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Boito: Mefistofele / Rudel, Treigle, Caballé, Domingo, Et Al


Release Date: 09/23/1997 
Label:  Emi Classics   Catalog #: 66501   Spars Code: ADD 
Composer:  Arrigo Boito
Performer:  Montserrat Caballé,  Placido Domingo,  Norman Treigle
Conductor:  Julius Rudel
Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra
Number of Discs: 2 
Recorded in: Stereo 
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Notes and Editorial Reviews

Mephistopheles is the spirit who denies; critics, on the side of the angels, must affirm. So: the opera itself (in case there are doubters) repays acquaintance. A richly creative score, it contains much of the life-blood—libretto as well as music—of its remarkable inventor. Thus reassured, the purchaser casts an eye over the castlists: a Domingo for a Pavarotti (for Fabritiis on Decca) as Faust, a Caballé for a Freni as Margherita. Decca then reclaim Caballé, introducing her as Helen to confront the lesser-known Josella Ligi, who still does well enough apart from some squally high notes. As Old Nick himself Decca have the relatively youthful Nicolai Ghiaurov, whose opulent voice and commanding manner EMI's Norman Treigle Read more cannot match. To set against that is critical affirmation number two: of the two conductors it's Rudel every time. Decca's Oliviero de Fabritiis approaches the Prologue-inHeaven like a Victorian vicar opening his Paradise Lost. Rudel has a much more accurate appreciation of the scenario. At this moment in timelessness the Devil is about to fill the popular satire-slot in the Command Performance while the falangi celesti munch rum truffles and indulge themselves in succulent chromaticism.

The Decca recording is roughly ten years more modern and so that bit brighter and clearer, but I wouldn't let that determine the issue. Nor should the casting of the protagonist: Treigle hasn't the character in his voice but the performance is a worthy memento of an artist whose singing of the role was more acceptable than his showing-off on stage, and who may be otherwise unrepresented in one's collection. Caballé sings much of her music exquisitely and her voice blends with Domingo's to make magic in the "Lontano" duet.

– Gramophone [8/1988], reviewing an earlier release Read less

Works on This Recording

1. Mefistofele by Arrigo Boito
Performer:  Montserrat Caballé (Soprano), Placido Domingo (Tenor), Norman Treigle (Bass)
Conductor:  Julius Rudel
Orchestra/Ensemble:  London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic 
Written: 1868; Italy 

Sound Samples

Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Prologue: Preludio (Orchestra)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Prologue: Ave, Signor degli angeli e dei santi (La falangi celesti)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Prologue: Ave, Signor (Mefistofele)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Prologue: I' noto Faust?... Il pi bizzarro pazzo ch'io mi conosca (Coro mysticus/Mefistofele) Sanctus! Sanctus! (La falangi celesti)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Prologue: Siam nimbi volanti dai limbi (Cherubini/Mefistofele)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Prologue: Salve, Regina! (Le penitenti/Falangi celesti/Cherubini)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 1, Scene 1: Perch di l? (Coro)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 1, Scene 1: Al soave raggiar di primavera (Faust/Wagner)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 1, Scene 1: Juhé! Juhé! Juheisa! Juhé! (Coro)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 1, Scene 1: Sediam sovra quel sasso (Faust/Wagner/Coro)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 1, Scene 2: Dai campi, dai prati (Faust/Mefistofele)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 1, Scene 2: Son lo Spirito che nega (Mefistofele)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 1, Scene 2: Strano figlio del Caos (Faust/Mefistofele)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 1, Scene 2: Se tu mi doni un'ora di riposo (Faust/Mefistofele)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 1, Scene 2: Fin da stanotte (Mefistofele/Faust)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 2, Scene 1: Cavaliero illustre e saggio (Margherita/Faust/Mefistofele/Marta)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 2, Scene 1: Dimmi, se credi, Enrico, nella religione...Non vo'turber le fedi delle coscienze buone (Margherita/Faust)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 2, Scene 1: Dio clemente, nuova, ignara son del mondo...E l'analito superno...Ah! Davver? n in trappola cadeste ancor?..No so, credetelo, che sia l'amore (Margherita/Faust/Marta/Mefistofele)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 2, Scene 2: Su, cammina, cammina, cammina (Mefistofele)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 2, Scene 2: Folletto (Faust/Mefistofele/Coro/Streghe/Stregoni)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 2, Scene 2: Popoli! E scettro e clamide non date al Re sovrano? (Mefistofele/Streghe/Stregoni)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 2, Scene 2: Ecco il mondo? (Mefistofele/Streghe/Stregoni)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 2, Scene 2: Stupor! Stupor! (Faust/Mefistofele/Streghe/Stregoni)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 3: L'altra notte in fondo al mane (Margherita/Faust/Mefistofele)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 3: Dio di piet! (Margherita/Faust)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 3: Lontano, lontano, lontano (Margherita/Faust)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 3: Sorge il d (Mefistofele/Margherita/Faust)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 3: Spunta...l'aurora pallida (Margherita/Faust/Mefistofele/Falangi celesti)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 4: La luna immobile innonda (Elena/Pantalis/Faust)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 4: Ecco la notte del classico Sabba (Mefistofele/Faust)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 4: Ah! Trionfi ad Elena (Coretidi)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 4: Notte cupa, truce, senza fine, funbrei (Elena/Coretidi)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Act 4: Forma ideal purissima della bellezza eternal (Faust/Elena/Mefistofele/Pantalis/Nereo/Coretidi)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Epilogue: Cammina, cammina...superbo pensier...O rimembranza! (Mefistofele/Faust)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Epilogue: Giunto sul passo estremo (Faust/Mefistofele)
Mefistofele (1997 Digital Remaster), Epilogue: All'erta! All'erta! (Mefistofele/Faust/Falangi celesti/Cherubini)

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 1 Customer Review )
 Mefistofele Incarnate January 9, 2013 By Leslie A. Miller (Belfast, ME) See All My Reviews "I saw and heard Norman Treigle's Mefistofele at the end of the 1960's. Being in the theatre seeing it live, it was impossible to remember anything but Treigle. I doubt if we will ever see anything like his Satan again. But the whole performance was theatre and music at its best. When this recording became available I snatched it up and listen over and over again. It's quality, despite the date, brings the opera into your life. The cast is superb; a young Domingo-never better and Caballe! What can I say? I think it's my favorite recording of any opera yet. You can't go wrong. If you like this opera, grab this CD set at once. I paid far more....." Report Abuse
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