed the role on stage, is as cold as ice as the man-hating princess until Calaf wins her heart. At that moment she transforms into a warm hearted lover. Unfortunately I never saw La Stupenda on stage, but I've always heard that she had a rather large voice. Sure, it wasn't as big as Nillson's, and I don't know how her portrayal would've been in the theater. But in the studio she was perfect. Pavarotti also hadn't performed the role of Calaf when this recording was made but he also knew his character well. He is every inch the ardent prince. Ringing voice and all. His 'Nessun dorma' requires no comment. The role of Liu is sweetly and heartbreakingly sung by Montserrat Caballe (who herself sang Turandot). This recording also...Read more
102 of 103 people found the following review helpful
Recording of the Century*****,
August 9, 1999 By A Customer
This review is from: Puccini - Turandot / Sutherland · Pavarotti · Caballé · Ghiaurov · Krause · Pears · LPO · Mehta (Audio CD)
Turandot is my very favorite opera and I own most of the Turandot sets out there, including both the Nilsson versions, both of the Marton versions, the Callas one, and even the version with Caballe as Turandot. This one is without question the complete performance. The definitive Turandot, period. At the top of the cast is the great Australian diva Dame Joan Sutherland as the Princess of ice. Her's is a voice that legends are made of, and after listening to her as the ice princess, I can see why. The voice is pure spunned gold, full and Voluptuous from the bottom of the register to highest of notes. Sutherland shows no vocal strain whatsoever, no matter what the music demands. And it is indeed refreshing to hear a warm, gorgeous "Italian trained voice" as Turandot rather than the cold sound of Nilsson or Marton. And not only does Sutherland sings gloriously, she also brings fire and passion to the title role. There is no better Turandot on or off the recording...Read more
61 of 62 people found the following review helpful
One of the greatest recording of this century!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!,
June 18, 1999 By A Customer
This review is from: Puccini - Turandot / Sutherland · Pavarotti · Caballé · Ghiaurov · Krause · Pears · LPO · Mehta (Audio CD)
Joan Sutherland IS the vocal sensation of the century. And she amazes all in this recording as a true dramatic soprano. The gorgeous voice, opulent in tone and gigantic in size is just unbelievable. All notes are shot out of the diva's throat like cannonballs. I am fortunate enough to have heard the great Prima Donna in her prime, and let me say she must be heard in person to be believe. Supremely the vocal miracle of all time. As Turandot, she is not even challenged, in terms of voice, she absolutely soars above the orchestra and chorus with no strain whatsoever. Vocally, no one can touch her. But she also offers amazing fire in this recording, singing with much more passion and sensuous tone than all the other Turandots combined...INCLUDING Birgit Nilsson and Maria Callas. And forget Eva Marton, she screams every note. As Prince Calaf, Pavorotti is ideal. At the time of this recording, Pavorotti had one of the most pure beautiful tenors before the public, and like...Read more
