Peerce, Munsel, Merrill, Pinza, Votipka, & Frank - Sextet from "Lucia di Lammermoor"

Edgardo: Jan Peerce
Lucia: Patrice Munsel
Enrico: Robert Merrill
Raimondo: Ezio Pinza
Alisa: Thelma Votipka
Arturo: Paul Frank

The aforementioned artists sing the sextet "Chi mi frena in tal momento?" from Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor." This is from a highlights album of the opera that was released in 1951 which was recorded between 1949 and 1951. The RCA Victor Orchestra is conducted by Renato Cellini. This is another instance of RCA's stupidity in not recording the full opera when they had the perfect chance. This is about as good a cast as you'd find for a recording of "Lucia" from this era, although Munsel probably would have been replaced by Lily Pons (but if anyone, preferably Roberta Peters!).

Ratings allowed as of July 14, 2011.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Jan
• Peerce
• Patrice
• Munsel
• Robert
• Merrill
• Ezio
• Pinza
• Paul
• Frank
• Thelma
• Votipka
• Sextet
• Chi
• mi
• frena
• in
• tal
• momento
• Donizetti
• Lucia
• di
• Lammermoor
• opera
• yt:quality=high

[mapuche888]

I grew up listening to this opera and it is very dear to me. I have two copies of scratched LPs of the recording but would love to see it get re-issued. Does anyone know if it has been or if there are any plans. I'm looking to buy another copy that hopefully will be in better shape.

[VinylToVideo]

@mapuche888 You haven't said which recording of "Lucia" it is so how can anyone know?

[mapuche888]

@VinylToVideo . Sorry, I thought it was obviously the recording that is playing. Patrice Munsel and Jan Peerce Highlights of Lucia di Lammemoor recorded by RCA . My father purchased the LP while he was a student in Chicago sometime after World War 2 but I'm not sure exactly when since I was born later.

[VinylToVideo]

@mapuche888 I was confused when you said "two copies" I guess I thought you meant a 2 LP set which would mean the full opera and this one was only partially recorded unfortunately. The recordings were made between 1949 and 1951 and released in the early 50s. It has never been reissued.

[mapuche888]

@VinylToVideo> No, I did mean two copies. I have two identical LP's. The original one my father bought and another one I purchased from a rare record store in Hollywood. I'm still looking for an LP in better condition. I may never find it which is why I wish it would get reissued. I would love to hear it without the scratches and clicks.

[VinylToVideo]

@mapuche888 Message me if interested in a copy.

[billcarr54]

Just beautiful !

[billyguns2]

Peerce is much better here than in the later complete recording, and Merrill vastly superior to Maero; I have a soft spot for Tozzi, but Pinza is no slouch even at this late date in his career. Munsel is one of the tweety bird Lucias, but I prefer her to Peters. RCA often recorded highlights only when they should have done the whole operas: BOHEME, SAMSON ET DALILA, for example.