Lully: Il faut passer tôt ou tard (from Alceste)

The song recital given by Cesare Siepi brings back memories of the legendary production of Don Giovanni staged during the Mozart bicentenary celebrations of 1956. Both as Don Giovanni himself and in his recital programme that same summer, Siepi delighted audiences with his warm bass voice. It was in fact not so much a song recital in the strict sense of the term but more of a highly personal encounter with a great singer who was a declared favourite with the Salzburg Festival's audiences. It is also a prime example of the great evenings of singing with which the Festival was to regale its ecstatic audiences from 1956 onwards. Siepi's programme was chosen to showcase his beautiful voice and cultivated singing but also his artistic versatility.

Live Recording 1956.