| 1. Innocente [Lost Witness Rmx Edit] |
| 2. Innocente [Radio Version] |
| 3. Innocente [Mr. Sam's The Space Between Us Rmx Edit] |
| 4. Innocente [Deep Dish Gladiator Rmx] |
| 5. Innocente [Dj Tiesto Rmx] |
| 6. Innocente [Lost Witness Rmx] |
Editorial Reviews
Features Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer) and includes remixes by DJ Tiesto, Deep Dish, Mr. Sam and Lost Witness.
Innocente,Delarium,Wea International,Dance,Pop,Rock
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Leyla Gencer, Vol. 1
Manufacturer: Opera D'oro ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00004UDE5 Release Date: 2000-10-17 |
Tracks:
- Medea: 'E Che? Io Sono Medea'
- Norma: 'Sediziose Voce... Casta Diva'
- Norma: 'Deh! Non Volerli Vittime'
- Belisario: 'Egli E Spento'
- Maria Stuarda: 'Figlia Impura Di Bolena'
- Maria Stuarda: 'Di Un Cor Che More... Ah! Se Un Giorno'
- Anna Bolena: 'Come Innocente Giovane'
- Anna Bolena: 'Piangete Voi?... Al Dolce Guidami (Finale)'
Customer Reviews:
Enthusiasm, characterization, but rough edges. . . ........2007-04-25
Uneven is a good term to describe her singing. . . . Let's take a look at a couple "cuts" from this CD. From Bellini's "Norma," she sings "Sediziose voce. . .Casta diva." Hers is not a lovely voice, although there is a richness to it. She has a heavier tone than other singing the repertoire. There are harsh edges to her voice. She does transmit a sense of the character.
She also sings ""Egli e spento" from Donizetti's "Belisario." Again, there are genuinely rough edges to her singing, although she does serviceable work. She just does not seem "ready for prime time." Coloratura technique is minimal across the various cuts--including this one. She does hit a nice high note at the end of this aria.
From "Maria Stuarda," by Donizetti, she sings "Figlia impure di Bolena." She shows the emotions of Maria Stuarda nicely. Still, vocal qualities are not very attractive. Her voice is also overwhelmed by the orchestra at times. Once more, little coloratura technique. Nice high note at the end, but her voice does not soar.
From Donizetti's "Anna Bolena," Gencer sings "Come innocente giovane." Her singing here is animated, but vocal qualities a bit uneven. Finally, from the same opera, she sings "Piangete voi?. . .Al dolce guidami." There is some coloratura technique here, although not outstanding.
So, what to make of Leyla Gencer? She sings enthusiastically; she provides a sense of the character. But somehow, from what I hear, her voice and technique are not up to the task of providing excellent renderings of the works selected for this CD.
Absolutely Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2005-04-06
Bel Canto Heroine.......2004-07-09
A little known fact is that, had Gencer been available when Marilyn Horne pulled out of the AOS production of Lucrezia Borgia, Montserrat Caballe would have been denied her overnight rise to international stardom (though it is safe to say it would have come sooner or later).
Here, on Disc 1, you have a sampling of some of Gencer's bel canto forays. Unfortunately, most were recorded in the late sixties, when she was moving past her prime. To have an idea of the youthful Gencer, listen to the two selections from Anna Bolena that appear at the end of the CD. However, even a little past her prime, Gencer enthralls you with her varied gifts. Like Callas, she had a fiery temperment, best captured on the finale to Medea, included here, as well as "Deh, non volerli" from Norma, which is truly heart-rending. However, unlike Callas, she knew that fire-and-brimstone should not be turned on all the time, which is why she also developed a wonderful pianissimo, like Caballe. Just listen to the long, long pianissimo she floats at the end of "Sediziosi voci."
Although never allowed to rise to the level of fame of Callas, Sutherland, Caballe, and Sills, Gencer was and is an integral part of bel canto singing, and the current interest in live recordings will ensure that her legacy is not forgotten.
Queen of Pirates.......2004-06-02
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The Hyperion Schubert Edition 33 - The Young Schubert / McLaughlin, Murray, Wyn-Rogers, Langridge, D. Norman, A. Thompson, Koningsberger, Varcoe; Graham Johnson
Franz Schubert , Graham Johnson , Marie McLaughlin , Ann Murray , Catherin Wyn-Rogers , Philip Langridge , Daniel Norman , Adrian Thompson , Maarten Koningsberger , and Stephen Varcoe Manufacturer: Hyperion UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00002EIUC Release Date: 1999-10-12 |
Average customer rating:
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Innocente
Delerium Manufacturer: Nettwerk Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005LMJ9 Release Date: 2001-06-19 |
Tracks:
- Lost Witness (remix radio edit)
- Deep Dish (Gladiator Remix UK edit)
- DJ Tiesto (remix)
- Lost Witness (remix)
- Mr. Sam's (The Space Between Us remix edit)
Customer Reviews:
Innocente....another great Delerium single.......2005-07-09
The first song 'Lost Witness Remix' is a short edited remix but a great dance beat for any party DJ to include in his or her playlist. The weakest remix is the last song 'Mr Sam's: The Space Between Us Edit' goes for too long and loses its way. But other than that the songs are perfect to chill too or dance to. Delerium is still around and shows a tenacity to stick around.
i suppose it is the price of falling in love.......2004-08-17
One of my favorite songs.......2004-01-22
Enchanting Ambience.......2003-04-06
If you are a first time listener of ambient and trance music I'm sure you will be a Delerium fan with their intelligent colaboration of mixing guest vocals like Sarah McLachlan on their 'Semantic Spaces' album. I recommend this as a leap into the genre without being to overpowered. As it's spiritual Gregorian chants will mesmerize you. The same transition over to this album with new mixes and format along with the vocal talents of Nash. If you like listening to Enigma and Mythos then you'll like Delerium.
Entrancing.......2002-08-03
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Donizetti: Anna Bolena
G. Donizetti , and Beverly Sills Manufacturer: Decca U.S. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005AWIL Release Date: 2001-04-10 |
Tracks:
- Anna Bolena: Sinfonia
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Introduzione
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Ella di me, sollecita
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Si taciturna e mesta
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Deh! Non voler costringere
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Copme, innocente giovane
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Legger potessi in me! Non v'ha sguardo
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - O! qual parlar fu il suo!
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Si: l'avrete
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - la mia fama e a pie dell'ara
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Ella pure amor m offria
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Ah! qual sia cercar non oso
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Two - Chi veggo?...in Inghilterra
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Two - Da quel di che, lei perduta
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Two - Ah! cosi nei di ridenti
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Two - Desta si tosto
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Two - Io sentii sulla mio mano
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Two - or che reso ai patri i lidi
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Two - Questo di per noi spuntato
Tracks:
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - E'sgombro il loco...
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - Ah! parea che per incanto
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - Basta...basta...tropp'oltre vai...
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - Anna! - Riccardo!
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - S'ei t'aborre, io t'amo ancora
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - Ah!...per pieta del mio spavento
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - Alcun potria ascoltarti
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - Tace ognuno
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - Il quegli sgardi impresso
- Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - In separato carcere
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene One - O! Dove mai ne andarono
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene One - O mie fedeli
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene One - Dio, che mi vedi in core
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene One - Sul suo capo aggravi un Dio
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene One - Dal mio cor punita io sono
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene One - Va, infelice, e teco reca
Tracks:
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Ebben? dinanzi ai giudici
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Scostatevi...il Re giunge...
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Ambo morrete
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Al Consiglio sien tratti
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Sposa a Percy
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Per questa fiamma indomita
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Stolta! non sai...
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Ah! pensate che rivolti
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Tu pur dannato a morte
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Vive tu, te ne scongiuro
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Nel veder la tua costanza
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Chi puo vederla
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Piangete voi?
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Al dolce guidami castel natio
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Qual mesto suon?...
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Cielo, a'miei lunghi spasimi
- Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Coppia iniqua
Customer Reviews:
SILLS GOES FOR BROKE -------- AND SHE TRIUMPHS.......2006-04-17
Enough!.......2006-01-25
Incidentally, how can some people blatantly dare show their absolute ignorance? How can somebody call -and get away with it- Callas' soloists Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, Giulietta Simionato, and Gianni Raimondi "second rate"??? I guess you've neither listened to any of them nor heard of their superb and much acclaimed qualities as musicians!!!
The best set available - wonderful.......2005-03-27
Callas was breathtaking in her live performance from the 50's (especially in Act 3) BUT the sound quality is very poor indeed and the other soloists are second rate. The performance was also heavily cut. I only wish she had recorded the whole opera in the studio, instead of one or two arias.
Sunderland was well past her prime by the time she recorded her performance on CD. Her diction, never a strong point for her, is particularly 'woolly' and she has problems sustaining the higher register without strain. It is a pity she didn't record it much earlier in her career. Boynage conducts in a pedestrian manner too (compare the overture from Boynage and Rudel, Rudel makes the overture exciting and vibrant. Boynage conducts a somewhat flat and one dimensional rendition).
Gruberova's recording on CD is from a live performance and is truly aweful in places. I actually think it is one of the worst performances of anything I have ever heard 'recorded'. Don't touch it with a barge pole.
Then there is Sills performance. OK, I wish the voice was a little heavier at times but her singing is, as usual, beautiful. You feel that Anna Bolena is a role she loved, she conveys dramatic sincerity throughout. Rudel conducts his orchestral forces with such energy. Indeed, he is a major selling point of this set for me. He injects the performance with flair and gusto. Verrett, Burrows and Plishka don't put a foot wrong. A wonderful performance. I love this recording above all the others. Buy it. This set leaves the competition standing, (although, if you can tolerate the appalling sound, Callas' performance is fantastic too, however overall this set is far superior).
A great Anna.......2004-05-20
I've had it!.......2004-05-20
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Maria Callas Live
Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000AMUU9E Release Date: 2005-11-08 |
Tracks:
- Casta Diva...Fino Al Rito...Ah! Bello A Me Ritorna
- Oh, Rimembranza!...Ah Si, Fa Core
- Perfido! Or Basti!
- Mira, O Norma...Cedi, Deh Cedi!...Si, Fino All'ore Estreme
- In Mia Man Alfin Tu Sei
- Deh! Non Volerli Vittime
- Sorgete; E In Me Dover...Quando A Un Tratto - Various Artists
- Ah! Lo Sento
- Cedo Al Destin Orribile
- Oh! S'io Potessi Dissipar Le Nubi...Col Sorriso D'innocenza..Oh, Sole! Ti Vela Di Tenebra Fonda
Tracks:
- Care Compagne...Come Per Me Sereno...Sovra Il Sen
- Son Geloso Del Zefiro Errante
- D'Un Pensiero E D'un Accento...Non Piu Nozze - Various Artists
- Ah! Non Credea Mirarti
- Ah! Non Giunge
- Regnava Nel Silenzio...Quando Rapito In Estasi
- Qui Di Sposa...Verranno A Te
- Soffriva Nel Pianto...Tu Che Vedi Il Pianto Mio
- Chi Mi Frena - Various Artists
- Il Dolce Suono...Ardon Gli Incensi...Spargi D'amaro Pianto - Various Artists
Tracks:
- Dei Tuo figli...O Fatal Vello D'or
- Creonte A Me Solo
- E Che? Io Son Medea!
- Come, Innocente Giovane...Non V'ha Sguardo
- Io Sentii Sulla Mia Mano - Various Artists
- Ove Sono?...In Quegli Sguardi Impresso...Ah! Segnata E La Mia Sorte - Various Artists
- Va, Infelice
- Fin Dall'eta Piu Tenera...Salira D'Inghilterra Sul Trono
- Piangete Voi?...Al Dolce Guidami...Qual Mesto Suon?...Coppia Iniqua - Various Artists
Tracks:
- Di Mio Padre...Deh! Pelopea Stirpe!...O Tu, Che In Tua Pieta Crudel
- Sommi Dei!...O Sventurata Ifigenia
- Il Voto Pago Andra...Io Ti Veggio
- Ah! L'esecrando Rito...Io T'imploro Anelante
- Di Quai Soavi Lagrime
- Omai Da Lunge...Perche Di Stolto Giubilo
- Donna...Che! Possente Numi!...Quest'alma E Troppo Debole
- Ah! Fuggi Da Morte
- Ecco Il Segnal!
- Ecco L'orrido Campo...Ma Dall'arido Stela Divulsa
- Teco Io Sto...O Qual Soave Brivido
- A Tal Colpo...Morro, Ma Prima In Grazia
Tracks:
- Libiamo, Ne' Lieti Calici
- E Strano! E Strano...Ah! Fors'e Lui...Sempre Libera
- Non Sapete...Ah! Dite Alla Giovine
- Dammi Tu Forza, O Cielo!
- Teneste La Promessa...Addio Del Passato
- Ah, Violetta!...Se Una Pudica Vergine - Various Artists
- Ritorna Vincitor!
- Al Tuo Consiglio Io Cedo...Gloria All'egitto - Various Artists
- Qui Radames Verra!...O Patria Mia
- Ciel! Mio Padre!
- O Terra, Addio
Tracks:
- Nel Di Della Vittoria...Vieni! T'afferetta!...Or Tutti Sorgete
- La Luce Langue
- Una Macchia E Qui Tuttora
- Gente La Dentro!...Mario! Mario!...Non La Sospiri, La Nostra Casetta
- Orsu, Tosca, Parlate - Various Artists
- Vissi D'arte
- Senti, L'ora E Vicina...Amaro Sol Per Te...Presto! Su, Mario! - Various Artists
- Ecco L'altare...Ervate Possente
- Come Sa Amare!...La Mamma Morta
- Benedico Il Destino! - Various Artists
Tracks:
- Ben Io T'invenni...Anch'io Dischiuso Un Giorno (Abigaille, Act II)
- Dov'e L'indiana Bruna? (Bell Song) (Lakme, Act II)
- Tutte Le Torture (Costanze, Act II)
- Ahime! Che Notte Oscura...Ombra Leggera (Shadow Song) (Dinorah, Act II)
- Depuis Le Jour (Louise, Act III)
- D'amore Al Dolce Impero (Armida, Act II)
- Bel Raggio Lusinghier (Smiramide, Act I)
- Ma Chi E Questa Bella...Ai Vostri Giochi...Ed Ora A Voi (Ofelia, Act IV)
- Vanne, Lasciami...D'amor Sull'ali Rosee (Leonora, Act IV)
- Pace, Pace, Mio Dio! (Leonora, Act IV)
- Dolce E Calmo (Liebestod) Isolde, Act III)
Tracks:
- Una Voce Poco Fa (Rosina, Act I)
- Tu Che Vedi Il Mio Tormento (Tu Che Invoco) (Giulia, Act II)
- Surta E La Notte...Ernani! Nernai, Involami (Elvira, Act I)
- Tu Che Le Vanita (Elsabetta, Act IV)
- Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi (Mimi, Act I)
- L'altra Notte In Fondo Al Mare (Margherita, Act III)
- L'amour Est Un Oiseau rebelle (Habanera) (Carmen, Act I)
- Pres Des Remparts De Seville (Seguedille) (Carmen, Act I)
- Nacqui All'affanno...Non Piu Mesta (Cenerentola, Act II)
- Je Ne Suis Que Faiblesse...Adieu, Notre Petite Table (Manon, Act II)
- Werther! Qui M'aurait Dit...Des Cris Joyeux (Charlotte, Act III)
- Tu? Tu? Piccolo Iddio (Butterfly, Act II)
- O Mio Babbino Caro (Lauretta)
Customer Reviews:
Just the best of the best........2006-02-08
Unlike her studio recitals, unequal and mostly recorded when her voice was starting to decay, this live records take you back to the glorious early fifties when the young Callas was changing the history of opera forever.
The first 6 CD's are scenes from stage performances and the last 2 from recitals.
Chronollogically, this compilation starts with the legendary (and controversial) 1951 Mexico-City "Aida" and ends with the 1964 Covent Garden "Tosca" (when Callas' voice was just the shade of itself but at the peak of her dramatic skills).
Listen to the electrifying poetry of the 1952 "La sonnambula", to the devorating flame of 1955 "La traviata" and "Lucia". Not to forget the 1952 "Norma", the 1957 "Ana Bolena" and some rarities like "Andrea Chénier", "Ifigenia in Tauride" and "Poliuto".
The only great absent of this collection is "Armida"...
As for the the 2 recital CD's, the first one contains arias from concerts between 1952 and 1958, when Callas was in full command of her voice. Nobody else was capable of singing arias from Nabucco and Lakmé on the same recital! And listen to the last aria: Wagner's Isolde's dead.
The second one, contains arias from 1959 to 1963. Here, Callas voice had diminished considerably and she was not anymore capable of the same technical miracles, but she still managed to give thrilling dramatical interpretations (listen to the dead scene of Madama Butterfly of the 1963 Paris recital!!!)
In 80% of this compilation you can hear the young Callas creating her own legend, giving herself completly on the stage.
Average customer rating: |
The Piano Works of Nikolai Medtner, Vol. 7
Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000059LXA Release Date: 2001-03-27 |
Tracks:
- Three Dithyrambs, Op.10: III. Andantino Innocente
- Two Fairy Tales, Op.20: I. Allegro Con Espressione
- Two Fairy Tales, Op.20: II. Pesante. Minaccioso, Sempre Al Rigore Di Tempo E Sostenuto
- Four Lyric Fragments, Op.23: I. Allegretto Commodamente
- Four Lyric Fragments, Op.23: II. Andantino Gracile
- Four Lyric Fragments, Op.23: III. Tempo Di Valse
- Four Lyric Fragments, Op.23: IV. Andantino Tenebroso - Animato
- Four Fairy Tales, Op.26: I. Allegretto Frescamente - Giocoso - Tempo Primo
- Four Fairy Tales, Op.26: II. Molto Vivace
- Four Fairy Tales, Op.26: III. Narrante A Piacere - Piu Mosso - Tempo Primo
- Four Fairy Tales, Op.26: IV. Sostenuto
- Theme And Vars, Op.55: Theme. Allegretto Grazioso (Tempo Di Menutto)
- Theme And Vars, Op.55: Var I
- Theme And Vars, Op.55: Var II. Allegro
- Theme And Vars, Op.55: Var III. Allegro (Al Rigore Di Tempo)
- Theme And Vars, Op.55: Var IV. Intermezzo. Allegro Leggierissimo E Giocoso - Meno Mosso - Tempo...
- Theme And Vars, Op.55: Var V. Largamento, Lugubre, Ma Non Ritadare
- Theme And Vars, Op.55: Var VI. Allegro Molto
- Two Fairy Tales, Op.48: Elf Tale. Con Moto Flessible
- Two Elegies, Op.59: Andante Largamento - Tranquillo - Andante
- Two Elegies, Op.59: Andante Con Moto, Sempre Cantabile
Average customer rating: |
The Queen of Belcanto
Manufacturer: Nightingale Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00004W17H Release Date: 2005-12-27 |
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Verdi: Otello/Vinay, Nelli, Valdengo,Toscanini
Arthur Newman , Giuseppe Valdengo , Herva Nelli , Leslie Chabay , Nan Merriman , Nicola Moscona , Ramón Vinay , and Virginio Assandri Manufacturer: Guild ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0001PIZHO Release Date: 2005-01-17 |
Customer Reviews:
The best!.......2006-08-11
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Mantler: Cerco un Paese Innocente
Manufacturer: Ecm Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0000031Z7 Release Date: 1996-06-18 |
Tracks:
- Part I: Introduzione
- Part I: Girovago
- Part I: Intermezzo 1
- Part I: Eterno/Stasera
- Part I: Intermezzo 2
- Part 2: Perche?
- Part 2: Sempre Notte
- Part 2: Inizio (1): Solitudine/Lontano
- Part 2: Inizio (2): L'Illuminata Rugiada/Proverbi (Uno)
- Part 2: Intermezzo 3
- Part 2: Destino/Rilucere Inveduto/Un' Altra Notte
- Part 3: Se Una Tua Mano
- Part 3: Intermezzo 4
- Part 3: Vanita
- Part 3: Quando Un Giorno
- Part 4: E Senza Fiato
- Part 4: Intermezzo 5
- Part 4: Non Griadte Piu
- Part 4: Tutto Ho Perduto
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Nelly Miricioiu - Bel Canto Portrait ~ Scenes from Emma d'Antiochia, L'assedio di Corinto, Belisario, Parisina
Nelly Miricioiu , Ildebrando D'Arcangelo , and Alice Coote Manufacturer: Opera Rara UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005AG5B Release Date: 2001-08-14 |
Customer Reviews:
Miricioiu at her most amazing level.......2003-06-14
At 50 years plus, one now often aware of the wear on her voice, but this album catches her at her bel cantista best. And, at her best, she is one of the greatest singers of the past century. If anyone who has heard her needs confirmation of that, this CD confirms it. The rich, covered tones and the coloratura technique are astounding and moving.
Too bad that she is not better know, though that is probably a result of her choice of performing venues and her devotion to Opera Rara's bel canto revival projects. Then again, if she sang standard operas for the largest labels, she would be more popular but there would be no way we would hear treats like rare Mercadante, obscure Donizetti or Sir Michael Costa.
She is at her best here and so is the music. The Mercadante makes you want to hear and see his operas in the house, the seldom-heard Donizetti titles, also, and one must wonder what else Costa wrote and how we can get to hear it. Not only the singing but the rich orchestration in the Costa left me drooling for more.
So, thanks to Opera Rara and to the miraculous Miracioiu for these treats. If you don't yet own this CD, buy it!
Who can compare?.......2002-02-17
Stunning.......2001-08-15
The climax of the CD is undoubtedly the first item. Modern audiences are presented here with a unique opportunity to hear a sample from Mercadante's once-popular Emma d'Antiochia. This is an historically significant selection. So far, the only Mercadante operas revived in modern times have either been juvenalia dating from the 1820's, written in Rossinian style, or his mature `reform' operas, which radically departed from the styles of Bellini and Donizetti and heavily influenced Verdi. The operas lying between these two periods have gone completely ignored. Emma d'Antiochia was written in 1834 for none other than the great Pasta, and the angelic-voiced Eugenia Tadolini played the secondary soprano role of Adelia. The cast was rounded out by the famed tenor Domenico Donzelli and bass Orazio Cartagenova. With such illustrious artists at his disposal, one would anticipate that Mercadante's powers would have been put to good use. This scene far surpassed my wildest dreams. It reveals a Mercadante with a less individual style than he displays in his `reform' operas (i.e., beginning with Il Giuramento of 1837). Neverthless, we can already see that he possessed an unfailing sense of how to paint dramatic pictures with music-and sweep the listener off his or her feet in the process. Mercadante's music is more elegiac here, closer to Bellini or Donizetti than his later works-but he does not follow their norms slavishly and clearly was already questioning these dogmas. The opera does not end with the obligatory aria-finale, although the heroine does have a two-part solo, complete with a powerful, Verdian cabaletta with galloping string accompaniment -at the beginning of the scene. The slow movement of the aria is exquisite and incredibly moving. The orchestration for harp, horn, and cello elevates an already lovely melody to a higher emotional plane. The orchestra has a strikingly original figure before the cabaletta's second verse-a swirling and frantic string passage that keeps the energy of the piece fresh and seems, like a vortex, to suck the listener back into the cabaletta's repeat. Miricioiu milks the dramatic possibilities of this scene for all they're worth. The entrance of Adelia, Emma's rival, sung beautifully by soprano Mary Plazas, marks a point of departure from the musical norms of the day. An impassioned dialogue, starting with Adelia's hurling imprecations at Emma, and then softening when she sees her rival succumbing to the effects of self-inflicted poison, leads into a brief but tremendously effective and beautiful duet. Emma then staggers offstage to die, and a horrified Adelia and chorus (along with bass Ashley Holland as Corrado-Emma's husband) bring down the curtain in a frenzied and shattering coda. Everything in this scene, from the uncommonly subtle and ingenious orchestration to the beautiful melodies, cries out for a fully staged and well-cast revival of the complete opera, or at the very least a concert performance.
Next, a scene composed by Sir Michele Costa for a London performance of Rossini's L'Assedio di Corinto gives us a glimpse of a composer whose work has hitherto not been explored even by Opera Rara. Costa was reknowned as a conductor in early 19th-century England, but also was a composer of operas-he wrote a Don Carlos that predated Verdi's by some 25 years. This aria features a lovely introduction with a cello solo, a beautiful cavatina, and a frantic cabaletta with participation from the chorus. Miricioiu gives us an all-but-flawless performance of this extremely florid and difficult aria. Opera Rara's extraordinary knack for finding the gems buried deep in the recesses of Europe's dusty archives and polishing them to their former brightness is never more convincingly demonstrated than here.
Miricioiu rounds out the program with two more familiar (though still rarely performed) selections-Antonina's final aria from Donizetti's Belisario, and "Sogno talor di correre" from Parisina. The Belisario aria has not enjoyed a good press with critics, and I have to say that my experience of this aria-the recording with Gencer-did nothing to make me enthusiastic about hearing this scene again. But Miricioiu's masterful handling of this scene-frenetic with guilt and despair-made me completely reevaluate my thinking. I listened breathless to this scene, and couldn't believe I was hearing the same opera I thought I knew. Miricioiu is ably supported by bass Ildebrando d'Arcangelo as Emperor Guistiniano, Alice Coote as Irene, and Roland Wood as Belisario. A good deal of the credit for invigorating this piece has to go to conductor David Parry, who sets an energetic pace and shading of mood at every turn. And although all interpretations of Donizetti's Parisina will unavoidably be held up to Caballe's for comparison, Miricioiu gives Montserrat a run for her money with a lovely "Sogno talor di correre", tenderly spun from her vocal cords like fine silk thread, heavy with the wistfulness and sorrow of a forbidden love.
Any Opera Rara set can be expected to have a superlative set of liner notes, and this CD does not disappoint in that area, either. Each of the selections is supplemented with an excellent essay, an English-Italian libretto, and reproductions of period drawings of the composers and singers who created the roles. In addition, Opera Rara has begun to include information about their own artists in their booklets-something conspicuously absent from their previous liner notes. Here an introduction to Nelly Miricioiu will prove informative to those who are unfamiliar with this great artist.
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