Verdi has always fascinated me for some reason. I think it has to do with my seeing his face on Italian currency as a teen. That ad the story of how the Mailanders strew straw outside his room as he lay dying. The man seems larger than life. I would like to read a decent factual biography, perhaps to appreciate his music.
The Bellagio in Vegas have majestic water fountain shows w/ musical accompaniment. Pavarotti is one of the singers they use. ALL people, including inner city kids are transfixed by his voice. My grandfather saw the great Enrico Caruso @ LaScala, as a young man. It was an important moment as he came from a poor family. His father saved for years to make that trip from Bari.
KUSC plays opera all morning on Saturdays. They only break in occasionally to tell the listener what they've heard. I try to use Shazam to identify pieces but Shazam sucks at opera.
My opera loving friends would suggest that anything with Callas from the early 1950's is the best Il Trovatore. The problem with the 1952 Met recording is that it includes Jussi Björling, and over the years I have moved away from enjoying his singing.
All I can suggest is that you listen to clips on YouTube until you find a cast, orchestra and conductor you like - these things are all very personal and variable. I tend to like the Met, Pavarotti and several modern sopranos, but that's just me. Also, my hearing is shot and my speakers are tinny.
Read and listen, my friend, you will alight upon the right mix after doing your research.
Another option would be to buy Spotify, if only for a month ($10), and listen to some of the 60+ recordings of Il Trovatore available there-- I find it easier e.g. to compare X Y and Z versions of an aria there than at YouTube. A couple of years ago I bought the Riccardo Muti/La Scala recording (from twenty years ago?) on CD featuring Salvatore Licitra and Barbara Frittoli, and have never felt it necessary to invest in another.
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Verdi has always fascinated me for some reason. I think it has to do with my seeing his face on Italian currency as a teen. That ad the story of how the Mailanders strew straw outside his room as he lay dying. The man seems larger than life. I would like to read a decent factual biography, perhaps to appreciate his music.
The Bellagio in Vegas have majestic water fountain shows w/ musical accompaniment. Pavarotti is one of the singers they use. ALL people, including inner city kids are transfixed by his voice. My grandfather saw the great Enrico Caruso @ LaScala, as a young man. It was an important moment as he came from a poor family. His father saved for years to make that trip from Bari.
KUSC plays opera all morning on Saturdays. They only break in occasionally to tell the listener what they've heard. I try to use Shazam to identify pieces but Shazam sucks at opera.
Heh, I just figgered out that Shazam couldn't place it because it was live from the Met and not in their data bank. Now I feel a bit sheepish.
"Il Travatore" is in intermezzo.
It's almost as if Verdi had the force of destiny on his side. What a gifted composer.
And Spins, that is an awesome story - the kind of tale that needs to be handed down through the generations.
Which version of Verdi's classic is worth buying? I've suddenly decided to listen to this and follow along with the libretto.
My opera loving friends would suggest that anything with Callas from the early 1950's is the best Il Trovatore. The problem with the 1952 Met recording is that it includes Jussi Björling, and over the years I have moved away from enjoying his singing.
All I can suggest is that you listen to clips on YouTube until you find a cast, orchestra and conductor you like - these things are all very personal and variable. I tend to like the Met, Pavarotti and several modern sopranos, but that's just me. Also, my hearing is shot and my speakers are tinny.
Read and listen, my friend, you will alight upon the right mix after doing your research.
Another option would be to buy Spotify, if only for a month ($10), and listen to some of the 60+ recordings of Il Trovatore available there-- I find it easier e.g. to compare X Y and Z versions of an aria there than at YouTube. A couple of years ago I bought the Riccardo Muti/La Scala recording (from twenty years ago?) on CD featuring Salvatore Licitra and Barbara Frittoli, and have never felt it necessary to invest in another.
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