My third version of the Verdi Requiem. Giulini’s and Bernstein’s I already wrote about. I was pleasantly surprised by this one. In my mind maestro Tullio Serafin is connected to really old recordings of dubious quality. Many of them mono all of them badly produced. This recording is the second he did of the work, the first being from 1939 (that one is featured three times on Spotify, this one is not there at all). In 1960 recording technique was way better, and it is noticeable. Outstanding performances, especially by mezzo-soprano Fiorenza Cossotto and bass Boris Christoff.
Bad recordings or no, Serafin is considered one of the highlights in operatic performance. He is especially known for his mentorship of now famous singers like Renata Tebaldi and Maria Callas. I was just trying to find out if Fiorenza Cossotto is related to my other favourite mezzo: Renata uhm… Scotto. The names sound similar to me, being non Italian.