Verdi: Requiem Reviews

1982

Rated:
70
from 72 members

MESSA DA REQUIEM is considered Verdi's sacred tour de force and this live recording featured as part of the 1982 Edinburgh festival. Claudio Abbado conducts tenor Jose Carreras and soprano Jessye Norman among others, accompanied by the Edinburgh Festival Chorus and London Symphony Orchestra. Read more

Starring	Edinburgh Festival Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Margaret Price, Jessye Norman
Director	Humphrey Burton
Genres	Music/Musical

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Most helpful members' reviews (2) of Verdi: Requiem
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

A Benchmark Recording

This is a live recording of a performance in the Usher Hall in Edinburgh from the 1982 Festival. A mighty fine orchestra and chorus, 4 perfect soloists and a master conductor - what better combination could you wish for? The 4 soloists are all in the prime of their singing careers - Margaret Price, before the nerves hit her and led to her cancelling many live appearances - spins the most stunning notes in golden, floating arcs - the Requiem aeternam in the Libera Me is music to weep to; Jessye Norman, officially as a majesterial mezzo although her voice was already moving towards the soprano range; Jose Carreras before his voice was inevitably weakened by his battle with leukaemia; and Ruggiero Raimondi, with a voice like the darkest velvet. The performance is electric, the live setting only adding to the atmosphere; the recording quality is excellent particularly for the 1980's when many performances were recorded on videotape and are now transferred to DVD with variable results - unlike this disc which is beautifully clear in both picture and sound ( I'm not sure what the previous reviewer was referring to since the Usher Hall is flooded with lights!)

Unreservedly recommended as a benchmark recording!
- - Jeremy Fielding from Kent, UK
  - Posted 27 Feb 2007 20:31
great singing.

The singing was superb,and the accting

could not be faulted,it was one of the best Verdi I have seen except,it was very Dark.I know it was supposed to be night time,but it was still very enjoyable.
- - Dennis Lawrence from Tenby,Wales.
  - Posted 19 Feb 2005 14:05

1 out of 1 person found this review helpful

A Benchmark Recording

This is a live recording of a performance in the Usher Hall in Edinburgh from the 1982 Festival. A mighty fine orchestra and chorus, 4 perfect soloists and a master conductor - what better combination could you wish for? The 4 soloists are all in the prime of their singing careers - Margaret Price, before the nerves hit her and led to her cancelling many live appearances - spins the most stunning notes in golden, floating arcs - the Requiem aeternam in the Libera Me is music to weep to; Jessye Norman, officially as a majesterial mezzo although her voice was already moving towards the soprano range; Jose Carreras before his voice was inevitably weakened by his battle with leukaemia; and Ruggiero Raimondi, with a voice like the darkest velvet. The performance is electric, the live setting only adding to the atmosphere; the recording quality is excellent particularly for the 1980's when many performances were recorded on videotape and are now transferred to DVD with variable results - unlike this disc which is beautifully clear in both picture and sound ( I'm not sure what the previous reviewer was referring to since the Usher Hall is flooded with lights!)

Unreservedly recommended as a benchmark recording!
- - Jeremy Fielding from Kent, UK
  - Posted 27 Feb 2007 20:31
great singing.

The singing was superb,and the accting

could not be faulted,it was one of the best Verdi I have seen except,it was very Dark.I know it was supposed to be night time,but it was still very enjoyable.
- - Dennis Lawrence from Tenby,Wales.
  - Posted 19 Feb 2005 14:05