Il trovatore

Il Trovatore may have a somewhat convoluted story, but it contains one of Verdi's most complex and melodically rich scores, and is a great opera in general. This live recording is fantastic, mainly due to how fresh and fearless conductor Riccardo Muti approaches the score.

The orchestra play with a powerful, often spine-tingling sound under him, and the chorus sing with good balance and clarity. The Anvil Chorus doesn't fall into the trap into being too joyless like some Trovatores have done.

Sound is good, if occasionally on the muffled side. The singing from the principals is excellent. I don't think I have heard Barbara Frittoli better than she is here as Leonora, her runs are clean and her phrasing and pianissimos are things(some of the best of any soprano alongside Caballe and Milanov) sopranos would envy. Her D'Amor Sul'Alle Rosee is one of the better renditions I've heard.

Salvatore Licitra(RIP) is a very promising Manrico. While there is a sense of stand there and sing sort of quality about his singing, his ringing top is nonetheless thrilling and his singing is not reminiscent of just one dynamic all the way through. Leo Nucci mayn't erase memories of Bastianini but he does bring menace, dramatic nuances, humanity and great phrasing to the role.

Violetta Urmana is a revelation as Azucena. The voice mayn't have the blood-curdling quality of Cossotto or Arkhipova for example, but it is very accurate and beautiful, and there is some evidence of intensity and bitterness in her vocal acting. Giorgio Giuseppini is an excellent Ferrando.

All in all, fantastic if not quite the best Trovatore. 9/10 Bethany Cox