CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

Verdi - Otello / Muti, Domingo, Frittoli, Nucci, Ceron, La Scala

starring: Plácido Domingo, Leo Nucci, Cesare Catani, Barbara Frittoli, Rossana Rinaldi
directed by: Carlo Battistoni

Release Date October 21, 2003
Domingo, Domingo, Domingo...what an incredible singer and actor. I've seen the other two Othellos and they are both marvellous. It's incredible how consistently good Domingo is in all three performances. This is definitely a great version to have in your opera collection. Personally, this is my favorite because I really like the way Barbara Frittoli portrays Desdemona. Her Desdemona is defiant and strong. Frittoli has terrific dramatic instincts and is a beautiful lady too. Frittoli plays Desdemona in an ever-increasing state of shock and disbelief which is far more credible than timid Desdemonas popularized by other sopranos. Watch the scene where Othello orders her to "cry" and down to the ground. Frittoli's Desdemona fights her pride and ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Verdi - Il Trovatore

starring: Carl Tanner, Iano Tamar, Zeljko Lucic, Marianne Cornetti, Giovanni Parodi
directed by: Robert Carsen

Release Date September 25, 2007
After reading Scott Morrison's very detailed review I was somewhat skeptical about purchasing this work. I trust Mr. Morrison's opinions and always check to see what he has written before making any purchase. However, in this instance I must beg to differ with the impression that his review creates. I have owned for some time the Opus Arte Royal Opera House Covent Garden version of the same opera which has, as expected, several very big name opera stars and a fine orchestra. This is very different from the Bregenz Festspiele version where the only person who might be known is the stage director Robert Carsen. As `Opera' the Covent Garden version rates (IMHO) 4 stars; but in terms of `Entertainment' the work would struggle to get 2 or 3 stars. This newest ... Read More: