Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Popoli di Pekino! - Sabin Markov, Luciano Pavarotti, Nicolai Ghiaurov, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
2. Gira la cote! - Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballé, Wandsworth School Boys Choir, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
3. O giovinetto! Grazia, grazia! - Luciano Pavarotti, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
4. Figlio, che fai? - Nicolai Ghiaurov, Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballé, Pier Francesco Poli, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
5. Fermo! Che fai? T'arresta - Tom Krause, Pier Francesco Poli, Piero de Palma, Luciano Pavarotti, Nicolai Ghiaurov, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
6. Signore, ascolta - Montserrat Caballé, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
7. Non piangere Liù - Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballé, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Tom Krause, Pier Francesco Poli, Piero de Palma, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
8. Olà, Pang! Olà, Pong! - Tom Krause, Pier Francesco Poli, Piero de Palma, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
9. Ho una casa nell'Honan - Tom Krause, Pier Francesco Poli, Piero de Palma, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
10. O mondo, O mondo - Tom Krause, Pier Francesco Poli, Piero de Palma, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
11. Introduzione (Scene 2) - London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
12. Gravi, enormi ed impotenti - The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
13. Un giuramento atroce mi costringe - Peter Pears, Luciano Pavarotti, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
14. Popolo di Pekino - Sabin Markov, Wandsworth School Boys Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta

Disc 2:

1. In questa reggia - Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
2. Straniero, ascolta - Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Peter Pears, Montserrat Caballé, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
3. Gloria, gloria, o vincitore - Joan Sutherland, Peter Pears, Luciano Pavarotti, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
4. Tre enigmi m'hai proposto - Luciano Pavarotti, Peter Pears, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
5. Introduzione - Così comanda Turandot - The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
6. Nessun dorma! - Luciano Pavarotti, Tom Krause, Pier Francesco Poli, Piero de Palma, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
7. Principessa divina! - Tom Krause, Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Montserrat Caballé, Nicolai Ghiaurov, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
8. Tu che di gel sei cinta - Montserrat Caballé, Luciano Pavarotti, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
9. Liù! Liù! Sorgi! Sorgi! - Nicolai Ghiaurov, Tom Krause, Pier Francesco Poli, Piero de Palma, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
10. Principessa di morte! - Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
11. Che è mai di me? - Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, Wandsworth School Boys Choir, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
12. "Del primo pianto" - "Più grande vittoria non voler" - Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
13. So il tuo nome! - Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta
14. "Diecimile anni al nostro Imperatore"-"Padre augusto" augusto" - Joan Sutherland, The John Alldis Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Zubin Mehta

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4671 in Music
• Released on: 1985-02-07
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Box set
• Dimensions: .69 pounds
• Running time: 117 minutes

Customer Reviews

Fabulous- the perfect Turandot
This is simply a great recording by some of the world's best singers. The fact that Sir Peter Pears, a world-famous tenor, plays only a minor part is indicative of an excellent overall quality.

The supporting cast, including Pears and Krause are of the highest quality as is the John Aldis choir and the boys choir. There are no weak links here!

Where the recording really shines, however, is in the three most important roles. Sutherland is simply fantastic. Despite being considered by many not to have the dramatic power she soars above the choir and orchestra and even out-shines and out-sings Luciano Pavarotti, who is surprisingly restrained and sweet-toned throughout (speaking as one who usually dislikes his singing).

Monserat Caballe provides an excellent Liu, singing well with Pavarotti and Sutherland and adding her own touches of inspiration and lyric beauty.

All in all this is a fantastic buy. Don't be tempted by cheaper versions with the likes of Nilsson or Caballe in the title role or Domingo as Calaf- I've heard both of the two above and this exceeds them by far.

Bravo
If you buy just one opera recording ever, if you want to hear opera at its best, then buy this recording. If you a complete novice to the magnificent art of opera this is the disc. If you are a great opera lover this is a recording you cannot be without. Puccini sadly died before completing the final touches to the score, but this is still one of his finest pieces.

When you look at the line up you would think that this was a gala of famous put together when they were at the end of their careers. But then check out the date it was recorded in 1972. This is a before they famous and at their very best. This is before the three tenors and at the time only Joan Sutherland had a world renowned reputation. Better known for her magnificent performances of Donizetti this recording shows that reputation was well deserved. She can turn her voice magnificently to the king of opera. Pavarotti was at his very best, a lot lighter and before his reputation spoiled him, it has the best version of Nessun dorma Luciano ever committed to disc. Montserrat Caballé is magnificent. Her beautiful performance of Liu is a real steal. For those who have managed to see good production Liu often provides an opportunity for a good young singer to shine. In this version we see the best example of this.

The quality is excellent and when you listen to this you will understand why they all went on to be famous. Be proud it was recorded in London with the Wandsworth School Boys' Choir . Mehta brings the whole ensemble brilliantly together. Do not be tempted into other versions, the shorter highlights are good but why go for the second best when you can have the best. Do not buy other version featuring Pavarotti. This recording will be still around in 100 years as the best recording of this great Puccini opera ever done. In case you are wondering the fat lady sings and lives in this one.

A Landmark Recording
Gramaphone Magazine said, "Dame Joan Sutherland's assumption if the title role is statuesque, combining regal poise with a more human warmth, whilst Montserrat Caballe is a touchingly sympathetic Liu, skillfully steering the character...Pavarotti's Calaf is a heroic figure in splendid voices and the chorus is handled with great power, baying for blood one minute, enraptured with liu's noability the next."

This is a truly essential recording for Puccini lovers and is perfect for anyone starting an Opera collection. Superb.