This disc, part audiobook, part highlights CD, is one of the
initial half dozen in Naxos's ‘Opera Explained’ series (others include
Carmen, The Barber of Seville and La Bohème),
which is written by Thomson Smillie and narrated by David Timson, the
latter having previously served a similar role on the same company's (excellent)
complete recording of the English version of Stravinsky's A Soldier's
Tale.
On this evidence, the series will be both informative
and entertaining, although maybe its enduring value will be as a library
item, of a great deal more use to the student of music than to the Puccini
completist who, in all truth, will not only be more than familiar with
the opera and its main foci, but will also no doubt have various recorded
versions to compare and contrast.
The examples on this disc are taken from the full Naxos
recording, under Alexander Rahbari. When released, that set was praised
mainly for the qualities of Nelly Miricioiu's soprano, something I would
echo on the evidence presented here (Vissi d'arte etc.), but
was found lacking somewhat in respect of the contributions of the other
soloists and, especially, the orchestral tempi adopted. The latter is
perhaps harder to discern from excerpts but that is, I believe, to miss
the point entirely because I don't believe anyone would knowingly buy
this purely as a highlights CD. It cannot function as such because the
narration and excerpts are not cued separately and, to be fair to its
producers, the flow of the programme would probably not be so seamless
if this were the case.
If the main aim of this project is to enlighten and
educate then it certainly achieves its goal; as a listening experience
it is, perhaps like anything of this nature, if not a one-off, difficult
to imagine listening to on a regular, repeated basis. Whether this is
of any consequence, given the minimal outlay involved, is another matter,
and therefore this venture has to be commended and supported.
Neil Horner
See
what else is on offer 
Thomson Smillie, writer.