Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice, Patti LuPone, Mandy Patinkin - Evita (1978 Original Broadway Cast)

Evita was Andrew Lloyd Webber's last show with Tim Rice before he went on to projects with less interesting collaborators, so it's no surprise that it remains his most consistently involving and rewarding work. Loosely based on the life of Eva Peron, the charismatic wife of post-World War II Argentine president Juan Peron, Rice's compelling story of one woman's rise from poverty to power is complemented by Lloyd Webber's colorful music as propelled by vigorous Latin rhythms. The showstopper, of course, is "Don't Cry for Me, Argentina," but the score is full of gems, including "On This Night of a Thousand Stars," "Oh, What a Circus," and "Another Suitcase in Another Hall." Headlining the 1978 Broadway cast, Patti LuPone is fabulous in the title role, showcasing her big voice and brash egotism in the role she was born to play. Mandy Patinkin is Che, the Greek-chorus character commenting on and criticizing the Perons, and his tenor is sweet on the ballads and powerful on the driving numbers. LuPone and Patinkin made their names with Evita (and took home well-deserved Tonys), but it's the third principal, Bob Gunton, who elevates this cast to the stratosphere. As Peron--a role often filled by a nonsinger--Gunton inflects his strong voice with both menace and sensitivity. Forget the movie; this is the definitive version of this score, and an essential cast recording. --David Horiuchi Amazon.com essential recording

Evita, "premiere american recording"

I am returning the defective product today. The factory sealed jewel box contained two copies of disc 2. It was missing disc 1. Ergo, this is a USELESS product. I was totally unable to address this issue via your web site ... a major demerit against shopping with Amazon ever again. Please look out for this returned c.d., and when you send me a replacement, be 100% sure that it too is not defective, or that will be "it!" December 29, 2008

One of the greatest Broadway cast albums of all time.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's masterpiece, "Evita", is without a doubt one of the greatest musicals of all time. Loosely based on the life of Eva Perón (via the slanderous 1952 "biography" by Mary Main), "Evita" tells the story of Eva's unscrupulous rise to fame and glory - becoming spiritual leader of the nation of Argentina under the seemingly dictatorial presidency of her husband, Juan Domingo Perón. The musical is told from the perspective of Ché Guevara (though the specificity and historical accuracy of this claim has been disputed - most prefer simply "Ché"), a cynical anti-Perónist bent on exposing the corrupt underbelly of the Perónist regime and unmasking Eva's unsavory character amid the "circus" of mourning following her death.

In keeping with the musical's textual source and Ché's narratorial disdain, this original Broadway cast album with Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin is the definitive recording of the show. The juggernaut of the Perónist movement is urgent, corrupt, and violent while LuPone's Eva is unrelenting - with a voice that is both spine-tingling in its intensity and heart-breaking in its moments of desperation and despair.

The recordings that would follow - culminating in the 1996 film version starring Madonna - would attempt to alter the textual origins, softening Eva's character and emphasizing the "Santa Evita" aspect of her myth. In my humble opinion, these changes weaken the story, detracting from the underlying tale of a woman's destruction - becoming a victim of not only her illness, but of her own pride and guilt over her actions. I walk away from this recording uneasy, profoundly moved, and almost fearful. "Evita" is a tragedy - more like an opera in execution than a musical, really - and this 1978 Original Broadway Cast Recording is the most complete representation of the show as it was originally intended. In short, this cast album is perfection and a definite must-own for any lover of musical theater. October 19, 2008

I Love Evita!

This is an abridged version of my review for Evita: An Opera Based On The Life Story Of Eva Peron 1919-1952 (1976 Studio Cast).

Evita is my favorite musical (although due to my age and location I have never seen it live) and I must say that this and the Concept Cast (linked above) are my two favorite recordings of Evita available. If you are going to purchase a recording, get either of these. DO NOT GET THE MOTION PICTURE SOUNDTRACK! I can barely stand to watch the movie because Madonna and Banderas are not good- the score is lowered so much due to Madonna's limited range (although I do like Madonna dong her own music) that its unlistenable.

Mandy Patinkin and Patti LuPone are very good. Mandy's sweet voice is perfect on songs like "Oh What A Circus," "High Flying, Adored," and "And The Money Kept Rolling In." And, Patti LuPone rivals Julie Covington as the best Eva. Her belts in "A New Argentina" and "Rainbow High" are unrivaled.

The upsetting thing about this recording is that some of my favorite lines from the Concept Cast Recording were cut. For example, I miss the line "and trample their rotten values into the ground" from the "Screw the middle classes" part because I think it helped to show Eva's hatred for all that the middle class stood for. I also miss the "You're obviously going through some adolescent phase. Maybe you got something more than just a pretty face. MAYBE NOT!" lines from "Another Suitcase In Another Hall." But, overall, this is certainly a more polished version than the earlier one.

I would recommend that you get both casts and make a compilation CD of the best versions from each, as I did, although your tastes may be different:

Requiem For Evita/Oh What A Circus- Mandy, Patti
On This Night Of A Thousand Stars/Eva And Magaldi/Eva Beware Of The City- Julie, Colm
Buenos Aire- Julie
Goodnight And Thank You- Mandy, Patti
The Lady's Got Potential- Antonio Banderas
Charity Concert/I'd Be Surprisingly Good For You- Mandy, Patti
Another Suitcase In Another Hall- Julie, Barbara
A New Argentina- Mandy, Patti
Don't Cry For Me Argentina-Julie, although I'd also recommend Sarah Brightman's and Elaine Paige's versions.
High Flying, Adored- Mandy, Patti
Rainbow High- Patti, although Elaine Paige is also good on this number
Rainbow Tour- Julie, Colm
The Actess Hasn't Learned The Lines (You'd Like To Hear)- Patti
And The Money Kept Rolling In (And Out)- Mandy, although Matt Rawle from 2006 London Cast is also good on this track)
Waltz For Evita And Che- Julie, Colm, although Matt Rawle and Elena Roger are also good on this one
You Must Love Me- Madonna
Eva's Final Broadcast- Mandy, Patti September 8, 2008

Stupendous

Evita needs a new review like a hole in the head, so forgive the indulgence.
Always will be the greatest CD presentation of the Rice/Webber masterpiece. Why Lloyd Webber has felt it needed the bastardisation of its more recent incarnations?.. I will never understand.

Damien Slattery August 22, 2008

evita

Package came only with cd#1 out of a 2 cd set. otherwise would have been 5 stars. June 9, 2008

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