Heralded by a priceless photo of Del Monaco, this classic 1954 recording of ‘Rigoletto’ is restored to the catalogue. Recorded about the same time as Erede’s ‘Otello’ sessions (also with Del Monaco and Protti), Del Monaco gives a powerful rendition of the Duke and Hilda Gueden’s crystalline purity gives Gilda all the innocence and largesse of heart that the role demands.
GIUSEPPI VERDI
Rigoletto
Duke of Mantua: Mario del Monaco
Rigoletto: Aldo Protti
Gilda: Hilda Gueden
Sparafucile: Cesare Siepi
Maddalena: Giulietta Simionato
Giovanna: Luisa Ribacchi
Count of Monterone: Fernando Corena, bass
Borsa: Piero de Palma
Marullo: Pier Luigi Latinucci
Count of Ceprano: Dario Caselli
Countess of Ceprano: Maria Castelli
The Duchess’s Page: Lina Rossi
Usher: Piero Poldi
Coro e orchestra dell’Accademia di Santa Cecilia, Roma
Alberto Erede
Recording Producer: Victor Olof
Balance Engineer: Gil Went
Recording Location: Santa Cecilia, Rome, Italy, July 1954
‘the Monterone, Maddalena and the Sparafucile are first rate. In the name part Protti puts up a very good show indeed: he is much in form; true in scale, generous… [Gueden] has many sweet moments. … Del Monaco sings very loud indeed: his is a splendid organ – and we think, if not instantly of the Duke of Mantua, at least of a lusty lover’ Gramophone