Description:

This performance of Simon Boccanegra from 1958 finds Tito Gobbi at the height of both his vocal and interpretive powers.  His voice is suave and free of the snarl that would distinguish his later years (although that is not to say that he was not afraid to sacrifice the quality of his tone for dramatic effect.)  He is quite moving in his duet with Amelia.  And what an Amelia in the form of Leyla Gencer!  Amelia is always a difficult the role because it requires an ingénue voice with slancio.  In 1958 Leyla Gencer met both of those demands perfectly.   Mirto Pichi’s tone may seem a little strange to some but the man had incredible control over his voice.  His aria in particular is very elegantly sung.  The sound is excellent.

OD 10324-2