El último romántico (Soutullo & Vert)

Teresa Berganza, Inés Rivadeneira, Ginés Torrano, Gerardo Monreal, Gregorio Gil. Coro Cantores de Madrid, Orquesta Sinfónica , c. Indalecio Cisneros
BMG Alhambra WD 75124 / or / Novoson Z-560

Sélica Pérez Carpio, Pepe Romeu. Orquesta Regal, c.?
Blue Moon BMCD 7547 [highlights]

No problems with the fairly complete BMG issue of Soutullo and Vert's gentle romantic comedy. Berganza is on good form, and the characterful Torrano is more restrained than sometimes on CD, not least in a sweepingly lyrical "Bella enamorada", the most popular item in the score (though it was originally written for another zarzuela, La del soto el Parral).

The 21' selection of 1928 original cast highlights provide a nostalgic reminder of a lost world. Romeu in particular sings his famous number with an elegance and control seemingly forgotten by today's singers. Neatly coupled with similar extracts from La leyenda del beso and a rarity, La marcha de honor, this Blue Moon issue is good value.

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