As my opera dependancy exploded throughout my tween years, the pair of Catholic monks who had turn out to be a part of my dad and mom’ common Connecticut Opera intermission social circle morphed into new roles as my “opera whisperers,” guiding me towards scores and recordings to f̶u̶r̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ i̶n̶c̶u̶l̶c̶a̶t̶e̶ m̶e̶ enrich my appreciation. So I paid heed when Fathers Hugh and Joe agreed that I’d been losing my time wallowing in stereophonic mush ministered by slackers like Tebaldi, Bergonzi and Serafin for my “La bohème” repair.
They reoriented my sybaritic younger self towards The Gospel Based on Toscanini: the basic 1946 NBC Symphony recording commemorating the opera’s fiftieth Anniversary. I eagerly checked the two-LP monaural RCA set out of our native library, dropped the needle anticipating to be transported… and thought as a substitute, “Gosh, however the recorded sound is so boxy, tight and dry. And all these tempi really feel so rushed. AND THE MAESTRO’S VOICE IS RELENTLESSLY AUDIBLE THROUGHOUT, SINGING ALONG WITH HIS CAST.” The latter attribute was and nonetheless is a non-starter for me: I don’t hear Toscanini’s nonstop sing-along as a gently encouraging exhortation, however relatively as The Grasp badgering and hectoring his fees into staying on a really tight leash. It’s like making love with somebody whose rap by no means ceases—and consists of “useful solutions” about how one can be enhancing your sport.
As ventriloquist’s dummies go, Licia Albanese and Jan Peerce because the romantic leads have undeniably lovelier voices than their control-freak puppeteer, however there are different recorded interpretations of their roles that supply larger tonal attract and individuality, starting with Albanese herself, hotter and extra spontaneous on a 1938 recording led by Umberto Berrettoni and partnered by Beniamino Gigli.
And different conductors (cf. Carlos Kleiber with Freni and Pavarotti on the Met in 1988) have satisfied me that it’s doable to concurrently uphold the integrity of Puccini’s rating whereas permitting your forged the liberty to specific themselves extra freely. I recall Albanese stating in an interview that the expertise of rehearsing La bohème below the course of the legendary conductor who had led its first performances was “like a college for us all.” Name me loopy, however an instructional environment of strict conformity that requires remaining within the instructor’s good graces by some means doesn’t conjure a possible breeding floor to encourage the imaginations of younger bohemians to soar. I’m guessing Mo’ ‘Turo would’ve expelled my “beau idéal” Rodolfo after he’d caught him toking up within the choir room (I’m taking a look at YOU, Pippo di Stefano).
Sure, I’ve grown to respect the cleanliness of this studying. And I do know that Toscanini was A Very Nice Maestro and A Nice Man in so some ways. And I not solely admire, however even love, so many others amongst his recordings. Simply not this one (so I’ll quietly let myself out now).
