This recording of Verdi’s Macbeth had the misfortune to come out on the heels of Claudio Abbado’s superb set with Shirley Verrett and Piero Cappuccilli and was practically overlooked as a result. And that’s a pity–it’s really very good. Muti leads like a house-on-fire, whipping the Witches into a frenzy and never allowing too much of the oom-pah side of the opera to sneak out. His Macbeth is the fine Sherrill Milnes in perhaps his best recorded performance, singing like a man possessed and with every note and feeling of this complex character at his command. His Lady is the gigantic Fiorenza Cossotto, ungraceful but thrilling and with quite an attitude. Ruggero Raimondi’s Banquo is dignified and he sings the aria well. Jose Carreras’ Macduff is so beautifully sung that realizing what has happened to his voice can bring tears to your eyes. The Ambrosian Chorus and Philharmonia Orchestra play and sing as if they were afraid of Muti, which wouldn’t surprise me one bit. If you don’t have a recording of Macbeth, this one at mid-price will fill the bill nicely.
