| 1. Jour un Enfant |
| 2. Enfant aux Cymbales |
| 3. Moulins de Mon Coeur |
| 4. Johnny Jambe de Bois |
| 5. Ne Me Quitte Pas |
| 6. Venise Va Mourir {From l'Adieu À Venise and Anonimo Veneziano} |
| 7. Pour Vivre Ensemble |
| 8. Belle du Luxembourg |
| 9. Trop Jeune Ou Trop Vieux |
| 10. Cent Mille Chansons |
| 11. Autrefois |
| 12. Soleil d'Amour |
| 13. Whiskey de Papa |
| 14. Île Nue |
| 15. Girouette |
| 16. Croix, l'Étoile et le Croissant |
| 17. Taureau |
| 18. Funérailles d'Un Laboureur Brésilien |
| 19. Brandy (Brandy Is My True Love's Name) |
| 20. Berceuse Pour Luciana |
Un Jour Un Enfant,Frida Boccara,Polygram Int'l,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Popular Music,World Beat,World Music
Average customer rating:
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100 Best Opera Classics
Manufacturer: EMI Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0007QOERC Release Date: 2007-05-14 |
Tracks:
- Voi Che Sepate - Teresa Berganza
- Porgi Amor - Heather Harper
- Deh, Vieni Alla Finestra - Thomas Allen
- Batti, Batti, O Bel Masetto - Elizabeth Gale
- Der Holle Rache - Edda Moser
- O Isis Und Osiris - Cornelius Hauptmann
- Temerari...Come Scoglio - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
- La Calunnia E Un Venticello - Ruggero Raimondi
- Nei Giardin Del Bello - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
- Casta Diva - Maria Callas
- Se Quel Guerrier...Celeste Aida - Franco Corelli
- Tenesta La Promessa...Addio Del Passato - Beverly Sills
- Niun Mi Tema - Jon Vickers
- Un Bel Di Vedremo - Renata Scotto
- E Lucevan Le Stelle - Placido Domingo
- Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi - Mirella Freni
- In Quelle Trine Morbide - Montserrat Caballe
- Signore, Ascolta - Kiri Te Kanawa
- Recitar...Vesti La Giubba - Jose Carreras
- Amor Ti Vieta Di Non Amor - Roberto Alagna
Tracks:
- Le Veau D'Or Est Toujours Debout - Boris Christoff
- Ou Va La Jeune Hindoue? - Mady Mesple
- L'Amour, L'Amour...Ah! Leve-Toi, Soleil - Alfredo Kraus
- Allons! Le Faut...Adieu Notre Petite Table - Ileana Cotrubas
- Toute Mon Ame Est La Pourquoi Me Reveiller - Nicolai Gedda
- Quand La Flamme De L'Amour - Jose Van Dam
- L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle - Victoria De Los Angeles
- A Cette Voix...Je Crois Entendre Encore - Alain Vanzo
- Une Puce Gentille - Gabriel Bacquier
- Je Vais Mourir...Adieu, Fiere Cite - Regine Crespin
- Mon Coeur S'Ouvre A Ta Voix - Rita Gorr
- Wie Todesahnung...O Du Mein Holder Abenstern - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
- Johohoe! Traft Ihr Das Schiff Im Meere An? - Anja Silja
- In Fernem Land - Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper
- Heil Dir, Sonne! - Siegfried Jerusalem
- Mild Und Leise - Helga Dernesch
Tracks:
- Che Faro Senza Euridice? - Agnes Baltsa
- Der Vogelfanger Bin Ich Ja - Walter Berry
- Finch'Han Dal Vino - Nicolai Ghiaurov
- E Susanna Non Vien!...Dove Sono - Barbara Hendricks
- Abscheulicher! - Christa Ludwig
- Ne M'Abandonne Pas, Espoir De La Vengeance...Asile Hereditaire - Nicolai Gedda
- Largo Al Factotum - Tito Gobbi
- Ella Giammai M'Amo! - Ruggero Raimondi
- La Donna E Mobile - Alfredo Kraus
- Di Quella Pira - Franco Corelli
- Esultate! - James McCracken
- Dio! Mi Potevi Scagliar - Placido Domingo
- Vissi D'Arte, Vissi D'Amore - Maria Callas
- In Questa Reggia - Ghena Dimitrova
- Tanto Amore - Janine Micheau
- O Mio Babbino Caro - Montserrat Caballe
- Ed Anche Beppe Amo - Luciano Pavarotti
- Poveri Fiori - Maria Callas
- Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio - Roberto Alagna
Tracks:
- Les Grands Seigneurs...Ah! Je Ris De Me Voir Si Belle - Victoria De Los Angeles
- Marie, Avec L'Enfant Jesus - Jules Bastin
- Heureux Petit Berger - Janine Micheau
- Connais-Tu Le Pays - Jane Rhodes
- Elle Ne Croyait Pas Dans Sa Candeur - Nicolai Gedda
- Votre Toast, Je Peux Vous Le Rendre...Toreador - Victoria De Los Angeles
- Les Oiseaux Dans La Charmille - Mady Mesple
- Maintenant, Chantons...Devant La Maison De Celui Qui D'Adore - Gerard Souzay
- Depuis Le Jour - Beverly Sills
- Da Geht Er Hin - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
- Einsam In Truben Tagen - Regine Crespin
- Dich, Teure Halle - Hildegard Behrens
- Leb Wohl, Du Kuhnes, Herrliches Kind - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
- Hojotoho! Hojotoho! - Ute Walther
Tracks:
- Non Piu Andrai - Thomas Allen
- La Ci Darem La Mano - Graziella Sciutti
- Duo: Pa-Pa-Pa - Andreas Schmidt
- Soave Sia Il Vento - Delores Ziegler
- Mira, O Norma - Maria Callas
- Il Dolce Suono - Edita Gruberova
- Com'e Gentil - Alfredo Kraus
- Una Voce Poco Fa - Maria Callas
- Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici - Alfredo Kraus
- Gualtier Malde!...Caro Nome - Michele Pertusi
- Ritorna Vincitor - Birgit Nilsson
- Ave Maria - Katia Ricciarelli
- Nessun Dorma - Franco Corelli
- Che Gelida Manina - Nicolai Gedda
- Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana - Barbara Hendricks
Tracks:
- Mes Amis, Ecoutez L'Histoire - Nicolai Gedda
- Mieux Vaut Mourir...Amour Sacre De La Patrie - Alfredo Kraus
- Ah! Je Veux Vivre Dans Ce Reve - Mady Mesple
- Puisqu'on Ne Peut Flechir...Vainement, Ma Bien-Aimee - Henry Legay
- Suis-Je Gentille Ainsi?...Je Marche Sur Tous Les Chemins - June Anderson
- Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'Amour - Jessye Norman
- La Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee - Jose Carreras
- C'est Toi!...Au Fond Du Temple Saint - John Aler
- Werther, Werther, Qui M'Aurait Dit...Ces Lettres! - Tatiana Troyanos
- Viens, Mallika - Mady Mesple
- Ah! Je Suis Seule Enfin...Dis-Moi Que Je Suis Belle - Beverly Sills
- Alerte, Alerte!...Anges Purs, Anges Radieux - Nicolai Ghiaurov
- Boris's Farewell - Boris Christoff
- Schreckensschwur! - Gary Lakes
- Die 'Selige Morgentraum-Deutweise'...Selig, Wie Die Sonne - Peter Schreier
- Was Am Besten er Kann...Nothung! Nothung! - Siegfried Jerusalem
Customer Reviews:
Superlative collection.......2006-10-11
Great value for the money.......2006-04-23
Great for the money and a good starter on opera...........2006-01-07
Amazing Value.......2005-08-23
Average customer rating:
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Kathleen Battle at Carnegie Hall
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000001GG5 Release Date: 1992-08-11 |
Tracks:
- Serse: Frondi tenere - Ombra mai fu
- Giulio Cesare In Egitto: E pur cosi - Piangero la sorte mia
- Als Luise die Briefe ihres ungetreuen Liebhabers verbrannte
- Ridente la calma
- S'il est un charmant gazon
- Comment, disaient-ils
- Enfant, si j'etais roi
- Oh! Quand je dors
- Amor
- An die Nacht
- Vocalise
- Zdes' Choroso
- V molcan'i noci tajnoj
- Ne poj, krasavica
- Porgy And Bess: Summertime
- Good News
- Louise: Depuis le jour
- Die Fledermaus: Mein Herr marquis
- Over My Head I Hear Music
- He's Got The Whole World In His Hand
- Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Customer Reviews:
Ms. Battle does it again.......2006-03-29
A charming, lightweight song recital.......2005-09-18
Kathleen Battle Takes On Carnegie Hall.......2005-04-04
I'd give this CD 20 stars if I could! Sheer perfection!.......2003-12-07
I'm not an opera buff by any means, but I love the human voice and great singing. There is not a bad song in the bunch. Like one reviewer, I too, am not a big fan of the spirituals segment, but I have a higher tolerance for it than she..I can still enjoy them for what they're worth.
Just BUY this CD...buy more than one if you can. One for home and one for your car. Believe me, you will not be disappointed.
P.S. Can someone tell me if this Carnegie Hall recital was also filmed and where I can get a copy of it? I cannot find many filmed recitals of Kathleen Battle anywhere. There used to be many at the Metropolitan Library in NYC, but all they seem to have now are her appearances in operas. I remember seeing a Met recital of her in a red gown on the cover of the vhs box, but they must have retired it. Any Kathy Battle fans out there who can help me get a video collection going, I would be most appreciated! (ryanmarcus1@juno.com)
Lovely.......2003-07-22
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Cecilia Bartoli - Rossini recital ~ 19 songs & Cantata: Giovanna d'Arco
Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000041YF Release Date: 1990-12-21 |
Tracks:
- La Pastorella
- Belta Crudele
- Il Trovatore
- La Regata Veneziana
- Mi Lagnero Tacendo
- Il Risentimento
- La Grande Coquette
- Ariette A Lancienne
- L'orpheline Du Tyrol
- La Legende De Marguerita
- Nizza
- L'ame Delaissee
- Canzonetta Spagnuola
- Giovanni D'arco
Customer Reviews:
A young Bartoli sings rarely heard Rossini songs beatifully - a treasure of a disk.......2006-01-03
Gioacchino Rossini was born to a family of musicians in 1792. He began writing music at 15 and by 1829 he had written nearly 40 operas and had been the toast of society. He had early success in 1813 with "Tancredi" and in 1816 with "The Barber of Seville" (under the title of "Almaviva"). And while he wrote some songs and sacred works along the way, he won the world over with his operas and concluded with "Guillaume Tell" (William Tell) in 1829. Thereafter, he wrote sacred works and small works for his own delight that he shared with his friends at soirées in his home (they were regular and sought after events between 1857 until his death in 1868). He wrote hundreds of these pieces and would play the piano (he called himself a pianist of the fourth class) for the singers. Rossini referred to these short songs, pieces for small ensembles, and solo pieces as his "Sins of Old Age" ("Péchés de viellesse"), however he never printed them and, in fact, many of have yet to be printed (but should be).
This disk was recorded in 1990 just before Bartoli's twenty-fourth birthday. Her voice is so beautiful and flexible with many rich colors that each piece sounds like a jewel. Yes, she is a very young singer and her voice has become even richer as she has matured, but this is a glorious disk and something you will want to listen to repeatedly. Some of the songs are short, others are a bit longer, and there is the big finish with the full cantata "Giovanna d'Arco" ("Joan of Arc") from 1832 (but first publicly performed in 1859). It was composed as a gift for Olympe Pellisier, who became his second wife in 1847.
Enjoy!
Rossini really could write; Bartoli really can sing.......2005-08-31
Cecilia Bartoli made her mark early as an interpreter of Rossini's work and this album gives ample evidence that the buzz surrounding her early career was more than just hype. While she is known as today's pre-eminent mezzo-soprano, she was a virtual unknown when she recorded this.
Her technique and voice type are perfect for these songs but it is her obvious love for, and command of, the Rossini repetoire which set this CD apart from most.
The three installments of "La regatta Veneziana" may be the best on record, but buy this for "Giovanna D'Arco." This is masterful work, particularly from such a relatively young and, at the time, inexperienced singer.
While Cecilia' maturity and confidence in her abilities have, of late, made her performances sometimes seem almost effortless, the exuberance of a young Cecilia makes this set irresistable.
Average customer rating:
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Un Jour Un Enfant
Frida Boccara Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000084JW Release Date: 1998-02-04 |
Tracks:
- Jour un Enfant
- Enfant aux Cymbales
- Moulins de Mon Coeur
- Johnny Jambe de Bois
- Ne Me Quitte Pas
- Venise Va Mourir [From l'Adieu enise and Anonimo Veneziano]
- Pour Vivre Ensemble
- Belle du Luxembourg
- Trop Jeune Ou Trop Vieux
- Cent Mille Chansons
- Autrefois
- Soleil d'Amour
- Whiskey de Papa
- e Nue
- Girouette
- Croix, l'oile et le Croissant
- Taureau
- Funilles d'Un Laboureur Brlien
- Brandy (Brandy Is My True Love's Name)
- Berceuse Pour Luciana
- Quatre Chemins de l'Amour
- Rossini et Beaumarchais
- Pays Pour Nous [From West Side Story]
Customer Reviews:
One of the best vocal music I've ever had.......2006-12-25
Fond of France.......2005-08-02
I am not happy with the lack of information about the tracks supplied in the very brief liner notes - hence only three stars!
FRIDA, i'll never forget you !.......2005-04-17
j'ai 42 ans, pianiste et compositeur italo-français. j'avais 7 ans lorsque je vis en direct de madrid le concours eurovision 1969 (un jour un enfant) en direct à la TV. Toute ma vie, je me souviendrai de cette soirée. Frida Boccara fut une artiste merveilleuse à la voix d'or et de lumière parée des milles couleurs que lui confèrent ses différentes origines méditerranéennes. Rompue à une véritable technique de chant lyrique à l'italienne, avec une respiration diaphragmatique et une conviction à ce jour inégalée pour une artiste femme de ce répertoire. Elle demeure pour moi une réference abslue en matière de musique vocale. Ajoutons à cela qu'en 1971, à Toulouse, je l'ai vue de mes propres yeux chanter, et après le spectacle, j'avais 9 ans, elle m'a accueilli avec ma mère dans sa loge et je peux vous dire que c'était une femme d'une profondeur humaine rarissime. Je déplore sa disparition et je suis bien triste, mais je me souviens avec nostalgie de ces années-là, qui, je vous le dis, ne sont pas prêtes de revenir. J'ai conscience d'avoir vécu une époque bénie. Je souhaite pour elle qu'elle soit en ce moment aux côtés de Dieu, où demeure depuis toujours son trône qui lui fut destiné dès sa naissance.
Cordialement à tous, vous qui l'aimez également
Patrick de Toulouse
Frida : what so warm voice !.......2004-12-05
Her voice was so clear, crystaline , and filled of expression that it was very hard for you to forget her .
All this album is worthable . To listen this female singer is a spectacle reserved for Gods and connoiseurs .
Supreme and unique .
Au revoir Frida , wherever you are !
beautiful.......2002-03-30
Average customer rating:
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Poulenc - Melodies / Ameling · Gedda · W. Parker · Sénéchal · Souzay · Baldwin
Francis Poulenc , Dalton Baldwin , Elly Ameling , Gérard Souzay , Nicolai Gedda , Michel Sénéchal , and William Parker Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002S31 Release Date: 1992-01-23 |
Tracks:
- LE BESTIAIRE OU CORTEGE D'ORPHEE: I - Le Dromadaire
- LE BESTIAIRE OU CORTEGE D'ORPHEE: II - La Chevre Du Tibet
- LE BESTIAIRE OU CORTEGE D'ORPHEE: III - La Sauterelle
- LE BESTIAIRE OU CORTEGE D'ORPHEE: IV - Le Dauphin
- LE BESTIAIRE OU CORTEGE D'ORPHEE: V - L'ecrevisse
- LE BESTIAIRE OU CORTEGE D'ORPHEE: VI - La Carpe
- COCARDES: I - Miel De Narbonne
- COCARDES: II - Bonne D'enfant
- COCARDES: III - Enfant De Troupe
- 5 POEMES DE RONSARD: I - Attributs
- 5 POEMES DE RONSARD: II - Le Tombeau
- 5 POEMES DE RONSARD: III - Ballet
- 5 POEMES DE RONSARD: IV - Je N'ai Plus Les Os
- 5 POEMES DE RONSARD: V - A Son Page
- CHANSONS GAILLARDES: I - La Maitresse Volage
- CHANSONS GAILLARDES: II - Chanson A Boire
- CHANSONS GAILLARDES: III - Madrigal
- CHANSONS GAILLARDES: IV - Invocation Aux Parques
- CHANSONS GAILLARDES: V - Couplets Bachiques
- CHANSONS GAILLARDES: VI - L'offrande
- CHANSONS GAILLARDES: VII - La Belle Jeunesse
- CHANSONS GAILLARDES: VIII - Serenade
- AIRS CHANTES: I - Air Romantique
- AIRS CHANTES: II - Air Champetre
- AIRS CHANTES: III - Air Grave
- AIRS CHANTES: IV - Air Vif
- Epitaphe
- 3 POEMES DE LOUISE LALANNE: I - Le Present
- 3 POEMES DE LOUISE LALANNE: II - Chanson
- 3 POEMES DE LOUISE LALANNE: III - Hier
- 4 POEMES DE GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE: I - L'anguille
- 4 POEMES DE GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE: II - Carte Postale
- 4 POEMES DE GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE: III - Avant Le Cinema
- 4 POEMES DE GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE: IV - 1904
- 5 POEMES DE MAX JACOB: I - Chanson Bretonne
- 5 POEMES DE MAX JACOB: II - Cimetiere
- 5 POEMES DE MAX JACOB: III - La Petite Servante
- 5 POEMES DE MAX JACOB: IV - Berceuse
- 5 POEMES DE MAX JACOB: V - Souric Et Mouric
- 8 CHANSONS POLONAISES: I - La Couronne
- 8 CHANSONS POLONAISES: II - Le Depart
- 8 CHANSONS POLONAISES: III - Les Gars Polonais
- 8 CHANSONS POLONAISES: IV - Le Dernier Mazour
- 8 CHANSONS POLONAISES: V - L'adieu
- 8 CHANSONS POLONAISES: VI - Le Drapeau Blanc
- 8 CHANSONS POLONAISES: VII - La Vistule
- 8 CHANSONS POLONAISES: VIII - Le Lac
Tracks:
- 5 POEMES DE PAUL ELUARD: I - Peut - Il Se Reposer?
- 5 POEMES DE PAUL ELUARD: II - Il La Prend Dans Ses Bras
- 5 POEMES DE PAUL ELUARD: III - Plume D'eau Claire
- 5 POEMES DE PAUL ELUARD: IV - Rodeuse Au Front De Verre
- 5 POEMES DE PAUL ELUARD: V - Amoureuses
- A Sa Guitare
- TEL JOUR, TELLE NUIT: I - Bonne Journee
- TEL JOUR, TELLE NUIT: II - Une Ruine Coquille Vide
- TEL JOUR, TELLE NUIT: III - Le Front Comme Un Drapeau Perdu
- TEL JOUR, TELLE NUIT: IV - Une Roulotte Couverte En Tuiles
- TEL JOUR, TELLE NUIT: V - A Toutes Brides
- TEL JOUR, TELLE NUIT: VI - Une Herbe Pauvre
- TEL JOUR, TELLE NUIT: VII - Je N'ai Envie Que De T'aimer
- TEL JOUR, TELLE NUIT: VIII - Figure De Force Brulante Et Farouche
- TEL JOUR, TELLE NUIT: IX - Nous Avons Fait La Nuit
- 3 POEMES DE LOUISE DE VILMORIN: I - Le Garcon De Liege
- 3 POEMES DE LOUISE DE VILMORIN: II - Au-Dela
- 3 POEMES DE LOUISE DE VILMORIN: III - Aux Officiers De La Garde Blanche
- 2 POEMES DE GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE: I - Dans Le Jardin D'anna
- 2 POEMES DE GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE: II - Allons Plus Vite
- MIROIRS BRULANTS: I - Tu Vois Le Feu Du Soir
- MIROIRS BRULANTS: II - Je Nommerai Ton Front
- Le Portrait
- La Grenouillere
- Priez Pour Paix
- Ce Doux Petit Visage
- Bleuet
- FIANCAILLES POUR RIRE: I - La Dame D'andre
- FIANCAILLES POUR RIRE: II - Dans L'herbe
- FIANCAILLES POUR RIRE: III - Il Vole
- FIANCAILLES POUR RIRE: IV - Mon Cadavre Est Doux Comme Un Gant
- FIANCAILLES POUR RIRE: V - Violon
- FIANCAILLES POUR RIRE: VI - Fleurs
Tracks:
- BANALITES: I - Chanson D'orkenise
- BANALITES: II - Hotel
- BANALITES: III - Fagnes De Wallonie
- BANALITES: IV - Voyage A Paris
- BANALITES: V - Sanglots
- CHANSONS VILLAGEOISES: I - Chanson Du Clair Tamis
- CHANSONS VILLAGEOISES: II - Les Gars Qui Vont A La Fete
- CHANSONS VILLAGEOISES: III - C'est Le Joli Printemps
- CHANSONS VILLAGEOISES: IV - Le Mendiant
- CHANSONS VILLAGEOISES: V - Chanson De La Fille Frivole
- CHANSONS VILLAGEOISES: VI - Le Retour Du Sergent
- METAMORPHOSES: I - Reine Des Mouettes
- METAMORPHOSES: II - C'est Ainsi Que Tu Es
- METAMORPHOSES: III - Paganini
- 2 POEMES DE LOUIS ARAGON: I - C
- 2 POEMES DE LOUIS ARAGON: II - Fetes Galantes
- 2 POEMES DE GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE: I - Montparnasse
- 2 POEMES DE GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE: II - Hyde Park
- 2 POEMES DE GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE: I - Le Pont
- 2 POEMES DE GUILLAUME APOLLINAIRE: II - Un Poeme
- Paul Et Virginie
- Mais Mourir
- Hymne
- 3 CHANSONS DE FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA: I - L'enfant Muet
- 3 CHANSONS DE FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA: II - Adelina A La Promenade
- 3 CHANSONS DE FEDERICO GARCIA LORCA: III - Chanson A L'oranger Sec
- Le Disparu
- Main Dominee Par Le Coeur
- CALLIGRAMMES: I - L'espionne
- CALLIGRAMMES: II - Mutation
- CALLIGRAMMES: III - Vers Le Sud
- CALLIGRAMMES: IV - Il Pleut
- CALLIGRAMMES: V - La Grace Exilee
- CALLIGRAMMES: VI - Aussi Bien Que Les Cigales
- CALLIGRAMMES: VII - Voyage
Tracks:
- Mazurka
- LA FRAICHEUR ET LE FEU: I - Rayon Des Yeux...
- LA FRAICHEUR ET LE FEU: II - Le Matin Les Branches Attisent...
- LA FRAICHEUR ET LE FEU: III - Tout Disparut...
- LA FRAICHEUR ET LE FEU: IV - Dans Les Tenebres Du Jardin...
- LA FRAICHEUR ET LE FEU: V - Unis La Fraicheur Et Le Feu...
- LA FRAICHEUR ET LE FEU: VI - Homme Au Sourire Tendre...
- LA FRAICHEUR ET LE FEU: VII - La Grande Riviere Qui VA...
- PARISIANA: Le Joueur De Bugle
- PARISIANA: Vous N'ecrivez Plus?
- Rosemonde
- LE TRAVAIL DU PEINTRE: I - Pablo Picasso
- LE TRAVAIL DU PEINTRE: II - Marc Chagall
- LE TRAVAIL DU PEINTRE: III - Georges Braque
- LE TRAVAIL DU PEINTRE: IV - Juan Gris
- LE TRAVAIL DU PEINTRE: V - Paul Klee
- LE TRAVAIL DU PEINTRE: VI - Joan Miro
- LE TRAVAIL DU PEINTRE: VII - Jacques Villon
- La Souris
- Nuage
- Dernier Poeme
- Une Chanson De Porcelaine
- LA COURTE PAILLE: I - Le Sommeil
- LA COURTE PAILLE: II - Quelle Aventure!
- LA COURTE PAILLE: III - La Reine De Coeur
- LA COURTE PAILLE: IV - Ba, Be, Bi, Bo, Bu
- LA COURTE PAILLE: V - Les Anges Musiciens
- LA COURTE PAILLE: VI - Le Carafon
- LA COURTE PAILLE: VII - Lune D'avril
- Toreador
- 4 CHANSONS POUR ENFANTS: I - La Tragique Histoire Du Petit Rene
- 4 CHANSONS POUR ENFANTS: II - Nous Voulons Une Petite Soeur
- 4 CHANSONS POUR ENFANTS: III - Le Petit Garcon Trop Bien Portant
- 4 CHANSONS POUR ENFANTS: IV - Monsieur Sans-Souci
- Fancy
- Colloque
Customer Reviews:
Essential for the chansom junkie. Buy It........2006-10-25
I am happy that all four discs run for more than 60 minutes. No cheap short changing here. If you don't want to spring for the large set, the Hyperion release is great, but this is worth every penny.
Almost completely wonderful.......2005-04-29
Indisputable Gallic flair.......2004-06-06
Idiomatic, fresh, cleanly recorded.......2001-05-12
the best songs ever ruined by uneven performing.......2001-05-05
Average customer rating:
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The Fabulous Victoria De Los Angeles
Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002S5G Release Date: 1994-02-15 |
Tracks:
- Sheherazade: Asie
- Sheherazade: La Flute enchantee
- Sheherazade: L'Indifferent
- Cinq Melodies populaires grecques: Le Reveil de la mariee
- Cinq Melodies populaires grecques: La-bas vers l'eglise
- Cinq Melodies populaires grecques: Quel galant m'est comparable
- Cinq Melodies populaires grecques: Chanson des cueilleuses de lentisques
- Cinq Melodies populaires grecques: Tout gai!
- Duex Melodies hebraiques: Kaddisch
- Duex Melodies hebraiques: L'Enigme eternelle
- L'Invitaiton au voyage
- Phidyle
- L'Enfant Prodigue: Recit. & Air de Lia: L'annee en vain chasse l'annee
- Poeme de l'amour et de la mer: La Fleur des eaux
- Poeme de l'amour et de la mer: Interlude
- Poeme de l'amour et de la mer: La Mort de l'amour
Tracks:
- Cinco Canciones Negras: Cuba dentro de un piano
- Cinco Canciones Negras: Punto de habanera
- Cinco Canciones Negras: Chevere
- Cinco Canciones Negras: Cancion de cuna para dormir a un negrito
- Cinco Canciones Negras: Canto negro
- Coleccion de canciones amatorias: Llorad corazon
- Coleccion de canciones amatorias: Iban al pinar
- Cuatro madrigales amatorios: Con que la lavare?
- Cuatro madrigales amatorios: Vos me matasteis
- Cuatro madrigales amatorios: De donde venis, amore?
- Cuatro madrigales amatorios: De los alamos vengo, madre
- Cinco canciones playeras espanolas: Rutas
- Cinco canciones playeras espanolas: Pregon
- Cinco canciones playeras espanolas: Las 12
- Cinco canciones playeras espanolas: El pescador sin dinero
- Cinco canciones playeras espanolas: Coplilla
- Quatre cancons: Canco de grumet
- Quatre cancons: Cancon incerta
- Quatre cancons: Maig
- Quatre cancons: Anacreontica
- La Dama d'Arago
- El can dels ocells
- Canco de Sega
- El combat del somni: Damunt de tu nomes les flors
- El combat del somni: Aquesta nit un mateix vent
- El combat del somni: Jo et presentia com la mar
- Triptic de Mossen Cinto: L'Harpa Sagrada
- Triptic de Mossen Cinto: Lo violi de Sant Francesh
- Triptic de Mossen Cinto: Sant Fransech i la cigala
Tracks:
- Chansons de Bilitis: La Flute de Pan
- Chansons de Bilitis: La Chevelure
- Chansons de Bilitis: Le Tombeau des Naiades
- Fetes galantes: En sourdine
- Fetes galantes: Fantoches
- Fetes galantes: Clair de lune
- Noel de enfants qui n'ont plus de maisons
- Chants populaires: Chanson espagnole
- Chants populaires: Chanson francaise
- Chants populaires: Chanson italienne
- Chants populaires: Chanson Herbraique
- Trois jours de vendange
- Le Rossignol des lilas
- Tristesse, Op. 6, No. 2
- Au bord de l'eau, Op. 8, No. 1
- Les Roses d'Ispahan, Op. 39, No. 4
- Troujours (No. 2 de Trois Poemes d'un jour, Op. 21)
- Siete Canciones populares espanolas: El pano murano
- Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Sequidilla murciana
- Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Asturiana
- Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Jota
- Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Nana
- Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Cancion
- Siete Canciones populares espanolas: Polo
- Doce canciones gallegas: As florinas dos toxos
- Triptico, Op. 45: Farruca
- Villancicos: Pastorcito santo
- Psyche
- Soneto a Cordoba
Tracks:
- Proserpina: E dove t'aggiri
- Le violette
- Joshua: Oh! had I Jubal's lyre
- Der Tod und das Madchen, D. 531
- Die schone Mullerin, D. 795: No. 2: Wohin?
- D. 547: An die Musik
- Op. 59, No. 8: Dein blaues Auge
- Op. 84, No. 4: Vergebliches Standchen
- Op. 27, No. 1: Chanson d'amour
- Op. 46, No. 2: Clair de lune
- Let Us Wander
- Lost Is My Quiet
- Schlaf in deiner engen Kammer
- Ah! lamenta, oh bella Irene
- Irish Songs: Oh! Would I Were But That Sweet Linnet
- Irish Songs: He Promised Me At Parting
- Irish Songs: They Bid Me Slight My Dermot Dear
- Welsh songs: The Dream
- Mignon und der Harfner, D. 877: Nur wer die Sehnsucht kennt
- Les Fleurs des landes: Le Trebuchet
- Moglichkeit
- Der Apfel
- Schottische Ballade
- Pastorale
- Pleurs d'or
- Sapphische Ode
- La Partenza
Amazon.com
The word "fabulous" seems vulgar when applied to the Spanish diva whose delicately shaded voice encompassed music from the middle ages to the present. This four-disc compilation emphasizes her song repertoire, to which she brought warmth, intelligence, linguistic integrity and irresistible sincerity. Her dignity makes listeners want to come to her, and she rewards them with an intimate, personal experience, especially in this small-scale repertoire by Ravel, Debussy, Duparc, Fauré, lots of Spanish composers and German masters such as Schubert and Brahms. --David Patrick StearnsCustomer Reviews:
Awesome musicality.......2006-07-26
The set comes with booklet including full words plus translations, helpful notes on De Los Angeles's concert career and a dozen of beautiful and rare black and white photos. Victoria de Los Angeles's concert career was as prolific as her legendary operatic performances and continued well after her retirement from the operatic stage. This introspective and almost encycopledic release is a real treat and is absolutely recommended. I totally agree with the editor's review who states that the word "fabulous" fails in every respect to fully capture the artistry of the Spanish soprano. Victoria de Los Angeles is definitely one of the most wonderful lyric sopranos of the 20th century and is one of the most heavenly artists to have ever graced the concert scene. A must-have for any collection.
Fabulous? Yes!!!.......1999-09-13
I was delighted to see Faure's "Claire de lune" on the album, and equally delighted with De Los Angeles' elegant rendition of this work. The only recording of the song I've liked better is from an LP featuring Frederika Von Stade.
As an added bonus, several duets with the great baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau are featured on Disk #4. These include some charming settings of Irish songs by Beethoven, and a gorgeous arrangement of "Let Us Wander" by Henry Purcell. I remember hearing these duets years ago on an LP recording, and it was a pleasure to hear them again.
Average customer rating:
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Prima Voce Treasury of Opera, Vol. 1
Manufacturer: Nimbus Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000042NZP Release Date: 2000-02-15 |
Tracks:
- Adriana Lecouvreur: Poveri Fiori - Claudia Muzio
- L'Africaine: O Paradiso - Giacomo Lauri-Volpi
- Aida: Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi... Celeste Aida - Enrico Caruso
- Aida: Ritorna Vincitor - Rosa Ponselle
- Andrea Chenier: Un Di All'azzuro Spazio - Giovanni Martinelli
- Andrea Chenier: La Mamma Morta - Claudia Muzio
- Andrea Chenier: Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio - Giovanni Martinelli
- L'Arlesiana: E La Solita Storia - Tito Schipa
- Atalanta: Care Selve - Eide Norena
- Attila: Dagli Immortali Vertici - Igor Gorin
- Un Ballo In Maschera: Di Tu Se Fedele - Enrico Caruso/Metropolitan Opr Chor
- Un Ballo In Maschera: Eri Tu, Che Macchiavi - Mattia Battistini
- Un Ballo In Maschera: Saper Vorreste - Luisa Tetrazzini
- Il Barbiere De Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum - Riccardo Stracciari
- Il Barbiere De Siviglia: Se Il Mio Nome - Tito Schipa
- Il Barbiere De Siviglia: Una Voce Poco Fa...Io Sono Docile - Conchita Supervia
Tracks:
- La Belle Helene: Au Mont Ida Trois Deesses - Jussi Bjorling
- La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina - Beniamino Gigli
- La Boheme: Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi - Claudio Muzio
- La Boheme: Donde Lieta Usci - Nellie Melba
- Boris Godunov: Varlaam's Song - Feodor Chaliapin
- Cagliostro In Wien: Zigeunerkind, Wie Glanzt Dein Haar - Lotte Schone
- Le Cid: Enfant Cheri...Le Tambour-Major - Pol Plancon
- Carmen: L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle (Habanera) - Conchita Supervia
- Carmen: Pres Des Remparts De Seville (Seguedille) - Conchita Supervia
- Carmen: Chanson Du Toreador - Lawrence Tibbett/Metropolitan Opr House Chor
- Carmen: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee - Giacomo Lauri-Volpi
- Carmen: Je Dis Que Rien Ne M'epouvante (Micaela's Aria) - Eide Norena
- Cavalleria Rusticana: O Lola, C'hai Di Latti La Cammisa (Siciliana) - Tito Schipa
- Cavalleria Rusticana: Voi Lo Sapete - Claudia Muzio
- Cavalleria Rusticana: Viva Il Vino Spumeggiante - Giacomo Lauri-Volpi
- Cavalleria Rusticana: Addio Alla Madre - Enrico Caruso
- La Cenerentola: Non Piu Mesta - Conchita Supervia
Tracks:
- Les Contes D'Hoffmann: Les Oiseaux Dans La Charmille - Mabel Garrison
- Le Coq D'Or: Hymne Au Soleil - Eide Norena
- La Dame Blanche: Reverie De Georges Brown - David Devries
- Dinorah: Ombra Leggiera - Amelita Galli-Curci
- Dinorah: Ah! Mon Remords Te Venge - Pasquale Amato
- Don Carlos: Ella Giammai M'amo - Ezio Pinza
- Don Carlos: O Carlo, Ascolta - Mattia Battistini
- Don Cesar De Bazan: A Seville, Belles Senoras (Sevillana) - Amelita Galli-Curci
- Don Giovanni: Deh Vieni Alla Finestra - Ezio Pinza
- Don Giovanni: Il Mio Tesoro - John McCormack
- Don Pasquale: Sogno Soave E Casto - Tito Schipa
- Don Pasquale: Quel Guardo Il Cavaliere - Amelita Galli-Curci
- L'Elisir D'Amore: Quanto E Bella, Quanto E Cara - Beniamino Gigli
- L'Elisir D'Amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima - Tito Schipa
- Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail: Wer Ein Liebchen Hat Gefunden - Alexander Kipnis
- Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail: Durch Zartlichkeit Und Schmeicheln - Eide Norena
Tracks:
- Ernani: Come Rugiada Al Cespite - Giovanni Martinelli
- Ernani: Ernani! Ernani, Involami - Rosa Ponselle
- Ernani: Infelice! E Tu Credevi - Ezio Pinza
- Ernani: O,De' Verd' Anni Miei - Giuseppe De Luca
- Eugene Onegin: Letter Scene - Lotte Lehman
- Eugene Onegin: Lontan, Lontan (Lenski's Aria) - Dmitri Smirnov
- Faust: Salut! Demeure Chaste Et Pure - Giacomo Lauri-Volpi
- Faust: Il Etait Un Roi De Thule - Conchita Supervia
- Faust: Ah, Je Ris De Me Voir Si Belle (Jewel Song) - Eide Norena
- La Favorita: A Tanto Amor - Mattia Battistini
- La Favorita: O Mio Fernando - Sigrid Onegin
- La Favorita: Spirito Gentil - Beniamino Gigli
- La Figlia Del Reggimento: Convien Partir - Toti Dal Monte
- Die Fledermaus: Mein Herr - Lotte Schone
- Die Fledermaus: Czardas - Elisabeth Rethberg
Tracks:
- La Forza Del Destino: Alzatevi...La Vergine Degli Angeli - Rosa Ponselle/Ezio Pinza
- La Forza Del Destino: Solenne In Quest'ora - Beniamino Gigli/Giuseppe De Luca
- La Forza Del Destino: Invano, Alvaro...Le Minaccie, I Fieri Accenti - Giovanni Martinelli/Giuseppe De Luca
- La Forza Del Destino: Pace, Pace Mio Dio - Claudia Muzio
- La Gioconda: Ah! Pescator Affonda L'esca - Titta Ruffo
- La Gioconda: Cielo E Mar - Jussi Bjorling
- La Gioconda: Suicidio - Rosa Ponselle
- Grafin Mariza: Gruss Mir Wein Wien - Richard Tauber
- Guillaume Tell: Sombre Foret (Cavatina) - Eide Norena
- Les Huguenots: Une Dame Noble Et Sage - Mario Ivogun
- Les Huguenots: Bianca Al Par - Giacomo Lauri-Volpi
- Iris: Apri La Tua Finestra - Antonio Cortis
- Jocelyn: Caches Dans Cet Asile (Berceuse) - Alma Gluck
- Lakme: Ou Va La Jeune Hindoue (Bell Song) - Amelita Galli-Curci
- Das Land Des Lachelns: Von Apfelbluten Einen Kranz - Richard Tauber
Tracks:
- A Life For The Tsar: I Do Not Grieve For That - Antonina Nezhdanova
- Linda Di Chamounix: O Luce Di Quest' Anima - Marcella Sembrich
- Lodoletta: Flammen, Perdonami - Mafalda Favero
- Lohengrin: Euch Luften, Die Meine Klagen - Kirsten Flagstad
- Lohengrin: In Fernem Land - Miguel Fleta
- Louise: Depuis Le Jour - Ninon Vallin
- Lucia Di Lammermoor: Cruda Funesta Smania - Mariano Stabile
- Lucia Di Lammermoor: Ardon Gl'incensi - Frieda Hempel
- Lucia Di Lammermoor: Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti L'ali - John McCormack
- Lucrezia Borgia: Il Segreto Per Esser Felici (Brindisi) - Ernestine Schumann-Heink
- Luisa Miller: Quando Le Sere Al Placido - Giacomo Lauri-Volpi
- Die Lustigen Weiber Von Windsor: Nun Eilt' Herbei - Maria Ivogun
- Die Lustige Witwe: Lippen Schweigen (Ballsirenen-Walzer) - Richard Tauber
- Madama Buterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo - Rosa Ponselle
- Manon: Il Sogno (En Fermant Les Yeux) - Jussi Bjorling
- Manon: Obeissons, Qukkand Leur Voix Appelle (Gavotte) - Amelita Galli-Curci
- 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 LevineCustomer Reviews:
A primer of great singing.......2006-11-07
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
A collection made with taste and savvy.......2001-03-10
One of the Great Bargains.......2000-06-23
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Massenet - Werther / Alagna · Gheorghiu · Hampson · Petibon · Courtis · Fouchécourt · Frémeau · LSO · Pappano
Jules Massenet , Antonio Pappano , Roberto Alagna , Angela Gheorghiu , London Symphony Orchestra , Tiffin Children's Choir , Thomas Hampson , Patricia Petibon , Jean-Philippe Courtis , Jean-Paul Fouchécourt , Jean-Marie Frémeau , James Savage-Hanford , Pierre Dupont , and Sophie Boulanger Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00001ZSVU Release Date: 1999-10-19 |
Tracks:
- Werther: Prelude (Orchestra)
- Werther: Act One: Assez! Assez! M'ecouterat-on cette fois? (Le Bailli, Les Enfants)
- Werther: Act One: Bravo pour les enfants! (Johann, Schmidt, Les Enfants, Le Bailli, Sophie)
- Werther: Act One: Alors, c'est bien ici la maison du Bailli?
- Werther: Act One: Je ne sais si je veille (Werther)
- Werther: Act One: Jesus vient de naitre!...Chers enfants! (Les Enfants, Werther)
- Werther: Act One: Ah! comme ils sont meilleurs que moi! (Werther, Les enfants, Le Bailli)
- Werther: Act One: Arrivez donc, Bruhlmann! (Le Bailli, Charlotte, Werther, Sophie)
- Werther: Act One: O spectacle ideal d'amour et d'innocence (Werther)
- Werther: Act One: Monsieur Werther!...Vivat Bacchus, semper vivat! (Le Bailli, Charlotte, Sophie)
- Werther: Act One: Sophie!...Albert! Toi de retour! (Albert, Sophie)
- Werther: Act One: Elle m'aime!...Quelle priere de reconnaissance et d'amour (Albert)
- Werther: Act One: Interlude (Orchestre)
- Werther: Act One: Interlude (continued) ...Il Faut nous separer
- Werther: Act One: Mais vous ne savez rien de moi
- Werther: Act One: Reve! Extase! Bonheur! (Charlotte, Werther)
- Werther: Act One: Charlotte! Charlotte! Albert est de retour! (Le Bailli, Charlotte, Werther)
- Werther: Act Two: Prelude (Orchestre) ....Vivat Bacchus! Semper vivat!
- Werther: Act Two: Allez, chantez l'office (Johann, Schmidt)
- Werther: Act Two: Trois mois! Voici trois mois que nous sommes unis! (Albert, Charlotte)
- Werther: Act Two: Un autre est son epoux!
- Werther: Act Two: J'aurais sur ma poitrine (Werther)
- Werther: Act Two: Si! Katchen reviendra, je vous dis! (Schmidt, Johann)
- Werther: Act Two: Au bonheur dont mon ame est pleine...Vous l'avez dit: mon ame est loyale et sincere (Albert, Werther)
- Werther: Act Two: Frere, voyez! Voyez le beau bouquet!...Heureux! Pourais-je l'etre encore? (Sophie, Werther, Albert)
- Werther: Act Two: Ai-je dit vrai? L'amour que j'ai pour elle Ah! qu'il est loin, ce jour plein d'intime douceur
- Werther: Act Two: N'est-il donc pas d'autre femme
- Werther: Act Two: Oui, ce qu'elle m'ordonne
- Werther: Act Two: Lorsque l'enfant revient d'un voyage avant l'heure
- Werther: Act Two: Mais venez donc! le cortege s'approche (Sophie, Werther, Charlotte, Albert)
Tracks:
- Werther: Act Three: Prelude (Orchestra)
- Werther: Act Three: Werther! Werther!...Qui m'aurait dit la place
- Werther: Act Three: Des cris joyeux d'enfants montent sous ma fenetre (Charlotte)
- Werther: Act Three: Bonjour, grand soeur! (Sophie, Charlotte)
- Werther: Act Three: Va! Laisse couler mes larmes (Charlotte)
- Werther: Act Three: Tiens, Charlotte, crois-moi, ne reste pas ici (Sophie, Charlotte)
- Werther: Act Three: Ah! mon courage m'abandonne! (Charlotte)
- Werther: Act Three: Qui, c'est moi! Je reviens! (Werner, Charlotte)
- Werther: Act Three: Ha! bien souvent...Toute mon ame est la!...Pourquoi me reveiller, o souffle du printemps? (Werner)
- Werther: Act Three: N'achevez pas! Helas!
- Werther: Act Three: Ah! Moi! Moi, dans ses bras! (Charlotte, Werther)
- Werther: Act Three: Werther, est de retour...on la vu revenir (Albert, Charlotte)
- Werther: Act Four: Entr'acte: La Nuit de Noel (Orchestra)
- Werther: Act Four: Werther! Werther! Rien! (Charlotte)
- Werther: Act Four: Qui parle? Charlotte, ah! c'est toi!
- Werther: Act Four: A cette heure supreme, je suis heureux (Charlotte, Werther)
- Werther: Act Four: Noel! Noel! Noel!...Dieu! Ces cris joyeux (Les Enfants, Charlotte, Werther, Sophie)
- Werther: Act Four: Ah! ses yeux se ferment!...Non...Charlotte!...je meurs (Charlotte, Werther)
Amazon.com
The modern discography of Massenet's Werther has long been dominated by the (currently out of print) Philips recording starring José Carreras and Frederica von Stade as well as the earlier EMI version with Alfredo Kraus and Tatiana Troyanos. But this EMI newcomer is within shouting distance of greatness, mainly due to conductor Antonio Pappano. Although any Werther succeeds or fails on the strength of its singers, the conductor is a crucial catalyst (on the Philips set, it's Colin Davis, while on EMI it's Michel Plasson) for maintaining the poetic intensity in a drama that can too easily seem like a naive case study in stalking. The Byronic title character essentially practices emotional blackmail on the married woman he loves by never hiding his suicidal tendencies, though one never thinks such mundane thoughts with tenor Roberto Alagna. Although his voice lacks the tenor bloom one might want, he's so at home with the role and the French language that he delivers a characterization full of imagination and immediacy, sometimes bordering on vocal genius. Soprano Angela Gheoghiu's vocal center is too high for this mezzo role, but she makes a vivid impression through the sheer force of her personality. Thomas Hampson gives vocal glamour but surprising dramatic restraint to the role of her husband, Albert. Although the sound quality is somewhat studio bound, Pappano and the London Symphony Orchestra play as if it's a live performance. --David Patrick StearnsCustomer Reviews:
A star among modern Werthers, but there are others.......2006-05-28
Roberto alagna, a native French speaker despite his name, is the only prominent Werther who can claim that distinciton. I've always felt he was much better suited to French opera than the heavier Verdi-Puccini roles that he now sings, and which (shadoes of Carreras) have led to a coarsening of his voice, along with a pronounced wobble and intonation problems. but he is a star, no doubt, and here he brings charisma and style to Wether. He takes care to find many musical shadings throughout, and since the date for this recording is 1998-99, he is nearly in best voice.
Everyone has praised Pappano (are they following the lead of The Gramophone reviewer, who thought he was the best thing here?), but Colin Davis, Georges Pretre, and Kent Nagano had done as well. Pappano;s distinciton is that he is a bit slower, more dleiberate, and self-consciously refined. I'm not sure that's always a great advantage in Massanet, whose music is given to sighs and longueurs--it can use help form an energetic conductor. EMI's recording form London is a bit distant but otherwise quite good.
IN all, this is a gripping peformance that deserves all the praise it has gotten, but it doesn't erase memories of other fine Werthers, an opera that has been amazingly successful on records. The Davis features a remarkable Charlotte in Frederica von stade and a passionate, verismo Carreras in top form (Philips), the Nagano has gorgeous if not quite idiomatic singing from von Otter and Hadley in a more low-key, melliflous style (Erato), and of course there's the classic Pretre version with de los Angeles and Gedda. This only skims the surface, for there is an oustanding live 1977 performance with Domingo and Fassbaender under Lopez-Corbos from Munich (Orfeo). Indeed, when the Amazon reviewer claims that the Plasson set with Troyanos and Kraus on EMI "dominated" the stereo era, he is far from accurate.
Another Smash Hit From The French Opera Specialists .......2006-02-25
Roberto Alagna has been criticized for his flawed technique- he sings with self-conscious grandeur and often imitates the lyric tones of predecessors Giuseppe Di Stefano and Franco Corelli. He has a nearly "pop" style voice - all razzzle-dazzle, great volume, beautiful tone, but often fails in the more difficult music. He is however, very gifted and intelligent and attempts to sing with as much passion and drama as possible. I for one love what I hear from him, especially in this recording, where he has never sang better. Angela Gheorghiou sings with her usual dramatic diva flair - thrilling high notes, tessitura, chest voice, musicality and all the good things she has used for other great hits like Juliette and Manon. But in this performance, while it is still good, she is not really in her element. This is a mezzo-soprano role. Charlotte, Werther's unattainable love, must sing with mezzo soprano voice in order to seduce Werther a la Bizet's Carmen. While it is definately a role for a high mezzo, it is not for the purely soprano voice of Angela Gheorghiu. You have to be a fan of these two in order to appreciate Gheorghiu's treatment of a mezzzo soprano role. It is basically the same thing as her Carmen, another mezzo soprano role. If you want to hear outstanding mezzo sopranos in Werther check out the dramatic mezzo style of Brigitte Fassbaender who is by far the best intepretor or check out Federica Von Stade who sings a cooler and less intense Charlotte opposite the supercharged Jose Carreras. Pappano does a great job with the music - bloom, brilliance, darkness and this is by far the best modern recording of the opera.
¿El mejor Werther despues de Kraus?.......2004-10-23
Y digo sorprendente porque quizas ROBERTO ALAGNA sea el mejor interprete de Werther desde el mitico Kraus. Sus interpretaciones son muy diferentes entre si, ya que Alagna muestra un timbre mas baritonal que el liviano de Kraus y un canto mas afrancesado: Un canto elegante y entregado capaz de llegar a los agudos sin grandes problemas, que hacen de Alagna seguramente el mejor Werther de su generacion (y por tanto el mejor despues de Kraus).
Como Charlotte encontramos a la soprano ANGELA GHEORGHIU, en un papel que aunque habitualmente es cantado por mezzos, le queda francamente bien: la voz doliente y expresiva de Gheorghiu se presta perfectamente a la psicologia de Charlotte, y la quimica con Alagna en los duos de amor (sobra decir que es su esposo en la vida real) es total.
Completando el reparto nos encontramos con los lujos de PATRICIA PETIBON (una Sophie cuyo timbre recuerda mucho al de Natalie Dessay) y el Albert de un THOMAS HAMPSON que es todo sutilidad. El resto del reparto rinde tambien a buen nivel.
ANTONIO PAPPANO dirige a la LONDON SIMPHONY (que suena igual de bien que siempre) y el coro infantil canta con mucha correccion. Si a esto le sumamos un sonido magnifico (podemos oir en algunos momentos incluso los susurros de Pappano a la orquesta), esto nos lleva a pensar que este 'Werther' sea la mas adecuada segunda opcion, despues de tener la obviamente obligada de Alfredo Kraus. Muy buen trabajo.
Best Werther recording since the 1930s.......2000-03-17
thoughts on "Werther".......2000-01-07
This CD is worth your money, provided you already like the opera. Personally, Werther's selfishness drives me up a wall.
There's only one major problem: why is Gheorghiu singing a mezzo role? The middle register of her voice is *not* her best of show.
Average customer rating:
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Offenbach - Les Contes d'Hoffmann / Alagna, van Dam, Dessay, Vaduva, Jo, Lascarro, Dubosc, Ragon, Sénéchal, Bacquier, Lamprecht, Nagano
Jacques Offenbach , Roberto Alagna , Natalie Dessay , Kent Nagano , Choeur et Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lyon , Leontina Vaduva , Sumi Jo , José van Dam , Catherine Dubosc , Gilles Ragon , Gabriel Bacquier , Doris Lamprecht , and Juanita Lascarro Manufacturer: Erato ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000005E4D Release Date: 1996-10-29 |
Tracks:
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Prelude - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Act 1, Scene 1: Glou! Glou! - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Couplets de la muse: La verite, dit-on, sortait d'un puits - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Elle est sur la scene, un peuple l'acclame - La Muse - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 2: Le conseiller Lindorf, morbleu! - Lindorf, Andres - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 3: Vayons? Pour Hoffmann! - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Couplets: Dans les roles d'amoureux - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Deux heures devant moi - Scene 4: Vite, vite, qu'on se remue! - Lindorf, Luther - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 5: Choeur des Etudiants - Drig, drig - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Vrai Dieu! Mes amis - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Eh! Luther! Ma grosse tonne - Lindorf, Luther, Nathanael, Hermann, Wolfram, Wilhelm - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 6: Bonjour, amis! - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Couplets and Andante: Va pour Kleinzach! - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Peuh! Cette biere est detestable! - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Duo: Et par ou votre Diablerie - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Simple echange de politesse - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Je vous dis, moi - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ma maitresse? - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Final: Messieurs, on va lever le rideau! - Hoffmann, Nicklausse, Lindorf, Luther, Nathanael, Hermann, Wolfram, Wilhelm - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Act 2: Entracte - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 1: La! Dors en paix - Spalanzani - Scene 2: Ah! Bonjour! Enchacte! - Spalanzani, Hoffmann - Scene 3: Fais allumer partout! - Spalanzani, Cochenille - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 4: Allons! Courage et confiance! - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Pardieu! J'etais bien sur - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Couplets: Une poupee aux yeux d'email - Nicklausse, Hoffmann - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 5: C'est moi, Coppelius! - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Je me nomme Coppelius - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: J'ai deux jeux, de beaux yeux - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Serviteur - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ah! Ange du ciel, est-ce bien toi? - Nicklausse, Hoffmann, Coppelius - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 6: Hein! Vous! - Hoffmann, Coppelius, Spalanzani - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 7: Choeur des Invites: Non aucun hote vraiment - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Vous serez satisfaits, messieurs - Hoffmann, Spalanzani, Nicklausse - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 8: Mesdames et Messieurs - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Mesdames et Meisseurs, fiere de vos bravos - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Air: Les oiseaux dans la charmille - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ah! Mon ami! Quel accent! - Hoffmann, Spalanzani, Nicklausse, Olympia, Cochenille - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 9: Ils se sont eloignes! Enfin! - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ah! Vivre deux! - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Tu me fuis? - Hoffmann, Olympia - Scene 10: Eh! morbleu! modere ton zele! - Hoffmann, Nicklausse - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 11: Voleur! Brigand! Quelle deroute! - Coppelius - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Scene 12: En place les danseurs - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Voila! Assez, assez, ma fille - Kent Nagano
- Les Contes D' Hoffmann: Ah! Quoi? L'homme aux lunettes, la! - Spalanzani, Cochenille, Hoffmann, Olympia, Nicklausse, Coppelius - Kent Nagano
Tracks:
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act 3: Entracte - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 1: Elle a fui, la tourterelle - Antonia - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 2: Malheureuse enfant! - Crespel, Antonia - Scene 3: Desespoir! Tout a l'heure, encore! - Crespel - Scene 4: Frantz! n'ouvre a personne! - Crespel, Frantz - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 5: Jour et nuit je me mets en quatre - Frantz - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 6: Frantz, c'est ici! - Hoffmann, Frantz - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 7: Enfin je vais savoir pourquoi - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Romance: Vois sous l'archet fremissant - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: C'est une chanson d'amour - Hoffmann, Antonia, Nicklausse - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 8: Ah! Je le savais bien - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ah! J'ai le bonheur dans l'ame - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Pourtant, o ma fiancee - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Viens la comme autrefois - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Qu'as-tu donc? - Antonia, Hoffmann - Scene 9: Rien! J'ai cru qu'Hoffmann etait ici! - Hoffmann, Crespel, Frantz, Miracle - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 10: Pour conjurer la danger - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Allons, parle! et sois bref! - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: J'ai la certains flacons - Miracle, Crespel, Hoffmann, Antonia - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 11: Ne plus chanter - Hoffmann, Antonia - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 12: Tu ne chanteras plus? - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ah! Quelle est cette voix? - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ta mere, oses-tu l'interroger? - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Non! Assez! - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ja cede au transport qui m'enivre! - Miracle, Antonia, La Voix - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 13: Mon enfant, ma fille! - Crespel, Antonia, Hoffmann, Nicklausse, Miracle - Jacques Offenbach
Tracks:
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act IV: Entracte - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 1: Messieurs, silence! - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Recit et Chant bachique: Et moi, ce n'est pas la - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Amis, l'amour tendre et reveur - Hoffmann, Nicklausse, Giulietta - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 2: Je vois qu'on est en fete! - Schlemil, Giulietta, Pitchinaccio, Hoffmann - Scene 3: Au premier reve je t'enleve - Nicklausse, Hoffmann - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 4: Tourne, tourne, miroir - Dapertutto - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 5: Cher ange! - Dapertutto, Giulietta - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 6: Melodrame: Vivat! J'ai tout gagne! - Giulietta, Schlemil, Dapertutto - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 7: Giulietta, palsembleu! - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Air de Giulietta: Vous ne jouez pas? - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Que dit-elle? - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Giulietta, je vous jure! - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Oui, fut-ce au prix de ma vie - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Sextuor and Choeur: Helas! Je vais encore la suivre - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Morbleu! - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Il a ma cle - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 1: Ton ami dit vrai! - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Romance: O Dieu, de quelle ivresse - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Jusque-la, cependant - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Si ta presence m'est ravie - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ah! Tu m'as defiee - Giulietta, Hoffmann, Dapertutto, Pitchinaccio - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 2: Alerte, Hoffmann! - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Voyez! Il n'a plus le moindre reflet! - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Je n'aime pas qu'on me defie! - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ainsi, tu mentais! - Nicklausse, Hoffmann, Dapertutto, Pitchinaccio, Giulietta - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Act V: Entracte - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 1: Choeur: Folie! Oublie tes douleurs - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Voila quelle fut l'histoire - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Choeur des Esprits et des Etudiants: Glou! Glou! - Hoffmann, Luther, Lindorf, Nathanael, Nicklausse - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Scene 2: Stella, Stella! - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Couplet: Pour le coeur de Phrygne - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Denouement: Hola! Quelqu'un de fort pour emporter Hoffmann! - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Ingrat! Et moi? - Jacques Offenbach
- Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Adieu! Je t'abandonne - Andres, Hoffmann, Nicklausse, Stella, La Muse, Lindorf - Jacques Offenbach
Amazon.com
Of all the revisionist Hoffmanns, this one is the best, using the latest (and one trusts) last version of Michael Kaye's edition, based on sketches recently discovered for the unfinished opera. Most of the changes are in the Giulietta act; it now tracks better dramatically, and unlike some restoration attempts, its length is sensible. In the title role, Roberto Alagna is full of imaginative touches of characterization, singing the famous Kleinzach song with an intentional vocal roughness in a worthy effort to convey the Hoffmann's debauched state. As the mechanical doll Olympia, Natalie Dessay proves she's not only a phenomenal singer but a great comedienne. Kent Nagano deploys his Lyon Opera forces with great stylistic authority. --David Patrick StearnsCustomer Reviews:
Not a flawless version, but one to be REALLY loved.......2006-05-09
First, about the edition. The Kaye edition restores a lot of music including recitatives written by Offenbach and a number of musical numbers. It also goes for the Guiraud recitatives which some versions totally omit and replace by the dialogues which Offenbach likely might have intended. Compared to, say, the historical Sutherland/Domingo/Bonynge version, this version is significantly longer and more substantial, musically speaking. With more than 30 minutes of music compared to the Bonynge edition, it is understandable why the Kaye version needs up to 3 CDs to bear the substantial amount of music.
While fans of Contes d'Hoffmann would likely be grateful at the ressurrection of so much musical material, I personally find this version sometimes just too painfully long. The Guiraud recitatives sometimes simply are bland and cause the opera to just drag along. Yes, Guiraud obviously has a lot of skills and bright ideas in these recitatives, mostly shown by the quoting of music by Offenbach in these recitatives to give the opera a better sense of unison. But compared to the simpler recitatives that Offenbach himself wrote, the Guiraud sometimes just seems aloof. Unless you really have a lot of time, you might want to stick to the more important musical numbers. Also, the new ending, with Hoffmann facing the Muse in the apotheose is a wonderful ensemble, with sounds from the church organ that gives the scene its necessary "holy" feel.
Now to the singers. Alagna has a masculine voice and is dramatically very effective. He also has a perfect French diction-crisp, idiomatic and a real joy to listen to. His instrument naturally is not very beautiful; and I personally find his Hoffmann a bit beefy and hysterical; but his good understanding of the role still helps him come across as a better Hoffmann. The best Hoffmann is in my opinion either Domingo or Schicoff.
The ladies are provided with quite a luxury cast. Natalie Dessay's Olympia is perhaps second only to Sutherland and Sills. To everyone who honors La Stupenda's E flats, listen: Dessay presents the role of the mechanical doll with FOUR Gs, yes 4 full-voiced, stunning, jaw-dropping Gs!!! Musically speaking, Dessay is not as comedic as Sutherland; her tone is a little thin and nasal but her coloratura and lovely portrayal of the role is simply untterly convincing.
Vaduva's Antonia is excellent: excellent diction, girly tone and very successfully portrays the youngsinger's vulnerability and sensibility. She however lacks power in the trio and that C sharp falls flat. Her "Elle a fui la tourterelle" is however wonderfully touching and moving. The best Antonia, in my opinion, is Victoria de Los Angeles. To one of the reviewers here, Vaduva is not a Slavic singer. She is a French singer of Romanian origin. A totally Latin singer!
Sumi Jo portrays a very convincing Giulietta with very believable spinto qualities, which she provides effectively with chaning in tone. The rediscovered coloratura, with a couple of E flats and spellbinding runs, well, brings the wonderful Korean coloratura soprano to her prime best. Her French is surprisingly idiomatic.
Lascarro's got a small role as Stella. I personally don't like her tone; but she is good enough in the beautiful apotheose ensemble.
Jose Van Dam's quartet villain almost matches Bacquier's famous portrayal. His voice is not as dark or evil-sounding as Bacquier's but still gives a top-notch interpretation. His doctor Miracle might have been the best on record if he took some of those melodramatic laughs in the Trio. His reluctance, combined with Vaduva's small voice, creates a flat Trio. This being said, the French bass's quartet of villains stills ranks among the undisputed best. My favorite villain quartet, Gabriel Bacquier has a cameo role here as Crespel, which he does a great job.
Gilles Ragon's a good tenor and his stuttering in the portrayal of Cochenille is very convincing. I however find him a bit too serious and heavy for these tenore buffo roles. The same can be said for Senechal's Spalanzani. Compared to Charon's Spalanzani on the Bonynge recording, he is very unfunny. The "brigand! Bandit!" quarrel after the destruction of the doll is bland and lifeless.
Catherine's Dubosc has a lovely voice and does great job as Nicklausse. There is nothing to criticize about her singing qualities. My only objection is that the casting of this trouser role for a soprano harms the overall balance of the opera: 5 soprano roles and 1 mezzo role (the voice of the mother): this is not a good balance. The Barcarolle duet, in particular, suffers from both a misbalance and a ridiculous fast tempo.
Kent Nagano's conducting does not have the solid tempos of Bonynge and sometimes overwhelms the singers: most notably in that C sharp of the Trio. But he has really interesting ideas and provides invaluable support.
With the exception of a bland Spalanzani, some strange tempos and the unusual length of the edition, this is a very good Hoffmann. Together with the Bonynge version, this is another very good all-around recording. The set is a tad expensive, but given the substantial amount of music and a very informative booklet, this is a recording to really consider. It will provide a lot of listening pleasures. You will not be disappointed.
The best of a mediocre-to-bad lot.......2003-10-30
Now that musicologists have finished playing with the Mahler 10th Symphony (which ended rather well) and the Beethoven 10th (which ended rather badly), they have been taking a whack at "Hoffmann," rushing to revise music the composer never sanctioned and adding music found in buckets and boxes long after his death. My personal feeling was, if it ain't broke, don't fix it: you're not Offenbach, and to speak for him requires a tremendous amount of chutzpah. And a lot of the revisions, to my ear, simply do not work well, such as turning Giulietta into a coloratura soprano, spinning out an aria that ends much like Olympia's doll song as on this recording.
I'm also not fond of switching the Antonia and Giulietta acts from their traditional positions for both dramatic and musical reasons. To begin with, having the "tales" end with Antonia gives Hoffmann's character a certain sense of redemption that simply isn't there the other way. Also, the Giulietta act is musically the weakest: as primiarily an operetta composer, Offenbach simply had a hard time creating music for this act which is darker and more tensely dramatic than anything else in the work. The superp trio that climaxes the Antonia act, on the other hand, is one of the most brilliant and transcendent things he wrote.
That being said, there is much to admire in this set. Kent Nagano conducts briskly, which is his wont, thereby tying together the music in a cohesive and satisfying way where others (particularly Cluytens and Cambreling) sound slow and rambling. On the other hand, his chorus of the spirits, though light and brisk, just misses the rapt, enchanting sound achieved by Bonynge; and though it was probably Offenbach's intent to have only a few strings play the violin motif in the Antonia trio, they sound too thin, not sweeping or driven enough, for the dramatic situation. Nagano also conducts the famed "Barcarolle" at a shade-too-fast tempo, thus robbing the music of its mysterious charm (even Arthur Fiedler made a better recording of the instrumental version). These moments point to a lack of "theatricality" in Nagano's conducting style that Bonynge, Rudel and even Beecham managed to capture.
Alagna is not as suavely beautiful or haunting in the role as Robert Rounseville or Stuart Burrows were. This is something of an abrupt, nervous reading, though if one knows something about E.T.A. Hoffmann and his tales it is perfectly in keeping with his character. (I have yet, however, to see ANY tenor perform the role made up to LOOK like Hoffmann, a scrawny little man with a square jaw, popping eyes and a shock of unruly, frizzy hair. I guess no tenor really wants to look like that!)
This is unquestionably the finest performance Dessay has ever recorded: her voice is brilliant, in focus, on pitch and wonderfully secure. Only Bond in the Beecham performance and Sutherland come close, though I personally feel that Sutherland was funnier in the role. She had a real flair for comedy, whereas she did not possess enough personal warmth for Antonia or Giulietta.
The Sutherland recording also had the best "villains" in Gabriel Bacquier in his prime, but to my ears Van Dam is an excellent second. (Treigle, in the Sills set, was good but not great, his somewhat gruff voice rather overwhelimg the roles with too much histrionics.)
Vaduva has a pretty tone but your typical "Slavic wobble," more noticeable in the early and late parts of her act. For some reason, the voice is better focused in the middle sections, but she does not efface memories of de los Angeles who was the best Antonia ever.
Jo is surprisingly good as Giulietta: though her voice is even smaller than Dessay's, it had a fuller lyric sound in the mid-range which captured well on records. (I have beel told that her "live" career is just about over on stage as the voice is too small to carry in most modern theaters.) I liked Margherita Grandi in the old Beecham film, but a chesty, spinto Giulietta is apparently persona non grata in the new Michael Kaye edition of the work.
Dubosc is a good Nicklausse, though I preferred Tourangeau and the singer (I forget her name) from the Beecham film. Bacquier, with far less voice, is still predictably good as Crespel; the timeless Senechal is a classic Spalanzani; Ragon is an excellent Cochenille, not so memorable as Franz. (I miss Andrea Velis, the old Met comp, who was brilliant in these roles but was never recorded in them.) The other small roles range from excellent (Tezier as Schlemil) to poor (Juanita Lascarre as Stella).
An ideal modern "Hoffmann" would have Elisabeth Vidal as Olympia, Hong as Antonia, Fleming as Giulietta, Alvarez as Hoffmann, Rene Pape as the three villains, and someone like Pappano or Plasson conducting.....but we can dream all we want. The era of complete opera recordings, according to many inside sources, is over as we know it--even the Bobby & Angela act is being shelved--so we must pick from what we have, and this is simply the finest over all "Hoffmann" on record, with Bonynge's being a good second choice, though I do not like Domingo's hard-voiced, beefy Hoffmann.
Hoffman contines to elude the recording world.......2001-10-03
I prefer Domingo's more passionate Hoffman to Alagna's workmanlike effort, which is still quite fine.
On the other hand, having different female vocalists, as this recording does is preferable to my ear than having the same throughout as the Domingo/Sutherland recording does. The three female leads here range from good (Dessay) to excellent (Jo). Having heard Sumi Jo sing Olympia on record and in person, I find it hard to enjoy Dessay's quite as much. Jo is here as Antonia however.
No single recording of Hoffman is clearly preferable and listening to each is recommended. In the meanwhile, there is still an opening here for a more fully satisying Hoffman.
Excellent but not definitive.......2001-04-20
First, the good points. Listening to this recording one definitely thinks of the opera's characters rather than the artists portraying them.... I find Alagna's voice quite beautiful on this recording and feel that he portrays the character of Hoffmann with spectacular success....
Van Dam is one of the recording's great assets as the villains. The three main heroines are each memorable(.).......(Jo's) interpretation of Giulietta's long-lost coloratura aria is spectacular and features a spine-chilling moment in her climactic cadenza ...she sings a rising series of notes almost identical to one sung by Dessay as Olympia in Act II, emphasizing the connection of the heroines. ...Lascarro does a very good job in the small role of Stella (....Dubosc is excellent as the Muse and Nicklausse, giving a truly memorable performance of nearly the entire role. Unfortunately, Nicklausse's Antonia-act aria, arguably the artistic and emotional heart of the entire opera ...,seems somehow disappointing on this recording. Dubosc's voice does not cut through the orchestra as it should when she sings in her lower register, and as a result the aria fails to have the cathartic impact on me that it has when I have heard it in Metropolitan Opera broadcasts. .... Ragon gives an excellent, highly memorable performance in the four "grotesque" roles.
Now I may turn to the disappointing features of this recording. ....(T)his recording contains no extra-musical sound effects whatsoever. To a certain extent this is a valid approach to recording an opera. The problem is that "Hoffmann" contains an unusually high number of passages which were composed with the extra-musical sounds that would be heard from the stage in mind and which lack some of their intended impact without sound effects. The effectiveness of the students' drinking song is reduced when we don't hear them banging their glasses together and on the tables, and without the winding-up sound the pauses in Olympia's song when she runs down make less sense. We also should hear Coppelius smashing Olympia, Hoffmann and Schlemil moving around heavily as they duel, the death-gasp of another character who dies in the new ending of the Giulietta act (I won't spoil the unfamiliar twists of plot here), and various other sound effects which would add to the drama of the story. Moreover, Van Dam's villains never laugh except when their laughter is notated in the score, even though the libretto specifies some additional evil laughs, notably the one as Dr. Miracle disappears and Antonia falls dying at the end of the trio for Miracle, Antonia and the voice of Antonia's mother.
One of the main problems with the recording is that Van Dam, Ragon and Dubosc are the only performers to play multiple roles. Not only are the heroines played by four different sopranos, but none of the artists who play Luther and the students reappear in other roles in the acts devoted to Hoffmann's three stories. All of this goes against what are presumed to be Offenbach's wishes for his opera, despite the fact that this is a recording of Kaye's critical edition (in its "grand opera" version). Moreover, this recording was, unfortunately, made before Offenbach's own finished finale for the Giulietta act, written very shortly before his death, became available for inclusion in Kaye's edition. ....
Finally, it seems bizarre that the aria "Scintille, diamant," which has been one of the most popular numbers in the opera for a long time, is not included on this recording. ....
Despite these flaws, this recording is recommended. It is extremely enjoyable and represents the totality of Offenbach's intentions for "Hoffmann" more fully than any other recording currently available. One hopes that a new recording of Kaye's edition, with the definitive ending for the Giulietta act and with a single soprano playing all four heroines, will be made in the not-too-distant future.
O Dieu, de quelle ivresse embrasse-tu mon âme?.......1999-11-21
This recording is undoubtedly one of the two benchmark recordings of this opera, the other one being the classic Sutherland/Domingo/Bonynge set. It is the most complete set with the "newly-discovered" Giuletta ending, and even includes the terrific but apocryphal sextet that is missing in the Bonynge recording. Alagna is the true star here, reflecting the spirit of Hoffmann throughout the opera, and singing in a very ideomatic French (unlike Domingo). The four heroines are marvellous, even though I prefer a single soprano singing all the four roles. Van Dam is great as the four villians, but he could have been more sinister in the trio in the Antonia act. Nagano is fine, but has some problems with the tempi at times.
Average customer rating:
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The Essential Pierre Bernac
Manufacturer: Testament ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00000IAEU Release Date: 1999-03-09 |
Tracks:
- Ser
- Soupir
- L'Invatation Au Voyage
- L'Ile Heureuse
- Sept Melodies, Op.2: IV Le Colibri
- Quatre Poemes, Op.3: III Le Jardin Mouille
- Deux Melodies, Op.50: I Coeur En Peril
- Funf Lieder & Gesange, Op.127: II Dein Angesicht
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Im Wunderschonen Monat Mai
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Aus Meinen Tranen Spriessen
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Die Rose, Die Lilie, Die Taube, Die Sonne
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Wenn Ich In Deine Augen Seh
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Ich Will Meine Seele Tauchen
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Im Rhein, Im Heiligen Strome
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Ich Grolle Nicht
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Und Wussten's Die Blumen, Die Kleinen
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Das Ist Ein Floten Un Geigen
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Hor Ich Das Liedchen Klingen
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Ein Jungling Liebt Ein Madchen
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Am Leuchtenden Sommermorgen
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Ich Hab Im Traum Geweinet
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Allnachtlich Im Traume
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Aus Alten Marchen
- Dichterliebe, Op.48: Die Alten Bosen Lieder
- Freudvoll Und Liedvoll
- Es Muss Ein Wunderbares Sein
- Nimm Einen Strahl Der Sonne
- Quatre Poemes De Leo Latil: IV. La Tourterlle
- A Mon Fils
- La Lyre Et Les Amours: I Le Bracelet
- La Lyre Et Les Amours: II L'Echo
- La Lyre Et Les Amours: III La Belle Esclave Morte
- La Lyre Et Les Amours: IV Les Baisers De Dorinde
Tracks:
- Apres Un Reve, Op.7, No.1
- Le Secret, Op.23, No.3
- Aurore, Op.39, No.1
- Prison, Op.83, No.1
- Soir, Op.83, No.1
- Jardin Nocturne, Op.113, No.3
- Trois Chansons De France: I Le Temps A Laisse Son Manteau
- Trois Chansons De France: II La Grotte
- Trois Chansons De France: III Pour Ce Que Plaisance Est Morte
- Fetes Galantes (Set II): III Colloque Sentimental
- Trois Ballades De Francois Villon: I Ballade De Villon A S'Amie
- Trois Ballades De Francois Villon: II Ballade Que Villon Feit A La Requeste De Sa Mere
- Trois Ballades De Francois Villon: III Ballade Des Femmes De Paris
- Trois Melodies: I La Statue De Bronze
- Trois Melodies: II Le Chapelier
- Don Quichotte A Dulcinee: I Chanson Romanesque
- Don Quichotte A Dulcinee: II Chanson Epique
- Don Quichotte A Dulcinee: III Chanson A Boire
- Chansons Gillardes: IV Invocation Aux Parques
- Chansons Gillardes: VII La Belle Jeunesse
- Metamorphoses: I Reine Des Mouettes
- Metamorphoses: II C'Est Ainsi Que Tu Es
- Metamorphoses: III Paganini
- Le Bestiaire Ou Cortege D'Orphee: I Le Dromadaire
- Le Bestiaire Ou Cortege D'Orphee: II La Chevre Du Thibet
- Le Bestiaire Ou Cortege D'Orphee: III La Sauterelle
- Le Bestiaire Ou Cortege D'Orphee: IV Le Dauphin
- Le Bestiaire Ou Cortege D'Orphee: V L'Ecrevisse
- Le Bestiaire Ou Cortege D'Orphee: VI La Carpe
- Deux Melodies De Guillaume Apollinaire: I Montparnasse
- Deux Poemes De Guillaume Apollinaire: I Dans Le Jardin D'Anna
- Deux Poemes De Louis Aragon: I C
- Deux Poemes De Louis Aragon: II Fetes Galantes
- Tel Jour Telle Nuit: I Bonne Journee
- Tel Jour Telle Nuit: II Une Ruine Cuquille Vide
- Tel Jour Telle Nuit: III Le Front Comme Un Drapeau Perdu
- Tel Jour Telle Nuit: IV Une Roulotte Couvere En Tuiles
- Tel Jour Telle Nuit: V A Toutes Brides
- Tel Jour Telle Nuit: VI Une Herbe Paurve
- Tel Jour Telle Nuit: VII Je N'Ai Envie Que De T'Aimer
- Tel Jour Telle Nuit: VIII Figure De Force Brulante Et Farouche
- Tel Jour Telle Nuit: IX Nous Avons Fait La Nuit
Tracks:
- Ce Que Je Suis Sans Toi
- Au Rossingnol
- Six Melodies: VI. Venise
- Priere
- Chanson De Printemps
- L'Absent
- Viens, Les Gazons Sont Verts
- Envoi Des Fleurs
- Mignon
- Le Travail Du Peintre: 1. Pablo Picasso
- Le Travail Du Peintre: 2. Marc Chagall
- Le Travail Du Peintre: 3. Georges Braque
- Le Travail Du Peintre: 4. Juan Gris
- Le Travail Du Peintre: 5. Paul Klee
- Le Travail Du Peintre: 6. Joan Miro
- Le Travail Du Peintre: 7. Jacques Villon
- Bernac Interviewd By Graham Johnson
- L'Historie De Babar, Le Petit Elephant
Customer Reviews:
One of the great French recordings of the century.......1999-02-28
Rock Music:
- Unveiled
- Vu de l'Exterieur [Original recording remastered] [Import]
- Zazal
- Zydeco Legend!
- 1938-1944
- A Chi Si Ama Veramente [Limited Edition] [Import]
- A Night in Bombay
- Acustico MTV [Live] [Import]
- Alkibar
- Australian Traditional Collection [Import]
Recommended Music:
Eisler: Elegien No1&2; Die Hollywood-Elegien
Telarc Sacd Jazz Sampler, Vol. 3 [Hybrid SACD]
James Taylor - Greatest Hits, Vol. 2
Highway 61 Revisited [Import] [Limited Edition]