The legendary Carlo Bergonzi has been acclaimed the world over for his masterful interpretations of the music of Giuseppe Verdi. In this thrilling 1981 concert from Switzerland, the tenor sings a program of arias spanning twenty years of Verdi’s output, including a selection from the composer’s rarely-heard first opera, Oberto. For an encore, Bergonzi lends his vocal artistry and dramatic power to the popular aria “E lucevan le stelle” from Puccini’s Tosca. Optional subtitles in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish.
Color, 53 minutes, 4:3, All regions

Rossini WILLIAM TELL – Overture
Verdi OBERTO – Ciel, che feci!… Ciel pietosa, ciel clemente
Verdi AROLDO – Sotto il sol di Siria ardente
Verdi AIDA – Prelude
Verdi UN BALLO IN MASCHERA – Ma se m'è forza perderti
Verdi IL TROVATORE – Ah sì, ben mio
Mascagni CAVALLERIA RUSTICANA – Intermezzo
Verdi LUISA MILLER – Oh! fede negar potessi… Quando le sere al placido
Puccini TOSCA – E lucevan le stelle

Carlo Bergonzi, tenor
Orchestra della Radiotelevisione della Svizzera Italiana
Bruno Amaducci, conductor
Palazzo dei Congressi, Lugano
1981