Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Act 1.: Preludio
2. Act 1.: "Della mia bella incognita borghese"
3. Act 1.: "Questo o quella per me pari sono"
4. Act 1.: "Gran nuova! Gran nuova!"
5. Act 1.: "Ch'io gli parli"
6. Act 1.: "Quel vecchio maledivami!"
7. Act 1.: "Pari siamo!"
8. Act 1.: "Figlia!" "Mio padre!"
9. Act 1.: "Ah! veglia, o donna"
10. Act 1.: "Giovanna, ho dei rimorsi"
11. Act 1.: "Che m'ami, deh, ripetimi"
12. Act 1.: "Gualtier Maldè... Caro nome"
13. Act 1.: "Riedo! Perchè?"
14. Act 1.: "Zitti, zitti"

Disc 2:

1. Act 2.: "Ella mi fu rapita!"
2. Act 2.: "Duca, duca!"
3. Act 2.: "Possente amor mi chiama"
4. Act 2.: "Povero Rigoletto!"
5. Act 2.: "Cortigiani, vil razza dannata"
6. Act 2.: "Mio padre!...Tutte le feste al tempio"
7. Act 2.: "Schiudete, ire al carcere"
8. Act 3.: "E l'ami?"
9. Act 3.: "La donna è mobile"
10. Act 3.: "Un dì, se ben rammentomi"
11. Act 3.: "Bella figlia dell'amore"
12. Act 3.: "Venti scudi hai tu detto?"
13. Act 3.: "Ah, più non ragiono!"
14. Act 3.: "Della vendetta alfin giunge l'istante!"
15. Act 3.: "V'ho ingannato, colpevole fui"

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #31390 in Music
• Released on: 1990-10-25
• Number of discs: 2

Amazon.com essential recording
This Rigoletto has been around for so long it might be easy to take it for granted or skip it for a newer set. Don't! It features all three principals in superb voice, as well as pacing from Maestro Bonynge that is much heavier on drama than most of us expect from him. Sutherland may sound a bit mature (and mush-mouthed) for Gilda, but not only is she sympathetic, she sings gorgeously. And speaking of gorgeous, those familiar only with the Pavarotti of the last 10 years would be wise to hear him here--this is stylish, full-blooded, Golden Age singing. The beautifully round tone, the easy high notes, the impeccable diction, and the pointed characterization are unique. Milnes, in the title role, is also in splendid voice, offering smooth legato, brilliant, Verdian ring and real attention to the text. The ADD sound is excellent. No other modern recording offers the visceral thrill of this Rigoletto--go for it. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

GOLDEN AGE
I owned this recording on record about 30 years ago. In my full flush of youth, I could only find fault with Pavarotti, Milnes and especially Sutherland. Hearing it again on CD, I realize the stupidity of youth. This recording is thrilling in every way. Although it has been said that Bonynge is not a very dramatic conductor, he certainly contradicts that appraisal in this recording He truly rings every ounce of drama (along with tenderness) out of this wonderful opera.
The role of Rigoletto, I feel, was one of Milnes best-recorded portrayals. It is simply staggering to hear a truly dramatic and huge voice (as opposed to a lyric voice) sing this role. I've never heard Rigoletto sung any better.
Pavarotti is outstanding. When Luciano was singing in his prime, I rebelliously refussed to appreciate him. Now that his career is over and I listen to recordings from his prime, I realize what a treasure he really was--oh the foolishness of youth, on my part!
Joan Sutherland is another signer I've grown to appreciate more and more when listening to some of her old recordings. I grew up on Callas' Gilda and refused to appreciate Dame Joan's recording of the role. Now, I, once again, realize how silly one can be in one's youth. Sutherland sings Gilda wonderfully hitting every optional high note that has ever been thought of for the role of Gilda. And hit them she does!!. It's just thrilling! Her trills are fantastic, as is everything else that she does to and for the role of Gilda
Do yourself a favor and purchase this recording of Rigoletto. It doesn't get any better than this. If this ain't "Golden Age" singing, I don't know what is!

A Feast of Glorious Singing!
This is the best Rigoletto on records, without a doubt. The performance brings the drama and brilliance of Verdi's opera to life. Sherril Milnes, in excellent voice, brings all the dimensions of the title role with both vocal splendor and dramatic instinct. Milnes' "Cortigiani, vil razza dannata" and the final scene are particularily heartbreaking, while his duets with Gilda are very tender. Milnes' high notes are superb; in his last phrase "La Maledizione!" the baritones even interpolates a higher ending than the one done by many Rigolettos. I cannot think of a better Duke of Mantua, vocally speaking, than Luciano Pavarotti. His golden sound, command of legato singing and brilliant high notes (up to D on this recording) makes his Duke a pleasure to hear, even when the character is so despicable. Joan Sutherland does not sound as youthful as we would like, and she does not sound much involved either. But she is great voice as always, with her perfect trill, brilliant high notes (up to E flat) and accurate cadenzas. Her duets with Milnes and Pavarotti are breathtakingly beautiful. The rest of the cast is very good. Richard Bonynge conducts with energy and balance between the singers and the orchestra. This performance is one of the great opera recordings of all time and a must for any music lover's collection.

Wonderful Introduction to Opera
As a first opera, it would be hard to do better. Rigoletto has some of the best tunes in all of opera and Sutherland and Pavarotti are two of the giants of this century. As a Pavarotti fan, I especially enjoy this as a document of him at the full height of his powers, but the entire cast is superb. I'll have to defer to other reviwers for the more technical aspects, but I enjoy listening to this recording immensely.