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Anna Bolena on Cd

22K views 104 replies 17 participants last post by  DarkAngel 
#1 ·
I already have the Maria Callas Anna Bolena and now want another one. Which should I get:



 
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#2 ·
There are others







But choice is difficult. None of these Annas is anywhere near in the Callas class. Sutherland is caught too late, Gruberova and Sills too light of voice, and Suliotis just hasn't the technique, though she does have some of the necessary grandeur. There are other good things about the Suliotis recording though. It's absolutely complete, has an excellent Giovanna in Horne and probably the best Enrico in Ghiaurov. Alexander isn't bad and Varviso conducts well. it's probably the one I'd go for, despite Suliotis's vagaries.

On the other hand I don't know the Theodossiou. I'm assuming that's live, like the Callas recording.
 
#50 · (Edited)
That said (above), this is an interesting set that I have considered purchasing, but it is apparently not complete, being listed at 167 minutes per the Ebay listing info. But considering advice previously given in this thread,
Sutherland is caught too late, Gruberova and Sills too light of voice,.
And the fact that I don't care for the Sills set for that very reason, is a good reason for me to stay away from the Gruberova set unless, perhaps, if it is in the bargain bin.

Ah, and if Sutherland is caught too late, she still beats Theodossiou is seems.

 
#4 · (Edited)
If you already have Callas recording, now it's time to get Sills. I recommend this one:

View attachment 65842
Sills always sounded too light and soubrettish in these roles for me. I like her as Giulietta in I Capuleti e i Montecchi and in Manon, but, to my mind the Donizetti Queens require a grander voice. For all her undoubted intelligence, she doesn't quite do it for me.
 
#6 ·
Whelp, I did it. I went and got the Theodossiou one, but.... That does not mean I can't go binge on this opera, but I have spent about $200 on music this year already and my sort-of New Year's resolution was to spend less than last year. Well at this rate I'll blow that by the end of the month.

I knew there was a used copy of the Theodossiou set at Dearborn Music so I swung by on my way to the grocery store (about 14 miles out of the way, ha ha) and when i found it was only $14.99 for a used copy in excellent condition, I could not resist. I will say that the sound is very good, well balanced between the soloists, choral parts and music. I really like Theodossiou and first heard her in the DVD of this same opera that I recently watched (different singers than the CD set). The Theodossiou set is a live performance from about 2000 and is complete on three discs.

Here she is in a You Tube clip from the DVD.
 
#10 ·
I watched the Theodossiou clip. It's a bit of a scream and the fast scale passages are a bit sketchy to say the least.

One gripe with the staging, and Theodossiou is not the only one guilty of this, why do so many singers, presumably backed up by their producers, feel the need to scrabble around in the dirt? She was a queen, and even in desperate circumstances, particularly with the court around her, would behave like one. We don't have video evidence of Callas's performances, but in her voice one not only hears outrage, but the outrage of a queen. Such a small point, but an important one.
 
#20 · (Edited)
Besides the EMI releases for Callas, Divina label has a more deluxe CD or download release using BJR (BJ records) master tapes donated to owner of Divina and best of all includes a huge pdf media file with rare photos (355 total in 479 page book) from that performance, the beautiful color photo on CD cover is from the included collection

http://www.divinarecords.com/dvn018/dvn018.html

 
#27 · (Edited)
Just won on ebay. Used good condition for $10. Couldn't resist.


Now I have all four of Donizetti's queens. Number 4 being this gem I picked up a couple weeks ago:


My other Anna Bolena's being Callas and Theodossiou, and my other Maria Stuarda being this (also picked up a couple weeks ago):
 
#30 ·
Just to complete somehow the list of Bolenas on cd mentioned in the thread (though my favorites are indeed Callas and the Gencer of 1958), it could be interesting to listen to Renata Scotto:



This is from 1975, and we can listen to Ms. Scotto producing some acid, rather ugly sounds now and then, shouted high notes, a tendency to balance in excess... On the other hand, she is also able to regulate the sound, to use mezza voce ("va infelice, e teco reca il perdono di Bolena"), and give some beautiful examples of canto spianato, and dramatic singing. The young Samuel Ramey is also a plus on this recording.

My favorite live performer of the role on stage, is Edita Gruberova.
 
#31 · (Edited)
schigolch, do you recommend this Scotto set?

Interesting, but that brings me to my next question. The Scotto CD cover says "Complete Opera" and "Two CD Set." However my Theodossiou set says "First Complete Recording" and is 3 CDs:


What is the story here? Both the Theodossiou CD and DVD (which are different performances) are 3 hours long, but many of the other Anna Bolena CD sets I see are 2 CD? What are we missing? Why do they not produce the whole opera? I think the only other exception is Sills, which is 3 CDs (so Theodossiou's is not the first complete recording).

Oh, and in case anyone hasn't sensed it yet, I think I am getting Anna Bolena fever. I just watched the Sutherland DVD and it spurred me to start scoping other CD sets.
 
#36 ·
Thanks Conte. Then it is worth having for the complete opera, but I think also another bonus is Sonia Ganassi.

Currently listening to Sills' Anna Bolena and likeing it very much.

Just purchased this one (paid more than for the whole Donizetti Sills 3 Queens set which I got for only $10 slightly smoky smelling)
Sleeve One-piece garment Font Magenta Formal wear
 
#37 ·
Thanks Conte. Then it is worth having for the complete opera, but I think also another bonus is Sonia Ganassi.

Currently listening to Sills' Anna Bolena and likeing it very much.

Just purchased this one (paid more than for the whole Donizetti Sills 3 Queens set which I got for only $10 slightly smoky smelling)
View attachment 81823
For that price one can't be to critical.
A few hours in the backyard and fresh again:tiphat:
 
#41 · (Edited)
I started listening to my Anna Bolena sets again after a long time, but only the 3-CD sets. Of those I have Theodossiou, Sills, and Sutherland, this one is really working well for me. Liking it a lot. Might try Gruberova if I ever find a set with a reasonable price, but otherwise, Sutherland is the one that gets a place on my MP3 player for now.

 
#43 ·
Really? I consider that one of Sutherland's weakest studio recordings. (IMHO it was recorded too late in her career.) I am a huge Theodossiou fan so that possibly colours my view somewhat. I will have to give the Sutherland another listen, it's been ages since I last heard it.

N.
 
#45 ·
They are coming in around $20 plus $10 shipping, though bookbutler is not always accurate on shipping cost. I found where I can get it used for $25 shipped, but that is steep for me on this particular opera, which is not my favorite queen--yet.
 
#49 · (Edited)
Just trying to get a fairly complete performance in good sound on CD I came down to these two sets. Both seem to be pretty complete. Between the two I have to go for Sutherland. Not only is Sutherland singing better, but also comparing between Sonya Prina and her counterpart on the Sutherland, I prefer the mezzo on the Sutherland set to Prina.

192 minutes (per Prestomusic.com).


198 minutes (per Prestomusic.com) and claimed to be a complete performance.
 
#51 ·
Six Foot,

the only totally complete recording is the Theodossiou, but Sutherland's can't be far behind. (I can check later for you, but there are normally cuts in the tenor aria in the second scene of act one even in the more complete performances - these cuts make sense as the aria has an odd stop - start nature to it.)

For your tastes I would imagine the Sutherland possibly is the best bet for a studio recording in modern sound, however the Callas on Myto or Divina isn't in bad sound and it's a riveting performance despite the cuts. Do you have it as well?

Do you know the Souliotis recording? I have a very good live recording with her in and I am thinking of getting her studio one, have you heard it, what do you think? I would imagine you would prefer Sutherland, but your opinion is always interesting.

N.
 
#52 · (Edited)
I have the big three: Sills, Theo, and Sutherland. I also have Gencer 1959 which is very good, but sound quality is not as good. I do have the Callas set (was my first one), and should give it another listen. But I have one more, and it appears to be a gem from a quick sampling: Renata Scotto, 1975, Julius Rudel (Opera Depot). Other than background hiss, the sound is pretty good. Yep, going to give this one a listen today!

The Scoto set and the Callas set are also not the best sound qualifyt, so I ordered the Souliotis set which sounds pretty good from You Tube clips.
 
#67 ·
So, the bottom line is we don't have the perfect Anna Bolena recording because of vocal inadequacies, lack of relatively complete performance, and/or other factors. Without Soliotis I would probably put Theodossiou at the top of my list.
 
#82 ·
It's not the type of role that suited Gruberova (the only recordings I have of hers are her Capuleti, Linda di Chamonix and her Fledermaus). She was more of a Puritani, Sonnambula and Giulietta and wasn't suited to Donizetti's queens (although she recorded all three). As most agree it's not the sort of thing that worked for Sills either. Callas, Caballe, Sutherland, Suliotis and Theodossiou are the right voice type for this and it is a shame that their recordings all have flaws. Caballe's is difficult to find, has bad sound and she was having an off night, whereas Sutherland's was made too late and we have discussed the cons of the others.

At some point once I have the Suliotis studio I will do a comparison and review of each.

N.
 
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