"... a gift for the gods.'=VINCENT SHEEAN This extraordinary new recording production is stripped of its the- represents a rare collaboration be- atrics and vulgarity. tween one of the world's greatest Leontyne Price, heard here for the sopranos and one of its foremost first time in this role, operatic is joined by conductors -a collabora- an outstanding cast in a production ón yneJrzce tion in the finest and fullest sense, staged especially - and only - for lighted by strokes of pure genius, this recording. The in a new interpretation of and one New York Her - which Show Magazine ald Tribune says, "I\liss Price makes describes as "a miraculous union." a strong, passionate and convincing The New York Times calls this new Carmen. Miss Freni is the Micaela album a "beautiful realization of of our dreams." Vincent the Bizet opera Sheean ...makes the thrice - writes: "Corelli's superb tenor is at Carmen,with Franco Corelli, Robert familiar score sound fresh all over home in Don Jose's music, which Merrill, Mirella Freni. Herbert von again." This, indeed, is not the Karajan conducting the Vienna supplied his first great success at traditional Carmen but a more the Scala ". Robert Philharmonic Orchestra. musical ... Merrill, as interpretation in which the Escamillo, appears in the famous role he has performed throughout the operatic world. In this splendid performance, the orchestra under von Karajan real- izes musical subtleties rarely if ever heard before and, in fact, becomes an integral part of the dramatic action onstage. This new album, which the New York Times hails as "a stunning achievement," is one that must be heard by everyone who enjoys great opera. 3- record Soria pack- age, elaborate notes and libretto. cq victor Pricy: et: cry niusicul requisite" Von Kara ja n, Price: "a miraculous unína The most trusted name in sound

Corelli, Price: chez Lillas Pastia Merrill, Price, Freni: faithful to Bizet CARMEN, Leontyne Price Franco Corelli Robert Merrill Mirella Freni Herbert Von Karajan Vienna Philharmonic v %at c ,,. ci,,,, vwa 6y, Qa. ..

von Karajan: "every note in place"

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