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One of many recordings of the opera but a very good one! - there's some fine music on these 3 discs. Very good soloists, excellent conductor and with chorus and orchestra doing some great job I did enjoy the recording. Rise Stevens sings her part "at right temperature" and at no time does she push her voice or in any other way go over the top. I did expect some heavy chest notes from her but actually she avoids this and only sometimes darkens her voice but in a light and elegant way. Licia Albanese: I'm not a huge fan although I must be fair: she does a very good job, her Micaela will appeal to many. Jan Peerce was never my favourite and I think he was a bit of a miscast here (was no other and perhaps more suitable tenor available at the time? - I guess they wanted to make the recording using their own - Met's - forces): there are times where one can hear some effort, obviously at top notes. Perhaps that's just his style / technique but - sadly - it doesn't sound stylish to my ears. Robert Merrill - a great voice although my impression is that he always has been a very reliable singer - but not more than that. That however did not stop me from enjoying his Escamillo. Fritz Reiner makes the whole thing light rather than heavy and never lets the music drag. All in all, a very good recording and I will be getting back to it every now and then - certainly worth listening to.Read full review
Play this on long road trips. Fabulous CD
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This "Carmen" is fiery and essential listening. Reiner brings Bizet's opera to vivid life, as do Peters' incomparable performance as the fatalistic gypsy, and Peerce and Merrill as her ardent lovers. The only contender would be Van Karajan's later version with Price, Corelli and, again, Merill as Escamillo.
Beutiful performance by all vocalists and recording.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
very poor quality recording.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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