Here for no other reason than it’s beautiful is the second act duet from Giordano’s most performed opera. It’s not as well known as the duet for the the same characters that concludes the opera, though it contains almost the same material. It’s taken from the Dec 28, 1957 performance of Chenier at the Met. The singers are Zinka Milanov and Richard Tucker at the zenith of their powers, which is to say this is as good as it gets.
My favorite opera from my first lp highlights with Tebaldi and Del Monaco. Then even more so complete with Corelli & Stella with much more luxuriant tempi. Then lucky me!! I saw it with Corelli and Tebaldi. Gave me a 2 week high only matched by his Cavaradossi.
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The one opera that has stayed the same in appeal my whole life. Others I start hot and cool down a bit. And others take a long time (and perhaps some age) to really appreciate and love. For me this one was instant. I was 14 and bought the first lp for the picture of Del Monaco on the cover. A dumb teen who did something right.
Excepcional
have known they were singing for the History?
I think they knew that their audience would include listeners not yet born. The performance was broadcast and recorded by countless opera lovers.