FRANCO ALFANO (1875-1954): Sakùntala.

Description: This 1921 work, the first Italian opera to a prose libretto (the composer's own) was Alfano's most successful. The orchestration is redolent of Debussy and Ravel, rich in texture and melodic invention and the vocal lines have an impressive emotional intensity. The sound is good enough to let you imagine how great a sound spectacular this would be in a studio recording. 2 CDs. No libretto. For that matter, no notes either. Anna de Cavalieri (soprano), Antonio Annaloro (tenor), Giovanni Amodeo (bass), Chorus and Orchestra of RAI Milan; Arturo Basile (Sept. 24, 1955).