Rigoletto 1971: #9 Povero Rigoletto...Cortigiani, vil razza. Sherrill Milnes

[Peppi94]

To quote another program: his voice was like budda. Like a big stick o' budda.

[Beth29252]

Oustanding recording with Milnes in one of his better and more moving vocal performances. I admire Milnes a great deal, yes even after his crisis, and he is my favourite Rigoletto along with Ingvar Wixell. As for the Cortigiani, his performance of it here is superb, it is such a difficult aria and he nails it. It isn't just his unqiue and distinguished voice that I love about Milnes, there is also his musicianship and stage presence(he never stood there and sang, see his Iago for instance) .

[ezev8logos]

the best Rigoletto ever

[TheMike494]

this is my favorite Rigoletto. i believe i have 18 different recordings, but this is my favorite.

[123must]

Very moving !

[stevevandien]

Milnes' voice here is much leaner and better focused than it later was, but still well suited to the music.  Would that it had remained so. But it grew thicker, woolier and much less appealing over the years --

[JorPove]

Esta aria es un "tour de force" y dada su notoriedad los criticos son implacables. Es evidente que Milnes pasa la raya y con sobresaliente. Magnifico.

[kdkevs]

This is such a killer aria. And he just sings the heck out of it. Man, he can SING!

[patrick96321]

Yes, I just wish the recording could have the applause you know would have come at the end!

[JOSQUINMA]

Bravo

[patrick96321]

by Giuseppe Verdi (libretto by Francesco Maria Piave)

This 1971 studio recording is with Ambrosian Opera Chorus and the London Symphony Chorus, with conductor Richard Bonynge (husband of soprano Joan Sutherland).

Principal cast:

Joan Sutherland, soprano: Gilda

Luciano Pavarotti, tenor: the Duke of Mantua

Sherrill Milnes, baritone: Rigoletto