Description:

This performance is a rare glimpse into the early career of the great Bulgarian dramatic soprano Ghena Dimitrova.  Few sopranos have been able to master the role of Abigaille and even fewer managed to keep it in their repertoire for upwards of twenty years.   Dimitrova’s voice seemed to have endless reserves of power.  Once you feel like she has reached her limit she manages to switch into overdrive.   This, coupled with the incongruous agility that her voice had, create a perfect storm which made her the ideal proponent of early Verdi dramatic coloratura parts.   The rest of the cast of Bulgarians is good, the one stand-out being the Zaccaria of Nicolai Ghiaurov who sings his part in Italian.  The sound is excellent.

OD 10797-2