SERENATA TEBALDI (2 CDS)

It is difficult to dissociate the pure, warm tones of Renata Tebaldi’s voice from her usual operatic repertoire – the heroines of the Italian lyric stage of the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries which, thanks to her exceptional vocal and dramatic endowment, she interpreted so superbly. That these unforgettable portrayals were not just the product of instinct, however but are backed by a sound musical schooling and a deep and penetrating intelligence, is shown by these recitals recorded with pianist Giorgio Favaretto (1956 and 1957) and with conductor/pianist Richard Bonynge (1972) in which Tebaldi offers us a comprehensive survey of the art of song in a succession of vocal styles, from Arie Antiche (Scarlatti, Handel), music by Mozart and Rossini (including one of her specialities, ‘La regatta Veneziana’), through to gems from 19th-century bel canto and verismo composers (Donizetti, Bellini, Mascagni) and into the twentieth century (Zandonai, Respighi, Martucci, Tosti).

‘Lungi dal caro bene […] is a very lovely melody and beautifully sung … The Rossini song ‘La promessa’ is delightful and I also much enjoyed Tebaldi’s moving singing of the two Bellini songs and of the lively Verdi number.’ (CD1 1–14) Gramophone

‘[Tebaldi] makes a noble effect in the spacious, elegiac arias by Scarlatti. The Handel too is fine in a monumental way.’ (CD1: 15–22, CD2: 1–6) Gramophone

‘recommended without reservation … exemplary versions of bel canto songs’ (CD1, CD2: 1–6) Gramophone

‘At a relaxed mezzo forte Tebaldi’s voice is still the lovely instrument we know from earlier days … Bonynge is a discreet and sympathetic accompanist.’ (CD2: 7–22) Gramophone

CD 1
ANONYMOUS: Leggiadri occhi belli
ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI: Le violette
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL: Piangerò la sorte mia
GIUSEPPE SARTI: Lungi dal caro bene
GIOACHINO ROSSINI: La promessa
VINCENZO BELLINI:
Dolente imagine di Fille mia
Vanne, o rosa fortunata
GIUSEPPE  VERDI: Stornello
GIUSEPPE MARTUCCI: La canzone dei Ricordi
TRADITIONAL: A la barcillunisa
ENZO MASETTI: Passo e non ti vedo
JOAQUIN TURINA: Cantares
ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI:
Chi vuole innamorarsi
Caldo sangue
GEORGE FRIDERIC HANDEL: Ah! spietato
GIOACHINO ROSSINI: La regata Veneziana
WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART:
Ridente la calma
Un moto di gioia

CD 2
VINCENZO BELLINI:
Vaga luna che inargenti
Per pietà, bell’idol mio
PIETRO MASCAGNI: M’ama … non m’ama
OTTORINO RESPIGHI: Notte
PAOLO TOSTI: ’A vuchella
VINCENZO DAVICO: O luna che fa lume
GAETANO DONIZETTI: Me voglio fa ’na casa
PIETRO MASCAGNI: La tua stella
PAOLO TOSTI: Sogno
GIOACHINO ROSSINI: L’invito
RICCARDO ZANDONAI: L’assiuolo
PIETRO CIMARA: Stornello
AMILCARE PONCHIELLI: Noi leggevamo insieme
PIETRO MASCAGNI: Serenata
ALESSANDRO PARISOTTI: Se tu m’ami
PARADISI: M’ha presa alla sua ragna
ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI: O cessate di piagarmi
CHRISTOPH WILLIBALD GLUCK: O, del mio dolce ardor
FRANCO RICCI: Il carrettiere del Vomero
SAVERIO MERCADANTE: La sposa del marinaro
VINCENZO BELLINI: Malinconia, ninfa gentile
GIACOMO PUCCINI: E l’uccellino

Renata Tebaldi, soprano
Giorgio Favaretto, piano (CD1, CD2: 1–6)
Richard Bonynge, piano (CD2: 7–22)