Joan Sutherland, Giovanni Foiani, Ezio Flagello, Pierre Duval, Renato Capecchi, orchestra e coro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, Richard Bonynge
Early Sutherland that is out of print now. Only one in stock!
This is the first studio recording of I Puritani with Joan Sutherland made in Florence in 1963. Though she recorded the opera a second time (1973) with a more starry cast and a more complete text, this early set needs to be heard for the sound Sutherland produces here is utterly awesome - the sheer beauty, range and virtuosity of the voice are just breathtaking. Others may have brought more pathos to the role but none could match her vocally. A truly dazzling performance. Pierre Duval is a very respectable Arturo coping with the impossibly high tessitura well and matching Sutherland note for note in their duets. Renato Capecchi and Ezio Flagello offer good support. There are little trimmings here and there in the score but the final soprano aria "O mio bell'angelo" is included and stunningly sung by Sutherland. The sound is vintage "DECCA".
