Gaetano Donizetti: La Favorite
Recorded in the Original French Version 1912
[Marston 52010-2; 2 CDs]

Balthazar, Robert Marvini; Fernand, Robert Lasalle; Alphonse XI, Henri Albers; Don Gaspard, Georges de Poumayrac; Leonor de Guzman, Ketty Lapeyrette; Ines, Marie Ganteri; chorus and orchestra of the Opera Comique conducted by Francois Ruhlmann

The original recording process used by Pathe in 1912 was (quoting Ward Marston) "much like two tin cans at either end of a taut piece of string." Mr. Marston has admirably surmounted the technical challenges of audio restoration resulting in this thrilling and higly recommended release. We're fortunate that the authentic French style of the day has been preserved in a vigorous performance with Lasalle's powerful lyric tenor, Lapeyrette's rich, accomplished mezzo-soprano and the superb Albers whose suave baritone voice and bel canto technique (his trill is incomparable) may very well make him the star of this set. This is the complete 4-Act version including the ballet music. No texts/translations are offered but the booklet is lavishly produced with photos, singers' bios, a plot summary, an article on the performance history of the opera and Mr. Marston's enjoyable account of the transfer process.

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