Album

Decca's 1972 recording of Turandot features an all-star cast led by Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti. Turandot doesn't seem like the most natural role for Sutherland and she never sang it on-stage, but she adapts to its requirements with panache, delivering a performance with an impressive dramatic range and dazzling vocal mastery. Pavarotti was close to the height of his powers when he made the recording and he sings with his characteristic passion and warmth. Montserrat Caballé, who had also sung the title role, is fabulous as Liù, creating a vivid characterization and singing with exceptional purity. It's real luxury casting to have singers of the reputation of Nicolai Ghiaurov, Peter Pears, and Tom Krause in the roles of Timur, the Emperor, and Ping, and they each bring great artistry to these small roles. The London Philharmonic Orchestra plays the score with sparkle and spirit, and the John Alldis Choir is terrific in the crucial choral parts. Zubin Mehta captures the Romantic sweep and the colorful strangeness of the opera and gives it a convincing, dramatic shape. The sound is mostly good, but doesn't quite have the depth or presence typical of Decca's best opera recordings.

© Stephen Eddins, Rovi

CD 1 of 2
Giacomo Puccini Composer Turandot (opera)...Act 1 Work 33:11 Pier Francesco Poli Voice, Peter Pears Tenor, Joan Sutherland Voice, Russell Burgess Chorus/Choir Director, Montserrat Caballé Voice, Tom Krause Baritone, Piero de Palma Tenor, John Alldis Chorus/Choir Director, Luciano Pavarotti Tenor, John Alldis Choir Chorus/Choir, Sabin Markov Voice, Nicolai Ghiaurov Voice, Wandsworth School Boys' Choir Chorus/Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra Orchestra, Zubin Mehta Conductor
1	1.Popolo di Pekino!; 2.Indietro, cani!; 3.Padre! Mio padre!	5:34			$0.99
2	5.Gira la cote! 6.Perchè tarda la luna? 7.La, sui monti dell'Est	7:03			$1.49
3	8.O giovinetto! Grazia, grazia!; 9.La grazia, Principessa!; O divina bellezza	4:59			$0.99
4	10.Figlio, che fai?	1:39			$0.49
5	11.Fermo! Che fai? T'arresta!; 12.Silenzio, ola!; 13.Notte senza lumicino	6:14			$0.99
6	15.Signore, ascolta!	2:39			$0.99
7	16.Non piangere, Liù!; 17.Ah! Per l'ultima volta!	5:03			$0.99
Giacomo Puccini Composer Turandot (opera)...Act 2 Work 44:20 Pier Francesco Poli Voice, Peter Pears Tenor, Joan Sutherland Voice, Russell Burgess Chorus/Choir Director, Montserrat Caballé Voice, Tom Krause Baritone, Piero de Palma Tenor, John Alldis Chorus/Choir Director, Luciano Pavarotti Tenor, John Alldis Choir Chorus/Choir, Sabin Markov Voice, Nicolai Ghiaurov Voice, Wandsworth School Boys' Choir Chorus/Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra Orchestra, Zubin Mehta Conductor
8	1.Ola, Pang! Ola, Pong!; 2.O Cina, che or sussulti	3:17			$0.99
9	3.Ho una casa nell'Honan	3:41			$0.99
10	4.O mondo, o mondo; 5.Addio, amore, addio, razza; 6.Non v'e in China per nostra fortuna; 7.Udite trombe! Altro che pace; 8.Introduzione	5:33			$0.99
11	8.Introduzione	1:00			$0.49
12	9.Gravi, enormi ed imponenti	3:27			$0.99
13	10.Un giuramento atroce mi costringe	4:02			$0.99
14	12.Popolo di Pekino!	1:48			$0.49

CD 2 of 2
1	13.In questa reggia; 14.O, Principi, che a lunghe carovane	6:33			$0.99
2	15.Straniero, ascolta; 16.Si! Rinasce!; 17.Guizza al pari di fiamma; 18.Si, Principessa!; 19.Gelo che ti dà foco; 20.La mia vittoria; 21.Gloria, gloria, o vincitore!	6:49			$0.99
3	21.Gloria, gloria, o vincitore!; 22.Figlio del Cielo!; 23.No, no, Principessa altera	4:07			$0.99
4	24.Tre enigmi m'hai proposto; 25.Ai tuoi piedi ci prostriam	4:03			$0.99
Giacomo Puccini Composer Turandot (opera)...Act 3 Work 39:24 Pier Francesco Poli Voice, Peter Pears Tenor, Joan Sutherland Voice, Russell Burgess Chorus/Choir Director, Montserrat Caballé Voice, Tom Krause Baritone, Piero de Palma Tenor, John Alldis Chorus/Choir Director, Luciano Pavarotti Tenor, John Alldis Choir Chorus/Choir, Sabin Markov Voice, Nicolai Ghiaurov Voice, Wandsworth School Boys' Choir Chorus/Choir, London Philharmonic Orchestra Orchestra, Zubin Mehta Conductor
5	1.Introduzione. Cosi comanda Turandot	3:25			$0.99
6	2.Nessun dorma; 3.Tu che guardi le stelle; 4.Straniero, tu non sai	6:42			$0.99
7	5.Principessa divina!; 6.Signor, non parlero!; 7.Chi pose tanta forza nel tuo cuore?; 8.Tanto amore segreto	7:10			$1.49
8	10.Tu che di gel sei cinta	2:51			$0.99
9	11.Liù! Liù! Sorgi!	4:41			$0.99
10	13.Principessa di morte	3:17			$0.99
11	14.Che è mai di me?	2:45			$0.99
12	16.Del primo pianto; 17.C'era negli occhi tuoi; 18.Piu grande vittoria non voler!	3:57			$0.99
13	19.So il tuo nome!	2:13			$0.99
14	20.Diecimila anni al nostro Imperatore!; 21.Padre augusto	2:23			$0.99