Product Description

OP1302. LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR, Live Performance, 26 Feb., 1959, w.Serafin Cond.Royal Opera House Ensemble;
Joan Sutherland, João Gibin, John Shaw, Joseph Rouleau, Kenneth MacDonald, etc. (England) 2-Royal Opera House Heritage ROHS002. Slipcase Edition. Long out-of-print, Final Sealed Copy! - 5024545368529
CRITIC REVIEWS:
“This LUCIA DI LAMMERMOOR was taped in 1959 during the opening run of the epoch-making Franco Zeffirelli production that made Joan Sutherland a star overnight. No one had sung Lucia with quite such vocal amplitude or agility before, and you can feel yourself being swept away with the audience as their enthusiasm reaches fever pitch. The climactic high E flats in the mad scene sound effortful, whereas a couple of years later Sutherland could hit them with matchless security, and anyone familiar with her later performances may find this occasionally wanting in dramatic depth.”
- Tim Ashley, THE GUARDIAN, 11 Aug., 2006
“Here [Sutherland] is the primary focus of interest. It is hard to imagine her realisation of Lucia as presented here ever being bettered. Her conception is exceptionally feminine and is delivered with a vocal virtuosity that is simply breathtaking….Throughout the evening, Serafin’s mastery of the…score is fully evident….If future issues in this welcome series can maintain or even approach [this] exalted level…opera-lovers everywhere are in for an extended treat.”
- David Patmore, CLASSIC RECORD COLLECTOR, Autumn, 2006