Description:

This recording is more than meets the eye.  I just assumed when I saw the cast that Giulietta Simionato was singing Sesto and Luigi Alva was Tito.  When I read closer it turned out  Alva was singing Sesto and Simionato the soprano part of Servillia.  I immediately thought this a mistake and went to “Parto, parto.”  Sure enough there was Alva singing in his tenore di grazia.  After that initial shock I began to enjoy the performance.   Alva knew a thing or two about singing Mozart and delivers the ardor and sincerity that one associates with this part.  I later found out that this was Simionato’s operatic farewell.  It is too bad that she didn’t have more to do in this opera.  However, “S’altro che lacrime” is beautifully sung and she ultimately leaves one frustrated that she did not go on singing for more a few more years.  Renzo Casellato is a sturdy Tito and Virginia Gordoni is very exciting as Vitellia.  The sound is fair to good.

OD 10341-2