Light in the Dark

1. I Gave You Everything

2. Livin' a Lie

3. Searchin'

4. Never Knew What You Meant

5. Let It Be Known

6. Cravin'

7. Writing You This Letter

8. Love Me for a Reason

9. Get Your Groove On [Groove Remix]

10. Family Reunion

11. I Can't Let Go

12. Dreamin'

Tracks:

Slow Descent
Tarak
Hour Before Sleep
Euphrates Bled
Basm 1
Unknown to the Sea
Black Bedouin
Basm 2 (Qamarat)
Al Sahid
Dromos
Taksim Yalniz
Fractured Saba
Ruhsuz
In the Wake of Silence
Vishrama

Average customer rating:

A great traditional no frills heavy metal release, the 'Church' lives on!
awesome power/thrash metal album
Metal Church - A Light In The Dark
Stunning return to form.
Agree with J Phoenix

A Light in the Dark
Metal Church
Manufacturer: Steamhammer Us [Spv]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Beyond Fear
The Weight of the World
United Abominations
A Matter Of Life And Death
Christ Illusion

ASIN: B000FBG0F8
Release Date: 2006-06-27

Tracks:

A Light In The Dark
Beyond All Reason
Mirror Of Lies
The Believer
Disappear
Son Of The Son
More Than Your Master
Pill For The Kill
Temples Of The Sea
Blinded By Life
Watch The Children Pray (bonus track, new version)

Album Description

The legend returns: Metal Church are scheduled to release their latest album, A Light In The Dark, reanimating the zeitgeist of their first two releases, Metal Church (1985) and The Dark (1986). "It's almost precisely twenty years ago that we shook up the international metal scene for the first time with those two recordings," recalls guitarist Kurdt Vanderhoof. "Just the right moment to bring that era to mind with a brand new album and the same sort of energy that we had back then". The current band line-up consists of Kurdt Vanderhoof (guitar), Ronny Munroe (vocals), Jay Reynolds (guitar), Steve Unger (bass) and new addition Jeff Plate (drums; ex-Savatage). "I've known Jeff since my solo tour with Savatage," Vanderhoof recalls. "And during the 2005 Metal Church tour, when he drummed with opening act Chris Caffery's band, we also got on really well. So it suggested itself to ask him whether he wanted to join Metal Church". Vanderhoof, who doubles as sound engineer and producer during the recordings, promises an offering featuring all the important trademarks of typical Metal Church tracks, including a new version of the classic We Watch The Children Pray as a tribute to vocalist David Wayne, who passed away in May 2005. "A Light In The Dark will represent what the name Metal Church has been standing for the last twenty years."

Customer Reviews:

A great traditional no frills heavy metal release, the 'Church' lives on!.......2007-05-19

The only reason I bought this album was because I could get it new for $11 and decided that was worth the risk. I have every MC album except for "Weight of the World". The self titled album is great and "The Dark" and "Blessing" were pretty good. The "Human Factor" had great music on some tracks and forgetable music on others. I didn't like how prominent Mike Howe was on that one. Everything after was okay at best.

Metal Church lives on. That is good news because they are one of the few bands that played consistent no frills heavy metal (more from a late 70s, early 80s Hard Rock perspective). It's tough to describe the MC sound, but it is somewhere between Deep Purple, AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Judas Priest, Motorhead, and Saxon. The band has always been under Kurt Vanderhoofs direction and guidance. For this reason they remained relatively consistent despite internal struggles.

Every thing about this album exceeded my expectations. The riffs are great, solos are good, really catchy, the drumming is good and not overbearing, and I love Ronny Munroe's vocals. I get the feeling by reading some of the other reviews, people hate Munroe and like Wayne and Howe better. I loved Wayne (especially in Reverend) but didn't like Howe that much. Munroe's vocals are great. The range is pretty varied and they're high but still forceful.

If you're looking for that classic traditional heavy metal release as of late...here it is.

awesome power/thrash metal album.......2007-04-05

Metal Church are an awesome metal band, and his new album proves it.

Metal Church - A Light In The Dark.......2006-11-07

Excellent stuff. The current line up isn't as good as the original one but they are still very good. A Light In The Dark is a good solid metal album.

Stunning return to form........2006-10-22

I've always been a fan of Metal Church, since hearing tracks from 'The Dark' played on the radio 20 or so years ago. I really like this album, they have retained the Metal Church signature sound despite the fact that Kurdt Vanderhoof is the only original member left in the band.
This is a collection of great songs that deserves to be successful, and its a nice touch to re-record Let The Children Pray as a tribute to David Wayne.
I also like the production on this CD. Like a previous reviewer I have also 'dumped' $10k or so on my sound system, but I don't have a problem with the production at all.
I thoroughly recommend this album to anyone who likes heavy metal, as in heavy metal, not emo, etc.

Agree with J Phoenix.......2006-10-20

J Phoenix speaks the truth. Music is great on this cd, but the vocals suck!

Jussi Björling Edition: Studio Recordings 1930-1959

Average customer rating:

Superb!
Beatiful singing - but where are the Swedish texts?
if you like bjorling this is the best thing you can get!
The ULTIMATE Collection
Definitive survey of one of the finest singers on record

Jussi Björling Edition: Studio Recordings 1930-1959

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Jussi Björling Rediscovered
Artists Of The Century - Jussi Bjorling, The Ultimate Collection
The "Pearl Fishers" Duet
Jussi Björling: Opera Arias
Voices of Firestone: Jussi Bjorling

ASIN: B000002S9L
Release Date: 1998-01-20

Tracks:

Aida: Se quel guerrier...Celeste Aida
Rigoletto: La donna e mobile
La Boheme: Che gelida manina
Tosca: Recondita armonia
TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle
La fanciulla del West: Ch'ella mi creda
La Gioconda: Cielo e mar!
L'africaine: Mi batte Il cor...O paradiso
Ideale
O sole mio
The Vagabond King: Only A Rose
For You Alone
Manon: Instant Carmant ... En ferman les yeux
Carmen: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee
Faust: Salut! demeure chaste et pure
Martha: M'appari tutt'amor
Martha: Cujus animam
Messa da requiem: Ingemisco
Il Trovatore: Ah si ben mio
Il Trovatore: Di quella pira
Il Trovatore: Ah si, ben mio
Il Trovatore: Di quella pira
Rigoletto: Questa o quella

Tracks:

La Boheme: O soave faniculla
Rigoletto: E il sol dell'anima
Rigoletto: Questa o quella
Un Ballo in Maschera: Di' tu se fedele
Turnadot: Nessun dorma!
Andrea Chenier: Come un bel di di maggio
Fedora: Amor ti vieta
Cavalleria Rusticana: Mamma!...Quel vino
Pagliacci: Recita! ... Vesti la giubba
Mattinata
L'Elisir D'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima
Les Pecheurs De Perles: Je crois entendre encore
Romeo et Juliette: Ah! leve-tol, soleil!
Manon: Je suis seul! ... Ah! fuyez, douce image
L'arlesiana: E la solita storia
Cavalleria Rusticana: O Lola
Manon Lescaut: Donna non vidi mai
Tosca: Recondita armonia
Tosca: E lucevan le stelle
La Boheme: O soave fanciulla
Romeo et Juliette: Ange adorable
Jocelyn: Concealed In This Retreat
L'albe separa dalla luve l'ombra

Tracks:

Romeo et Juliette: Hoj dig, du klara sol
Rigoletto: O, I kvinnor: Questa o quella
L'illustre Fregona: Fylld av vemod sanker sig natten: Melancolque tombe le soir
Knyaz (Prince) Igor: Dagen gick langsamt till ro: Vladimir's Cavatina: Medlenno den' ugasal
Tosca: Det skona star att finna: Ricondita armonia
Tosca: Ja minns stjarnorna lyste: E lucevan le stelle
Rigoletto: Ack, som ett fjun sa latt: La donna e mobile
Il Trovatore: Skyhogt mot himlen
Pagliacci: Spela komedi! ... Pudra ditt anlet: Recitar! ... Vesti la giubba
Cavalleria Rusticana: O Lola
La fanciulla del West: Lat henne tro: Ch'ella mi creda
Fanal: I manner over lag och ratt
Sadko: I sonderns hav
La Belle Helene: Uti en skog pa berget Ida
Der Zigeunerbaron: Vem har oss vigt?
Der Bettelstudent: Skall jag tala ... Antag det fall
Der Bettelstudent: Ny ar jag pank och fagelgri: Ich hab keion Geld, bin vogelfrei
Nar hag for mig shalv i morka skogen gar
Bland skogens hoga furustammar
Ack Varmeland, du skona
Allt under himmelens faste
Tonerna
Sommarnatt: I de lyse naetter
Ett Folk: Sverige
Land, du valsignade
Namner du Sverige

Tracks:

Adelaide
Morgen
Cacilie
Bon i ofredstid
Bisp Thomas frihetssang
In The Silence Of Night
Siren: Lilacs
Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
Because
Sylvia
A Spirit Flower
Ah, Love But A Day
Tonerna: I Bless Ev'ry Hour
Till havs
Sangen till havest
Visa king slandblom och manskara
Jungfrun under lind
Kung Helmer och Aslog
Trollsjon
Sa tag mit hjerte
Demanten pa marssnon
Cantique de Noel: Julsang (O helga natt) : Cantique de Noel

Amazon.com

This set tells you why Jussi Bjorling is a perennial entrant in the "Tenor of the Century" sweepstakes. Even as the voice darkens from the light lyric to the full, darker instrument of the later recordings, we hear a singer whose elegant style, lovely timbre and innate musicality touch the heart. Many of the selections are sung in Swedish, less of a liability than you might suppose. In whatever language, Bjorling's molten gold flows lavishly. He eschews the sobs and sentimentality that disfigure so much verismo repertory, making his points with stylish vocalism. He's been called a "cool" singer, but try his Puccini and Verdi arias on Disc One and you'll find more than enough vocal and emotional heat. The selections include many neglected Scandinavian songs, sung, like the arias, with a naturalness that disarms criticism. -- Dan Davis

Amazon.com

Swedish tenor Jussi Björling gets many votes for the distinction of greatest all-time tenor. Up to the end, the voice projected a boyish vulnerability, though he also had enough stentorian power to sing the heavy Puccini roles and was ready to take on Lohengrin when he died. He was so deeply musical he eschewed the usual tenor vulgarity without ever slighting the music's theatricality. Even these four well-filled discs of arias and songs can't fully encompass the vocal riches he left behind, but there's a lot here, much of it from his earliest years and (hope you don't mind) sung in a Swedish translation. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

Superb!.......2001-07-29

This is an wonderful compilation of one of the most incredible voices on record. Whether you are a new or old Bjorling fan -- and who could hear that voice and not be enthralled by it -- this is a fine CD to have. The quality of the recording is excellent, and the range in years, from 1930 to 1959, gives a splendid overview of his dazzling talent. In addition to many of the arias one might expect, there are also lieder and songs in Swedish, as well as some charming duets with Jussi's wife, Anna-Lisa. I have quite a few other Bjorling CDs, and this is one of the best in terms of quality and scope. It is a most worthy addition to any Bjorling collection, regardless of its size.

Beatiful singing - but where are the Swedish texts?.......2001-06-22

This is an excellent collection, the best available overview of a great tenor.

This would get 4 stars but has been marked down for only supplying token texts and translations in the large booklet. It is understandable (sort of) that the Italian opera excerpts don't merit texts and translations as (apart from the Callas recitals series) EMI generally doesn't provide texts with historical issues. However the tempting inclusion of a dozen or so texts to the Italian and Swedish songs makes one all the more aware of the miserliness of not providing all the texts.

if you like bjorling this is the best thing you can get!.......2000-06-26

this is so awesome, i love his voice, this is good for anyone, the professional or just someone who wants to hear the greatest tenor of all times! this is so great

The ULTIMATE Collection.......1999-11-02

When starting my Bjorling collection, I saw MANY CDs, with his early recordings. I was in a quandry as to what to buy, UNTIL I found this set. TRULY remarkable in many levels.FIRST and foremost, the voice. Captured in all levels, from the earliest to the latest. Truly wonderful, and the Swedish versions are a real treat to hear, don't worry, the Italian versions are here too!!Secondly, the remastering process. This set was remastered at Abbey Studios in London. For the first time I've heard, they actually pressed NEW 78s from the metal plates, and THEN remastered the new discs!!! Inspired, and the results--incredible.I find myself listening to Disc 3 the most. Very interesting, as it is the Swedish one. When the songs are terrific, along with the "standard" tenor arias, and it all comes together, it is PURE MAGIC!! I will admit that due to time limitations of recordings of this era, the opera house Bjorling is not fully conveyed. There are other CDs for that. Most notably "Romeo and Juliet", and for a REAL thrill, his ATLANTA concert, in STEREO, so much so, that the piano is even divided; left hand left, right hand right. Wait a minute, am I playing TWISTER??:-)) But if you want to skip all those unknown labels, you couldn't have a MORE complete set. ALL wit the great remastering I spoke of. Bjorling--His voice will NEVER die, at least in MY house!!!

Definitive survey of one of the finest singers on record.......1998-09-25

Jussi Bjoerling was one of the greatest singers of the century. His voice is pure, effortless and yet thrilling. Even better than the quality of the voice is his style. He never scoops up to a note nor does he ever whoop down from one, instead, he uses perfect legato and faultless intonation to deliver the cleanest sound you'll ever hear from a tenor.

This collection, from the large set of EMI recordings, provides a wonderful survey of Bjoerling's career. He was a straight 'spinto' tenor, that is, between a lyrical tenor (like Pavarotti) and a dramatic tenor (like Domingo). Most of the Puccini roles demand a spinto and those are the roles that Bjoerling was unbeatable in (particularly Des Grieux in Manon Lescaut). However, I think I most prize this collection for the songs sung in English on the last disc. I had some of them on a cassette I wore out in the car and others on a vinyl disc I wore out at home. For shear beauty of voice, the Berceuse by Jocelyn is stunning. For perfect diction, intonation and style, Love but a Day is breathtaking. Buy this set and I guarantee you'll fall in love with what many think is the finest voice on record.

Light in the Dark
Average customer rating:
Light in the Dark
Claudio Roditi
Manufacturer: Nagel-Heyer Germany
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Three for One

Double Standards

ASIN: B000667G32
Release Date: 2004-10-26

Tracks:

Light In The Dark
No Hesitation
Alfitude
Rapaz De Bem
Waltz For Mike
Nightbird
The Natural Bridge
Summer Blues
Gypsy Groove
Placid Mood
This Is For You, Claudio
Time Will tell
Amor Da Nada

Average customer rating:

Light in Dark Places
Rachel Bissex
Manufacturer: Self-Produced
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

Singer-Songwriters | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000KA2OMW

Product Description

Folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist Rachel Bissex grew up in Newton, MA. During her career, Rachel Bissex has performed at many folk festivals and concerts, as well as concert halls and coffeehouses. She has opened for artists like Joan Armatrading, Ray Charles, Shawn Colvin, and others. CONTENTS: 1) Shadow 2) Paint Brush 3) Letter to Martin 4) How I Feel 5) Edge 6) At Twenty-nine 7) Without A Sound 8) Old Child 9) Never Go Back 10) Daddy 11) Christine 12) Great Mother 13) Climb Inside 14) November Ninth 1989

Average customer rating:

Light in the Dark
Julian Sas
Manufacturer: Corazong
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Blues | Styles | Music
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Ragin' River
Twilight Skies of Life
Delivered

ASIN: B00009PM98
Release Date: 2003-01-01

Tracks:

Light in the Dark [Single Version]
County Jail Blues
Losing Ground
Serves Me Right to Suffer
Blues for J
Is This What They Call the Blues
Where Will It End?!
Make Up Your Mind
Ragin' River
Blues for the Lost and Found

Average customer rating:

Rysanek is a goddess.
A great recital disc!!!
Unbelievable
Astonishing
A SHINING SOPRANO IN A STUNNING RECITAL

Opera Arias

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Handel: Arias

ASIN: B000003GB6
Release Date: 1997-09-16

Tracks:

La forza del destino:: Pace, pace, mio Dio
TOSCA: Vissi d'arte
Aida: Ritorna vincitor
Aida: Qui Radames verra; O patria mia
Andrea Chenier: La mamma morta
Turandot: In questa reggia
Cavalleria Rusticana: Voi lo sapete
Otello;: Canzone del salce
Otello;: Ave Maria
Un Ballo in Maschera: Ma dall arido stelo divulsa
Un Ballo in Maschera: Morro, ma prima in grazia
Macbeth: 'Nel di della vittoria...'; Vieni! t'affretta! accendere
Macbeth: La luce langua
Otello: Gia nella notte densa

Customer Reviews:

Rysanek is a goddess........2006-06-05

As a few other reviewers have written, this was also my introduction to Leonie Rysanek. My dad bought this disc for me when I finally realized that Beverly Sills wasn't the be all, end all of the opera world, and I had started listening to Nilsson, Callas, and Sutherland. He said that I should check out this soprano, so I happily took the CD and listened to the whole thing straight through. It starts with one of Verdi's most exciting and gorgeous arias for Dramatic Soprano, "Pace, pace, mio Dio," which showcases a lot of Leonie is about. Beautiful pianissimo high notes, which became one of her trademarks, and then a thrilling high note at the end.

I was instantly in awe of her voice. I eagerly listened to the rest of the recital CD. I think the highlights of this recital are the arias from Macbeth and Otello. Even though Leonie specialized in German Rep, singing roles like Chrysothemis in Elektra, The Empress in Die Frau Ohne Schatten, and Salome in Salome, she also made Lady Macbeth and Desdemona her own! "Nel dì della vittoria...Vieni! t'affretta! accendere," is the best track on the album. This is Leonie at her best, singing the role she made her Met debut singing. She handles the runs with ease and hits every note thrillingly. Leonie always said she was intimidated by Nilsson and refused to sing Isolde and Brunhilde for that reason, but Nilsson has nothing on her as Lady Macbeth.

Leonie does have her weaknesses, but they're easily looked over once you hear her HUGE upper register, and in roles that her voice fits very well in, the sharpness and breathiness in her lower and middle register are not as evident. She is a soprano that every opera fan should know and listen to. She and Nilsson truly are, in my humble opinion, the greatest Wagnerian Sopranos of the post war era...well...besides like Flagstad...but whatever. Anyway, get this recital disc, and once you're done with it, buy any Die Frau Ohne Schatten with Leonie, preferably the early one, and one of her Salome recordings. You won't regret it!

A great recital disc!!!.......2003-11-01

This recital was my introduction to the fabulous artistry of Leonie Rysanek. Having read so many good things about this soprano, I decided to buy this disc and hear for myself. This disc was a very pleasant surprise.

Rysanek has a huge, rich, soaring soprano voice. Her voice's glory is its intense, powerful, immense upper register. Hearing her top B's, B-flats, and C's on disc definitely makes one wonder about the effect this voice had in the opera house. The speakers of my stereo were barely able to contain her awesome high notes. Rysanek's voice has two other registers and they, unfortunately, are not as strong as her upper register. Her middle register is a bit thick and slow-moving, while her lower register is almost non-existent. As a result, low notes, such as the ones in "Mai nessun, nessun m'avrà" in "In questa reggia", are barely audible. Her tendency to sharp on middle register notes is well known and is evident here. However, nothing here goes terribly awry pitch-wise. Hearing her glorious, soaring high notes is ample compensation. Rysanek's middle register did eventually strengthen and her lower register did fill in, which allowed her to embark on a second singing career as a mezzo-soprano.

Besides her wonderful, if slightly marred, singing, what impresses me most about her is her dramatic commitment. Every aria here, as well as the duet from "Otello", is given its dramatic due. Her interpretation of each one is unique. From hearing about Rysanek being a true creature of the stage, one can only imagine how effective she must have been in an opera house. I really wish that I could have been able to see her in a live opera performance in her prime. Oh well.

A few of the disc's highlights:

There is a beautifully floated, pianissimo high B-flat in "Pace, pace, mio Dio". A powerful high B-flat at the end of "Vissi d'arte". Gorgeous soft singing in the last section of "Ritorna vincitor". A super-powerful forte high C at the climax of "O patria mia" that leaves the listener breathless with awe. Believe me, after hearing her blast out this note, you will be glad that she didn't follow Verdi's pianissimo marking for this note. Great high notes in "In questa reggia". The aria itself is beautifully sung, with Rysanek sounding like a vulnerable princess instead of sounding like a cruel and ice-cold one. A very affecting Willow Song and "Ave Maria", both full of shimmering pianissimos. Dramatically exciting and vocally thrilling accounts of "Vieni! t'affretta!" and "La luce langue", complete with blazing high notes. Her reading of the letter reveals a beautiful speaking voice and perfectly pronounced Italian. A wonderful "Già della notte densa" from "Otello". Jon Vickers, despite sounding a bit strained, is wonderful in this duet and Rysanek really shines as Desdemona.

A few drawbacks:

Some unidiomatic Italian diction is present in her singing. Her account of "Ma dall'arido stelo divulsa" reveals this. Rysanek does not pause to prepare for the final "Signor" in "Vissi d'arte". This lessens the excitement of the following high B-flat. The difficult last phrase in "O patria mia" is broken up for breath, which dampens its effect. Montserrat Caballé, in her studio recording of "Aïda", takes this phrase in one breath and the effect is marvelous.

I have greatly enjoyed listening to this disc and recommend it to all fans of great singing.

Unbelievable.......2003-10-02

You'll never believe that anyone can sing like this. Magnificent. The top B's, C's and D flats are taken with conssumate ease. It is as if no difficulties exist for Rysanek. This would rank with Joan Sutherland's "The Art of Prima Donna" as one of the best ever recital committed to recording.

Astonishing.......2003-08-30

Leonie Rysanek was one of the greatest dramatic sopranos ever. Sad to say, her recorded legacy is kind of sparse. She disliked the recording studio and chose not to record a lot of her parts in studio. For example, she declined recording Chrysothemis with Birgit Nilsson in Solti's Elektra, which is really a great pity because her presence would have made that set unbeatable. Thankfully, she recorded Leonore with Fricsay (DG), Senta with Dorati (Decca), Lady Macbeth with Leinsdorf (RCA - some arias included in this selection), Desdemona with Serafin (RCA), Sieglinde with Bohm (DG), the Empress with bohm (Decca & DG), Elektra with Bohm (Unitel film soundtrack). And we have 'live' recordings from broadcasts in superb stereo of her incomparable Salome with Bohm (RCA) and Kempe (Golden Melodram) and her Klytamnestra. We have her Herodias with Sinopoli (DG), her 'live' Chrysothemis with Nilsson, James Levine at the Met on DVD, her Ortrud again at the Met on DVD. Sad to say, she never commercially recorded Aida, Turandot, Tosca or Amelia or La Forza del destino, the Marschallin or Ariadne. This recital disc helps to fill that gap. Here, we have arias from La forza del destino, Tosca, Aida, Otello (from her recording with Serafin), Macbeth (from her recording with Leinsdorf), Un ballo in maschera, Turandot, Andrea Chenier and Cavalleria rusticana.

The recording is in superb stereo and her rich voice comes through thrillingly. Leonie Rysanek says "If there is a single record with which I'm largely satisfied, it is this recital of Italian arias". This coming from Rysanek herself, who disliked the studio, is an understatement. The fact of the matter is that her performances here are all on fire - thrillingly intense. Those high C's and top notes are rich and super intense - something only Birgit Nilsson can match. It is really sad that really good singers often get overlooked while squally singers get their name on every other opera recording of commercial recording companies. Leonie Rysanek could have sung Brunnhilde, Isolde, Elektra (she did but not on stage or on CD but on a film sound track), triumphed in all those roles and given Birgit Nilsson a run for her money. But she did not. Thankfully, we have this recital record and some of her other 'live' radio broadcasts. Do I recommend this? Of course, it is compulsory listening for all opera lovers. You don't know what is a dramatic soprano is capable of until you hear this!! (Birgit Nilsson was a different type of dramatic soprano and most opera listeners have heard her in her full splendour as Isolde or Brunnhilde or Elektra or Turandot).

Also compulsory listening for opera lovers:
Rysanek's Salome with Kempe on Golden Melodram in superb stereo.
Her Leonore with Fricsay on Deutsche Grammophon, her Sieglinde with Bohm on Philips, and her Empress with Bohm on both Decca and Deutsche.

If you want further listening apart from the compulsory list above, get her Lady Macbeth, Senta, Chrysothemis, Elektra, Klytamnestra, Desdemona and Ortrud as I listed above.

A SHINING SOPRANO IN A STUNNING RECITAL.......2000-05-08

Although remembered today as a Wagner and Strauss specialist, Leonie Rysanek, who died last year at age 71, sang many Italian operatic roles in the earlier portion of her career, and still retained a few of them well beyond then. She had, in her absolute vocal prime, the exact type of voice that Richard Strauss loved to write for ----- high, clear, radiant, at at it's best, thrilling. These are the precise vocal qualities that Rysanek brings to the Italian operatic arias heard on this CD. All of the Verdi arias presented here (from Aida, Ballo, Forza del Destino, and Macbeth) are performed with vocal mastery and complete authority, and the "Cavalleria Rusticana" has the sound of real heartbreak and pathos. The highlight of this recital for me was the "In Questa Reggia" from Puccini's "Turandot", which concludes with one of the most spectacular top C's I've ever heard from ANY soprano. Certainly the versions of all of the arias and scenes heard here have been performed with great distinction by such great sopranos as Tebaldi, Callas, Price, Nilsson, Milanov, etc, but there is something very unique and special in the way Rysanek performs them. There is some truly stunning singing to be heard here from a great artist whose career is now remembered for having specialized in a vastly different repertoire, but it is the very unique sound that made her so suited to the Wagner/Strauss repertoire that makes these Italian operatic items so interesting and special.

Dark & Light in Spanish New Mexico: Alabados Y Bailes

Average customer rating:

capturing new mexico history

Dark & Light in Spanish New Mexico: Alabados Y Bailes
Various Artists
Manufacturer: New World Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Folk | Styles | Music

Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Folk | Latin Music | Styles | Music

General | Folk | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0000030FT
Release Date: 1995-08-30

Tracks:

Alabados: Al Pie De Este Santo Altar - Luis Montoya/Vicente Padilla
Alabados: Considera, Alma Perdida - Luis Montoya
Alabados: Venir, Almas Devotas - Luis Montoya
Alabados: Dividido El Corazon - Luis Montoya/Vicente Padilla
Alabados: Tened Piedad, Dios Mio - Luis Montoya/Ricardo Archuleta
Alabados: Buenos Dias, Paloma Blanca - Ricardo Archuleta
Alabados: Dulce Esposo De Mi Alma - Luis Montoya/Ricardo Archuleta
Bailes: El Valse (in G)
Bailes: El Cutilio (in G And C)
Bailes: El Cutilio (in G)
Bailes: El Cutilio (in D)
Bailes: El Cutilio (in D)
Bailes: Turkey In The Straw
Bailes: The Arkansas Traveler
Bailes: Listen To The Mockingbird
Bailes: La Tercera De Noviembre (El Valse)
Bailes: El Valse (in A) - Meliton Roybal M
Bailes: La Polca (in G And D)
Bailes: La Indita
Bailes: El Chotis

Customer Reviews:

capturing new mexico history.......2004-07-21

As a graduate student recording and writing about alabado melodies, this CD was invaluable.
As someone that enjoys listening to chants and folk music, this cd is well produced.
I recommend this cd