Puccini: Turandot.(Opera Review)

* Casolla, Deguchi: Bartolini, Heredia, Bou, Ariostini Mas, Esteve, Garcia-Quijada; Bilbao Choral Society, Escolania Santo Maria, Malaga Philharmonic, Rahbari. No libreto. Naxos 8.660089/90

Though taken from two live performances in late October 2001, this Turandot is oddly free of any disruptive applause. Its cast is apparently that of the Malaga Festival, here transferred to the Teatro Municipal Miguel de Cervantes in Madrid, under the capable baton of Alexander Rahbari, an Iranian-born maestro who now holds Austrian citizenship and has led other verismo operas impressively on disc. Spanish soloists, chorus and orchestra are joined by an Italian Turandot, Calef and Ping, plus a Japanese Liu, in a well-routined Turandot that also generates tension and excitement.

Like most others who have tried the role, Giovanna Casolla isn't particularly comfortable with Turandot, which she sang in the spectacular 1998 Beijing production. Only a few recorded Turandots--Joan Sutherland, Montserrat Caballe and, to an icier degree, Birgit Nilsson--have been able to muster the cool for "In questa Reggia." Casolla's assault betrays the more usual anxious stress, with swallowed tone. Her upper register, sustained by main force, doesn't waver--it just blasts. There are other spots ("Figlio del Cielo") where unsteadiness does intrude, but credit ...