(original Reddit link: https://www.reddit.com/r/OldOpera/comments/1olcp4p/macbeth_1947/ )
"Macbeth, 1947
I've been on some sort of Verdi/Tamagno kick lately and I was trying to return to my normal, light repertoir, but I wanted to listen to an opera for Halloween. I immediately thought of McBeth, which I hadn't heard yet, only to discover that it was written by Verdi! It's just one of those weeks.
Libretto
http://www.operafolio.com/libretto.asp?n=Macbeth&translation=UK
Recording
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQVoC7skN9Y
There really isn't much to say about the libretto. Anyone who has received a good education knows the story of Macbeth, and Verdi follows Shakespeare very closely. But I will say that this is yet another time when the text has no ocr errors and when the Italian and English are easily separated, so I had no problem reading it with my screen reader, NVDA.
I'm glad that I chose this version because it gave me the chance to hear mostly new (to me) singers. I actually found an article about MARGHERITA GRANDI just prior to hearing this. It was a review of a cd of her music, but part of it was this exact performance. Apparently, recordings by her are rare.
https://www.classicstoday.com/review/review-13451/
I agree with the author that she had a unique sound and a good range. I could also hear the dramatic and the softer parts as her voice changed. I read somewhere that Lady Macbeth is one of the most difficult roles in opera, but she handled it very well. I did know of Frank Valentino, but mostly because of his background. He was a student of Emilio Piccoli, Schipa's second serious singing teacher, his first being Alceste Gerunda. Valentino went on to become a teacher in America, until the 1970's. At any rate, while I can't describe his voice as beautiful or appealing, for this role, it fit perfectly. His acting was also wonderful, particularly in the dramatic parts. I could feel his emotions, as if he had become Macbeth! I really must add Italo Tajo to my regular rotation. I have heard him in several operas, and each time, I liked him. He will be the second bass to join the group, with the other being Salvatore Baccaloni. I just wish he had a larger part here. New to me were the two tenors, Walter Midgley and Andrew McKinley (Macduff and Malcolm, respectively). I'm very annoyed that I never heard of them, particularly Midgley, who has a beautiful voice! I hope I can find more recordings of them.
The opera itself was okay. I certainly can't rate it as highly as La Traviata or Rigoletto, but I can't say I didn't like it musically, like Falstaff. It definitely had its moments and Verdi did capture the right mood, given the subject. But part of it dragged. Still, for Halloween, it was a good choice.
Now, I desperately must return to my bel canto and Romantic operas, preferably with large tenor roles! Can anyone please recommend something? Italian strongly preferred."
#Macbeth #opera #review #Verdi
