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4.5
Before I Write a Review , I would like to say few words about soprano Galina Vishnevskaya, because I believe that she is little known by Amazon .COM younger génération customers. Galina Vishnevskaya(1926-2012) was born inSt. Petersburg ( formerly Leningrad) . After a year studying with Vera Nikolayevna Garina she won a competition held by the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow singing Rachmaninoff's song " O Do Not Grieve" and Verdi's " O patria MiaFrom Aida in 1952. The next year she became a member of the Bolshoi Theatre. She became an international starWhen she made her debut at The MET opera in New York as Aida . Her Royal Opera debut took place in1962 alsoIn the role of Verdi's Aida . For La Scala debut in1964, she sang Liu in Puccini's opera Turandot , opposite Birgit Nilsson and Franco Corelli. In the present recording her beautiful singing , impeccable phrasing , great diction and above all her unlimited high notes are one of the main reasons why this recording is considered the best amongA strong competition . The other two reasons are stellar cast around her and an excellent sound. Although her character seems to be secondary among others, Rimsky - Korsakov( 1844-1908) wrote for soprano two most beautiful arias , and for that reason , this opera is among the most popular of his fifteen works he composed , and every knowledgable collector wants to hear these two arias first myself included. Highly recommended for everyone who loves Russian opera.P.S.The other three competitive recordings are: The Tsar's Bride Bolshoi Theatre recording from 1943 with an excellent cast conducted by Lev Steinberg , and 1992 recording issued on Brilliant Classics , a Bolahoi theatre Production also with excellent cast conducted by Andre Chistiakov , and third recording issued thus far only on LP'sIn 1955 on Westminster Label also with great cast conducted the Kiev Theatre Orchestra by Vladimir Piradov.
