Catalani's La Wally at Holland Park

[verismissimo]

Holland Park was as low-tech as could be in representing the Alps, the avalanche etc. There was a vast white sheet with guy lines attached at strategic points, so that at a moment's notice the mountains could rear up, a crevasse appear, the avalanche be suggested. Very inventive, I thought, but imagine what Hollywood could achieve these days!

The singing was nowhere close to the quality of Tebaldi, Del Monaco and Cappuccilli, but then I didn't expect it would be.

Have you heard Frances Alda's aria (recorded 1912) from Catalani's Lorelei? Simply wonderful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyhW0...0FC0213EAD3514

[Richard Tarleton]

Thank you! Lovely.