Anna Moffo: Arias – Anna Moffo, soprano – Rome Opera Orchestra - Tullio Serafin, Conductor – RCA Living Stereo 82876-67905-2 (2005) SACD rip via PS3 to iso (1.76GB) | 24bit/88.2kHz flac | 3ch (1.26GB) (+6 dB gain) | 2ch DR13 (802MB) (+6 dB gain) | Classical, Opera Remarkable 3-channel sound and a superb coloatura program -------------------------------------------------- Audaud review: This truly delightful disc of mostly coloratura arias forms a nearly perfect bookend with Leontyne Price’s classic “Blue album.” Both Living Stereo discs were recorded within months of each other, featured the same forces (although here led by Tullio Serafin), and were recorded in the same venues; and both featured amazing sopranos at the height of their vocal powers. Unfortunately, Anna Moffo, who was much in demand early on in her career, peaked soon after and disappeared pretty much into obscurity. This three-channel disc offers the first opportunity to hear these tracks as they were originally recorded, and this disc easily eclipses all previously released digital versions – while managing to sound very analog-like in the process. Anna Moffo’s coloratura is superb; she sings with a lovely lyrical quality and achieves admirable upper extension throughout. The disc pretty evenly mixes French and Italian genres; on the French side, we get a sprightly rendering of the Jewel Song from Gounod’s Faust, while her heartfelt singing in Delibes’ Bell Song from Lakme is nothing short of amazing! Traditional Italian fare comes in the form of well-known arias from Puccini and Rossini; for good measure, Meyerbeer’s less frequently played (but truly superb) Shadow Song from Dinorah is included. Tullio Serafin and the Rome Opera Orchestra are no strangers to this repertory, and offer lush and sympathetic accompaniments throughout. The recorded sound here is remarkable – lets hope RCA/Sony continues to pump these discs out! The only caveat is the rather skimpy 44-minute playing time the disc clocks in at – but truly, what would you pair it with? Very highly recommended! – Tom Gibbs Possibly available here: http://www.amazon.com/Anna-Moffo-Arias-Charles-Gounod/dp/B0009U55TC or here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Arias-Faust-Boheme-Domprah-Carmen/dp/B0009U55TC Tracks: 1. Faust, opera: Air des bijoux (Jewel Song) 2. La bohème, opera: Mi chiamano Mimì 3. Dinorah (Le pardon de Ploërmel), comic opera in 3 acts: Ombre légère (Shadow Song) 4. Carmen, opera: Je dis que rien ne m' épouvante (Micaela's Air) 5. Semiramide, opera: Bel raggio lusinghier 6. Turandot, opera: Signore, ascolta 7. Turandot, opera: Tu che di gel sei cinta 8. Lakmé, opera: Air des clochettes (Bell Song) Time: 44 min. ------------------------------------------ Checksum for iso: 303229a5d79a7e2af0eec3d6b6d65b7c *Arias from Faust, La boheme, Dinorah, Carmen, Turandot, Sem.iso Checksums for flac tracks 3ch: 4dd9666f52a07a05bb5d6f5d4af8574c *01 - Faust Air des bijoux Jewel Song.flac 234dbdf0fa46d9b21353510a9c3fe495 *02 - La boheme Mi chiamano Mimi.flac 11d6afe7b784e45297879eecc7a8b6e0 *03 - Dinorah Ombre legere Shadow Song.flac 27349e9f825713779d3ad5be7ce67e26 *04 - Carmen Je dis que rien ne m'epouvante (Micaela's Air).flac 7f89b3c38494608b8296870721a4066a *05 - Semiramide Bel raggio lusinghier.flac 6e7ff3f85c320e079c9aa81d28a6edbd *06 - Turandot Signore, ascolta.flac a73342919f6ee4ffef6e42fc4afd8c0e *07 - Turandot Tu che di gel sei cinta.flac fb1720b7ab66441767db3e21e30864df *08 - Lakme Air des clochettes Bell Song.flac Checksums for flac tracks 2ch: df2989955bd799a8aeeb9ce81a61536c *01 - Faust Air des bijoux Jewel Song.flac c72f79c71ad8ad1b0c12cba384b52675 *02 - La boheme Mi chiamano Mimi.flac 4ed8554088875ddf8b4e1533d822287d *03 - Dinorah Ombre legere Shadow Song.flac f5622c5b1fa517b3ca6794de7ec60661 *04 - Carmen Je dis que rien ne m'epouvante (Micaela's Air).flac f20e4369af0d7ee1343dd7c492bc1978 *05 - Semiramide Bel raggio lusinghier.flac cab5c7cdd1b6451bb11b7f7eb01202c3 *06 - Turandot Signore, ascolta.flac f638de27e141adfa25cdb7d3fa85f02d *07 - Turandot Tu che di gel sei cinta.flac b4cd9e429d350cc57dd4e78be7bc364e *08 - Lakme Air des clochettes Bell Song.flac