L'Oracolo by Franco Leoni (Musical Heritage Society 514617X)

Uin-Sci: Richard Van Allen
Cim-Fen: Tito Gobbi
Hu-Tsin: Clifford Grant
Ah-Joe: Joan Sutherland
Fortune Teller: Ian Caley
Uin-San-Lui: Ryland Davies
Hua-Qui: Hugette Tourangeau

The John Aldis Choir
The Finchely Children's Music Group

National Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Richard Bonynge

Franco Leoni (1864-1949) wrote ten operas. He was a contemporary of Puccini's but he wrote in a brilliant and colorful musical language all his own which I invite you to discover for yourself. Leoni is especially masterful in the use of percussion to achieve his Oriental effects. His one-act opera, L'Oracolo, is a Grand Guignol tale of drug dealing, murder, kidnapping and unrequited love set in San Francisco's Chinatown during the Chinese New Year celebration.

The cast is topnotch. You'd think everybody had been singing their roles for years. Sutherland's role lies mostly in the middle of the voice so there's no opportunity here to display her magnificent coloratura but we get plenty of lush and rich creamy tone. Tourangeau's mezzo has less vibrato than usual and for once I found myself actually enjoying her singing. Gobbi is pure musical expression and quite effective as the villain. Ryland Davies sounds suitably ardent with some fine Italianate singing here. Grant and van Allen are both excellent in their roles.

The John Aldis Choir and the Finchely Children's Music Group should be proud of their fine work on this recording.

Richard Bonynge's conducting is superb and the National Philharmonic plays brilliantly for him.

The sound is first class with great sound effects that enhance the drama.

Special mention to the colorful artwork on the cover. I'd like to see the artist design an operatic production some day.

I highly recommend this recording.


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