Madama Butterfly
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Music CD Cover
Performer: Paolo MontarsoloPerformer: Giuseppe Morresi
Performer: Silvana Padoan
Performer: Piero de Palma
Performer: Rolando Panerai
Edition: Music CD
Format: Original recording remastered
CD Release Date: 2002-09-17
Music Label: EMI Classics
Soundtracks:
Music CD 1
- E Soffitto...E Pareti
- Questa E La Cameriera
- Che Guardi?...Se Non Giunge Ancor La Sposa
- Dovunque Al Mondo
- Quale Smania Vi Prender!
- Ecco! Son Giunte Al Sommo Del Pendio
- Gran Ventrua
- L'Imperial Commissario
- Vieni, Amor Mio!
- Leri Son Salita Tutta Sola
- Tutti Zitti!...E Concesso Al Nominato
- Ed Eccoci In Farmiglia
- Bimba, Bimba, Non Piangere
- Viene Le Sera
- Quest'Obi Pomposa
- Bimba Dagli Occhi Pieni Di Malia
- Vogliatemi Bene, Un Bene Piccolino
- Vieni, Vieni...Via Dall'Anima In Pena
- E Izaghi Ed Izanami
- Suzuki...E Lungi La Miseria?
- Un Bel Di Vedremo
- C'e. Entrate
- Ah Si, Gogo, Appena B.F. Pinkerton Fu In Mare
- Si Sa Che Aprir La Porta
- Ora A Noi
- Qui Troncarla Conviene
- E Questo? E Questo?
- Che Tua Madre Dovra
- Lo Scendo Al Piano
- Vespa! Rospo Maledetto!
- Una Nave De Guerra
- Scuoti Quella Fronda Di Ciliegio
- Or Vienmi Ad Adornar
- Coro A Bocca Chiusa
- Introduzione/Oh Eh! Oh Eh! Oh Eh!
- Gia Il Sole
- Chi Sia? Oh!...Zitta! Zitta!
- Lo So Che Alle Sue Pene
- Addio, Fiorito Asil
- Glielo Dirai?
- Tu, Suzuki, Che Sei Tanto Buona
- Come Una Mosca Prigioniera
- Con Onor Muore
Free Music Notes for Madama Butterfly
Free Music Review: The Definitive Butterfly
Hit: 5 Stars
There are a few recordings that I believe most opera lovers can agree on: the Beecham Boheme and the Callas Tosca stand at the top of the list. This Butterfly belongs in that group. There is not a weak link the entire recording. First and foremost, Butterly is a soprano's opera -- probably more so than any other opera. From her entrance until her death, Butterly is never offstage except for the brief period at the start of act III when sleeping. However, a beautiful voice is not enough. The ability to go from sounding like a 15 year old girl in act I to being almost weary in act III is not easily done. Renata Scotto has done it in this recording better than any one. Her's is the ultimate reading of the drama. She sounds much younger in Act I than in Acts II and III. For some, the highlight of the opera is Un Bel Di. However, for me, it comes a bit later is in the letter scene with Sharpless. In Che Tua Madre, Scotto will rip your heart out. At the end of the aria, on her first "morta" on the high A, it stabs you like the knofe that is soon coming. Sharp, pointed and wrenching -- maybe even the best single note in any recorded opera. It's that magnificent. I had the privilege of seeing Scotto do Butterfly later in her career (after some of the wear and tear had introduced some wobble in the upper register). Dramatically, they were among the most intense performances I have ever seen. Amazingly, on this recording, she conveys the same dramatic line as well as being at the prime of her vocal career.
This is the recording that introduced me to the glorious Carlo Bergonzi. His Pinkerton is simply unequaled. Although I am one of the biggest Domingo fans, Placido could never approach Berognzi's Pinkerton. Bergonzi's portrayal is not quite the cad most others project, but his emotional breakdown at the realization of what he has caused at the end of the opera almost makes you feel sorry for him. Being able to make Pinkerton sympathetic is a neat trick. It shows how great Bergonzi is as Pinkerton.
The third leg of the stars is Rolando Panerai as Sharpless. I don't know of anyone who does not believe this is the greatest Sharpless recorded. Warm and sympathetic when needed, reproaching but never condeming with Pinkerton in both Act I and III.
Lastly, Sir John Barbirolli leads the forces masterfully. Sir John only recorded two operas, but I'm glad this is one of them. The story is told in the liner notes of how the Rome Orchestra a few weeks before had played about as bad as possible on another recording and still get paid. Yet here, just a few weeks later, they play their hearts out for him. His pacing makes the drama and the dramatic portrayal by the rest of the cast even more intense. His reading is flawless.
There are not enough adjectives in the thesaurus to describe how magnificent this recording is. If you don't know Butterfly, this is the recording that will make you fall in love with the opera. If you love the opera, this recording will remind you why. This recording belongs in every opera lover's library.
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