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!
