Chenier – ’64/Corelli, Stella

Robert Levine

Artistic Quality:

Sound Quality:

One either loves or hates this 1964 recording of Giordano’s chestnut. I love it: Every time Franco Corelli opens his mouth I’m thrilled, even when he’s scooping, overstating his case, sobbing, or aspirating vowels. His poetic fire is undeniable and the sound of his voice remains unique–huge and dark, but above the staff it’s as bright and bold as tempered steel. Since Corelli retired no tenor has come along to match him. Antonietta Stella never was anyone’s favorite soprano but she’s quite good here, only occasionally lagging in pitch and sounding generic. The underrated baritone Mario Sereni is surprisingly moving as Carlo Gérard, a role that’s not so easy to pull off. The rest of the cast is good and the conducting is as razz-matazz as it should be. And oh, Corelli!


Recording Details:

Reference Recording: Domingo/Scotto - Levine/RCA

UMBERTO GIORDANO - Andrea Chénier

Search Music Reviews

Search Sponsor

  • Insider Reviews only
  • Click here for Search Tips

Visit Our Merchandise Store

Visit Store
  • Benjamin Bernheim Rules as Met’s Hoffmann
    Benjamin Bernheim Rules as Met’s Hoffmann Metropolitan Opera House, Lincoln Center, NY; Oct 24, 2024 Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffmann is a nasty work. Despite its
  • RIP David Vernier, Editor-in-Chief
    David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com’s founding Editor-in-Chief passed away Thursday morning, August 1, 2024 after a long battle with cancer. The end came shockingly quickly. Just a
  • Finally, It’s SIR John
    He’d received many honors before, but it wasn’t until last week that John Rutter, best known for his choral compositions and arrangements, especially works related