Usko Viitanen – Italian Opera Arias and Finnish Songs (CD Album)

Recordings 1962–1976

Product Information

• UPC: 6419369091903
• Format: CD, Album
• Label: Fuga (Catalog No.: FUGA 9190)
• Country: Finland
• Released: 2004
• Genre: Classical
• Style: Opera
• Performing Artist: Usko Viitanen (Baritone Vocals)
• Accompaniment:
  • Piano (Tracks 12–21): Pentti Koskimies
  • Orchestral accompaniment provided by various leading Finnish ensembles including:
    • Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra (conducted by Okko Kamu, Kari Tikka, etc.)
    • Finnish National Opera Orchestra (conducted by Adam Fischer)
    • Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra (conducted by Jussi Jalas)
    • Additional contributions on selected tracks by Jorma Panula, Ilkka Kuusisto, and others

Overview

English Overview

"Usko Viitanen – Italian Opera Arias and Finnish Songs: Recordings 1962–1976" is a historically rich compilation showcasing the extraordinary vocal artistry of Usko Viitanen. Spanning recordings from 1962 to 1976, this album brings together a diverse repertoire of Italian opera arias composed by Verdi, Rossini, Leoncavallo, Puccini and key Finnish songs by Sibelius, Kuula, and Merikanto. The selection includes renowned operatic scenes from masterpieces such as Rigoletto, Otello, Il Trovatore, La Traviata, Tosca and more. Expertly restored and masterfully compiled, this album not only preserves precious musical history but also offers listeners a vivid insight into mid‑20th century operatic performance in Finland.

Magyar Áttekintés

Az "Usko Viitanen – Italian Opera Arias and Finnish Songs: Recordings 1962–1976" egy történelmileg értékes válogatás, mely Usko Viitanen páratlan hangjának művészi kibontakozását mutatja be. A 1962 és 1976 közötti felvételek során a válogatás az olasz operai ariai (Verdi, Rossini, Leoncavallo, Puccini) és a finn himnuszok (Sibelius, Kuula, Merikanto) széles spektrumát öleli fel. Az album olyan neves mesterművek jeleneteit tartalmazza, mint a Rigoletto, Otello, Il Trovatore, La Traviata és Tosca. A gondosan restaurált és összeállított felvételek nem csupán értékes zenei örökséget őriznek, hanem élő betekintést nyújtanak a 20. század közepének finn operai előadásmódjába.

Product Features

• Extensive Historical Repertoire:
  Features iconic arias and scenes from Italian operas—ranging from Verdi’s dramatic passages to Puccini’s heartfelt moments—as well as beloved Finnish art songs.
• Exceptional Vocal Mastery:
  Showcases the rich, expressive baritone talents of Usko Viitanen, whose interpretations bring out the emotional depth of each composition.
• Quality Accompaniment & Orchestration:
  Accompanied by esteemed Finnish orchestras and solo instrumentalists (including Pentti Koskimies on piano for the Finnish songs), this collection benefits from refined musical collaboration.
• Cultural and Musical Heritage:
  This album is a priceless document of mid‑20th century operatic performance in Finland, merging Italian dramatic art with Finnish musical tradition.
• Expert Production & Restoration:
  Meticulously compiled, edited, and mastered by professionals—including production coordination by Tero Halvorsen and mastering by Kari A. Hakala—to preserve the clarity and authenticity of the original recordings.

Track Listing

1. Verdi: Rigoletto's Aria – Haaskalinnut, Te Roistot (Rigoletto) – 4:21
2. Verdi: Rigoletto's Aria – Pari Siamo! (Rigoletto) – 3:43
3. Verdi: Otello – Iago's Aria: Credo in un Dio crudel (Otello) – 4:50
4. Verdi: Otello – Iago's Aria and Scene with Otello: Era la notte (Otello)
     Tenor Vocals [Otello] – Pekka Nuotio – 4:35
5. Verdi: Il Trovatore – Luna's Aria: Il balen del suo sorriso (Il Trovatore) – 3:52
6. Verdi: La Traviata – Germont's Aria: Milloin saatoit unhoittaa (La Traviata) – 4:07
7. Rossini: Il barbiere di Siviglia – Figaro's Cavatina – 4:43
8. Leoncavallo: Pagliacci – Tonio's Prologo (I Pagliacci) – 4:58
9. Puccini: Tosca – The Finale of the First Act: Mene Tosca! Te Deum (Tosca)
     Chorus: Finnish National Opera Choir; Tenor Vocals [Spoletta] – Kauko Väyrynen – 4:28
10. Puccini: Tosca – The Scene with Scarpia, Sciarrone and Spoletta: Naisen mieluiten tahdon (Tosca)
      Bass Vocals [Sciarrone] – Jorma Falck; Tenor Vocals [Spoletta] – Kauko Väyrynen – 3:14
11. Puccini: Tosca – The Scene with Scarpia and Tosca: Hänet pelastakaa! (Tosca)
      Soprano Vocals [Tosca] – Eini Liukko-Vaara – 6:45
12. Sibelius: Säv, säv, susa – 2:24
13. Sibelius: Den första kyssen (The First Kiss) – 1:55
14. Sibelius: Flickan kom ifrån sin älsklings möte (Girl Came from Her Beloved One) – 2:54
15. Sibelius: Svarta rosor (Black Roses) – 1:54
16. Kuula: Tule armaani (Come, My Love) – 3:06
17. Kuula: Kesäyö kirkkomaalla (Summer Night in the Churchyard) – 2:46
18. Kuula: Epilogi (Epilogue) – 2:34
19. Merikanto: Kun päivä paistaa (When the Sun Shines) – 1:51
20. Merikanto: Elämälle (To Life) – 2:19
21. Merikanto: Myrskylintu (The Thunderbird) – 2:45
22. Merikanto: Kylän tiellä (On the Village Road) – 1:57
23. Merikanto: Laatokka (Lake Ladoga) (with Chorus) – 3:02

Publishers & Production Details

• Produced, Compiled & Coordinated by: Tero Halvorsen
• Edited & Mastered by: Kari A. Hakala
• Photography: Kaius Hedenström
• Liner Notes (Translated into English and Italian): Pekka Gronow and Torsten Brander
• Conductors & Orchestras:                                Phonographic Copyright: ℗ Tero Halvorsen
  • Verdi Selections (Tracks 1–6):
    • Conducted by Jorma Panula (Tracks 1 and 7);
    • Finnish National Opera Orchestra, with Adam Fischer handling tracks 3–4
  • Puccini Selections (Tracks 9–11):
    • Conducted by Okko Kamu and Kari Tikka
  • Sibelius Selections (Tracks 12–15): by appropriate Finnish ensembles
  • Finnish Song Selections (Tracks 16–23):
    • Piano accompaniment by Pentti Koskimies;
    • And orchestral support from the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra (Jussi Jalas), Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra, and others as listed
• Glass Mastered At: CD Data-Mate
• Label: Fuga – FUGA 9190

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Hashtags

English:

#UskoViitanen #ItalianOperaArias #FinnishSongs #OperaRecordings #VintageOpera #Fuga9190 #ClassicalCD #HistoricalRecordings #Verdi #Puccini #Sibelius

Magyar (Címkék):

#UskoViitanen #OlaszOperaria #FinnZene #OperaFelvételek #RégiOpera #Fuga9190 #KlasszikusCD #TörténelmiFelvételek #Verdi #Puccini #Sibelius