Here, in terrible sound and occasionally interrupted by plot commentary in French, is an almost complete performance of Puccini’s one-acter, Il tabarro (actually the first opera in his trilogy, Il Trittico), from Radio Lausanne in February, 1945. Almost everything is beside the point here: No cast member is even named except for the very young Giuseppe di Stefano in the difficult, quasi-heroic role of Luigi, and he’s the purpose for the CD’s release. The voice is staggeringly beautiful and pliable throughout the range and he semms thoroughly involved, even when he’s forcing to beat the band (literally). The rest of the cast is acceptable, and just for the record, the baritone singing Michele sings an alternate version of the character’s big aria. There are three bonuses: A “Che gelida manina”, beautifully sung though transposed down a half tone, and an “E lucevan le stelle”, also stunning in a too-light sort of way, both from 1944 and accompanied by a piano; and an “E lucevan…” from 1947 with orchestra led by Alberto Erede, far better thought through and handsomely sung, with gorgeous pianissimos. This CD is for di Stefano fans–only.
