It's his birthday...Francesco Molinari-Pradelli

One of my absolute delights as a teenager was this Turandot, conducted by Francesco Molinari-Pradelli.  Nilsson as the fearless princess and Corelli as the ardent prince were the stuff of dreams, especially in the colourful trappings of Cecil Beaton.

I guess this is a roundabout way of saying happy birthday to Francesco Molinari-Pradelli, a conductor familiar to many opera goers and listeners for many years.  He conducted the likes of some of the greatest operatic talent and left behind a great trove of recordings still available today, many having never left the cataologue.

This is my most treasured recording of his, although his reading of Manon Lescaut with Tebaldi and Del Monaco lost by a mean amount, due I have to admit that the Turandot has the most winning cover art!

So below is one of the most majestic entrances of any character in opera ever. EVER.  Enjoy...