This commemorative compilation was produced in honor of Louis Quilico's 75th birthday. When first meeting Louis Quilico about this project, we decided to produce a CD that would both be a birthday present to Louis Quilico and a gift from Louis Quilico to the thousands of people that have heard him sing. In a career spanning over 40 years, Mr. Quilico was mostly renowned for the exceptional quality of his live performances. It was therefore important to include live excerpts in this CD.
Although these live recordings are not up to today's recording standards, the vocal and dramatic quality of these documents are of historical relevance.
Mr. Quilico is most famous for his interpretations of the Verdi repertoire. He has earned the title of Mr. Rigoletto after singing this role over 500 times. "I was graced by being in my comfort zone in the Verdi repertoire.”
This group of famous Verdi arias was recorded in 1986 by CBC Enterprises with the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, Uri Mayer conducting.
Giuseppe Verdi Rigoletto: Cortigiani, vil razza dannata La forza del destino: Morir! tremenda cosa — Urna fatale de mio destino Macbeth: Perfidi! — Pieta, rispetto amore Un ballo in maschera: Alzati! là tuo figlio — Eri tu che macchiavi quell'anima The next group of recordings shows a different side of Louis Quilico.
Recorded in 1998 at the Glenn Gould Studio in Toronto, the recordings also feature Canadian pianist Christina Petrowska. Ms Petrowska and Mr. Quilico were married in 1993 and have since appeared together in concerts and broadcasts around the world.
Henri Duparc L'Invitation au voyage Le manoir de Rosemonde Chanson triste Claude Debussy Nuit d'étoiles Maurice Ravel Chanson épique Gabriel Fauré Chanson du pêcheur Rare live recordings
Giuseppe Verdi Luisa Miller: Sacra la scelta è d'un consorte Live performance, San Francisco, November 29, 1974. Jesus Lopez-Cobos, conductor.
Gaetano Donizetti Il Duca d'Alba: Nei miei superbi gaudi Live performance at the Spoleto Festival on June 11, 1959. Thomas Schippers conducting the Orchestra Filarmonica Triestina. Vincenzo Bellini I puritani: Ah! Per sempre io ti perdei Live performance, 1972, at the Philadelphia Academy of Music.
Jules Massenet Manon: Il vous parlait Manon… Regardez-moi bien Live performance, April 13, 1967. Conducted by Knud Andersson, at that time Music Director of the New Orleans Opera Association.
Franz Schubert Ave Maria Recorded in March 1992 at the Metropolitan United Church in Toronto, by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. Jean Ashworth Bartle, conductor.
"I would like to dedicate this CD to my dear wife Christina Petrowska who has given me the happiest years of my life. I would also like to make a special dedication to all the opera fans who have encouraged me over the years and who took special time to attend my performances."
- Louis Quilico
