Boïeldieu: La Dame Blanche

1. La Dame Blanche, opera
   Composed by Francois-Adrien Boieldieu
   Performed by Hilversum Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
   with Frans Vroons, Erna Spoorenberg, Mimi Aarden, Guus Hoekman, Henk Driessen, Nicolai Gedda, Sophia Sante
   Conducted by Jean Fournet
   
   
2. La Dame Blanche, opera Act 1: Ah! Quel plaisir d'être soldat...
   Composed by Francois-Adrien Boieldieu
   with Edmond Clement
   
   
3. La Dame Blanche, opera Act 2: Cavatine: Viens, gentille dame...
   Composed by Francois-Adrien Boieldieu
   with Edmond Clement
   Conducted by Emile Archaimbaud
   
   
4. La Dame Blanche, opera Act 1: Ah! quel plaisir d'être soldat...
   Composed by Francois-Adrien Boieldieu
   with Rene Lapelletrie
   
   
5. La Dame Blanche, opera Act 2: Cavatine: Viens, gentille dame...
   Composed by Francois-Adrien Boieldieu
   with David Devries
   Conducted by Gustave Cloez
   
   
6. La Dame Blanche, opera Act 3: Oh moment plein de charme...
   Composed by Francois-Adrien Boieldieu
   with David Devries
   Conducted by Gustave Cloez
   
   
7. La Dame Blanche, opera Act 2: Cavatine: Viens, gentille dame...
   Composed by Francois-Adrien Boieldieu
   with Maurice Capitaine
   Conducted by Emile Archaimbaud
   
   
8. La Dame Blanche, opera Act 1: Ah! Quel plaisir d'être soldat...
   Composed by Francois-Adrien Boieldieu
   Performed by Theatre La Monnaie Royal Opera Orchesta
   with Andre d'Arkor
   Conducted by Maurice Bastin
   
   
9. La Dame Blanche, opera Act 2: Viens, gentille dame...
   Composed by Francois-Adrien Boieldieu
   Performed by Theatre La Monnaie Royal Opera Orchesta
   with Andre d'Arkor
   Conducted by Maurice Bastin
   
   

Boïeldieu: La Dame Blanche,Henk Driessen,Guus Hoekman,Francois-Adrien Boieldieu,Emile Archaimbaud,Gustave Cloez,Jean Fournet,Maurice Bastin,Mimi Aarden,Hilversum Radio Symphony Orchestra & Chorus,Theatre La Monnaie Royal Opera Orchesta,Erna Spoorenberg,Sophia Sante,Frans Vroons,Nicolai Gedda,Andre d'Arkor,David Devries,Edmond Clement,Maurice Capitaine,Rene Lapelletrie,Arlecchino,Classical,French Romantic Opera,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio

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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: RIP, JERRY HADLEY 1952-2007 INTERESTING REPERTOIRE, WELL SUNG

Jerry Hadley - The Age of Bel Canto Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Hadley, Jerry | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | 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 | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | 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 Similar Items: Jerry Hadley and Thomas Hampson - Famous Opera Duets (Tenor/Bass) Jerry Hadley - Golden Days - Tenor hits from the Golden Age of Operetta Standing Room Only In the Real World A Song of Naples - Neapolitan Songs ASIN: B000003FTA Release Date: 1996-01-16

Customer Reviews:

RIP, JERRY HADLEY 1952-2007.......2007-07-18

Among his numerous recordings of opera, concert and lighter works, this one CD best serves the late tenor's art. Arias, both familiar and not, exemplify his clear, clean singing, wonderful diction and musicality. Although it is currently unavailable, I'm hoping RCA will see fit to reissue it soon in memory of a truly fine American-trained artist and singer.

INTERESTING REPERTOIRE, WELL SUNG.......2003-11-14

While currently out of print BMG might well reissue the album so some comments are in order. The album has a repertoire that is, under any conditions, exceptionally demanding with the arias from Dom Sebastien, La dame blanche, Les Huguenots, etc., being among the most difficult to sing in the tenor literature. For the most part Hadley proves a wealth of beautiful, well posed tone running into trouble only when he must deal with troublesome top notes that have never been his forte. The top c-sharp taken in the aria "Seul sur la terre" from Dom Sebastien in pure head tone( read falsetto )is really stylistically correct but the versions by Marcelo Alvarez, Roberto Alagna, Luciano Pavarotti( as "Deserto in terra" ), and, of course, Alfredo Kraus are much more thrilling with the top note ringing out in full voice. Kraus was well into his 60s but his ageless voice took the top notes with consummate ease.

The arias from Lucia di Lammermoor, L'elisir d'Amore, Mignon, Lakme, and The Bohemian Girl are all well done with really beautiful tone and stylistic elan. The arias from Les cloches de Corneville, L'eclair, and The Rose of Castille and Sigismondo are well sung but so new to me as music that a critical evaluation is not possible.

The aria from Martha sung in the original German as "Ach, so fromm" is, at the climax, rather stressful and strained.

The sound is excellent and the direction of the English Chamber Orchestra by Richard Bonynge is a real plus for both Hadley and the listener.

Overall this album is worthy of Hadley's reputation as an outstanding lyric tenor who has proven his worth in any number of difficult, demanding operatic roles. Listen, for example, to his clear runs, etc. While Hadley isn't the ideal tenor for operas like Tosca, Il Trovatore, etc., he can and does provide much pleasure in the type of repertoire recorded here and in modern works.

Average customer rating: Un repertorio nuevo para Magdalena Kozena Pure!

French Arias Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, 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 Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Lamento Mozart Arias Magdalena Kozená - Le belle immagini (Mozart, Gluck, Myslivecek) Songs: Magdalena Kozena Enchantment ASIN: B0000A2YCU Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

1. Ah! Quelle Nuit!... Flamme Vengeresse
2. Nuit Resplendissante
3. Que Fais-Tu, Blanche Tourterelle
4. J'ai Verse La Poison
5. Choeur Des Dames
6. Chanson Du Voile
7. Autrefois Un Roi De Thule
8. Oh! La Pitoyable Aventure!
9. J'ai Bien Assez De Mes Tristesses... Ne Pensons Qu'au Plaisir D'aimer
10. Connais-tu Le Pays
11. D'ici Voyez Ce Beau Domaine
12. O Ma Lyre Immortelle
13. Pardieu! J'etais Bien Sur...Voyez-la Sous Son Eventail
14. Reste Au Foyer, Petit Grillon
15. Les Tringles Des Sistres Tintaient

Amazon.com

Having dazzled us with her coloratura ability in arias by Mozart, Gluck, and her fellow Czech, Myslivecek, this luscious young mezzo-soprano now offers us a generous program of French arias--15 of them, widely varied in tone, weight, dramatic intent, and style--and conquers and convinces in them all. Beginning again in coloratura territory, an aria from Auber's rare Le domino noir catches our attention with the heroine's opening words, "Je suis sauvée enfin!" ("I am safe at last!"), in which she paints the picture of our out-of-breath heroine immediately. Throughout the CD we meet the doomed, tragic Sappho in Gounod's opera; Dulcinée in the same composer's Don Quichotte, here presented first as lamenting lover, then as spitfire, with Kozena reaching down into her most sultry chest voice; a dreamy Marguerite in Berlioz's La damnation de Faust; a Princess languorously singing of the night in an exquisite aria from Gounod's all-but-unknown Cinq-Mars; and many others, each of whom Kozena imbues with her individual stamp, flawless technique, musicality, and beautiful tone. Almost as a bonus, the CD ends with Carmen's Gypsy Song - a real razzle-dazzler. Kozena is a great singer and this is a great recital CD--a must. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Un repertorio nuevo para Magdalena Kozena.......2005-07-13

MAGDALENA KOZENA es una mezzosoprano basicamente ligada al barroco, y particularmente a Bach y Haendel. Sorprende por tanto la aparición de este cd dodne interpreta un variado abanico de arias francesas, roles que no ha debutado en teatro y que se alejan de su estilo habitual.
Aun así, Kozena canta estas arias divinamente con estilo propio: impone un timbre seductor, claro y mórbido y un dominio absoluto del canto, aunque el registro agudo no es siempre todo lo homogeneo que sería deseable. Con todo, su interpretación de estas páginas es notable y sorprendente.
Otra baza del disco es el repertorio, que incluye arias de óperas más bien desconocidas, como 'Cleopatre' de Massenet, 'Le Cincq-Mars', 'La dame Blanche', 'Don Quixote', 'Sapho', 'Le domino Noir'....junto a otras más habituales del repertorio como 'Carmen' (aunque no está la popular habanera), 'Don Carlos' (en su versión francesa) o 'La Hora Española', además de un aria para Niclausse de 'Los Cuentos de Hoffmann' que suele cortarse en la mayoría de las representaciones. La selección es acertada y gratificante.
La orquesta, al mano de un MARK MINKOWSKI que siempre se ha interesado mucho por este repertorio, suena a las mil maravillas, y es complemento perfecto para la mezzo. Lo mismo puede decirse del coro y de las más que correctas voces escogidas para algunas partes solistas de arias puntuales.
En conclusión, este 'French Opera Arias' de Kozena es un cd muy recomendable, complemento perfecto a los recientes registros del mismo título de Natalie Dessay y Rolando Villazón (ambos en Virgin Classics)

Pure!.......2004-02-12

this mzzo-soprano is great... she is a lighter and lyric mezzo. In this album... she sung the french arias with phrasing in detail... especially in the "Nuit Resplendissante". The balance between head vioce and chest voice in her singing is good. Her singing can really touches my heart...
it is worthy to buy this album... especially than you are tired in listening to the darker or dramatic mezzo-sopranos.

Average customer rating:

Vienna - The Mahler Years, 1897-1907 Manufacturer: Symposium ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Goldmark | Goldmark, Karl | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | 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 Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | 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 General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | 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 | 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 ASIN: B0001IW4LE Release Date: 2004-09-28

Average customer rating: Gedda in 60's and early 70's A recording that does Gedda justice It is the voice of destiny. This is some of the finest singing ever recorded What a master singer!!!

Nicolai Gedda - French and Russian Arias & Songs Manufacturer: Gala ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( 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 Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rachmaninov | Rachmaninov, Sergei | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Gedda, Nicolai | ( G ) | 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 General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Berlioz, Hector | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Borodin, Alexander | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Delibes, Leo | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gounod, Charles | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Meyerbeer, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Rachmaninov, Sergei | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Nicolai Gedda The Very Best of Alfredo Kraus Carlo Bergonzi - Italian Songs ~ Bellini · Verdi · Danza · Tosti · Donizetti · Rossini · Mascagni · Puccini Schumann: Dichterliebe / Wunderlich, Giesen The Very Best of Franco Corelli ASIN: B000001XMK Release Date: 2000-06-06

Tracks:

1. La Dame Blanche: Viens, gentille Dame
2. Faust: Quel trouble inconnu me penetre! - Salut! demeure chaste et pure
3. Romeo et Juliette: Ah! leve- toi, soleil
4. Les Huguenots: Non loin des vieilles tour- Plus blanche que la blanche hermine
5. Carmen: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee
6. Lakme: Prendre le dessin- Fantasie aux divins mensonges
7. La Damnation de Faust: Merci, doux crepuscule!
8. Les Troyens: Inutiles regrets!- Ah! quand viendra l'instant des supremes adieux
9. Prince Igor: Is it thou, Vladimir? (in Russian)
10. Jevgeny Onegin: Kuda, kuda, kuda vi udalilis (Where, Oh Where Have You Gone?)
11. Where Are You, Little Star?
12. The Garden By The Don
13. The He-Goat
14. In This Moonlit Night
15. At The Ball
16. Legend
17. Don Juan's Serenade
18. The Song Of The Young Gypsy
19. How Fair This Spot Or Hill Is Beauty

Customer Reviews:

Gedda in 60's and early 70's.......2003-08-21

Nicolai Gedda, a vocal wonder of the post-WWII Europe is in great form in live selections presented on this CD.
The French opera arias, particularly Berlioz and Gounod, required stellar high B's and C's plus ability to shift the registers seemlessly. Well, Gedda dispite his accent, was indeed perfect for this material. He will make you hold your breath every time he hits those high notes and each of these notes is crystal clear and dead-center on pitch.
For me personally, the best part of the disc is a 1971 recital of Russian art songs by Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. Gedda sings with a lot of feeling and is not afraid to "invent" -- check out the messa voce, or rubato that he adds. "Where art thou, little star" is heart-gripping in its beauty.
Unfortunately, the recital is clearly not presented in its entirety. I just hope Gala will release the full version some time soon.
Of course, all the selections are "live". But that's not a serious problem here (unlike many other Gala CDs made almost unlistenable by caughs and other noises). Yes, there are a few distractions, but not enough to take away from pure joy of Gedda's singing.

A recording that does Gedda justice.......2003-04-05

This compilation disc from Gala presents the artistry and musicianship of Nicolai Gedda. He is a great tenor. His voice may not be the most beautiful, but it certainly is pleasant to hear. He has an excellent top register; no high note is beyond his reach. His pianissimos, not really given their due here with Gala's selections of songs and arias, are really top-rate and extremely beautiful. If you want to hear his lovely pianissimos, get the hard-to-find "Opera Arias: Nicolai Gedda". The selection of arias and songs here is wonderful. Also included is a wonderful duet from "Prince Igor" sung in Russian and several Russian songs by Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky, and Rachmaninoff. I didn't care much for the Russian songs, but Gedda performed them very well with perfect Russian diction. The French arias are amazingly well done. If you have been left unmoved by his versions of Don José's Flower Song from his two studio recordings of "Carmen", you will not be disappointed with the version included here. This version is sung with great emotional involvement. It comes from the 1954 live recording of "Carmen" with Giulietta Simionato and Herbert von Karajan. Gedda has the flexibility and the high D for the "Les Huguenots" aria. His renditions of the two Gounod arias are wonderful and his high notes are superb. Énée's aria from "Les Troyens" is very well done. He even attempts a trill in it. A recently released live recording of a performance of "Les Troyens" with Gedda, Horne, and Verrett is available. Check it out. Gedda may be too light of voice for such a heavy role as Énée, but who could resist such stylish, superb singing and French diction? He also can scale all the dangerous heights and dramatic demands of the fiendishly difficult role. The sound of this compilation is surprisingly good. There is some static, but it never becomes distracting. Audience noise is minimal to nonexistent. Applause is found only on a few tracks and is always appropriate. All in all, a worthwhile purchase at a remarkably low price!

It is the voice of destiny........2002-09-01

If I say that it is nice I'll say nothing. Gedda's voice is really juicy and romantic and vocalize school is enormously mastered. When you hear to it, the first thought is that such voice cannot to be belonged to real, live person. It is for angel's not for real man.

This is some of the finest singing ever recorded.......1999-05-12

Although strangely forgotten by the opera world and overshadowed by the overwhelming publicity surrounding the three tenors (Carreras, Domingo, and Pavoroti), Gedda ought to be recognized as the greatest living tenor. His artistry, technique, musicianship, and individuality are second to none. Buy this CD and delight in some of his best work. There are presently no singers that even approach the mastery of the repetoire recorded on this album which Gedda sings perfectly and easily.His refinement and power are unexcelled. (No, the three tenors don't hold a candle to him. In fact, comparing Gedda to them is a bit like comparing a halogen bulb to a candle. Very nice candles, yes, but no match for an artist of his caliber.)

What a master singer!!!.......1999-01-20

This is a truly wonderful recording of the tenor, who I feel, is the greatest in the second half of the 20th Century. Maestro Gedda sings repetoire from the lyric Gerrard in Lakme to the dramatic Raoul in Les Hugeunots all with stylish ease and elan. Gedda had the most beautiful high notes in the business. These are all live performances and the span of time is from 1954 (Carmen, with von Karajan) to 1972 (Les Hugeunots). Finally, on CD, one gets to hear Maestro Gedda sing Lenski's Aria from Eugene Onegin, more beautiful and sumptuous than any other Tenor before or since. Also the last 9 tracks are Russian songs and this is some of the most beautiful singing heard anywhere (also done live).

Average customer rating:

Rockwell Blake ~ French Opera Arias Adolphe Adam , Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber , Georges Bizet , Francois-Adrien Boieldieu , Leo Delibes , Gaetano Donizetti , Christoph Willibald Gluck , Jean-Baptiste Lully , Niccolo Piccinni , Gioachino Rossini , Patrick Fournillier , Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo , and Rockwell Blake Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Lully | Lully, Jean-Baptiste | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Piccinni, Niccolò | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | 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 German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: T chaikowsky: Concert Fantasy/Concerto No.1 ASIN: B000009KXP Release Date: 1995-01-17

Average customer rating: A primer of great singing Outstanding A collection made with taste and savvy One of the Great Bargains

Prima Voce Treasury of Opera, Vol. 1 Manufacturer: Nimbus Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Glinka | Glinka, Mikhail | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Godard, Benjamin | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | 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 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | 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 Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | 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 Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | 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 Similar Items: The Prima Voce Treasury of Opera, Vol. 2 The Golden Age of Singing, Volume One 1900 - 1910 The Golden Age of Singing: Vol. 3 1920-1930 The Golden Age of Singing, Vol. 4; 1930-1950 Golden Age of Singing Vol.2 (1910-20) ASIN: B000042NZP Release Date: 2000-02-15

Tracks:

1. Adriana Lecouvreur: Poveri Fiori - Claudia Muzio
2. L'Africaine: O Paradiso - Giacomo Lauri-Volpi
3. Aida: Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi... Celeste Aida - Enrico Caruso
4. Aida: Ritorna Vincitor - Rosa Ponselle
5. Andrea Chenier: Un Di All'azzuro Spazio - Giovanni Martinelli
6. Andrea Chenier: La Mamma Morta - Claudia Muzio
7. Andrea Chenier: Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio - Giovanni Martinelli
8. L'Arlesiana: E La Solita Storia - Tito Schipa
9. Atalanta: Care Selve - Eide Norena
10. Attila: Dagli Immortali Vertici - Igor Gorin
11. Un Ballo In Maschera: Di Tu Se Fedele - Enrico Caruso/Metropolitan Opr Chor
12. Un Ballo In Maschera: Eri Tu, Che Macchiavi - Mattia Battistini
13. Un Ballo In Maschera: Saper Vorreste - Luisa Tetrazzini
14. Il Barbiere De Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum - Riccardo Stracciari
15. Il Barbiere De Siviglia: Se Il Mio Nome - Tito Schipa
16. Il Barbiere De Siviglia: Una Voce Poco Fa...Io Sono Docile - Conchita Supervia

Tracks:

1. La Belle Helene: Au Mont Ida Trois Deesses - Jussi Bjorling
2. La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina - Beniamino Gigli
3. La Boheme: Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi - Claudio Muzio
4. La Boheme: Donde Lieta Usci - Nellie Melba
5. Boris Godunov: Varlaam's Song - Feodor Chaliapin
6. Cagliostro In Wien: Zigeunerkind, Wie Glanzt Dein Haar - Lotte Schone
7. Le Cid: Enfant Cheri...Le Tambour-Major - Pol Plancon
8. Carmen: L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle (Habanera) - Conchita Supervia
9. Carmen: Pres Des Remparts De Seville (Seguedille) - Conchita Supervia
10. Carmen: Chanson Du Toreador - Lawrence Tibbett/Metropolitan Opr House Chor
11. Carmen: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee - Giacomo Lauri-Volpi
12. Carmen: Je Dis Que Rien Ne M'epouvante (Micaela's Aria) - Eide Norena
13. Cavalleria Rusticana: O Lola, C'hai Di Latti La Cammisa (Siciliana) - Tito Schipa
14. Cavalleria Rusticana: Voi Lo Sapete - Claudia Muzio
15. Cavalleria Rusticana: Viva Il Vino Spumeggiante - Giacomo Lauri-Volpi
16. Cavalleria Rusticana: Addio Alla Madre - Enrico Caruso
17. La Cenerentola: Non Piu Mesta - Conchita Supervia

Tracks:

1. Les Contes D'Hoffmann: Les Oiseaux Dans La Charmille - Mabel Garrison
2. Le Coq D'Or: Hymne Au Soleil - Eide Norena
3. La Dame Blanche: Reverie De Georges Brown - David Devries
4. Dinorah: Ombra Leggiera - Amelita Galli-Curci
5. Dinorah: Ah! Mon Remords Te Venge - Pasquale Amato
6. Don Carlos: Ella Giammai M'amo - Ezio Pinza
7. Don Carlos: O Carlo, Ascolta - Mattia Battistini
8. Don Cesar De Bazan: A Seville, Belles Senoras (Sevillana) - Amelita Galli-Curci
9. Don Giovanni: Deh Vieni Alla Finestra - Ezio Pinza
10. Don Giovanni: Il Mio Tesoro - John McCormack
11. Don Pasquale: Sogno Soave E Casto - Tito Schipa
12. Don Pasquale: Quel Guardo Il Cavaliere - Amelita Galli-Curci
13. L'Elisir D'Amore: Quanto E Bella, Quanto E Cara - Beniamino Gigli
14. L'Elisir D'Amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima - Tito Schipa
15. Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail: Wer Ein Liebchen Hat Gefunden - Alexander Kipnis
16. Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail: Durch Zartlichkeit Und Schmeicheln - Eide Norena

Tracks:

1. Ernani: Come Rugiada Al Cespite - Giovanni Martinelli
2. Ernani: Ernani! Ernani, Involami - Rosa Ponselle
3. Ernani: Infelice! E Tu Credevi - Ezio Pinza
4. Ernani: O,De' Verd' Anni Miei - Giuseppe De Luca
5. Eugene Onegin: Letter Scene - Lotte Lehman
6. Eugene Onegin: Lontan, Lontan (Lenski's Aria) - Dmitri Smirnov
7. Faust: Salut! Demeure Chaste Et Pure - Giacomo Lauri-Volpi
8. Faust: Il Etait Un Roi De Thule - Conchita Supervia
9. Faust: Ah, Je Ris De Me Voir Si Belle (Jewel Song) - Eide Norena
10. La Favorita: A Tanto Amor - Mattia Battistini
11. La Favorita: O Mio Fernando - Sigrid Onegin
12. La Favorita: Spirito Gentil - Beniamino Gigli
13. La Figlia Del Reggimento: Convien Partir - Toti Dal Monte
14. Die Fledermaus: Mein Herr - Lotte Schone
15. Die Fledermaus: Czardas - Elisabeth Rethberg

Tracks:

1. La Forza Del Destino: Alzatevi...La Vergine Degli Angeli - Rosa Ponselle/Ezio Pinza
2. La Forza Del Destino: Solenne In Quest'ora - Beniamino Gigli/Giuseppe De Luca
3. La Forza Del Destino: Invano, Alvaro...Le Minaccie, I Fieri Accenti - Giovanni Martinelli/Giuseppe De Luca
4. La Forza Del Destino: Pace, Pace Mio Dio - Claudia Muzio
5. La Gioconda: Ah! Pescator Affonda L'esca - Titta Ruffo
6. La Gioconda: Cielo E Mar - Jussi Bjorling
7. La Gioconda: Suicidio - Rosa Ponselle
8. Grafin Mariza: Gruss Mir Wein Wien - Richard Tauber
9. Guillaume Tell: Sombre Foret (Cavatina) - Eide Norena
10. Les Huguenots: Une Dame Noble Et Sage - Mario Ivogun
11. Les Huguenots: Bianca Al Par - Giacomo Lauri-Volpi
12. Iris: Apri La Tua Finestra - Antonio Cortis
13. Jocelyn: Caches Dans Cet Asile (Berceuse) - Alma Gluck
14. Lakme: Ou Va La Jeune Hindoue (Bell Song) - Amelita Galli-Curci
15. Das Land Des Lachelns: Von Apfelbluten Einen Kranz - Richard Tauber

Tracks:

1. A Life For The Tsar: I Do Not Grieve For That - Antonina Nezhdanova
2. Linda Di Chamounix: O Luce Di Quest' Anima - Marcella Sembrich
3. Lodoletta: Flammen, Perdonami - Mafalda Favero
4. Lohengrin: Euch Luften, Die Meine Klagen - Kirsten Flagstad
5. Lohengrin: In Fernem Land - Miguel Fleta
6. Louise: Depuis Le Jour - Ninon Vallin
7. Lucia Di Lammermoor: Cruda Funesta Smania - Mariano Stabile
8. Lucia Di Lammermoor: Ardon Gl'incensi - Frieda Hempel
9. Lucia Di Lammermoor: Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti L'ali - John McCormack
10. Lucrezia Borgia: Il Segreto Per Esser Felici (Brindisi) - Ernestine Schumann-Heink
11. Luisa Miller: Quando Le Sere Al Placido - Giacomo Lauri-Volpi
12. Die Lustigen Weiber Von Windsor: Nun Eilt' Herbei - Maria Ivogun
13. Die Lustige Witwe: Lippen Schweigen (Ballsirenen-Walzer) - Richard Tauber
14. Madama Buterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo - Rosa Ponselle
15. Manon: Il Sogno (En Fermant Les Yeux) - Jussi Bjorling
16. Manon: Obeissons, Qukkand Leur Voix Appelle (Gavotte) - Amelita Galli-Curci
17. Manon: Dispar, Vision - Tito Schipa

Amazon.com

This spectacular collection of more than 90 arias sung by 46 of the greatest singers of the century consists of recordings made between 1906 and 1943. Naturally, they are in far from high fidelity, but this is more charming than disturbing. And all the greats are here: from the tenors Enrico Caruso, Beniamino Gigli, John McCormack, and Jussi Bjoerlong, to the sopranos Rosa Ponselle, Amelita Galli-Curci, Claudia Muzio, and Kirsten Flagstad, to mezzos Conchita Supervia and Ernestine Schumann-Heink, to baritones Giuseppe de Luca and Mattia Battistini, and basses Ezio Pinza and Feodor Chaliapin--to mention a few. The six and a half hours of listening is a veritable primer in Grand Opera; a short synopsis of each selection is included. This set lives up to its name--it is indeed a treasury. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A primer of great singing.......2006-11-07

The Prima Voce Treasury of Opera Vol 1 contains arias and a few duets from operas A- M ( Adriana Lecouvreur- Manon)sung by singers of the first half of the 20th Century. Vol 2 continues with excerpts from operas M-Z ( Manon Lescaut - Die Zauberflote).All the tracks are taken from the Nimbus Prima Voce catalogue, using their controversial re-recording technique, which many people dislike for the over reverberant sound.Personally, I find the transfers more acceptable than the strident, edgy transfers of some other companies.

Opinion about any compilation of this sort is a personal matter. I find the choice of singers predictable and unimaginative and at times rather strange: Lauri-Volpi is not a representative Don Jose nor Faust for example.Overall though the standard of singing is very high.

The accompanying booklet contains well written potted biographies of the singers featured on the CDs.

This compilation is a very good primer of great singing from the past for someone starting out in this field but not for anyone who is already steeped in historic recordings, except perhaps to listen to in the car, which is what I bought it and Vol2 for.

Outstanding.......2001-09-12

As it happened, I bought Vol. 2 of this collection before Vol. 1, and everything I said in my review of Vol. 2 applies equally here. The breadth and depth of the operas and the singers are incredible, and the price for 6 CDs is an amazing bargain. The sound is remarkable, especially considering that some of the recordings are nearly 100 years old, though most are from the 20s and 30s. Highly recommended, whether you are new to opera or a seasoned veteran!

A collection made with taste and savvy.......2001-03-10

The English just know how to do things in good taste and I must say, the elements of this Prima Voce collection have been carefully selected and arranged. Arias are grouped so that you have two or three from the same opera together. This is a sensible arrangement and each singer selected for those particular arias is one who sings it very well and in a unique way. I had already been collecting single singer albums from Prima Voce when I discovered this Treasury compilation and wish now I had bought it first, because you get a good sampling of all the great singers in their catalog and will hear artists of whom you may not have been aware. From this Treasury collection you will hear singers that especially please your ear and then you might buy albums just of them. For me, this set confirmed those choices of favorites such as Claudia Muzio and Tito Schipa. Best of all, the six CDs make for a pleasing listening experience as a whole. I listen to them while I drive. There aren't any bad performances here and quite frankly there are few contemporary artists that can match or top these. It's a great way to establish an historical foundation for your recordings if you are building a collection of singers.

One of the Great Bargains.......2000-06-23

This is one of those rare bargains that one dreams about. I discovered it while browsing and I could not believe that one could have six disks for less than the normal cost of two. Nor is this an economy issue, transferred from what I assume is original pirate recordings along the lines of Gala and Opera d'Oro and even Myto. The transfers are clean and the collection is nonpareil. In all transfers I miss texts. But the music itself is glorious, the selection intelligent, and the artists the stars of the opera world. Unlike other collections arranged in chronological order, these use a simple alphabetic sequence of operas, so one can follow in one's own libretto or score more easily. The recordings appear to bridge the two world wars. If this is indeed volume one, I cannot wait for two.

Average customer rating: "Viens, gentille dame..."

Boieldieu - La Dame blanche / Blake, Massis, Delunsch, Fouchécourt, Naouri, Brunet, Minkowski François Adrien Boieldieu , Marc Minkowski , Rockwell Blake , Annick Massis , Ensemble Orchestral de Paris , Jean-Paul Fouchécourt , Laurent Naouri , Sylvie Brunet , Mireille Delunsch , Bernard Dehont , and Gilles Vajou Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Box Sets | Stores | Music Similar Items: Auber: La Muette de Portici Auber: Fra Diavolo Adolphe Adam: Le Postillon de Lonjumeau Leoncavallo: La Bohème Massenet: Le Jongleur de Notre Dame ASIN: B000006DDO Release Date: 2001-10-02

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Sonnez Sonnez Sonnez Cors Et Musettes
3. Ah! Quel Plaisir Que D'Etre Soldat!
4. Du Ciel Pour Nous La Bonte Favorable
5. Dialogue: Voila Donc Qui Est Convenu
6. Que Nous Veut Notre Menagere?
7. Dialogue: Dites-Moi, Mon Cher Hote
8. Chut Chut Ecoutons!
9. Dialogue: Monsieur! Ah! Voila Gabriel
10. Il S'Eloigne, Il Nous Laisse Ensemble
11. Dialogue: Ma Femme! Ma Femme!
12. Grand Dieu! Grand Dieu!
13. Mes Bons Amis, Sechez Vos Larmes
14. Entr'Acte
15. Pauvre Dame Marguerite
16. Dialogue: Allons Allons! Laissons La Mon Ouvrage
17. Duo: Eh! Mais, Quel Est Ce Bruit?
18. Trio: Un Beau Jeune Homme Et De Bonne Tornure
19. Dialogue: Entrez, Entrez, Monsieur

Tracks:

1. Maintenant Observons Ecoutons
2. Dialogue: Dickson, Dickson, Est-Ce Toi?
3. Ce Domaine Est Celui Des Comptes D'Avenel
4. Dialogue: Mon Jeune Officier, Voici Le Point Du Jour
5. Nous Quittons Nos Travaux Champetres
6. O Ciel! O Ciel! Quel Est Donc Ce Mystere?
7. Eh! Bien... Puisqu'Il Faut
8. Ciel! Quel Bonheur!
9. Enfin, Je Vous Revois, Sejour De Mon Enfance!
10. Dialogue: Eh Bien! Mademoiselle, Voila Ces Riches Appartements
11. Vive A Jamais Notre Nouveau Seigneur!
12. Chantez, Chantez, Joyeux Menestrel
13. Dialogue: Ah! Les Braves Gens!
14. Malheureuse Que Faire (La Dame Blanche, Act 3)
15. Dialogue: Ah! Mon Dieu! Mais Qu'Est-Ce Que Cela Veut Dire?
16. Voici Midi! La Somme Est-Elle Prete?

Customer Reviews:

"Viens, gentille dame...".......2002-01-29

"Down with 'La Dame Blanche!'" was the rallying cry of Georges Bizet as he set to work on "Carmen", infuriated with the immense popularity of Boieldieu's opera and all the musical values it stood for. One of the biggest operatic successes of the 19th century (it clocked up 1669 performances in the hundred years that followed its premiere in 1825), "La Dame Blanche" has now virtually disappeared, along with almost all the other 'operas comiques' of its time by Herold, Auber and Adam. By a supreme historical irony, "Carmen", the least representative 'opera comique' of them all, is now the most famous surviving example of the genre. Reason enough then for us to consign "La Dame Blanche" to the limbo of unheard operas? Or did those Parisian audiences who flocked to see it in their thousands have a point after all? Conductor Marc Minkowski, never one to agree with conventional wisdom, thinks they did and this new recording (the first for almost forty years) should convince a few more people to investigate this attractive rarity.

Boieldieu had been writing operas comiques in France and Russia for over twenty-five years when he came up with his masterpiece, "La Dame Blanche".Its librettist, Eugene Scribe, had an unfailing knack for sensing the mood of the fickle Parisian public. Composers practically begged him to write libretti for them, so they would be assured of a hit at the box office. Scribe decided to cash in on the craze for the novels of Walter Scott (a craze exploited by many, many other composers, including Rossini, Donizetti...and, later on, Georges Bizet himself in "La Jolie Fille de Perth"!). Scribe 'borrowed' from no less than five of Scott's works to come up with a crazily complicated plot about 'The White Lady' of Avenel Castle, a ghost who is supposed to protect the estate and its rightful owners. I won't attempt to summarise the plot here (try reading the synopsis in Kobbe's Opera Guide), let's just say it is the sort of thing that was parodied mercilessly by later satirists - but its craziness is part of the opera's charm. The supernatural element also allowed Boieldieu to exploit the other great musical fashion of the 1820s, the popularity of Weber's "Der Freischuetz", although "La Dame Blanche" doesn't sound the least bit 'Gothic', its magic is more of the delicate and wistful kind (one critic has referred to its 'moonlit grace'). As for local colour, it doesn't sound the least bit Scottish either, except for the variations on the folk melody 'Robin Adair' in the last act. What it does sound is very, very French: graceful, light and of immense melodic charm. Once heard, its popularity is easily understood - its tunes are infuriatingly catchy. It may plumb no great emotional depths, but its surface is delightful, with delicate accompaniments to the arias by flutes, harps and oboes. Boieldieu's main influences are the operas comiques of Gretry and Cherubini and, to a lesser extent, of Rossini. The great Italian himself was full of praise for the famous 'auction' ensemble at the end of the second act.

Minkowski directs an energetic performance, far surpassing the previous recording, which was mostly a lifeless affair. Rockwell Blake, the Rossini tenor, copes well with the demands of the lead role, the soldier Georges Brown (who sings the only aria which is even half-remembered from this opera, the marvellous "Viens, gentille dame"), but his voice is too nasal to be beautiful. The two lead female roles are great: there is an unusual chance to hear Mireille Delunsch in a comic role, as the 'soubrette', Jenny; and Annick Massis (what has happened to her?) is very touching as 'La Dame Blanche' herself with her fresh, lyrical soprano. The only minor fault is that EMI's recording sounds rather shallow, to my ears at least.

So "La Dame Blanche" may not be "Carmen" but for all its simplicity (even naivety), it still has the power to cast its spell over the modern listener. Adventurous explorers of the byways of French opera need not hesitate, but its charm might well captivate many other people too. (Brys)

Average customer rating:

David Devriès Manufacturer: Symposium ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | 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 General | Lehár, Franz | ( 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 Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | 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 | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000001XX9 Release Date: 1997-05-13

Tracks:

1. La Basoche: Quand Tu Connaitras Colette
2. Manon: En Fermant Les Yeux
3. La Traviata: Non, Non, Loin D'Elle
4. Astarte: Les Adieux D'Hercule
5. Wether: J'Aurais Sur Ma Poitrine
6. Faut: Salut Demeure
7. La Fille De Mme. Angot: Voyons, Monsieur, Raisson Nous Politique - David Devries/Gabrielle Lejeune
8. La Dame Blanche: Viens, Gentille Dame
9. La Dame Blanche: O Moment Plein De Charmes
10. Faust: Salut Demeure
11. Le Roi D'Ys: Vainement, Me Bien Aimee
12. Les Pecheurs De Perles: Je Crois Entendre Encore
13. Carmen: La Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee
14. Manon: En Fermant Les Yeux
15. Sapho: Ah! Qu'Il Est Moin Mon Pays
16. Jongleur De Notre-Dame: O Liberte Ma Mie
17. Fortunio: Si Vous Croyez Que Je Vais Dire
18. Fortunio: Ma Vieille Maison Grise
19. Paganini: J'Air Toujours Cru Qu'Un Baiser
20. Requiem: Pie Jesu
21. La Chanson Du Pecheur
22. Cimetiere De Compagne
23. Les Anes Du Caire

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Mechanical Opera: Opera Favourites on Musical Boxes Manufacturer: Saydisc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( 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 All Works by Lortzing | Lortzing, Albert | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | 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 Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | 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 Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | 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 | 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 General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Indie Music | Stores | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Sublime Harmonie: Victorian Musical Boxes Victorian Musical Boxes A Music Box Christmas ASIN: B000004526 Release Date: 1992-08-17

Tracks:

1. Il Trovatore: Cabaletta: Di Tale Amor/Il Trovatore: Chor: Convent Scene/Ernani: Ernani Involami...
2. The Mikado: The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring/The Mikado: The Flowers That Bloom In The Spring...
3. Faust: Soldier's Chor: Excelsior Piccolo/Faust: Soldier's Chor/Carmen: Toreador's Song...
4. Les Huguenots: Air De Ballet/Robert Le Diable: Sicilienne/Robert Le Diable: Sicilienne
5. Czar & Zimmerman: Once I Played With A Sceptre/Marriage Of Figaro: Non Piu Andrai/La Dame Blanche...
6. La Fille Du Regiment: Ah! Mes Amis, Quel Jour De Fete/Linda Di Chamounix: Mia Vendetta...
7. William Tell: Tyrolienne/William Tell: Ah Mathilde Je T'aime/Barber Of Seville: Una Voce Poco Fa...
8. I Puritani: A Te O Cara Amor Talora/I Puritani: Se Tra Il Buio/La Sonnambula...

Meditation Music:

1. Boito: Mefistofele
2. Carl Heinrich Graun: Cesare e Cleopatra
3. Cilèa: Gloria
4. Closer [Enhanced]
5. Cold Mountain [Soundtrack]
6. Come On Get Happy!: The Very Best of the Partridge Family [Original recording remastered]
7. Concert for Bangladesh [Original recording remastered]
8. Destiny Fulfilled
9. Det er Danmark: Sange med musik af Niels Svenningsen
10. Die Entführung aus dem Serail

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

A Hole Is True

Jørgensen: Confrontations

Francesco da Milano: Intabolatura da Leuto (Tablatures for Lute) - Paul Beier

Music: Trance Vertigo

G Lounge Milano, Vol. 2 [Import] [Limited Edition]

Global Underground Buenos Aires [Import]

For Our Loved Ones

Innocent Eyes [Import]

For One Day [CD-single] [Import]

Dvorák, Tchaikovsky, Borodin: Quartets

Going Dutch [Enhanced]

En el Tiempo

Es de Borinquen [Import]

Colors Never Imagined

I'll Just Keep on Singin' the Blues