Verdi - La Forza del Destino - Milanov, Di Stefano, Warren - Previtali 1958At the time of this recording's release, there were those critics who lamented Zinka Milanov's vocal decline, Leonard Warren's faults, as well as Giuseppe di Stefano's unsuitability for the tenor role in this opera. I dismiss most of this. Zinka Milanov, was in fact, 52 at the time of this recording, and may have lost a little of the steadiness she had a few years before, but very little else. The soaring and incomparable Milanov can still be heard with the "plush" and "spin" on her voice. She basically sounds no different than she does on her superb "Aida" recording done three years before.Donna Leonora was possibly her greatest role and her work here fully supports her reputation. Who, I wonder, could sing this music TODAY like Milanov does on this recording? The same might well be said about Leonard Warren, who, despite occasional scooping, and other mannerisms, displays here a full and sonorous baritone that no one today could approach. Giuseppe di Stefano was essentially a lyric tenor, and the role of Don Alvaro was a big stretch for him, but once into it, he brings a substantial voice, involvement, and real commitment to his work. Georgio Tozzi sings a very smooth Padre Guardiano and Rosiland Elias is a vocally rich sounding gypsy. --Amazon customer
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