Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848)
La favorite, opéra en 4 actes

Fedora Barbieri
Gianni Raimondi
Carlo Tagliabue
Giulio Neri
Mariano Caruso
Loretta di Lelio
Chœur et Orchestre de la RAI de Turin
Ruggero Maghini, direction
Angelo Questa, direction

La Favorita is, among Donizetti's Operas, the most difficult to define in terms of reference editions. In fact, besides the original French version, there are several chances also in Italian. This high qualited edition of 1955 is one of the best Cetra recording of those years and refer to the consolidated score of the Italian performance tradition with the translation of Jannetti. Beyond this detail and every philological aspect, which will be resolved at the end of the twentieth century with the latest recordings, this is one of the most beautiful discographic edition for its vocal and interpretative cast. Raimondi is here caught in its best period; the voice color and the ability to involve of the mezzo soprano Fedora Barbieri, the only one, before Cossotto, to play the role of Leonora; Carlo Tagliabue, the legendary baritone of thirties, here in his last recording; and finally the presence of Giuio Neri, a deep bass quite unusual in the panorama of those years: all these details make this version of Favorita a reference document within a relatively small discography.