Soprano Arias

Amazon.com
Ana Maria Martinez is a young Puerto Rican soprano with a natural Mediterranean warmth to her tone and an easy upper extension that is suitably bright but does not lose the color and texture of the rest of her voice. Hers is a true lyric which will probably grow darker soon; at the moment, vocally, there's little she has trouble with. Her high pianissimi are lovely, her agility is tested and true in Juliette's Waltz, her sense of rhythm impeccable, as exhibited in both "Les filled de Cadix" and an aria from the Zarzuela "El Nino Judio." Her version of Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras no. 5 is lovely, including the difficult hummed part at the end of the Aria. She lacks both the heft and interpretive subtlety--or interest--for "Un bel di" and Doretta's Dream and lacks charm in "O mio babbino caro," but her "Vilja-Lied" is ravishingly sung. As soon as she begins to delve a bit into the characters she's portraying, she'll be quite something; now, however, Martinez is already a fine singer, with a beautiful voice, and should be heard. Stephen Mercurio is the sympathetic conductor. --Robert Levine

Martinez: Soprano Arias,Joseph Marie Canteloube,Leo Delibes,Charles Gounod,Franz Lehar,Francis Lopez,Pablo Luna,Giacomo Puccini,Heitor Villa-Lobos,Steven Mercurio,Prague Philharmonic Orchestra,Ana Maria Martinez,Naxos,Classical,Classical Artists,French Romantic Opera,German/Austrian Operetta,Italian 20th/21st Century Opera,Italian Romantic Opera,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio,Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard,Solo Voice(s) and Orchestra,Solo Voice(s) and Small Ensemble,Spanish/Latin American/Italian Operetta (Zarzuela),Vocal,Vocal Music

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Average customer rating: A Legendary Singer. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's Bach: The mind of God revealed!! Glorious singing to treasure for decades Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson (1954-2006), supreme Handelian The Stellar Hunt Lieberson

Lorraine Hunt Lieberson: Handel Arias Manufacturer: Avie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Bach: Cantatas BWV 82 and 199 Peter Lieberson: Neruda Songs Music of Peter Lieberson: Rilke Songs, The Six Realms, Horn Concerto Lorraine Hunt - Handel Arias Bach - Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook (highlights) / Hunt-Liberson, McGegan ASIN: B00022LZW8 Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

1. Ah! Whither Should We Fly...
2. ...As With Rosy Steps The Morn
3. O Bright Example Of All Goodness!...
4. ...Bane Of Virtue, Nurse Of Passions
5. The Clouds Begin To Veil The Hemisphere...
6. ...Defend Her Heav'n!
7. Lord, To Thee Each Night And Day
8. She's Gone, Disdaining Liberty And Life...
9. ...New Scenes Of Joy
10. Cantata
11. Cantata
12. Cantata
13. Cantata
14. Cantata
15. Cantata
16. Cantata
17. Cantata
18. Se Bramate D'amar, Chi Vi Sdegna
19. Frondi Tenere E Belle...
20. ...Ombra Mai Fu

Amazon.com

If you think you've heard Handel's "Ombra mai fu" (known as his "Largo") so often, and in so many different arrangements, and sung by so many different voices, that you can no longer be moved or surprised by it, think again. This CD of Handel arias, mostly from his Theodora or the cantata La Lucrezia, ends with "Ombra mai fu," and as sung by Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, it is so tender, so beautiful, so impeccably shaded, that you'll think you're hearing it for the first time. But that's only four of this disc's 67 minutes---a follow-up to Hunt Lieberson's extraordinarily successful CD of Bach cantatas. There's not a dull or disinterested moment to be heard anywhere. As the violated Lucrezia, Hunt Lieberson alternately rages against the man who raped her and turns her grief inward; the former is terrifying in its intensity, the latter makes us almost feel as if we're eavesdropping. The five arias for Irene, Theodora's friend, confidante, and the upholder of Christian beliefs are all magical prayers or statements of faith, and from Hunt Lieberson, they become real, with each word honestly conveyed and colored. The voice itself is unfailingly beautiful---warm, lush, never forced, agile when necessary---and her breath control is stunning. She is backed ideally by Harry Bicket and The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, and the string soloists in the ensemble---the viola da gamba player, lutenist, etc.---are as gifted as she is. If you want proof that Handel was a great dramatist with a special gift for communicating emotion, all while listening to sublime sounds, this CD is a must. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A Legendary Singer........2007-03-07

I simply don't have the heart to review Mrs. Lieberson's works.
If we call Ms. Bartoli a 'great' singer, then the description of 'legendary' more aptly depicts Mrs. Lieberson.
If ever a truly good artist lived, Mrs. Lieberson is one such.
The only singer that could be recalled singing in such style is Teresa Berganza; but still, they are different.
This is one of my favourite interpretators of Haendel. Having been 'treated' by those coloraturas of arias of Haendel's period by Ms. Bartoli and others, I find the singing of Lorraine Hunt Lieberson a great relief - at last, this is what Haendel would want it to be. And I equally enjoy the singing of soprano arias by Mrs. Lieberson - the timbre is warmer, but still with all the shimmer - so different from the dark mushy tones of other celebrated 'lyrical soprano' around.
Don't want to say more. Mrs. Lieberson's leaving last year is too heavy a news for me.

Lorraine Hunt Lieberson's Bach: The mind of God revealed!!.......2007-01-06

These deeply felt performances of two of Bach's most moving cantatas show this transcendent singer's combination of emotional honesty and profound musicality, all combined to reveal the very mind of God through divine redemption from suffering. The disc is to be treasured even more in light of the Ms. Lieberson's recent untimely death from cancer. I'm an agnostic, but this music makes me envious of those who can believe. Roy in Pope Valley, California

Glorious singing to treasure for decades.......2006-07-11

By any measure, America's Lorraine Hunt Lieberson is at least the equal of Italy's premier diva, mezzo-soprano Cecilia Bartoli, although she does not have the same superstar status. It is difficult to recall past mezzos with clearer enunciation of English text, (as favoured in nine excerpts from Theodora), the richness of voice, displayed in full-throated fortissimo and sharply contrasted pianissimo of utmost delicacy, evokes fondest memories of the tragically doomed Kathleen Ferrier. Masterfully chosen to display every facet of Hunt Lieberson's consumate command of Handel's dauntingly difficult music, the disc's repertoire - recitatives and linkig arias from the operas Theodora and Serse, and the cantana La Lucrezia - is stunning. An unsung mezzo who makes the senses tingle!

Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson (1954-2006), supreme Handelian.......2006-07-06

I have never heard a voice purer of tone, more flexible in phrasing, and so gorgeously produced in a homogeneous column of sound such as this artist in Handel's repertoire. It is very tastefully sung (unlike a certain person whose name begins with R and ends with enaaay Fleming) and so dramatically touching that one could not help but feel that this repertoire finally has found its instrument. And how sad it is to know that this instrument has passed away two days ago. Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson died two days ago in her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico of breast cancer. It is such a huge loss to the opera world, as she is an artist who is still experiencing the prime of her career. The voice is just so beautiful, the tone so pure, that I lament that we can no longer hear any great roles from this artist. She will be missed.

The Stellar Hunt Lieberson.......2006-03-19

Simply put, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson is one of the very best classical singers alive. She combines vocal elegance and purity with an emotional delivery that raises her above the crowd of technically proficient singers who just don't possess her depth of musical understanding or emotional commitment. Hunt Lieberson is a true artist who resists easy classfication except to say she is perfect in what she does.

Average customer rating: A voice teacher and early music fan Best of the Best...Handelian Masters for the Uninitiated

Heavenly Handel: Arias and Duets Manufacturer: Virgin Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sandrine Piau - Handel Opera Seria Cecilia Bartoli ~ Opera Proibita (Handel · Scarlatti · Caldara) / Les Musiciens du Louvre · Minkowski Handel - Arcadian Duets / Dessay, Gens, Petibon, Claycomb, Lascarro, Panzarella, Mijanovic, Mingardo, Asawa, Agnew, Le Concert d'Astrée, Haïm Handel Operatic Duets ~ Amor e gelosia / Ciofi · Di Donato · Il Complesso Barocco · Curtis Vivaldi Edition: Arie d'Opera ASIN: B0001MQKS8 Release Date: 2005-04-12

Tracks:

1. Frondi Tenere... - David Daniels
2. Ombra Mai Fu - David Daniels
3. Pompe Vane Di MOrte!... - David Daniels
4. Dove Sei, Amato Bene - David Daniels
5. Ma Che Parlo, Che Dico... - Veronique Gens
6. In Tanti Affanni Miei - Veronique Gens
7. Fra L'ombre E Gl'orrori - Laurent Naouri
8. Sorge Il Di - Laurent Naouri
9. Amor, Qual Nuova Fiamma... - Jill Gomez
10. La Tigre Arde Di Sdegno - Jill Gomez
11. Per Me Si Strugge Trasimede... - Jill Gomez
12. E Per Monti, E Per Piani, E Per Selve - Jill Gomez
13. Where Shall I Fly - Stephanie Blythe
14. Cantata HWV 166 - Gerard Lesne
15. As Steals The Morn Upon The Night - Lynne Dawson
16. How Silently, How Slyly - James Bowman
17. Upstart, Barbarian And Traitor - James Bowman
18. Flow My Tears - James Bowman

Tracks:

1. Fatto Scorta Al Sentier Della Gloria - Vivica Genaux
2. Fiacchero Quel Fiero Orgoglio - Vivica Genaux
3. Verdi Prati - Arleen Auger
4. Ombre Pallide - Arleen Auger
5. Venti, Turbini - David Daniels
6. Dolcissima Esilena... - Sandrine Piau
7. Prendi L'alma E Prendi Il Core - Sandrine Piau
8. Nasconde L'usignol - Antonio Abete
9. Nel Riposo E Nel Contento - Antonio Abete
10. Della Guerra La Caccia Ha Sembianza - Antonio Abete
11. Tanti Strali Al Sen, Duet HWV 197 - Derek Lee Ragin
12. Se 'L Mio Duol Non E Si Forte - Sophie Daneman
13. Caro Autor Di Mia Doglia - Paul Agnew
14. No, Che D'altrui Che Di Te - Paul Agnew
15. Dagli Amori Flagellata - Paul Agnew
16. Madre...Son Nata A Lagrimar - David Daniels

Customer Reviews:

A voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-02-07

This is an excellent sampling of Handel's music and it is indeed "heavenly". Much of the music in Handel's operas, cantatas and oratorios are wonderfully vivid pieces of musical painting, and show Handel's genius in a light that is somewhat unfamiliar to modern musicians. Such passages as the sleep of Somnus in 'Semele' and the moonrise in 'Ariodante', to name but two instances out of many,form an important link in the history of programme music. But to those who understand and enjoy the Handelian idiom its beauty appear eternally new, and its unfailing dignity and loftiness of style recall the words in which Edward FitzGerald summed up his opinion of Handel: "His is the music for a great active people." I have many of the discs already, but some of the songs were new to me for which I am grateful! Some of the high points for me: the duet from Guilio Cesare sung by contralto(Stephanie Blythe) and countertenor (Derek Ragin); the solo from Alcina sung by Arleen Auger(soprano)and David Daniel's rendition of "Ombra mai fu" from Serse. I have Andreas Scholl singing "Ombra" and I never realized how much more there is to that song till I heard Daniels sing it. Anyway this record is a great buy for Handelians.

Best of the Best...Handelian Masters for the Uninitiated.......2005-04-21

For those who would prefer their Handel in bite-size portions, this excellent two-disc set may do the trick. Virgin Classics has chosen stellar aria and duet selections from their extensive Handel discography (1978-2003) and in the process, come up with as definitive a collection of the prolific composer's work as any on the market now. With a running time of well over 2 ½ hours, this compilation covers a broad canvas drawn from some of Handel's finest Italian operas, such as "Rodelinda", "Giulio Cesare", "Rinaldo" and "Deidamia". Even more, there are selections from his English works ("Hercules" and "L'Allegro, il Penseroso ed il Moderato"), as well as miscellaneous vocal Italianate selections.

You know you're in for a world-class set when you have the amazing countertenor David Daniels book-ending the collection, beginning with his platinum-standard version of the much-covered "Frondi tenere...Ombra mai fù" from "Serse" and Bertarido's mournful "Pompe vane di morte!...Dove sei, amato bene" from "Rodelinda". And the set ends in a dream-like state with his wondrous Sesto/Cornelia duet with contralto Stephanie Blythe on the heartbreaking "Madre...Son nata a lagrimar" from "Giulio Cesare". In between is a veritable feast provided by a who's who among the world's leading Handelians. Highlights on disc one include soprano Sandrine Piau and alto Sara Mingardo melding effortlessly on the graceful and vocally challenging "Sorge il di" from the Neapolitan serenata, "Aci, Galatea e Polifemo". Blythe captures Dejanira's requisite madness beautifully in the air, "Where shall I fly?" from "Hercules". Countertenor Gérard Lesne does several thrilling turns on an entire Handel cantata, "Splenda l'alba in oriente". From "Giulio Cesare", legendary contralto Janet Baker contributes a heroically measured "How silently, how slyly", equally revered countertenor James Bowman glides over "Upstart, barbarian and traitor" with true panache, and soprano Valerie Masterson holds her own among these giants showing a diverse range of emotion on "Flow my tears" alternating easily between sonorous and vibrant.

Disc two starts with mezzo-soprano Vivica Genaux displaying some genuinely impressive runs on two arias from "Arminio", "Fatto scorta al sentier della gloria" and "Fiaccherò qul fiero orgoglio". Soprano Arleen Auger does a defiantly passionate turn on "Ombre pallide" from "Alcina", which compares favorably with Renée Fleming's more familiar version on Elektra. Daniels has yet another powerful vocal turn on the victorious "Venti, turbini" aria from "Rinaldo". Piau returns as well, this time intertwining atmospherically with mezzo-soprano Gloria Banditelli on the splendid "Prendi l'alma e prendi il core" from "Rodrigo". Operas are not the only source here. There is a charming duet between soprano Suzie LeBlanc and countertenor Derek Lee Ragin on the effusively Italianate "Tanti strali al sen", and a more dramatically diverse one between tenor Paul Agnew and soprano Patricia Petibon on "Caro autor do mia doglia" - both showcase yet another dimension of Handel to which I have not been exposed. Truth be told, if you enjoy these selections, you should purchase the original recordings, for example, Daniels' wonderful 1998 "Handel: Operatic Arias". But this will do in a pinch for the uninitiated who want an overview of Handel's musical genius. Trust me, with this stellar group of Handelians, you will beg for more.

Average customer rating: Jewel Song 20 Great Soprano Arias Sutherland, Battle, Te Kanawa.....Need I say More? A good selection A few real jewels with a couple of paste ones mixed in... Very Nice

Jewel Song ~ 20 Great Soprano Arias / Crespin, Freni, Te Kanawa, Sutherland, Jo, Tebaldi, Cotrubas, Caballé, Cerquetti... Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The #1 Soprano Album Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... The Most Famous Opera Duets Ten Top Sopranos Mad About Sopranos ASIN: B000024581 Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

1. Dove Sono: Le Nozze di Figaro
2. Un Bel Di: Madama Butterfly
3. Merce, Dilette Amiche (Bolero): I Vespri Siciliani
4. Deh Vieni, Non Tardar: Le Nozze di Figaro
5. Ebben? ... Ne Andro Lontana: La Wally
6. Suicidio! La Gioconda
7. Signore, Ascolta! Turandot
8. Convien Partir! La Figlia del Reggimento
9. Chi il Sogno di Doretta (Doretta's Dream): La Rondine
10. Morro, Ma Prima In Grazia: Un Ballo in Maschera
11. O Dieu! Que de Bijoux! (Jewel Song) Faust
12. Vissi d'Arte: Tosca
13. O Mio Babbino Caro: Gianni Schicchi
14. Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi: La Boheme
15. Mesicku na Nebi Hlubokem (O Silver Moon): Rusalka
16. Quando m'en Vo (Musetta's Waltz Song): La Boheme
17. Tu Che di Gel Sei Cinta: Turandot
18. Welch Wonne, Welche Lust: Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail
19. Du Bist der Lenz: Die Walkure
20. Der Holle Rache: Die Zauberflote

Customer Reviews:

Jewel Song 20 Great Soprano Arias.......2006-06-26

Recording quality excellent
A must for the soprano voice lover

Sutherland, Battle, Te Kanawa.....Need I say More?.......2005-12-30

This truly is a marvellous recording of the top Soprano's of our time in their prime. The Album starts with Kiri Te Kanawa singing Mozart's "Dove Sono", in which she captures the true essence of a wife questioning her marriage that has disintegrated over the years. And her phrasing in this song is heavenly. Battle's version of "Welche Wonne" is the best I've heard to date. I've listened to numerous other recordings of this aria and still havent found one that measures up to this one. Sutherland pulls off gounod's "O dieu, que di bijoux" excellently, with the greatest of ease. I could go on and on, but I'll end my review with this: These are excellent recordings of excellent singers at their very best, singing music by the masters. It would be worth your money.

A good selection.......2004-11-04

I rate this as a very valuable sampler. It gives the listener not only a reasonable introduction to various operatic works and styles (though there is a prominent Puccini verissimo presence) but a good introduction to the different artists. I like the fact that some operas feature more than one work on the CD because there's less of a chance you'll fall in love with one aria and go buy the entire opera, only to discover that the aria is nearly all that you enjoy.

As for the sopranos... I adored nearly all of them. I have listened to many of their recordings and I can vouch for these arias as good indicators of their outstanding talent....the few exceptions will follow, however.

I make special mention of some sopranos. Leontyne Price's Tosca, is the first. Her Aida has been her crown jewel but I would place her Tosca as a very strong rival. Also, the Turandot recording with Monsterrat Caballe is perhaps the finest on CD, and her Liu here shows why: she is blessed with a heart-melting upper register. Pilar Lorengar's Russalka was a very pleasant surprise...I wish I could find a complete recording of her singing the title role. I believe we will just have to contend with this however. I'd never heard of Virginia Zeani prior to this CD but I loved the secure purchase and `sanguine tinge' of her voice...I'll be on the look out for her in the future. Of course, we get a reliable performance from Mirella Freni: touching and delicate as usual, but never weak. Kathleen Battle proves why she can get away with her notoriously despicable attitude: she really was the golden voice of the Met! Sumi Jo's technically perfect and stunning aria (again a good indicator of what you can generally expect from her) is the perfect, exciting end to this compilation.

The exceptions? I found Graziella Sciutti's tone to be too `heady'... if you'll forgive the crude term. I imagined the sound to come from an old woman. This will be a matter of preference. Renata Tebaldi is a touchy subject for some people because of some petty bashing that sometimes takes place. While I'm no `basher,' I never found her voice aesthetically appealing. I find her tone metallic and hard. Here, however, is the best I've heard her (I've heard her Cavaleria Rusticana, her La Wally and her Turandot). While her La Rondine here is not bad, Angela Georghiu's interpretation is one example of a soprano who is vastly superior in my opinion. Finally, the `immortal' Kirsten Flagstad performs "Du bist der Lenz" from Die Walkure in Wagner's Ring cycle. The old sound quality aside, I would not have enjoyed her Sieglinde, `full-throated' as it was. I wrote this off immediately as an idiosyncrasy for Flagstad fans. Apologies if anyone is offended (and this is sincere) but the whole musical effect is that of some lumbering leviathan...this is the stereotypical tedium that people ascribe to Wagner. All-in-all, however, I found the experience invaluable. I certainly am more aware of recordings that I'm not likely to enjoy and so have avoided making mistakes. When saying so, however, these sopranos are truly legendary. But as in all things, preferences will vary and so I have stated mine.

A few real jewels with a couple of paste ones mixed in..........2004-11-04

Most aria/song compilations suck. That's just the nature of compilations in general - It's hard to get a good mix of singers, arias and performances that will appeal to a broad audience.

This one mostly succeeds with a few exceptions. The singers are, over-all, excellently selected. Most of the performers are excellent singers, and their respective selections show them at the highest level of their careers. This was a treat to realize, because quite often, compilations fall back on using poorer quality artists.

There are a few, however, that don't match up to the performances of some of the other soprani on the album. That's not to say that they don't have their own talent and value, but it's hard to appreciate their lesser stars when faced with the brilliance of Caballe, L. Price & other similar talents.

The selection of arias was also not to my taste. I personally could live in peace the rest of my days without hearing another "O Mio Babbino Caro," but personal taste aside, it would have been nice to hear some of the greater, but less frequently performed arias, as well as some of the commonly done but more appealing arias, too.

Out of all the music written by Mozart and Wagner, the best they could do was Welche Wonne, welche Lust & Du bist der Lenz?

This probably isn't a great album to introduce newbies to opera in general, but there is some good listening on it - particularly Caballe's Signore, Ascolte & Tebaldi's Che il bel sogno di Doretta.

Very Nice.......2002-09-01

As a big fan of the many "Top such and such sopranos" type CDs, I found this to be one of the best yet. It exemplifies the highlights of each sopranos career...and leaves you with a great impression of them all.

Also, the CD is quite enjoyable, for it varies from heavy, matured sopranos..to those younger, more glittering and creamy. I found this to truly be money well spent, for it a wonderful addition to my "opera hits" collection. One point off for the rather stereotypical selection fo arias and such ...otherwise...Enjoy!

Average customer rating:

Opéra Français: Le Récital Oublié (The Forgotten Arias Collection) Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chausson, Ernest | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Lalo, Edouard | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rameau | Rameau, Jean Philippe | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Hadley, Jerry | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0001BFIEQ Release Date: 2004-09-28

Average customer rating: Excellent product and service! A must if you love Mozart Opera Great CD but beware! A MUST-BUY treasure trove!

Mozart: The Concert Arias Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Te Kanawa, Kiri | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Bargain Box Sets | Opera & Vocal General | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Opera & Vocal General | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Mozart: Lieder; Notturni Mozart: Der Schauspieldirektor [Germany] Complete Mozart Symphonies / Pinnock, English Concert Song: A Guide to Art Song Style and Literature Motezuma ASIN: B0000042GL Release Date: 1997-11-11

Tracks:

1. K272: 'Ah, lo previdi!...Ah, t'invola,'
2. K583: 'Vado, ma dove? oh Dei!'
3. K79: 'Oh, temerario Arbace!...Per quel paterno amplesso'
4. K582: 'Chi sa, ch sa, qual sia'
5. K490: 'Non piu. Tutto ascoltai..Non temer'
6. K528: 'Bella mia fiamma, addio!...'
7. K383: 'Nehmt meinen Dank, ihr holden Gonner!'
8. K580: 'Schon lacht der holde Fruhling'
9. K78: 'Per pieta, bell'idol mio'
10. K369: 'Misera, dove son?...Ah! non son io che parlo'
11. K579: 'Un moto di gioia'

Tracks:

1. K496a: 'Basta, vincesti...Ah, non lasciarmi'
2. K578: 'Alma grande e nobil core'
3. K374: 'A questo seno deh vieni...Or che il cielo a me ti rende'
4. K83: 'Se tutti i mali miei'
5. K217: 'Voi avete un cor fedele'
6. 255: Ombra felice!...lo ti lascio
7. K77: 'Misero me!...Misero pargoletto'
8. K577: 'Giunse alfin il momento...Al desio di chi t'adora'
9. K82: 'Se ardire e speranza'

Tracks:

1. K23: Conservati fedele
2. K505: Ch'io mi scordi di te?... Non temer amato bene
3. K88: Fra cento affanni
4. K74b: Non curo l'affetto
5. K294: Ah! spiegarti, oh Dio
6. K119: Der Liebe himmlisches Gefuhl
7. K294 (Version 1): Alcandro, lo confesso... Non so d'onde viene
8. K294 (Version 2): Non so d'onde viene
9. K538: Ah se in ciel, benigne stelle

Tracks:

1. K368: Ma che vi fece, o stelle... Sperai vicino il lido
2. K416: Mia speranza adorata!... Ah non sai qual pena sia
3. K418: Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio!
4. K419: No, che non sei capace
5. K70: A Berenice... Sol nascente
6. K316: Popoli di Tessaglia!... lo non chiedo, eterni Dei
7. K21: Va, dal furor portata
8. K209: Si mostra la sorte
9. K210: Con ossequio, con rispetto
10. K431: Misero! O sogno... Aura, che intorno spiri

Tracks:

1. K368: Clarice cara mia sposa
2. K416: Se al labbro mio non credi
3. K418: Or che il dover... Tali e cotanti sono
4. K419: Per pieta, non ricercate
5. K433: Manner suchen stets zu naschen (Warnung)
6. K539: Ich mochte wohl der Kaiser sein!
7. K513: Mentre ti lascio, oh figlia
8. K432: Cosi dunque tradisci... Aspri rimorsi atroci
9. K541: Un bacio di mano
10. K512: Alcandro, lo confesso... Non so d'onde viene
11. K584: Rivolgete a lui lo sguardo
12. K612: Per questa bella mano

Customer Reviews:

Excellent product and service!.......2005-09-11

Love the product and received it record time overseas. Thank you!

A must if you love Mozart Opera.......2002-04-06

The LA Reviewer said it all and I totally agree. The sound is wonderful and singing top notch. A great discovery and a must for any opera collector. Mozart gets better the more you listen to his opera compositions - the set contains many of the outstanding arias not always done in concert but which are lovely and some rediscoveries. Also, our recent loss of Winbergh makes this a buy as we don't have alot of recordings of his beautiful tenor voice. This set features him on 4 arias and his Mozart singing is truly outstanding. This set of 5 CD's a great value and highly recommended.

Great CD but beware!.......2002-02-24

This has to be the ultimate compendium of these undeservedly neglected arias. Many of the arias themselves rival the most glorious moments in the operas, and some of them, particularly the high soprano arias, are highly-charged vocal stuntfests that have to be heard to be believed.

This set has much to recommend it but does have one major technical flaw. Every copy that I have heard (and that is several) has a skip near the end of Track 10 of Disc 1. It seems to be part of the master and many listeners will be able to live with it, but I do wish that producers would take the time to fix a defect like this for such a significant musical document. Purists beware!

A MUST-BUY treasure trove!.......1999-09-04

Can't get enough of sublime Mozartian aria music? This complete compilation of concert arias should be part of every Mozart lover's collection, especially as a supplement to better known opera arias. There are gems among the concert collection that challenge even the loveliest of Mozart's better known operatic work. I can't say this is the only version of the concert arias ever to buy... the more versions I hear, the more I love the different interpretations. But if you're only going to sample one set, this could be the winner. The singers represented are masters of the Mozart craft; one virtuoso piece after another - for five discs, each over an hour long! The arrangement of voices, mostly soprano (since they sing the originally castrati arias as well), is also wonderful; no one sound is heard for too long before a very different one takes its place to give a contrasting flavor. And they're all in top form: Kiri Te Kanawa with her trademark creamy mildness is followed by Edita Gruberova's agile, silver-haunted coloratura. Teresa Berganza, whom I usually link with mezzo roles, is a tour de force of golden warmth; her Ch'io mi scordi de te? on disc 3 (piano accompaniment originally played by Mozart himself) is magnificent and deserves special note. Krisztina Laki and Elfriede Hobarth were lesser known to me; both are quite fine, although Laki's crystal sweetness is stronger and more pitch-perfect than Hobarth's, particularly in the highest notes of some mind-boggling musical phrases. The final 1.5 discs are handed to the men; Gosta Winbergh sings the tenor arias with heroic beauty and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Fernando Corena as the bass-baritones are simply the richly toned legends one would expect. A very nice booklet with notes, lyrics and translations to each aria is included. It's a marvelous set; one of my favorite discoveries.

Average customer rating: Wonderful!!! A Treasure Record: Birgit Nilsson In Her Prime!! Vocal lightning bolts Greatest Classical Recordings!! Amazed

Birgit Nilsson: Opera Arias Manufacturer: Testament UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weber | Weber, Carl Maria von | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Nilsson, Birgit | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Wagner, Richard | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Weber, Carl Maria von | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wagner: Opera Arias & Duets Birgit Nilsson Sings Richard Wagner & Richard Strauss Nilsson Sings Verdi Birgit Nilsson, Vol.1 Or sai chi l'onore: Opernarien von Mozart, Weber, Wagner, Strauss ASIN: B00004YU8P Release Date: 2000-11-14

Tracks:

1. Don Giovanni, Act I: Or Sai Chi L'onore
2. Fidelio, Act I: Abscheulicher, Wo Eilst Du Hin?...Komm Hoffnung
3. Ah, Perfido Op.65
4. Oberon, Act II: Ozean, Du Ungeheuer
5. Der Freischutz, Act II: Wie Nahte Mir der Schlummer... Leise, Leise
6. Tristan Und Isolde, Act III: Mild Und Leise (Liebestod)
7. Un Ballo In Maschera, Act II: Ecco L'orrido Campo... Ma Dall' Arido Stelo Divulsa
8. La Forza Del Destino, Act IV: Pace, Pace Mio Dio
9. Aida, Act I: Ritorna Vincitor
10. Aida, Act III: Qui Radames Verra... O Patria Mia

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful!!!.......2007-01-15

We had been searching and could not find this previously!! We are enjoying, what a great find!!!!!

A Treasure Record: Birgit Nilsson In Her Prime!!.......2005-09-02

This recording is a fine album to add to your collection if you happen to 1: love Birgit Nilsson 2: Collect early recordings of famous opera divas like Birgit Nilsson. In this album, we are treated to arias from operas Birgit sang in both full-length productions and in concert. The large diva from Sweden was most famous for her make Wagner-proud portrayal of Wagner heroines - Brunhilde, Isolde most notably, but she was also quite accomplished in the reperotoire of Strauss, Verdi and Beethoven. Her Mozart (she only sang Dona Ana in Don Giovanni) was not good, I'm afraid to say. I feel her interpretation was very off in the Mozart style (she sounded very weird and her Nordic lyricism was not appropriate for the Mozartian technique)Her Dona Ana lacks the dramatic lustre of such sopranos as Leontyne Price, Sena Jurinac, Carol Vaness and Edda Moser. Compare Nilsson's "Or Sai Che L'onore" featured here to that of Price and Moser -major difference! Her rendition of Beethoven's moving concert aria "Oh Perfido!" is very well-done. It's an extended monologue full of bravura and Nilsson captures the spirit of the aria and Beethoven perfectly. She is also a fine Leonore in Fidelio, though I still personally prefer Sena Jurinac as Fidelio. Naturally, Sweden being closer to Germany, Nilsson was able to learn to sing the language well. She sang her best roles in German- whether it was Fidelio, Salome, Brunhilde, Isolde, Venus or Elisabeth in Tannhauser, or Elektra, or featured here - Agathe in Webber's German Gothic opera Die Freischutz. Now her Verdi was not that bad, though there have been better Aidas then hers. Nilsson took on a lot of demanding roles and always did well, but often she never strayed from the same Wagner technique so that everything she sang sounded like a Wagner heroine (this is the stigma critics always gave her) but Nilsson's voice was beautiful, big and illustrious. Very few singers could do what she did. She surpassed Maria Callas folks, to my assessment. Here are her Aida and Leonora from Forza, and her Leonora was better than her Aida. Not featured here is her fine Puccini roles- Turandot and Tosca. Also, if I were alive in the time Nilsson was singing at the Met, I'd have killed to see her sing Bellini's Norma, a role I feel was perfectly suited for her.

Vocal lightning bolts.......2004-01-10

If you lke to be hit by vocal lightning bolts, buy this!!

Greatest Classical Recordings!!.......2003-12-25

If there were a greatest list of classical recordings, this would be it!! Since Nilsson retired, she has had no successor. Listen to this and you know why!!

Amazed.......2003-11-26

I'm amazed at how accurately this recording captures the power, majesty and beauty of Birgit Nilsson's mighty voice. Many of her Decca recordings do not do full justice to her huge strong voice. Fortunately, her Isolde and Brunnhilde with Karl Bohm (Deutsche) more accurately captures her voice. Now too these recordings join the ranks of those two legendary recordings. In these recordings, she is recorded closer and you can feel the power of her voice more realistically. Bravo Testament for issuing these on CDs beautifully remastered.

Average customer rating: Certainly not the best Fleming Mozart, Mozart, Mozart! a pleasure a pleasure Rare and well-known Mozart

Renée Fleming - Visions of Love ~ Mozart Arias / Mackerras Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Orchestra of St. Luke's , Sir Charles Mackerras , Renée Fleming , and Krista Bennion Feeney Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Fleming, Renee | C to G | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehaair, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss Renée Fleming - Signatures ~ Great Opera Scenes / Sir Georg Solti Renée Fleming - The Schubert Album Renée Fleming Renée Fleming: Bel Canto ASIN: B00000429M Release Date: 1996-09-17

Tracks:

1. Le nozze di Figaro: Giunse alfin il momento ... Deh, vieni
2. Don Giovanni: In quali eccessi ... Mi tradi
3. Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail: Ach, ich liebte, war so glucklich
4. Il re pastore: / L'amero saro costante
5. Die Zauberflote: Ach, ich fuhl's, est ist verschwunden
6. La finta giardiniera: Geme la tortorella
7. La finta giardiniera: Crudeli, fermate, crudeli, oh Dio! fermate -
8. La finta giardiniera: Ah, dal pianto, dal sighiozzo
9. Zaide: Ruhe sanft
10. Il sogno di Scipione: Lieve son al par del vento
11. Le nozze di Figaro: Giunse alfin il momento ... Al desio
12. Concert Aria, K383: Nehmt meinen Dank

Customer Reviews:

Certainly not the best Fleming.......2007-02-02

I do not understand why this disc chooses to record the 'remote' Mozart arias, No. 1.
I do not understand why Ms. Fleming failed to impress listeners as a Mozartian in this disc, No. 2.
A singer of her reputation should be more discerning in her discography.
Not that the rarer or earlier Mozart is any less good than Cosi fan tutte or Don Giovanni.
But if you have listened to recordings of all Mozart's earlier opera (to which I have), you would be bound to admit that Ms. Fleming did not fare well in those pieces she had chosen here. And even in her Donna Elvira on this disc, she is not in best form.

Mozart, Mozart, Mozart!.......2006-05-22

'Visions of Love, Mozart Arias' sung by one of our leading operatic sopranos, Renee Fleming, is a nice listen more for the fact that it is Mozart than the fact that it is being done by Renee Fleming. But then, if you happen to be a Renee Fleming fan, you can have your cake and eat it too.

I confess I have been influenced in my overall rating by one of the other reviewers, who obviously has much more experience with recordings of Mozart arias. But from my point of view, someone who just likes to listen to female operatic and art song vocals, this is a great change from the recordings of French chansoms and German Lieder, which all start to sound like variations of Shubert's 'Ave Maria'.

Here, we get the orchestrations of that all time greatest master of the 18th century opera, the utterly incomparable Wolfgang, for those of us who don't have the patience to sit through, or even do garden weeding through a complete performance of Don Giovanni (although I am partial to complete recordings of Die Zauberflote, The Magic Flute).

This is probably not the best album with which to sample Fleming for the first time. As this is the first of her albums I have reviewed, I'll let you know as soon as I find it.

Meanwhile, if you can get this one at a good discount, you will enjoy the Mozart!

a pleasure.......2003-07-03

Her "turtledovish",creamy, slightly gruffy voice is perfect in Mozart. All are very lovey/dovey romantic songs. I Love the repetive nature of vocal lines in Mozart's music. It's very different from later Italian composers. This music is more charming and sometimes meant to be a little comical. Thay all have a certain rhythm pattern, typical of Mozart. After a while you start to pick up on it and get the gist of the style. Then you can hear an unknown piece and single it out as Mozart. She does an incredible effort at maintaining that creamy richness, roundness, and that beauty of tone that is so necessary in Mozart ,when she is singing at high tessitura or when she is singing in pure head voice or "in the mask". I think Mozart vocal music is the most difficult to do, but also the most fun.

a pleasure.......2003-07-03

Her "turtledovish",creamy, slightly gruffy voice is perfect in Mozart. All are very lovey/dovey romantic songs. I Love the repetive nature of vocal lines in Mozart's music. It's very different from later Italian composers. This music is more charming and sometimes meant to be a little comical. Thay all have a certain rhythm pattern, typical of Mozart. After a while you start to pick up on it and get the gist of the style. Then you can hear an unknown piece and single it out as Mozart. She does an incredible effort at maintaining that creamy richness, roundness, and that beauty of tone that is so necessary in Mozart ,when she is singing at high tessitura or when she is singing in pure head voice or "in the mask".

Rare and well-known Mozart.......2003-06-24

Renee Fleming's Mozart CD is a collection of beautiful arias, gorgeously sung. Rare Mozart gems are presented along with more popular arias from FIGARO, DON GIOVANNI, DIE ENTFUHRUNG, and DIE ZAUBERFLOTE -- a wise programming choice on Fleming's part, since EVERYONE sings the popular arias. Fleming's lush yet agile tone is perfect for the long lines of "L'amero, saro costante" from IL RE PASTORE and the similar "Geme la torturelle" from LA FINTA GIARDINIERA. She has the coloratura flexibility for "Ach, ich leibte" from DIE ENTUHURUNG and the amazing "Lievi son," an aria Mozart wrote when he was only sixteen years old! It is also interesting to hear Fleming give an outstanding performance of Donna Elvira's "Mi Tradi," since her more usual role in DON GIOVANNI is Donna Anna. But my favorite track is the first one, "Deh vieni, non tardar" from FIGARO; I believe this is one of the very finest pieces of singing Fleming has ever recorded.

Average customer rating: All-American Fun A great listening pleasure. Better than some other selections I wish I could give more than 5 stars This music needs a lot less diva Bringing American opera to the forefront

Renée Fleming - I Want Magic! ~ American Opera Arias George Gershwin , Carlisle Floyd , Leonard Bernstein , Douglas S. Moore , Bernard Herrmann , Gian Carlo Menotti , Igor Stravinsky , Samuel Barber , André Previn , Metropolitan Opera Orchestra , James Levine , and Renée Fleming Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Herrmann | Herrmann, Bernard | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Menotti | Menotti, Gian Carlo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Previn, André | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Fleming, Renee | C to G | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Renée Fleming Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehaair, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss Reneé Fleming & Jean-Yves Thibaudet - Night Songs (Fauré, Debussy, Marx, Strauss, Rachmaninov) Renée Fleming: Bel Canto Renée Fleming - Signatures ~ Great Opera Scenes / Sir Georg Solti ASIN: B00000AFR4 Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

1. Wuthering Heights: I Have Dreamt
2. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: The Letter Song
3. The Medium: Monica's Waltz
4. Porgy And Bess: Summertime
5. Porgy And Bess: My Man's Gone Now
6. Candide: Glitter And Be Gay
7. Susannah: Ain't It A Pretty Night
8. Susannah: The Trees on the Mountains
9. The Rake's Progress: No Word From Tom ... I Go, I Go To Him
10. VANESSA: He Has Come, He Has Come
11. A Streetcar Named Desire: I Want Magic!

Amazon.com

Like Dawn Upshaw's The World So Wide on Nonesuch, this program is such an inviting cross section of American opera of the last 50 years, you wonder why more of it hasn't been recorded. Composers include Carlisle Floyd, Douglas Moore, Samuel Barber, and Gian Carlo Menotti, whose childlike "Monica's Waltz" from the otherwise lurid opera The Medium is a highlight. Old favorites are here, such as Gershwin's "Summertime." And new favorites, too: Andre Previn's forthcoming "A Streetcar Named Desire" graciously offers Straussian lushness and bitonal wind-instrument details suggesting Blanche DuBois's mind departing from reality, all sounding remarkably true to Previn's pre-World War II upbringing in Berlin. This dramatically alert arioso isn't so melodically memorable but makes all necessary dramatic points eloquently. Though she performs vividly throughout, Fleming often lets her vocal tone overwhelm articulation of the words--a middling drawback. And comedy is not her thing: Bernstein's "Glitter and Be Gay" is way too hammy. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

All-American Fun.......2007-01-01

I love this CD. It's so incredibly American. It features American lyric soprano Renee Fleming singing American opera arias. Ms. Fleming is capably accompanied by the Met orchestra, America's best opera orchestra, conducted by another distinguished American, Maestro James Levine. The only way this CD could be more American is if it were released on July 4th, with two baseball tickets included. I'm grateful that Decca made this release.

This CD starts out very strong with a gorgeous aria "I have dreamt" from "Wuthering Heights". I've never seen this opera nor heard of this opera. If the opera is half as good as the aria, I would love to see it. Renee cruises through "The Letter Song" from "The Ballad of Baby Doe" with heartfelt interpretation. "Monica's Waltz" is not one of my favorite arias in the world, but Ms. Fleming sings it beautifully.

Here's where we depart, and the reason I gave this CD only 4 stars. First, Renee sings two arias from "Porgy and Bess": "Summertime" and "My Man's Gone Now". Renee's voice is way too rich and lush for these arias. Listen to Renee sing it, then listen to the gold standard, Leontyne Price. You'll see what I mean. Renee's rendition of "My Man's Gone Now" was just way too pretty. The score calls for some extended glissandos, which are supposed to be wails of grief. Renee sang the glissandos beautifully, but no grief was in sight. Her next choice "Glitter and Be Gay" from "Candide" is just not a good choice for her. I think even Renee would tell you that a voice like hers is just not right for Cunegonde. This aria (and role) calls for a smaller voice. [...].

Then Renee reminds me of why I love her in the first place, by returning to two arias from "Susannah", a signature role for her. Her performances of "Ain't it a pretty night!" and "The trees on the mountains" are too good for words. She completely understands this role, and communicates the mood in these arias right through your speakers. Just imagine how good it must be live!

Renee closes with "No word from Tom" (The Rake's Progress), "He has come, he has come!" (Vanessa), and "I want magic! (A Streetcar Named Desire). I wish more opera companies would produce "The Rake's Progress". This is a wonderful opera by an "adopted" American composer, Igor Stravinsky. The aria from "Streetcar" is kind of an odd choice to close this CD, but Renee did premiere the role of Blanche in this Previn piece with the SF Opera. So maybe it's not so strange after all.

Highly recommended for fans of Renee Fleming, and those who need to add some good old American opera to round out their Puccini collections. This is a nice performance record by a woman surely destined to be one of the greatest lyric sopranos in history.

A great listening pleasure. Better than some other selections.......2006-04-05

'I Want Magic' sung by superstar mezzo Renee Fleming, backed by James Levine and his Metropolitan Opera Orchestra follows the same pattern of severa of Fleming's other releases, in that there is one widely known and very familiar piece (Gershwin's 'Summertime' from 'Porgy and Bess') plus many less familiar pieces.

The theme of all the pieces is that they are arias from American operas, all in English. And, I get a lot more from this selection than I do from, for example, her recording of Shubert Lieder. One thing I learn is how totally typical is Leonard Bernstein's piece from 'Candide', which sounds like it stepped right out of a production of 'The Fantasticks'. Gershwin's two great songs, on the other hand, are icons of American music and even Herrmann's movie song from Wuthering Heights makes Bernstein's song sound ordinary.

But, the album is really all about Fleming's realization of these songs, which is simply nothing less than spectacular. While I tend to prefer hearing works 'in situ', Fleming's talent is so great that hearing her do eleven pieces out of context is worth it. The album is also more interesting than the average collection of Lieder in that it has the backing of a major American dramatic orchestra.

Better than average Fleming choice.

I wish I could give more than 5 stars.......2005-09-30

This recording is truly wonderful! I really feel that American composers have written some incredible things. I think that American opera is much better than British opera, with the exception of Benjamin Britten. My favorites on this track are actually all of them, but if I had to choose, I would pick: "No word from Tom" (The Rakes Progress, Stravinsky), "Ain't it a pretty night" (Sussanah, Floyd), "Glitter and be Gay" (Candide, Bernstein), and my absolute favorite "Monica's Waltz" (The Medium, Menotti). This is such a great album. Some of Renee's diction isn't completely clear, but that's opera. In order to acheive a beautiful sound, especially in English, certain vowels need to be altered. ESPECIALLY for the soprano voice. When singing so high, certain vowels and consonants need to be altered a bit. Anyway, it's an incredible album!!

This music needs a lot less diva.......2005-09-18

Renee Fleming has a glorious voice, and there's not a note here that isn't ravishing. Decca's engineers have caught the voice very well, and Levine's conducting is all it could be. The problem? Well, having her sing Summertime and My Man's Gone NOw was a bad idea, not only because both are cliches. Felming has a hard time sounding emotionally natural. She tends to apply her incredible voice with diva-like self-consciousness and play-acted emotion far too often.

Which means that her CD recitals are hit-and-miss. Glitter and Be Gay is a disaster here because she tries to be funny and winds up being self-conscious and embarrassing. But the big aria form Susannah, a role Fleming sings at the Met, is perfect. I expected a lot more adventurousness from this American collection, since Felming is, after all, an American singer. But it's mostly overplayed, like Puccini in English, sobs and all. I enjoyed the voice, but after a while the mannerisms became tiresome.

Bringing American opera to the forefront.......2005-01-20

American opera is not as well-known to many people because it can be complex, both musically and dramatically, and requires amazing vocal technique to sing things that sound simple. Fleming's recording highlights some familiar arias (the Susannah arias, for example) as well as some that are almost unknown. If you are an opera fan, and especially if you want to learn more about American opera, this CD is a great place to start. My favorite: Glitter and Be Gay, from Bernstein's Candide. Wow.

Average customer rating: The Voice WHAT A SURPRISE! indispensable!

French Opera Arias - Denyce Graves Georges Bizet , Gaetano Donizetti , Hector Berlioz , Edouard Lalo , Ambroise Thomas , Marc Soustrol , and Monte Carlo Philharmonic Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Lalo, Edouard | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Graves, Denyce | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Denyce Graves - Voce di Donna American Anthem Kaleidoscope Angels Watching over Me The Lost Days: Music in the Latin Style ASIN: B000269S5A Release Date: 2004-11-02

Tracks:

1. Mon Coeur S'Ouvre A La Voix
2. Printemps Qui Commence
3. O Ma Lyre Immortelle
4. D'Amour L'Ardente Flamme
5. Air Des Lettres
6. Air Des Larmes
7. Connais-Tu Le Pays
8. De Tous Cotes J'Apercois Dans La Plaine
9. Nour Eddin, Roi De Lahore
10. L'Ai-Je Bien Entendu... O Mon Fernand

Customer Reviews:

The Voice.......2007-03-29

I purchased this CD after seeing and hearing The San Diego Opera production of Samson and Delilah. Denyce Graves' voice stayed in my mind and I longed to hear it again. I was not disappointed when I received the French Opera Arias CD. I have listened to it many times and it never fails to take me back to the experience of hearing her on the stage. I recommend this CD to anyone who appreciates the voice of a great mezzo-soprano.

WHAT A SURPRISE!.......2005-01-28

I'm not really into Ms. Graves, despite the fact I own most of her CDs. I thought before this is an attractive enough voice and good enough of a performer, but a bit bland interpretively (as was the case with her Christmas CD and her first RCA recital). Luckily, that's not the case with this new CD, very happy to report. There seems to be more heft and bloom to her voice and far more interpretive involvement. At times she reminds me of a young Grace Bumbry. Praise for including the little-known items from Roi d'Ys and Djamileh and O mon Fernand in French. I wish she had included the beautiful but brief recitative before 'O ma lyre immortele' (most mezzos include it on their recital albums). At 58 minutes it isn't as if we would go into overtime on the CD (and why not also include the King of Thule aria from Damnation, Amour viens from Samson and some other goodies while we're at it?). Nonetheless, it is recommended.

indispensable!.......2004-11-12

Buy it as soon as possible. This CD is a new edition of the "Heroines, french romantic opera arias" first solo recital of Denyce Graves on disc, now a CD very hard to find and extremely expensive. There have been several reviews and comments about this recordings for it is one of the greatest recitals on disc of the french mezzo repertoire. This is probably the best recorded work of Denyce Graves until today: the voice is fresh, round, seductive, beautiful: everything you want of a mezzosoprano voice, and now easy to find and in a very accessible price.

Average customer rating: Outstanding! A great CD!!

Marian Cantatas & Arias George Frideric Handel , Reinhard Goebel , Anne Sofie von Otter , and Musica Antiqua Köln Manufacturer: Archiv Produktion ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Antiqua Musica | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cologne Musica Antiqua | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Otter, Anne Sophie von | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Anne Sofie von Otter - Lamenti (Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Purcell, Bertali, Legrenzi) / Goebel Lamento Magdalena Kozená ~ Handel Italian Cantatas / Les Musiciens du Louvre, Minkowski Lorraine Hunt Lieberson: Handel Arias Anne Sofie von Otter ~ Berlioz - Les nuits d'été / Berlin Phil., Levine ASIN: B0000057EK Release Date: 1994-08-16

Tracks:

1. Haec est Regina virginum HWV235: 'Haec est Regina virginum'
2. Ah! che troppo ineguali HWV230: (Recitativo:) 'Ah! che troppo ineguali'
3. Ah! che troppo ineguali HWV230: (Aria) Adagio: 'O del ciel Maria regina'
4. Donna, che in ciel di tanta luce splendi HWV 233: Introduzione
5. Donna, che in ciel di tanta luce splendi HWV 233: (Recitativo:) 'Donna, che in ciel di tanta luce splendi'
6. Donna, che in ciel di tanta luce splendi HWV 233: (Aria:) 'Vacillo, per terror del primo errore'
7. Donna, che in ciel di tanta luce splendi HWV 233: (Recitativo accompagnato:) 'Torna immobile in grembo'
8. Donna, che in ciel di tanta luce splendi HWV 233: (Aria) Adagio: 'Tu sei la bella serena stella'
9. Donna, che in ciel di tanta luce splendi HWV 233: (Recitativo:) 'Pur nella via che resta'
10. Donna, che in ciel di tanta luce splendi HWV 233: (Aria) Allegro: 'Sorga pure dall'orrido averno'
11. Donna, che in ciel di tanta luce splendi HWV 233: (Recitativo:) 'Dunque a te diamo lodi'
12. Donna, che in ciel di tanta luce splendi HWV 233: (Aria con coro:) 'Maria, salute e speme'
13. Il pianto de Maria -Giunta l'ora fatal HWV234: (Recitativo:) 'Giunta l'ora fatal dal ciel prescritta'
14. Il pianto de Maria -Giunta l'ora fatal HWV234: Cavatina: 'Se d'un Dio fui fatta Madre'
15. Il pianto de Maria -Giunta l'ora fatal HWV234: (Recitativo accompagnato:) 'Ah me infelice!' & Cavatina da capo
16. Il pianto de Maria -Giunta l'ora fatal HWV234: (Recitativo:) 'Ahime ch'Egli gia esclama ad alta voce'
17. Il pianto de Maria -Giunta l'ora fatal HWV234: (Aria:) 'Sventurati miei sospiri'
18. Il pianto de Maria -Giunta l'ora fatal HWV234: (Recitativo accompagnato:) 'Si disse la gran Madre'
19. Il pianto de Maria -Giunta l'ora fatal HWV234: (Aria:) 'Pari all'amor immenso'
20. Il pianto de Maria -Giunta l'ora fatal HWV234: (Recitativo accompagnato:) 'Or se per grande orror tremo la terra'

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding!.......2000-03-20

This is one of my desert island discs! It deserves a classical status among the recordings of Handel's music. But not only Handel's: the longest work on this CD, a magnificent cantata previously attributed to Handel ("Giunta l'ora fatal"), has been written by Giovanni Battista Ferrandini, an Italian composer at the court of Munich. Ferrandini has been identified as a composer of this work quite recently (the booklet refers to a publication from 1994, where the details of the discovery are presented). As Reinhard Goebel writes in his notes for the booklet, the "chain of evidence... is convincing - and needs to be, because Ferrandini's other known works are no more than mediocre" (p. 8). This cantata is certainly not a mediocre work and the fact that it had been misattributed to Handel tells a lot about its qualities. The disc contains three works by Handel, a cantata "Donna, che in ciel di tanta luce splendi" being the longest and most impressive one. Its 'da capo' aria "Tu sei la bella serena stella" will melt anybody's heart: I have always wondered why it isn't better known. It is such a beautiful song. I cannot find adequate words of praise for Anne Sofie von Otter's singing! This CD, bought years ago, was my first real encouter with von Otter's art and a real eye - or ear - opener (I bought it for Handel and ... a beautiful cover featuring magnificent Madonna by Piero della Francesca). If you know her last year's "Lamenti", this earlier (1994) release - also made with Musica Antiqua Koeln under R. Goebel - is a must: these both records go wonderfully together. For many, this CD's main attraction will be its rarely performed music (as it was for me), music that certainly is worth exploring. An outstanding release in every respect! A real treasure...

A great CD!!.......1999-07-09

This is definately one of my CD favorites!! Anne Sofie von Otter sings beautifully, full of warmth and espression. The orchestra underlines her emotion and helps making the message in Händel's music solid. The whole performance is magnificent! Also, this music is an undiscovered pearl, showing the great senserity of Händel as a young composer. The music is far less sweeter than his later works, his operas etc.. The lyrics are strong, portraying Mary as a fullblooded human being, revealing emotions much more direct than most sacred music of today. This is deffenitely a CD well worth having!!!!

Meditation Music:

1. Tchaikovsky: Eugen Onegin (Highlights)
2. Tenor Songs
3. Verdi: Don Carlos
4. Verdi: La Traviata
5. Verdi: La Traviata
6. Verdi - La Traviata / Cotrubas, Gedda, MacNeil, Krips [highlights]
7. Verdi - La Traviata / Maria Callas · di Stefano · Bastianini · Giulini
8. Verdi: Macbeth
9. Verdi: Otello
10. Verdi: Rigoletto

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

Stars on Guitars [Import]

Wagner: Das Rheingold (Highlights)

Vivaldi in Venice

Music: Sientelo

Walk Into the Sun Pt.1 [CD-single] [Import]

Vol. 3-21st Century Trance [Import]

Wenn Es Sein Muss Kann [Import]

Tuxicity [Explicit Lyrics]

Upstairs

Viva Santana! [Import]

Vol. 4: 1937

Tributo a Radames Gnattalli [Import]

We Getz Down [CD-single] [Explicit Lyrics]

The Very Best of Charles Brown

Black Hope