Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Overture (Preludio) - London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
2. Introduzione. "Della mia bella incognita borghese" - Luciano Pavarotti, Riccardo Cassinelli, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
3. "Questa o quella...Partite? Crudele!" - Luciano Pavarotti, Kiri Te Kanawa, Sherrill Milnes, Riccardo Cassinelli, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goo
4. "Gran nuova! Gran nuova!" - "Tutto è gioia, tutto è festa" (Scena e Coro) - Christian Du Plessis, Luciano Pavarotti, Sherrill Milnes, John Gibbs, Riccardo Cassinelli, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woo
5. "Ch'io gli parti...Voi congiuraste contro noi" - Clifford Grant, Luciano Pavarotti, Sherrill Milnes, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkins
6. "Quel vecchio maledivami...Va, non ho niente" - Sherrill Milnes, Martti Talvela, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
7. Scena e Duetto. "Pari siamo" - Sherrill Milnes, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
8. "Figlia..Mio padre!"..."Quanto dolor" - Sherrill Milnes, Joan Sutherland, Gillian Knight, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
9. "Veglia, o donna, questa fior" - Sherrill Milnes, Joan Sutherland, Gillian Knight, Luciano Pavarotti, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
10. "Giovanni, ho dei rimorsi...E il sol dell'anima" - Joan Sutherland, Gillian Knight, Luciano Pavarotti, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
11. "Che m'ami, deh, ripetimi" - "Addio... speranza ed anima" - Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, John Gibbs, Riccardo Cassinelli, Gillian Knight, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kennet
12. Scena ed Aria. "Gualtier Maldè" - "Caro nome" - David Harvey, Joan Sutherland, Riccardo Cassinelli, John Gibbs, Christian Du Plessis, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilki
13. Scena e Coro - Finale I. "Riedo!... Perché?" - Sherrill Milnes, Riccardo Cassinelli, John Gibbs, Christian Du Plessis, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
14. "Zitti, zitti...Soccorso, padre mio" - Joan Sutherland, Sherrill Milnes, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson

Disc 2:

1. "Ella mi fu rapita...Parmi veder le lagrime" - Luciano Pavarotti, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
2. "Duca, duca!" (Scena) - "Scorrendo uniti" (Coro) - Christian Du Plessis, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, John Gibbs, Riccardo Cassinelli, Luciano Pavarotti, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, Stanley Go
3. "Possente amor" - Luciano Pavarotti, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
4. Scena ed Aria. "Povero Rigoletto!" "La rà, la rà" - Josephte Clement, Christian Du Plessis, Sherrill Milnes, John Gibbs, Riccardo Cassinelli, Ambrosian Opera Chorus, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Wool
5. "Cortigiani, vil razza dannata...Ebben piango" - Sherrill Milnes, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
6. "Mio padre!...Compiuto pur quanto" - Joan Sutherland, Sherrill Milnes, Christian Du Plessis, John Gibbs, Riccardo Cassinelli, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Ke
7. "Schiudete, ire al carcere" - John Noble, Clifford Grant, Sherrill Milnes, Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
8. Scena e Canzona. "E l'ami!" - Sherrill Milnes, Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Martti Talvela, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
9. "La donna è mobile" - "E là il vostr'uomo" - Luciano Pavarotti, Martti Talvela, Sherrill Milnes, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
10. Quartetto. "Un dì, se ben rammentomi" - Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, Huguette Tourangeau, Sherrill Milnes, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
11. "Bella figlia dell'amore" - Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, Huguette Tourangeau, Sherrill Milnes, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
12. "Venti scudi hai tu detto" - Sherrill Milnes, Martti Talvela, Luciano Pavarotti, Huguette Tourangeau, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
13. "Ah, più non ragiono!..." - Joan Sutherland, Huguette Tourangeau, Martti Talvela, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
14. "Della vendetta alfin...Chi è mai" - Sherrill Milnes, Martti Talvela, Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson
15. "V'ho ingannato" - "Lassù... in cielo" - Joan Sutherland, Sherrill Milnes, London Symphony Orchestra, Richard Bonynge, Giuseppe Verdi, David Harvey, Michael Woolcock, Stanley Goodall, Kenneth Wilkinson

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #9160 in Music
• Released on: 1985-05-02
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Dimensions: .59 pounds
• Running time: 117 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
This Rigoletto has been around for so long it might be easy to take it for granted or skip it for a newer set. Don't! It features all three principals in superb voice, as well as pacing from Bonynge that is much heavier on drama than most of us expect from him. Sutherland may sound a bit mature (and mush-mouthed) for Gilda, but not only is she sympathetic, she sings gorgeously. And speaking of gorgeous, those familiar only with the Pavarotti of latter years would be wise to hear him here--this is stylish, full-blooded, Golden Age singing. The beautifully round tone, the easy high notes, the impeccable diction, and the pointed characterisation are unique. Milnes, in the title role, is also in splendid voice, offering smooth legato, brilliant, Verdian ring and real attention to the text. The analogue sound is excellent. No other modern recording offers the visceral thrill of this Rigoletto--go for it. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Essencial Rigoletto
If someone wants to know what opera is about, then this is the first one to hear.
Rigoletto is a very beautiful opera, with a wonderful story.
First we have Milnes as Rigoletto. He is in top form and makes us fill his sadness and the terrible "Malidicione".
Pavarotti is my favorite "Duca". The high D at the end of "Possente Amor" makes me think how can he goes so high.
The point of discussion in many of the reviews is Dame Joan Sutherland's Gilda. Sutherland is a "big girl" with a supreme voice and the best technique ever, and Gilda is a delicate young girl. Of course Callas fans allways put down Sutherland, and vice-versa. So Sutherland has the voice and Callas the acting skills. I personly prefer Sutherland's Gilda over Callas, but thats only my opinion. I think them both deserve the Voice of XX century title.

Brilliant
This is a stunning disc, well presented, with a superb cast. Pavarotti is a superb Duke, Milnes is a strong Rigoletto and Sutherland sings Gilda well. The main competition for this recording is the famous recording by Callas, di Stefano and Gobbi. It is true that Sutherland falls slightly short of the heights reached by Callas, but she does sing gorgeously. Pavarotti is more than equal to di Stefano, with even better high notes, and Milnes' angry Rigoletto is just as stunning as Gobbi.
The Stereo sound is excellent and makes the Callas set sound ghastly in comparison.
This is the best recording made in stereo, and one of the best ever.
Buy with confidence!

Listen, relax & enjoy
A stunning performance of one of the greatest operas, recorded over 30 years ago (in 1971). Pavarotti is splendid as a young & confident Duke while Milnes came as a revelation as Rigoletto. Sutherland's singing is effortlessly flawless, which in no way sounds too old for me (it remains deceptively young while having the depth that comes with years of practice). If her singing is slightly short on the pronunciation or dramatic side it remains divine.

Normally Rigoletto is my second favorite opera (after Don Giovanni), though while listening to this recording it coasts to number one. I do not remember hearing a finer rendition.