VERDI: Rigoletto (Highlights) - Sutherland, McNeil, Cioni, Sanzogno, St Cecilia Academy Chorus & Orchestra

The 1961 recording of Rigoletto is the first of two in which Joan Sutherland sang the role of Gilda. Although the later cast – conducted by Richard Bonynge – was starrier with Pavarotti taking the role of the Duke, this earlier version is still favoured by Sutherland aficionados. ‘Sutherland is extraordinary’ wrote an Amazon customer. ‘The voice is full, clear, floating, amazing. Her portion of the first Rigoletto/Gilda duet is a case in point. The high tessitura of Gilda’s part are breathtakingly beautiful and touching in themselves. Her ‘Caro nome’ is supreme and unique among her versions, includes an amazing trill on high D flat major in place of the staccato reiterations usually heard. Her characterisation is well thought out and clearly projected. This is some of her best work on records.’

GIUSEPPE VERDI
Rigoletto (highlights)

Questa o quella Duke
Pari siamo… Ah deh non parlare al misero Rigoletto
Gualtrier malde… Caro nome Gilda
Povero Rigoletto!… Cortigiani, vil razza dannata Rigoletto
Tutte le feste… Ah, solo per me Gilda, Rigoletto
La donna e mobile Duke
Bella figlia dell’amore Rigoletto, Gilda, Duke, Maddalena
Lassu… in cielo Gilda

Renato Cioni
Cornell MacNeil
Joan Sutherland
Cesare Siepi
Stefanie Malagu
Anna di Stasio
Giuseppe Morresi
Fernando Corena
Giulio Corti
Luisa Valle

St Cecilia Academy Chorus & Orchestra
Nino Sanzogno