‘Un bel vedremo’ from Madama Butterfly (1904) Who are t he greatest tenors of all time ?.Puccini Suor Angelica by Kristine Opolais et al (Orfeo C848121A)
We named Suor Angelica one of our best Italian operas Yet the spectre of tolling bells never seems far away. The orchestra cradles the vocal line as a mother might a baby this is a haunting, mournful lullaby that blossoms as Angelica dreams of being reunited with her son in heaven. I defy anyone to listen to ‘Senza Mamma’ without welling up. The words speak of loss and love, the music is a great lament. ‘Favourite’ seems an odd description for an aria that describes a situation of unimaginable heartbreak: Sister Angelica has just learnt that her child, who she had been separated from, had died two years before. Puccini: Turandot by Joan Sutherland (Turandot), Luciano Pavarotti (Calaf), Montserrat Caballé (Liù), London Philharmonic Orchestra, John Alldis Choir ( Decca 4787815) Calaf listens, responds sensitively… but then carries on in his pursuit anyway. The aria is restrained, heartfelt and infused with exquisite orientalism.
In ‘Signore, ascolta’ near the opera’s beginning, she begs Calaf not to get involved with the Peking ice queen’s wiles, as it will surely end in tears. Thank heavens, then, for the humble slave girl Liù who harbours a secret crush on Calaf.
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