Two 1956 Martini & Rossi Concerts: A. CERQUETTI; F.CORELLI; R.CARTERI (Spontini, Verdi, Bizet, Gounod Cilea)
Opera (1956 rec, 1994 CD) - EAC, FLAC+CUE+Covers - 170 MB - RS
Opera (1956 rec, 1994 CD) - EAC, FLAC+CUE+Covers - 170 MB - RS
The Martini & Rossi concerts where, in Italy, one of the first attempts to use radio frequencies for commercial publicity within a cultural frame: Better than cheap sentimental dramas, promoted by US and latin american radios through the sponsoring of detergents (thus the "soap opera" nick), the famous italian distiller has been offering opera concerts, with the complicity of the RAI (italian broadcaster): The concept started in 1936 and ended by 1965, with an interruption between 1942 and 1945. In 352 concerts in all, the "fine fleur" of italian music has given a "Martini" recital some during theit absolute prime, some ascending, some declining. Here we have two separate concerts, united in one CD: The first is proposing, typically, two artists, Franco Corelli, almost a debutant (his first Scala triumph, in La Vestale, opposite Callas, was only two years behind), ardent, virile, glorious and UNSTYLISH in french and charming soprano Rosanna Carteri. But this CD is mostly interresting for ANITA CERQETTI, the incomparable soprano with the very short career and one of the most distinguished singers of the century. She is at her prime and sings admirably some of her signature Verdis (Ernani, Forza, Aida) and one curiosity that has been ineffably sealed by her art: Agnese di Hohenstauffen, by Spontini. According to Bob Rideout, her rendering of the main aria "O! Re dei Cieli" is "one of the most thrilling pieces of singing ever recorded", both here and in her official Decca recital. I can't but agree! I have a preference for the more polished studio version, but here, live she is even more powerfull dramaticaly. For anyone interested in Anita and in great singing!
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