Leoncavallo: Complete opera "Pagliacci" (with lyrics translation) (2026 masterin

Description

***Product Information***
Format: SACD Hybrid
Number of discs: 1
Package: Digipak
Release Date: March 28, 2026
Record Label: TOWER RECORDS DEFINITION SERIES
Product Number: TDSA330

***Product Description***
*SACD Hybrid disc. World's first SACD release.
*Limited to 800 sets. Includes lyrics translation. Digipak packaging
*Serial number sticker included (The serial number is affixed to the back of the main unit and is not visible from the outside, so you cannot choose it. It will be given out randomly. Please understand.)
*Uses the latest 2026 mastered audio (High-quality digital conversion at 192kHz/24bit, followed by separate mastering of the SACD and CD layers)
*Mastering Engineer: Kosei Fujita
*Uses original jacket design (Monochrome photos of the artist are used in the liner notes)
*Commentary: Junichi Kokudo (New commentary), 64 pages total for the liner notes

***Work information***
Main
Conductor: Lovro von Matačić
Orchestra: Milan La Scala Orchestra
Tenor: Franco Corelli
Soprano: Lucine Amara
Baritone: Tito Gobbi

Other
Chorus: Milan La Scala Chorus
Composer: Ruggero Leoncavallo

***Recorded contents***
Number of tracks: 1
Edition: Remaster
[Track Listing] Total time 73:20
1. Ruggero Leoncavallo: Complete opera "Pagliacci"
(Libretto: (Ruggero Leoncavallo)

[Performers]
Canio (Blind man; plays a clown in the play-within-a-play): Franco Corelli (Tenor)
Nedda (Actress, Canio's wife; plays Colombina in the play-within-a-play): Lucine Amara (Soprano)
Tonio (A slow-witted comedian; plays Taddeo in the play-within-a-play): Tito Gobbi (Baritone)
Peppe (A comedian; plays Arlecchino in the play-within-a-play): Mario Spina (Tenor)
Silvio (Young man in the village): Mario Zanasi (Baritone)
Peasant I: Franco Piva (Baritone)
Peasant II: Angelo Merculali (Tenor)
Milan La Scala Orchestra and Chorus (Chorus Master: Norberto Mora)
Lovro von Matačić (Conductor)

[Recording]
July 1960, La Scala, Milano

【Original Recordings】
Producers: Walter Legge & Walter Jellinek, Balance Engineer: Harold Davidson

【Original Label】
Warner Classics (formerly EMI)

1. [SACD Hybrid]

***Product Introduction***
The "Pagliacci" conducted by Matacic during Corelli's prime is finally being released on CD (SACD) for the first time in Japan! This historically significant recording, featuring a stellar cast, has been newly remastered in 192kHz/24bit from the original analog master tapes for this release. Includes new liner notes and lyrics translation. Limited edition of 800 sets with serial numbers. This stereo recording with the La Scala Orchestra from July 1960 had never been released on CD in Japan, and for the past several decades, this historically significant recording has remained largely unknown. This recording, from Corelli's prime, was produced by Walter Legge, and Corelli delivers a powerful and nuanced performance of the tragic reality of the clown Canio. Matacic's lively conducting is also a major draw, and Tito Gobbi's outstanding expressiveness as Tonio shines through, making this one of the most representative performances of verismo opera. This latest reissue achieves a significant improvement in sound quality. This release traces back to the original master tapes in Italy and features the latest mastering as the final package. For this release, a master digitized at 192kHz/24bit from the original analog master tapes in Italy was used, with separate mastering for the SACD and CD layers. Includes new liner notes and a translation of the lyrics. A must-have for any collection. This Corelli recording of "Pagliacci" is widely regarded as one of the definitive early stereo recordings, alongside the Del Monaco version, but it has not been fortunate enough to be released on CD. This time, the sound quality has been completely transformed and it will be reissued as a new SACD hybrid disc. The combination of Corelli's beautiful voice in his prime and Matacic, who was 61 years old and in his prime at the time, is superb, and the backing of the La Scala Orchestra and the precise casting including Amara and Gobbi make it a coveted lineup even today, and like the opera reissues in this project, it is an album that deserves to be reissued in high sound quality. In the Definition Series, we have previously released Corelli's "Turandot" and "Il Trovatore". This new recording is no less impressive, and will deliver Corelli's beautiful voice, one of the greatest tenors of our time, in its entirety. Matacic is better known in Japan as a concert conductor, but he originally came to Japan in 1965 as one of the conductors of the "Slavonic Opera Company" (with the NHK Symphony Orchestra). He has conducted operas in Japan since then, and we have also reissued his masterpiece "The Merry Widow" in this project. Matacic's conducting, by guiding the singers fluidly without creating a heavy, stagnant flow, brings out the best in each of their strengths, further enhancing the performance's brilliance. This masterpiece of verismo opera, including its retention of the atmosphere unique to the golden age of singers, can certainly be called a historically significant recording. We expect it to receive even greater acclaim with this high-fidelity release. (1/2)
Tower Records (2026/02/27)

In this series, the SACD layer aims for high resolution and a rich soundstage with extended high frequencies and soft nuances, while the CD layer aims for a cohesive, solid sound with a sense of presence. The CD itself has high potential, and we encourage you to enjoy it as an SACD hybrid disc that allows you to appreciate the best of both worlds. Furthermore, a new essay by Junichi Kokudo has been included in the liner notes. This 73rd installment of the Definition Series will release a total of two titles. [Audio Restoration Concept] For this project, we used 192kHz/24bit WAV data obtained from the original source as the base. For the SACD layer, we converted it to DSD and then mastered it. Separately, we also mastered it in PCM for the CD layer. Therefore, the SACD and CD layers have independent mastering processes. Instead of combining multiple mastering processes (e.g., editing in PCM and then converting to DSD, or vice versa), we performed individual mastering for both SACD and CD, prioritizing the unique characteristics and sound quality of each. During this process, we conducted thorough comparisons with previously released audio sources, striving for optimal mastering while respecting the original analog master tapes to maximize the musical potential. (2/2)
Tower Records (2026/02/27)

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