Joan Sutherland, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballe, Nicolai Ghiaurov, The John Alldis Choir, Zubin Mehta – Turandot (1972/2014) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Joan Sutherland, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballe, Nicolai Ghiaurov, The John Alldis Choir, Zubin Mehta – Turandot (1972/2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:57:51 minutes | 2,20 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Decca

Turandot is Puccini’s last opera and contains some of his most enchanting and memorable music. This recording features a stellar cast of singers with London Philharmonic Orchestra, masterfully conducted by Zubin Mehta.

Decca’s 1972 recording of Turandot features an all-star cast led by Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti. Turandot doesn’t seem like the most natural role for Sutherland and she never sang it on-stage, but she adapts to its requirements with panache, delivering a performance with an impressive dramatic range and dazzling vocal mastery. Pavarotti was close to the height of his powers when he made the recording and he sings with his characteristic passion and warmth. Montserrat Caballé, who had also sung the title role, is fabulous as Liù, creating a vivid characterization and singing with exceptional purity. It’s real luxury casting to have singers of the reputation of Nicolai Ghiaurov, Peter Pears, and Tom Krause in the roles of Timur, the Emperor, and Ping, and they each bring great artistry to these small roles. The London Philharmonic Orchestra plays the score with sparkle and spirit, and the John Alldis Choir is terrific in the crucial choral parts. Zubin Mehta captures the Romantic sweep and the colorful strangeness of the opera and gives it a convincing, dramatic shape. The sound is mostly good, but doesn’t quite have the depth or presence typical of Decca’s best opera recordings.

Tracklist:
01. Sabin Markov, Luciano Pavarotti, Nicolai Ghiaurov, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 1 – Popoli di Pekino! (05:35)
02. Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballé, Wandsworth School Boys Choir, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 1 – Gira la cote! (07:05)
03. Luciano Pavarotti, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 1 – O giovinetto! Grazia, grazia! (05:07)
04. Nicolai Ghiaurov, Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballé, Pier Francesco Poli, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 1 – Figlio, che fai? (01:39)
05. Tom Krause, Pier Francesco Poli, Piero de Palma, Luciano Pavarotti, Nicolai Ghiaurov, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 1 – Fermo! Che fai? T’arresta! (06:14)
06. Montserrat Caballé, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 1 – Signore, ascolta! (02:40)
07. Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballé, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Tom Krause, Pier Francesco Poli, Piero de Palma, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 1 – Non piangere Liù! (05:14)
08. Tom Krause, Pier Francesco Poli, Piero de Palma, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 2 – Olà, Pang! Olà, Pong! (03:20)
09. Tom Krause, Pier Francesco Poli, Piero de Palma, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 2 – Ho una casa nell’Honan (03:42)
10. Tom Krause, Pier Francesco Poli, Piero de Palma, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 2 – O mondo, O mondo (05:33)
11. London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 2 – Introduzione (00:59)
12. The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 2 – Gravi, enormi ed impotenti (03:27)
13. Peter Pears, Luciano Pavarotti, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 2 – Un giuramento atroce mi costringe (04:03)
14. Sabin Markov, Wandsworth School Boys Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 2 – Popolo di Pekino (01:56)
15. Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 2 – In questa reggia (06:34)
16. Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Peter Pears, Montserrat Caballé, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 2 – Straniero, ascolta (06:48)
17. Joan Sutherland, Peter Pears, Luciano Pavarotti, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 2 – Gloria, gloria, o vincitore (04:06)
18. Luciano Pavarotti, Peter Pears, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 2 – Tre enigmi m’hai proposto (04:13)
19. The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 3 – Introduzione. Così comanda Turandot (03:27)
20. Luciano Pavarotti, Tom Krause, Pier Francesco Poli, Piero de Palma, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 3 – Nessun dorma! (06:42)
21. Tom Krause, Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballé, Nicolai Ghiaurov, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 3 – Principessa divina! (07:10)
22. Montserrat Caballé, Luciano Pavarotti, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 3 – Tu che di gel sei cinta (02:52)
23. Nicolai Ghiaurov, Tom Krause, Pier Francesco Poli, Piero de Palma, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 3 – Liù! Liù! Sorgi! Sorgi! (04:43)
24. Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 3 – Principessa di morte! (03:16)
25. Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Wandsworth School Boys Choir, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 3 – Che è mai di me? (02:46)
26. Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 3 – Del primo pianto (03:57)
27. Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 3 – So il tuo nome! (02:12)
28. Joan Sutherland, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta – Act 3 – Diecimile anni al nostro Imperatore (02:27)

Personnel:
Joan Sutherland – Princess Turandot
Luciano Pavarotti – The Unknown Prince (Calaf), son of Timur
Montserrat Caballé – Liu, a slave girl
Nicolai Ghiaurov – Timur, deposed King of the Tartars
Peter Pears – Emperor Altoum
Tom Krause – Ping, Minister of the Emperor
Pier Francesco Poli – Pang, Minister of the Emperor / The Prince of Persia (second role)
Piero de Palma – Pong, Minister of the Emperor
Sabin Markov – A mandarin

John Alldis Choir – John Alldis: chorus master
Wandsworth School Boys’ Choir – Russell Burgess: chorus master
London Philharmonic Orchestra – Zubin Mehta: conductor

Download: