I borrowed the recording from the library as I was just becoming engrossed with opera/ voices - this was part of a war bond concert in 1944, that included several other excerpts with various artists . I thought the first time I heard this that Mme. Milanov 's was the most beautiful voice I had ever heard. I still think so. What a treasure this is.
There is a later in her career live Tosca with Corelli from London that had the same affect on me. I heard it and said: “who is this amazing soprano!” Milanov was special.
Additionally, the July 25 performance was Merriman's debut performance with the NBC Symphony. She was to appear regularly until Toscanini retired in 1954.
@ detective fiction: The slower version was recorded July 25, 1943. That performance had a different cast, including Jan Peerce, and Nan Merriman and Nicola Moscona. Frank Valentino replaces Leonard Warren, and Gertrude Ribla replaces Zinka Milanov. The May 1944 performance is at the tempo Toscanini used for that performance.
@@BellaFirenze Her name is MILANOV and she worked w/Toscanini on several occasions. Admittedly her “Caro Nome” wouldn’t cause Joan Sutherland (2nd recording!) to lose sleep, don’t underestimate Milanov, you ‘Foot In Mouth’ commentator.
Milanov was surprised to have been asked to sing Gilda, a role that she considered well outside her Fach. But when Toscanini, who had done much to launch her career, asked her to sing it she had, of course, to accept. She sings Gilda's music with hauntingly beautiful tone and the kind of full voice Callas and Sutherland were later to prove so apt for the part. Warren's Rigoletto, later to be encountered in an HMV complete set under Cellini (11/52-nla) and on off-the-air transfers from the Metropolitan, is at once sympathetic and powerfull. Merriman is among the best of Maddalenas. Peerce isn't given leeway by his conductor to phrase with much delicacy, but he is a properly debonair Duke. He also leads the Lombardi trio; not quite as impressive a version as those led by Caruso and Gigli-but they are not conducted with Toscanini's brio nor do they include the long introduction with its extended violin solo.
I borrowed the recording from the library as I was just becoming engrossed with opera/ voices - this was part of a war bond concert in 1944, that included several other excerpts with various artists .
I thought the first time I heard this that Mme. Milanov 's was the most beautiful voice I had ever heard. I still think so. What a treasure this is.
You are not alone in your assessment of Milanovs voice. A great great singer
There is a later in her career live Tosca with Corelli from London that had the same affect on me. I heard it and said: “who is this amazing soprano!” Milanov was special.
Magnificent quartet!
Additionally, the July 25 performance was Merriman's debut performance with the NBC Symphony. She was to appear regularly until Toscanini retired in 1954.
@ detective fiction: The slower version was recorded July 25, 1943. That performance had a different cast, including Jan Peerce, and Nan Merriman and Nicola Moscona. Frank Valentino replaces Leonard Warren, and Gertrude Ribla replaces Zinka Milanov. The May 1944 performance is at the tempo Toscanini used for that performance.
All of Toscanini's Verdi recordings are definitive.
It's irreplaceable, to be sure. But I don't believe in definitive recordings.
POR DIOS!! INCREIBLE!!!
I have this excerpt on a CD. The version here sounds sped up.
What a shame they didn't do the entire opera.
Zinka Molotov as Gilda in the complete opera... Right.
@@BellaFirenze Her name is MILANOV and she worked w/Toscanini on several occasions. Admittedly her “Caro Nome” wouldn’t cause Joan Sutherland (2nd recording!) to lose sleep, don’t underestimate Milanov, you ‘Foot In Mouth’ commentator.
@@johnpickford4222 I know that, you fool. She was called Molotov as a joke in the 50's. Now go fuck yourslef. Asshole.
You've got it near enough in the RCA 1950 version - Erna Berger was a virtually perfect Gilda in that.
@@BellaFirenze You should have kept your moth shut!
Milanov was surprised to have been asked to sing Gilda, a role that she considered well outside her Fach. But when Toscanini, who had done much to launch her career, asked her to sing it she had, of course, to accept. She sings Gilda's music with hauntingly beautiful tone and the kind of full voice Callas and Sutherland were later to prove so apt for the part. Warren's Rigoletto, later to be encountered in an HMV complete set under Cellini (11/52-nla) and on off-the-air transfers from the Metropolitan, is at once sympathetic and powerfull. Merriman is among the best of Maddalenas. Peerce isn't given leeway by his conductor to phrase with much delicacy, but he is a properly debonair Duke. He also leads the Lombardi trio; not quite as impressive a version as those led by Caruso and Gigli-but they are not conducted with Toscanini's brio nor do they include the long introduction with its extended violin solo.
(Nicola) Moscona, the Sparafucile, should also be included in the list of performers above.
For the photo: There are several on the web to choose from.