If all one needed were a passable recording of
Giuseppe Verdi's Messa da Requiem just to get acquainted with it, then this affordable reissue from Musica di Angeli might fill the bill. However, this recording is not recommended for anyone seeking a great performance, for numerous problems of intonation in the voices and some sloppiness in the orchestra make this disc a dubious choice for newcomers expecting a moving experience and serious admirers who already know this work's power. Certainly, some liberties may be taken with such a grandiose and operatic Requiem, but the Choir and
Orchestra of the Sofia Opera, directed by
Ivan Marinov, take it over the top and give it a highly theatrical reading that may trouble listeners who expect more awe and reverence. But the intensity of the Requiem's drama is almost beside the point, since the tremulous singing of soprano Daniela Nedialkova and mezzo-soprano Ivanka Ninova make pitch a central issue; even though tenor Roumen Doikov and bass Emil Ponorski are much steadier, the quartet is unpleasant in its unfocused quality. Similarly, the choir's singing is variable, with occasional voices standing out, and little effort seems to have been expended for blend or balance. Add to this an orchestral accompaniment that occasionally feels rough and a little loose in entrances and rhythms, then the performance as a whole suffers, despite its moments of great excitement and touching pathos. Since there are many exceptional performances of the Manzoni Requiem available, this problematic effort should only be used for study purposes.