Rossini - La Cenerentola (Berganza-Abbado)

* Performers: Teresa Berganza (Mezzo Soprano); Luigi Alva (Tenor); Renato Capecchi (Baritone); Paolo Montarsolo (Bass); Margherita Guglielmi (Soprano); Laura Zannini (Soprano); Ugo Trama (Bass)
* Conductor: Claudio Abbado

Very few singers have championed Rossini on stage or through numerous recordings as Mezzo Soprano Teresa Berganza. This 1972 performance has weathered well over the years (especially given the fierce competition since) though still has plenty going for it. In the title role Berganza's light, youthful characterization suits our heroine perfectly. Abbado's animated conducting as well, serves her and every other member of this distinguished cast famously. Deutsche Grammphon's sound was very good for its vintage and has transferred well to CD.

Abbado's thirty something year old recording of La Cenerentola is still the best on disc. Abbado's conducting is sensitive to the pathos in Cenerentola's situation and the ensembles are precise and jovial. Berganza is still the best Cenerentola/Angelia on disc, despite more recent worthy efforts by Bartoli and Larmore. Luigi Alva's Don Ramiro is captured a little late in the game for facility in florid singing and tonal beauty. (Ugo Benelli's two recorded efforts on Acanta and Decca are in a class by themselves for ease of vocal production.) Renato Capecchi and Paolo Montarsolo sing well and turn in good comic performances and the valet in disguise and the stepfather. Ugo Trama does a creditable job as the philospher/teacher Alidoro and has the opportunity to sing Rossini's own extended aria for the character. I believe this was its first appearance on disc.

Track Listings
1. Sinfonia
2. No No No Non V'e
3. Una Volta C'era Un Re
4. O Figlie Amabili
5. Recitativo- Cenerentola Presto
6. Cavatina Miei Rampolli Femminini
7. Recitativo - Sappiate Che Fra Poco
8. Scena Tutto E Deserto
9. Duetto Un Soave Onon So Che
10. Recitativo Non So Che Dir
11. Coro Scegli La Sposa
12. Recitativo Allegrissimamente Che Bei Quadri
13. Quintetto Signor Una Parola
14. Recitativo Si Tuto Cangera
15. Aria- La Del Ciel Nell'arcano Profondo
16. Recitativo Ma Bravo Bravo
17. Coro- Conciossiacosache Trenta Botti Gia Gusto
18. Duetto- Zitto Zitto Piano Piano
19. Ah Se Velata Ancor
20. Signor Altezza E In Tavola
21. Recitativo Mi Par Che Qui Birbanti
22. Aria- Sia Qualunque Delle Figlie
23. Recitativo Ah Questa Bella Incognita
24. Reictativo E Allor- Se Non Ti Spiaccio
25. Aria Si Ritrovarla Io Giuro
26. Recitativo Ma Dunque Io Son Un Ex
27. Duetto- Un Segreto D'importanza
28. Canzone Uan Volta C'eera Un Re
29. Recitativo - Quanto Sei Caro
30. Temporale- Storm Music- Gewittermusik
31. Recitativo- Scusate Amici
32. Sestetto Siete Voi- Questo E Un Nodo Avviluppato
33. Sestetto - Donna Sciocca Alma Di Fango
34. Recitativo - Giusto Ciel
35. Coro- Della Fortuna Instabile
36. Scena- Sposa - Signor Perona
37. Rondo Nacqui All'affanoo