Pages

Saturday, August 8, 2009

Turandot

Turandot
Featuring Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, and Montserrat Caballe.
London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Zubin Mehta
Decca; 2 discs

The ultimate "Turandot" out there! Wonderful performances from all the cast. Joan Sutherland is wonderful as the icy princess, easily delivering the challenging vocals. Pavarotti makes a wonderful "Calaf" and who else can sing Nessun Dorma like that? Montserrat Caballe gives a beautiful rendition of Liu’s Signore, Ascolte, pianissimo high-notes floating through the air. Just skip through the tedious Act 2 (nobody could make that entertaining). The end is wonderful with Pavarotti and Sutherland in top form.