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Notes
Lawrence Foster conducts Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West (1910), together with the Transylvania State Philharmonic Orchestra and Choir, Cluj-Napoca and a cast of seasoned Puccini singers, including Melody Moore (Minnie), Marius Vlad (Dick Johnson) and Lester Lynch (Jack Rance). Puccini’s “Spaghetti Western” is not only an exploration of the New World, with the delightfully charismatic saloon owner Minnie running the show, but equally of new music; a pioneering work full of harmonic innovation and state-of-the-art orchestration effects. The depth of the orchestration, as well as of the various ensemble scenes that are characteristic of the opera, fully comes to life in this studio recording. Lawrence Foster has a vast PENTATONE discography, including operettas and operas such as Johann Strauss’s Die Fledermaus (2018) and Der Zigeunerbaron (2016), as well as Verdi’s Otello (2017). The latter album features Melody Moore and Lester Lynch, who have also starred in recordings of Mascagni’s Cavalleria rusticana and Puccini’s Il Tabarro (both 2020). Marius Vlad and the Transylvania State Philharmonic and Choir, Cluj Navoca make their PENTATONE debut.
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Reviews
“… Foster is excellent and his conducting actually rivals Mehta (in one of his best recordings). That is a major accomplishment. The SACD sound meets Pentatone’s high standards; the balance between soloists and orchestra is outstanding and lifelike, much as you would hear in an opera house.”
Arthur Lintgen – Fanfare – September/October 2021
“… For this recording, conductor Lawrence Foster deftly elicits a chamber-like clarity from the Transylvania State Philharmonic, reserving the full power of the orchestra for the big climaxes. Melody Moore, in the title role is the recording’s raison d’etre… the “Girl” Minnie is a perfect fit for her… her voice has a natural beauty and unforced richness that vividly evoke the image of a strong yet uncommonly compassionate young women… Marius Vlad’s tenor has ring, dynamic variety, and smooth legato …”
Alan Altman – American Record Guide – July/August 2021
Editor’s Choice
“… This Pentatone release is a worthy account of Puccini’s masterpiece, conducted by Lawrence Foster and featuring a solid cast of ascendent singers. As Puccini’s titular heroine, American soprano Melody Moore proves she’s one of those vanishingly few singers of real charisma. Her increasingly mega-watt instrument emphasises the character’s warmth and humanity, and she convincingly captures Minnie as both intrepid frontierswoman and young woman on the brink of first love… All in all, this is an admirable recording worth checking out, especially for Moore’s performance and the subtleties of the overall cast.” ****
Justine Nguyen – Limelightmagazine.com.lu – 29 March 2021
“Strange to think that Puccini’s Western Opera was once considered a poor relation, perhaps due to it’s the naivety of conception in its cowboy characters. But the music is (as Puccini admirers have long acknowledged) glorious, and is given a particularly sympathetic rendering in this new performance...”
Barry Forshaw – cdchoice.co.uk – 11 April 2021
“… this is a recording that should win the work – and the Transylvanian orchestra new friends.”
Mark Pullinger - Gramophone magazine - April 2021
“A solid and reliable new recording of Puccini’s Western opera.”
Mike Parr – MusicWeb-International.com – 25 March 2021
Performance *** Recording ***
George Hall - BBC Music magazine - April 2021
“… it is largely because of Lawrence Foster’s conducting that this new production merits interest. It does justice to a work that has often been unfairly criticized, but whose qualities were once praised by Anton Webern (in a letter to Arnold Schoenberg), and not without reason. « Not an ounce of kitsch » is in it, Webern said, and that is precisely what distinguishes Foster’s interpretation. It is a piece from life, bulging, dramatic and often poignant.” *****
Remy Franck – Pizzicato.lu.com – 5 February 2021
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