Donizetti - L'Elisir d'Amore - Pavarotti, Battle, Nucci, Dara - Levine 1990Performer: Dawn Upshaw, Enzo Dara, Leo Nucci, Luciano Pavarotti, Kathleen Battle
Conductor: James Levine
Orchestra/Ensemble: Metropolitan Opera Chorus, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
This studio recording was made in 1989 coinciding with a memorable production from the Metropolitan Opera, later captured on DVD. It's a delightful performance, and a wonderful highlight of Pavarotti's later career. Kathleen Battle's sparkling soprano is a brilliant accompaniment to Pavarotti's still-ringing tone.
"Pavarotti's voice was still beautiful and pliable, his phrasing exquisite. And he loved the role of Nemorino and always seemed happy with both its comedy and pathos--he steals every scene he's in, and no one minds...Kathleen Battle sings Adina with perfect, pearl-like tone, absolute fluency and commitment, and a trill to die for...Enzo Dara is an ideal Dulcamara, just the right combination of huckster and sentimentalist, with ease in every register and with fast music."
-- Robert Levine, ClassicsToday.com (review of DVD release)
