DVD 9161 RIGOLETTO (Verdi)

This is a wonderful performance from La Scala in Tokyo. The Rigoletti is Aldo Protti, in very fine voice with a ringing top and good characterization. Gabriella Tucci is lovely and towers above Protti and almost with the tenor. Her voice is gorgeous and she spins pianissimi throughout. Gianni Poggi is the Duke and is a classic P&S singer (plant and sing), at least in this production. Seems a bit dry at the start, but warms up admirably. He is very good here and negotiates well. Arturo Basile is the conductor, a very good singer's conductor, and gives a standard 1950's style interpretation, good brisk tempi. Orchestra sounds great. For a 50+ year old recording, the video is really wonderful and the singing superb. Well worth the purchase price and very historic in nature. Bravo !!!!!