The young Verdi - Vol. 3Un giorno di regno - Cossotto, Norman, Carreras - Gardelli 1973
2CDs - ADD - 1h58'44
Philips 1989
Ingvar Wixell - Cavalier Belfiore, Wladimiro Ganzarolli - Baron Kelbar, Fiorenza Cossotto - Marchesa del Poggio, Jessye Norman - Giulietta, Vincenzo Sardinero - Gasparo Antonio La Rocca, José Carreras - Edoardo di Sanval, Riccardo Cassinelli - Count Ivrea, William Elvin - Delmonte/Servant
Ambrosian Singers/John McCarthy
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Lamberto Gardelli
Recorded 8/1973, London
Ingvar Wixell fills the major role of Belfiore, the false King Stanislaus of the original libretto, with relish and panache, though not quite enough Italianate brio. The two buffo bass parts are in fact sung by baritones, but Ganzarolli and Sardinero make one forget that they haven't quite the requisite bottom to their voices by dint of their lively characterization. Although the Marchesa is supposedly the soprano role, Giulietta the mezzo, Giulietta has the higher lying line and the Marchesa was sung originally by a mezzo, so the casting here is apt enough. As ever, Cossotto provides strong tone and clean attack. The young Jessye Norman sings with just the warmth her part needs. It is also a pleasure to hear the youthful Carreras providing the plaintive voice the romantic lead calls for. Altogether this set is a delight to the ear and should be in every Verdian's library." --Gramophone 12/1989, Alan Blyth
