Product: Donizetti - La Favorita (1971)
Rating: 5.0
Great live recording
I love Kraus and Cossotto. They are both dynamite singers in this video. Cossotto is a bit heavily made-up and her acting is a bit plastic, but her singing is wonderful. Kraus always pleases me with his general class and finesse, even physically. I am also a big fan of Bruscantini, but I will admit, I didn't think this is the best presentation of his work. His Italian style is wonderful, but his voice and manner seem a bit gruff for this role. I have a few recordings of him where he is very good up to even magnificent, but perhaps this particular music is asking too much fluidity for his voice. Still, he was a thoroughly professional singer and enjoyable enough in this video. It's really fun to get some of these older, live performances of great singers, many now deceased, and relive their artistry, seeing them, whilst hearing them. The sound is good in this recording and I play it often.