Verdi Messa da Requiem; Menotti The Death Of The Bishop Of Brindisi; Sch？nberg Gurrelieder

Along with the classic Toscanini and Reiner recordings, this is probably the best recording of the Verdi Requiem . While Leinsdorf has had his detractors, particularly during his Boston period, he aquits himself nobly here, with his skillful handling of orchestra, soloists, and chorus throughout. And what soloists! Bergonzi, as has been pointed out in other posts, brings a rarely-heard beauty to the tenor part, and Flagello could scare any sinner with the way he sings "mors," an octave lower each time, in the Dies Irae. But the real suprise is Nilsson. Apart from her Turandot, Aida, and Minnie, hers was not a voice much associated with the Italian repertoire. Finally, what an odd, sad, ironic coincidence it is that one of the best recordings of the Verdi Requiem should have been re-released on the darkest day in U.S. history: September 11.