Massenet - Werther / Alagna · Gheorghiu · Hampson · Petibon

Massenet - Werther / Alagna · Gheorghiu · Hampson · Petibon · Courtis · Fouchécourt · Frémeau · LSO · Pappano
- GHEORGHIU / ALAGNA / PAPPANO /
- MUSICA CLASICA
- INTERNATIONAL
- MUSIC
The modern discography of Massenet's Werther has long been dominated by the (currently out of print) Philips recording starring JosÃ© Carreras and Frederica von Stade as well as the earlier EMI version with Alfredo Kraus and Tatiana Troyanos. But this EMI newcomer is within shouting distance of greatness, mainly due to conductor Antonio Pappano. Although any Werther succeeds or fails on the strength of its singers, the conductor is a crucial catalyst (on the Philips set, it's Colin Davis, while on EMI it's Michel Plasson) for maintaining the poetic intensity in a drama that can too easily seem like a naive case study in stalking. The Byronic title character essentially practices emotional blackmail on the married woman he loves by never hiding his suicidal tendencies, though one never thinks such mundane thoughts with tenor Roberto Alagna. Although his voice lacks the tenor bloom one might want, he's so at home with the role and the French language that he delivers a characterization full of imagination and immediacy, sometimes bordering on vocal genius. Soprano Angela Gheoghiu's vocal center is too high for this mezzo role, but she makes a vivid impression through the sheer force of her personality. Thomas Hampson gives vocal glamour but surprising dramatic restraint to the role of her husband, Albert. Although the sound quality is somewhat studio bound, Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra play as if it's a live performance. --David Patrick Stearns
Country USA
Brand EMI CLASSICS
Manufacturer EMI Classics
Binding Audio CD
ItemPartNumber 724355682024
ReleaseDate 1999-10-19
UnitCount 2
UPCs 724355682024
EANs 0072435568202

Country	USA
Brand	EMI CLASSICS
Manufacturer	EMI Classics
Binding	Audio CD
ItemPartNumber	724355682024
ReleaseDate	1999-10-19
UnitCount	2
UPCs	724355682024
EANs	0072435568202

Massenet - Werther / Alagna · Gheorghiu · Hampson · Petibon · Courtis · Fouchécourt · Frémeau · LSO · Pappano

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