Falla (La) Vida breve
De los Angeles works her magic in a lovingly restored Falla recording
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Manuel de Falla
Genre:
Opera
Label: Céleste Series
Magazine Review Date: 11/2006
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 67
Mastering:
Mono
ADD
Catalogue Number: SOMMCD059

Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
(La) Vida breve |
Manuel de Falla, Composer
Agustina Turullols, Street Vendor II Amadeo Cartaña, Voice of a hawker Barcelona Opera Symphony Orchestra Capilla Clásica Polifonica Carmen Gombau, Street Vendor I Emilio Pava, Uncle Sarvaor Ernesto Halffter, Conductor Fernando Cachadiña, Manuel José Simorra, Singer Josefina Puigsech, Carmela Manuel de Falla, Composer Miguel Pujol, Voice in the smithy; Voice in the distance Pablo Civil, Paco Pilar Tello, Street Vendor III Rosario Gomez, Grandmother Victoria de los Ángeles, Salud, Soprano |
Author: Andrew Lamb
A poorly paced libretto and unsatisfactory resolution make La vida breve an unconvincing piece in the theatre. On disc Falla’s atmospheric and exciting score has its head and has fared well over the years, most recently in an inexpensive Naxos recording (5/04).
In a work that depends so much on the central character of Salud, though, it’s recordings by Victoria de los Angeles and Teresa Berganza that stake a prime claim to attention. De los Angeles’s 1965 stereo remake under Frühbeck de Burgos outclasses this 1954 version in depth of characterisation and finely tuned nuance, just as it does more obviously in the extra magic created by stereo sound. Yet there’s still a great deal to make this earlier recording well worth hearing. De los Angeles’s voice is purer and more youthful, portraying a correspondingly greater vulnerability in her relationship with the man she worships. Her solos are sung with the utmost beauty and clarity, and she’s incomparably affecting in her second solo as she realises Paco’s treachery.
In conductor Ernesto Halffter, a pupil of Falla, this version also offers a direct link with the composer. In addition it provides the chance to hear distinguished Spanish singers under-appreciated outside Spain, for instance the stylish Catalan tenor Pablo Civil, agreeably fresh on the ear as Paco, and Rosario Gomez as Salud’s grandmother. It’s not just admirers of de los Angeles who would wish to have this expertly transferred reissue in their collection alongside the stereo remake.
In a work that depends so much on the central character of Salud, though, it’s recordings by Victoria de los Angeles and Teresa Berganza that stake a prime claim to attention. De los Angeles’s 1965 stereo remake under Frühbeck de Burgos outclasses this 1954 version in depth of characterisation and finely tuned nuance, just as it does more obviously in the extra magic created by stereo sound. Yet there’s still a great deal to make this earlier recording well worth hearing. De los Angeles’s voice is purer and more youthful, portraying a correspondingly greater vulnerability in her relationship with the man she worships. Her solos are sung with the utmost beauty and clarity, and she’s incomparably affecting in her second solo as she realises Paco’s treachery.
In conductor Ernesto Halffter, a pupil of Falla, this version also offers a direct link with the composer. In addition it provides the chance to hear distinguished Spanish singers under-appreciated outside Spain, for instance the stylish Catalan tenor Pablo Civil, agreeably fresh on the ear as Paco, and Rosario Gomez as Salud’s grandmother. It’s not just admirers of de los Angeles who would wish to have this expertly transferred reissue in their collection alongside the stereo remake.
Discover the world's largest classical music catalogue with Presto Music.

Gramophone Digital Club
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £8.75 / month
Subscribe
Gramophone Full Club
- Print Edition
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £11.00 / month
Subscribe
If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.