Verdi - Requiem / Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, Daniela Barcellona, Julian Konstantinov, Claudio Abbado, Berlin Philharmonic

Starring:Angela Gheorghiu, Daniela Barcellona, Roberto Alagna, Julian Konstantinov, Claudio Abbado, Berlin Opera Philharmonic
Studio: Angel Records
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Amazon.com
For its sheer power and its precise balance of the two visions (epic and personal) embodied in Verdi's masterpiece, this is the Requiem to have. It would be hard to quarrel with anyone who chooses Leontyne Price in the 1967 Herbert von Karajan recording over Angela Gheorghiu, or Luciano Pavarotti over Roberto Alagna; the differences are slight and a matter of personal taste. But this is the most intensely dramatic of Verdi's works, including no less a climax than the flaming end of the world, and Claudio Abbado treats the composer's vision even more powerfully than von Karajan, with a magnificent orchestra and chorus at his disposal.

Amazon.com

For its sheer power and its precise balance of the two visions (epic and personal) embodied in Verdi's masterpiece, this is the Requiem to have. It would be hard to quarrel with anyone who chooses Leontyne Price in the 1967 Herbert von Karajan recording over Angela Gheorghiu, or Luciano Pavarotti over Roberto Alagna; the differences are slight and a matter of personal taste. But this is the most intensely dramatic of Verdi's works, including no less a climax than the flaming end of the world, and Claudio Abbado treats the composer's vision even more powerfully than von Karajan, with a magnificent orchestra and chorus at his disposal.

Customer Reviews:

A sickly Abbado .......2006-04-11

Reply to Rodney's question - the reason, according to Gramophone's review, behind Abbado's sickly appearance is because only a few weeks(?) earlier the maestro had been on his sick-bed. This lended a tremendous ethereal and fiery element to the perfomance itself. What musician wouldn't give 200% for their dying director?

It's evident from beginning to end the level of meticulous care that went into preparing this performance. Every section of the orchestra plays with typical Germanic gusto, but with a sensitivity only a native Italian can wring out of a score by a very Italian composer. As is the norm with Abbado's conducting, the melody is always at the forefront. Though there be blazing dynamics galore (especially in the Dies Irae), it merely teeters on the brink of theatrical. Some call this work 'operatic', but many will appreciate Abbado's careful approach toward the spiritual qualities in the score, allowing the religious characteristics (from an otherwise unreligious Verdi) to shine through where others might turn it into fanfare.

Here, the opportunity to showcase two excellent choirs is siezed beautifully. Ever mindful of the somber nature of this work, the singers do not merely bark the notes, but 'pray' each phrase as though their lives depended on it. The soloists are, for the most part, solid throughout. Roberto Alagna doesn't have the great lyrical tenor voice of Pavarotti, but his flexibility and confident diction more than make up for it. Enough can't be said of Angela Gheorghiu's dramatic impetus, so moving in the 'libera me' that it prompted my roommate, a non-opera fan, to say that she "couldn't breathe for the last three minutes, and I couldn't even understand why".

This is a powerful rendition of Verdi's magnum opus. While others may prefer more familiar and better controlled soloists (Karajan's set), this is easier to listen to and often very exciting.

Magnificent.......2004-07-06

Although I have a maximum of 1000 words, only one is needed here: magnificent.
I bought this DVD, got home, and thought I would listen to the beginning to see how it would be. Wrong thought -- there is no way to stop in the middle.
The soloists are unknown to me and they are not the big name performers as in other performances, but this doesn't matter. They set the tone that Abaddo wants.
Abaddo brings out things in the orchestra that I never heard in this requiem. The multiple choirs singing are heavenly.
As I was listening to this recording I could not help but say to myself that this is going to be the recording that everyone will be talking about -- this is an historical legend. This is one of those rare moments in life that you need to cherish. There is no way to put in words the feelings that you get listening and watching this performance. Abbado here is more than a conductor, he is an actor, and a director. He creates an atmosphere.
Give yourself a real treat and listen to/watch this DVD.

An incredible concert with an amazing sound!.......2003-12-26

Almost everything has already been said before. The orchestra and the conducting are excelent, the soloist are very good and the bright and cristal clear sound is incredible!

For those who insist on comparing it with the Karajan record, I have to say that deciding on one of them is a matter of taste, but for those who want the experience the next best thing to being there, this is the one to buy. The great sound of this recording can really bring the best out of a home theater or hifi system.

Thanks Emi for bringing us such a well produced recording of such a great occasion!

Great performance.......2003-11-09

The conducting is very good, The orchestra is excelent and Gheorghiu really shines! Alagna is not the best tenor around, but he is ok. The same aplies to Barcelona. On the other hand, Julian Konstantinov is really very bad for the Requiem... Any one who doesn't own the Karajan version, casting Pavarotti and the extraordinary Ghiaurov,Price and Cossotto, should definitelly buy that one first. But this one is the best second choice around.

Brilliant.......2003-04-18

I had the pleasure of attending Mr. Abbado's concerts number of times and I can tell you that his concerts are glorious. Unfortunately, seldom the spirit of his concerts have been successfully captured in his recordings; this DVD nevertheless, is one of those rare occasions. For those of you who inquired about his condition: Mr. Abbado was suffering from stomach cancer but as far as I know he has fully recovered. I met him in person after the opening concert in Carnegie Hall in October of 2001, and I must tell you, his frail face brought tears to my eyes.

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