Galli-Curci: Prima Voce

Really Wonderful SINGING

This Nimbus CD recording using the monstrous acoustic horn and thus producing a highly reverberent sound, sort of like singing in the bathtub, is not for everyone. However, the discs used are quite immaculate, as well they should be for so prolific and famous a recording star as Galli-Curci.

The high point for me on this album was her singing of "dite alla giovine" from La Traviata. There are many other fine moments as well, but this shows Gall-Curci at her considerable best. She was famous for taking innumerable takes, and despite this perfectionism generally conveys far more vocal ease than many modern sopranos before a recording device.

If you like the Prima Voce sound this CD is one of the highlights of their collection. January 23, 2008

Very good sound

These tunes were recorded from 1917 to 1924. The reproduction is excellent. Obviously they weren't recorded yesterday, but the only betrayal (beside the thin sounding quality of her voice) is a hiss which is only noticeable (to me) when the piece ends. It's noticeable by its absence. She and some other sopranos of her era I ordered in the passed few days were the Jos and Sutherlands and Sillses and Dessays and Gheorghuis of the first half of the 20th century. Though her coloratura is better than Gheorghiu's, and after the farce she made of Lucia's mad scene on her 2 disc set, I don't know WHAT to think of Dessay. This is a wonderful album (age considered), they were singing the same arias in 1917 that they're singing in 2007, which was a disappointment, but what else is there unless you go into art songs, and I don't like art songs. I prefer opera arias. Only one quibble. She sings only a segment from Lucia's mad scene, it does not include the flute, and she just stops, no high note at the end. Phooey. Possibly more of the aria/scene was continued in segments on other 78 records at the time. Oh. Two quibbles. She only breaks and goes for one top note on the whole disc. I was disappointed, but I'm becoming numb to that. Few sopranos do it, or maybe it's too difficult so they don't. At least it proves she could do it if she wanted to. But that's small comfort, consolation, and intellectual. No wonder they called Sutherland La Stupenda, and Jo and Sills go for top notes too. November 23, 2007

Before Pons there was Galli-Curci

Lily Pons was a reigning diva at the Metropolitan opera starting in the 1930s. She was deemed to be the natural successor to Amelita Galli-Curci. This CD does a nice job of representing the repertoire of Galli-Curci. While the recording quality is not great, it compares well with other records of the late 19 teens and 1920s.

First, a brief reaction to some of the pieces on this CD.

"Una voce poco fa" from Rossini's "Il Barbiere de Siviglia," demonstrates Galli-Curci's agile voice. The cabaletta shows Galli-Curci's coloratura technique, with good ornamentation.

She shows an agile voice, too, in Meyerbeer's "Ombra leggiera." I would rate this as a good (if not great) version. She shows an adequate trill; the trajectory of this piece is such that the close is the most satisfying component of the cut. She floated a very nice high note at the end.

Bellini's estimable I Puritani features a classic aria-cabaletta: "Qui la voce. . .Vien diletto." In the cabaletta, she shows nice technique at the start. Her approach is somewhat different from sopranos from the past several decades. The shows a nice trill at the conclusion and a very well done high note.

Verdi's "La Traviata" features many attractive pieces for sopranos. One of the real showpieces is "Sempre libera." Galli-Curci provides some nice characterization. Her version is fast paced, she shows good vocal control, her runs are well done, and her florid technique is fine. Again, an adequate trill and good final high note.

The cabaletta from the "Mad Scene" from Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor," "Spargi d'amaro pianto," is more vanilla than most recent versions. The first run through is melodic and fine, with nice runs. The repeat features no trills, although the level of ornamentation is greater. A not very exciting version.

Second, this is a welcome introduction to the specialties in Amelita Galli-Curci's repertoire. Given the technology of the time, one gets a good sense of her voice. She sings well, although I think that her coloratura technique is a little spare (perhaps a matter of taste and evolving views of the proper technique for the Bel canto repertoire).
February 21, 2007

Magnificent!

This wonderful artist has always touched my heart, and this is an exceptional recording. January 11, 2007

A good Old Time recording

I've borrowed this Cd from the library and I was greatly impressed by this coloratura. Her register is even. Songs are beautifully sung with impeccable taste. Her voice is clear and as beautiful as a bird (in a good way). Though these arias were record in the 1920's the hisses are minimal. I had no problem listening to it. I've listen to other coloraturas, J. Sutherland, B. Sills, Sumi Jo, N. Dessay, E. Gruberova, and yes even N. Melba, yet this is still one of my favorite CD for coloratura. Maybe it is her extremely flexibility, lightness, or freshness. Whatever the reason, I have enjoyed this CD and have just ordered it. It should an inclusion for any soprano recital collection October 8, 2003

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