Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Sinfonia
2. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Prologue. Qual v'ha speme?
3. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Prologue. Il Re!
4. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Prologue. Sotto une quercia parvemi
5. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Prologue. V'ha dunque un loco simile
6. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Prologue. Pondo è letal, martiro
7. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Prologue. Gelo, terrore m'invade!
8. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Prologue. Oh, ben s'addice questo torbido cielo
9. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Prologue. Sempre all'alba ed alla sera
10. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Prologue. Paventi, Carlo, tu forse?
11. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Prologue. Tu sei bella
12. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Prologue. Pronta sono!... Son guerriera
13. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 1. Ai lari!... Alla patria!
14. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 1. Questa rea che vi percuote
15. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 1. Franco son io, ma in core
16. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 1. So che per via di triboli
17. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 1. Qui! Qui... dove più s'apre libero il cielo
18. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 1. O fatidica foresta
19. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 1. Ho risolto
20. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 1. T'arretri e palpiti!
21. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 1. Taci!... Le vie traboccano
22. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 1. Vieni al tempio

Disc 2:

1. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 2. Dal cielo a noi chi viene
2. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 2. Ecco il luogo... Speme al vecchio era una figlia
3. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 2. Te, Dio, lodiam
4. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 2. Compiuto è il rito!... Non fuggir, donzella!
5. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 2. No! forme d'angelo... L'amaro calice sommessa io bevo
6. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 2. Ti dicolpa!... Imbianca e tace!
7. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 3. I Franchi!... Oh qual mi scuote rumor di guerra?
8. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 3. A lui pensa!... Amai, ma un solo istante
9. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 3. Tu che all'eletto Sàulo
10. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 3. Or dal padre benedetta
11. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 3. Ecco! Ella vola
12. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 3. Di novel prodigio il ciel ne arrise
13. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 3. Quale più fido amico
14. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 3. Un suon funereo
15. Giovanna d'Arco, opera: Act 3. Che mai fu?... S'apre il cielo

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #90935 in Music
• Released on: 1990-05-07
• Number of discs: 2
• Dimensions: .49 pounds

Customer Reviews

Thrilling account of early Verdi show-stopper
Wow! Kudos all the way around for this simply exhilirating recording of Verdi's "Giovanna d'Arco". The opera itself is an example of Verdi finding his feet as a composer, but there are wonderful hints of the masterpieces that were still in his future tucked into this generally effective score. Here, Verdi excels at suggesting the martial nature of the subject matter in the music and providing some of the most blood-pumping orchestral and choral passages I can remember. While the arias are not yet in realm of mature Verdi (mainly due to the remnants of the bel canto "oom-pah-pah, oom-pah-pah" aria style) there is enough vocal fireworks all the way around.

And the singers do not disappoint. Leading the charge is Montserrat Caballe at her glittering best. This is easily one of her best recordings, and she is practically perfect, with a shimmering upper register (wonderfully converying Joan's youth), a sure, strong vibrato, and flawless coloratura. Superb!

Domingo is also up to the challenge of Carlo, making "Giovanna" one of the best of his early recordings. His tenor is rich, strong, and able to hit the stratosphere with sureness. The other male voice is the excellent Sherill Milnes, who again proves himself to be one of the best baritones in the Verdi/Puccini repertoire.

The London Symphony Orchestra and Ambrosian Opera Chorus are splendid and led by James Levine with such infectious vigor and propulsive excitement that it makes opera as thrilling and passionate as it should be. Levine takes what could have been a turgid affair and makes it anything but. While the quieter passages are allowed their space, and are rendered beautifully, it is in the rousing, energetic passages where the recording succeeds most.

Yes, it's early Verdi, so it's not for everyone, but for fans of the singers or the composer, it's worth a listen!

A Great Recording!
For an early Verdi opera this is one of my favourites - mainly due to the exceptional singing of Caballe, Domingo and Milnes. Excellent!

magnificent Montserrat ...
Giovanna d'Arco dating from 1845 is not one of Verdi's best
early work - the plot is ludicrous and the music a bit uneven
though it contains some striking passages. The main reason to
acquire this set is the performance of Montserrat Caballé as
Giovanna - she is in stupendous voice and sings gorgeously
whether in celestial visionnary moments or fiery martial
outburst she is never less than magnificent. Placido Domingo
is likewise is splendid voice and sings most beautifully -
pretty much the same can be said of Sherrill Milnes. Well re-
corded and vigorously conducted by the James Levine. A must
have for Caballé fans.