Performer: Anna Netrebko, Joyce DiDonato, Lawrence Brownlee, Ildebrando D’Arcangelo, Coro dell’Accademia di Santa Cecilia
Orchestra: Orchestra dell’Accademia Santa Cecilia
Conductor: Antonio Pappano
Composer: Gioachino Rossini
Audio CD
SPARS Code: DDD
Number of Discs: 1
Format: FLAC (image+cue)
Label: EMI Classics
Size: 210 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: no
01. Stabat Mater: Stabat Mater Dolorosa (Introduction)
02. Stabat Mater: Cujus Animam Gementem
03. Stabat Mater: Quis Est Homo
04. Stabat Mater: Pro Peccatis Suae Gentis
05. Stabat Mater: Eja, Mater, Fons Amoris
06. Stabat Mater: Sancta Mater, Istud Agas
07. Stabat Mater: Fac, Ut Portem Christi Mortem
08. Stabat Mater: Inflammatus Et Accensus
09. Stabat Mater: Quando Corpus Morietur
10. Stabat Mater: Amen. In Sempiterna Saecula
Splendid!
I believe that this is as fine a recording of this work as you’ll find. Although I have frequently heard this piece, both live and recording, this set made me think I was hearing the work for the first time. I give Antonio Pappano credit for this fresh and vivid approach. He is especially effective in bringing out the more lyrical passages and coaxing some exquisite soft singing from his soloists. Just listen to the “un poco meno” section of the bass aria “Pro peccatis” elegantly sung by Ildebrando d’Arcangelo.
Indeed, the soloists are all splendid. Lawrence Brownlee makes the aria “Cujus amimam” sound effortless as he delivers it with golden tone. The darker colour of Netrebko’s voice contrasts well with the brighter palate of DiDonato in their duet and they sing their respective arias with great beauty. Perhaps the highlight of the recording is the a capella quartet “Quando corpus morietur.”
I have one minor quibble: the voices of the soloists are much more forward than those of the choir. They seem to come from different aural planes. Even in the choral movements, the choir seems remote and recessed. This, however, is not so significant as to impair one’s enjoyment of this excellent set.
Highly recommended!