LA TRAVIATA
Shumskaya, Kozlovsky, Lisitsian
Another offering from the Russian Legacy presents a complete Traviata with the celebrated Ivan Kozlovsky as Alfredo, Yelizaveta Shumskaya as Violetta and Pavel Lisitsian as his father, the elder Germont. John Steane, the famed music critic, stated “as a Verdi singer, [Lisitsian] shows himself capable of some delicate and lovely touches and a two octave range that presents no weaknesses.” The musicologist Alan Jefferson stated that Shumskaya’s performance of Violetta is “a cut above normal…. There is little trace of vibrato, and she gives the impression of living the character whole-heartedly. Her performance in ‘Parigi, o cara’ with Kozlovsky is a lovely study in thoughtful musicianship. Their voices blend beautifully, and there is not even a hint of shrillness." However,  Kozlovsky is the real star here - his Alfredo, possesses an individuality of expression that stems from an era long gone by. His lyricism, his imaginative touches make memorable everything he sings. The second CD is filled out with Lisitsian singing arias from various Verdi operas. The set includes booklet notes by Larry Friedman. GHCD 2205/06

Zara Dolukhanova
Lieder - Songs - Areas - Duets

Another collection of memorable singing from The Russian Legacy this time by the great contralto, Zara Dolukhanova. This singer, much revered by knowledgeable music lovers, is heard in arias, duets, lieder and songs sung in Russian, Italian, Spanish, French and Latin. A definitive portrait of the great lady’s vocal art emerges. If you love great singing, don’t miss hearing this Guild release. GHCD 2281/82/83/84  

The newest addition to Guild’s Russian Legacy Series is the 1947 recording of Gounod’s Roméo et Juliette sung by the famed Ivan Kozlovsky with his usual partner Elisabeth Shumskaya as Juliette. His is an impassioned, memorable performance conducted with great emotional force by Orlov. Kozlovsky was one of the great tenors of the 20^th century: controversial, passionate in expression, a remarkable vocal actor noted for roles ranging from Lindoro in Barber of Seville to Lohengrin and especially acclaimed for his unforgettable Werther. Here, is another of his achievements in a good-sounding recording accompanied by a booklet that offers an interesting article on the singers and performance together with biographies of the principal singers.GHCD 2264/65