A Hundred Years of Italian Opera, 1810-20

Very close to greatness, tainted by inconsistent audio quality

As an opera fan of the late 18th century early 19th century I was really looking forward to purchasing these three box sets due to their rare content and attention to an obscure period in opera history (Post-Mozart, pre-Rossini). They don't disappoint in content and they diversity of the material; there's a healthy mix of ensembles and solo pieces (with a finale on the third CD) to keep everyone happy.

Historical value is really what presents itself boldly here because you get to experience the missing links of bel canto that unite the composers of the late 18th century with those of the early 19th. You begin to understand the musical climate leading to Rossini and Donizetti which really stresses the point that all artists don't exist in some kind of artistic bubble where their creative genius alone is responsible for what they achieve.

Special mention goes to a composer I had never heard of before this recording, a young man named Manfroce. Opera Rara offers a recording on the first CD of this collection with one of his quartets from his second and last opera Ecuba. The literature in the included booklet says that he passed away at the age of 22 just after completing this opera. It also suggested that he could have been a worthy rival of Rossini if he had lived and I completely agree with that assessment. Don't expect greatness from his quartet but do expect the seeds of greatness as is the case with most "great" opera composers before they hit their maturity.

Last but not least, the reason I gave this box set 3 stars: What could have been an incredible achievement for Opera Rara was tainted by, at times, poor recording. During any kind of volume intense moment like a stretta or cabaletta, or any kind of crescendo for that matter there is scratchy distortion. It's worse in some numbers than in others but present in most of the concerted pieces (during those moments of volume intensity, NOT the WHOLE number) and even a few of the air's and duet's. It's less tolerable on headset but not as offensive on other sound systems. It seems like an easy fix so I don't understand why Opera Rara didn't remedy this in post-production. January 6, 2006

Stupendous

I have come to expect that any release from Opera Rara recordings will be intruiging at the very least, and truly marvelous at best. This set is a real example of the latter. Any lover of bel canto opera cannot do without this set, and even if you are not a devotee of the bel canto period, I urge you to hear this recording. There are many gems here, not least several selections from Donizetti and Meyerbeer's earliest Italian operas, as well as items from the unjustly neglected Mayr and Pacini, as well as a lovely concert aria from Carl Maria von Weber. Some items look back to the elegant classical line of Mozart and Haydn, while others preface the rise of the decorated florid cantilena made popular by Rossini. There are only two items which I would label as somewhat banal (one a duet by Manuel Garcia, famous tenor and father Pauline Viardot and Maria Malibran), but the rest is enchanting and reminds us what a fertile period this was for Italian opera. Everything is beautifully sung by a group of excellent singers, including Yvonne Kenny, Della Jones, Chris Merritt and Alistair Miles. A delightful set, well worth the price. November 7, 1999

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