Momenti [Import]

Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehaair, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss
Renée Fleming
Renée Fleming - Visions of Love ~ Mozart Arias / Mackerras
Renée Fleming: Bel Canto
Renee Fleming: By Request

ASIN: B0000042HU
Release Date: 1997-09-09

Tracks:

Le nozze di Figaro: Porgi, Amor
Le nozze di Figaro: E Susanna Non Vien!...Dove Sono I Bei Momenti
Eugene Onegin: Nu, Zaboltalas Ya!...Puskai Pogibnu Ya (Letter Scene)
Rusalka: Mesicku Na Nebi Hlubokem (O Silver Moon)
Otello: Era Piu Calmo?...'Piangea Cantando Nell Erma Landa'... Ave Maria
Peter Grimes: Peter Seems To Have Disappeared...Embroidery In Childhood Was A Luxury Of Idleness
Daphne: Ich Komme - Ich Komme (Transformation Scene)

Amazon.com essential recording

As the possessor of one of the great lyric soprano voices of our time, soprano Renée Fleming is in demand in the world's great opera houses. (It doesn't hurt that she's also lovely and a fine actress.) This album is an outstanding collection of great arias, ravishingly sung. It shows something of Fleming's range, including as it does music by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Dvorák (the sumptuous "Song to the Moon" from Rusalka, the best part of the entire opera, and sung here in definitive fashion), Verdi, Britten (an effective "Embroidery Scene" from Peter Grimes), and Richard Strauss. This disc is a good starting point for someone seeking to learn more about operatic singing, and a valuable addition to the library of anyone already converted. Fleming is given strong support by mezzo-soprano Larissa Diadkova, baritone Jonathan Summers, and by the late Sir Georg Solti in one of his last recordings. --Sarah Bryan Miller

Customer Reviews:

what a voice...........2006-09-14

I love this recital which is my first introduction to a solo album by Fleming.
Her voice , with its richness and dusky timbre and beautiful, strong higher notes is a treat to hear.
She did sound expressive too but has not yet touched a chord in me when it comes to emotion and feeling.
Call me a helpless Callas fan, but I couldn't help but wonder how La Divina would sound if she sang Russian and played Tatyana in the "Letter" scene; what a great vehicle for acting!
But it does take voices a while to grow on me and that might be it.
I do plan on buying more of her CDs.

Amazing!!.......2005-09-28

This may be one of my favorite albums of all time. Renee Fleming is of course amazing with Mozart...but there are other gems on this album. The scene from Otello is truly astounding!! My personal favorite on this album is the Embroidery Scene from Peter Grimes by Benjamin Britten...WOW!!! And of course we all know that the Song to the Moon from Dvorak's Rusalka is amazing. The Tchaikovsky is so wonderful!! The scene from R. Strauss's Daphne is awesome! Brava Renee!!!

Renee Fleming - Signatures-Great Oper Scenes.......2005-08-11

I gave this item as gift so I cannot review it.

BEAUTIFUL CROSS SECTION OF STYLES.......2004-11-22

I really loved this CD, mainly however due to "Mesicku Na Nebi Hlubokem" as it was the first version I had ever heard. Her phrasing, emotion, and tone were a perfect match for Dvorak's lone mermaid. I was also surprised to find Richard Strauss's Daphne here. It is not a common opera or aria so it was all I could do to listen to the beauty of the music that was not a real aria as it was vocal renderings controlled by the orchestra. It may not ever be common but it shows Richard Strauss in a more lyrical way verses his usual more heavy and harsh operas including "Salome" and "Elektra". Now if only we could get Fleming to record "Daphne" in it's entirety. Her other pieces were rich and warm as I have always adored her in the Countess road and she has always does Desdemona proud even if it is just a literary character. This CD is Renee Fleming at her best!

Renee Fleming's greatest recital ever!.......2004-04-16

What can I say that hasn't been said already? The great Solti (Who adored Fleming btw) and Renee Fleming made magic here. One of the greatest recitals in operatic history. Brava Renee!

Average customer rating:

I got it for the same reason....
Where's the full-length version?
"Che belle voci!"
Great opera
amazing

Mozart: Le Nozze di Figaro (Highlights)
Gundula Janowitz , Barbara Vogel , Klaus Hirte , Patricia Johnson , Martin Vantin , Erwin Wohlfahrt , and Chor und Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Janowitz, Gundula | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Troyanos, Tatiana | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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Verdi: Aida (Highlights)

ASIN: B000001GDO
Release Date: 1990-05-16

Tracks:

Le nozze di Figaro - The Marriage of Figaro: Overture
Le nozze di Figaro - The Marriage of Figaro: Act 1: Duettino: 'Se a caso Madama la notte ti chiama' - Figaro, Susanna

Le nozze di Figaro - The Marriage of Figaro: Act 1: Cavatina: 'Se vuol ballare sitml">083 084 085 086 087 088 089 090 091 092 093 094 095 096 097 098 099 100 101

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Lupo El Fantastico [Import] dula Janowitz's performance of Dove Sono, which seems to be very ill-suited to her voice. The rest of her part is done beautifully. I also think it's sad that Marcellina's aria was left off, since that is always one of my favorite songs and I will never intentionally buy a recording where it has not been included, but due to how frequently it gets cut, I am not surprised.
Anyway, I recommend the highlights version if you are after something you can listen to in the car and don't want to bother with a full three disc set. For all other purposes I would advise you to track down the full-length recording, which is definitely worth it.

"Che belle voci!".......2002-06-26

This recording is fantastic. Bohm is a lively, exciting conductor who can also make one wet-eyed in the final scene. Prey has the perfect blend of mischievousness and richness of sound for Figaro's character, and he is well-matched by Edith Mathis as Susanna who is delightful and full-voiced. Gundola Janowitz as the Countess is also amazing, and her "Dove sono" is really moving. Fischer-Dieskau is a powerful Count, too. Troyanos (Cherubino) is beyond praise and her "Voi che sapete" ranks with Frederica von Stade. The sound quality is crisp and clear, and the selections are good, though I wish the sextet "Riconosci in questo amplesso" was included. In all, great!!!

Great opera.......2001-08-18

The Marriage of Figaro is arguably one of the best operas ever developed, and it's great to know that this cd contains the best songs from the fabulous opera. The orchestra, along with the singers, give a grand performance of high caliber. If you enjoy classical music, then this will make a magnificent addition to your musical collection.

amazing.......2000-12-30

After watching Shawshank Redemption I looked everwhere for this recording. This is some of the most emotionaly moving pieces of music I have ever heard. Im a 17 year old guy in a punk rock band, and I cried probably the hardest Ive ever cried in my life when listening to the duettino sull aria. Its one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard in my entire life. I cant imagine not having it.

Average customer rating:

A fab collection of the loveliest soprano voice ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
LA SUPERBA!
Madame Caballé is great!!!
Amazing collection!
Cannot be called an "ultimate" collection

Montserrat Caballé: Ultimate Collection

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | 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

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Caballe, Montserrat | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Very Best of
Diva:Montserrat Caballe
Montserrat Caballe - Beyond Music
Very Best of
Grandi Voci: Renata Tebaldi

ASIN: B00000J914
Release Date: 1999-05-25

Tracks:

La Boheme: Si. Mi chiamano Mimi
Norma: Casta diva
L'Assedio di Corinto: Giusto ciel! In tal periglio
Sapho: O ma lyre immortelle
Semiramide: Serbami ognor... Alle piu calde immagini
Otello: Piangea cantando (Willow Song) -
Otello: Ave Maria
Herodiade: Il est doux, il est bon
Lucrezia Borgia: Tranquillo ei posa... Com'e bello!
Suor Angelica: Senza mamma
Rigoletto: Caro nome
La Sonnambula: Ah! non credea mirarti

Tracks:

La Traviata: E strano, e strano! -
La Traviata: Follie! Follie! -
La Traviata: Sempre libera degg'io
TOSCA: Vissi d'arte
Il corsaro: Egli non riede ancora!
Il corsaro: Non so le tetre immagini
Armida: D'amore al dolce impero
I Pagliacci: Qual fiamma avea nel guardo!
Roberto Devereux: E Sara in questi orribili momenti... Vivi, ingrato
Il Trovatore: D'amor sull'ali rosee
Stabat Mater: Inflammatus et accensus
Adriana Lecouvreur: Io son l'umile ancella
Anna Bolena: Al dolce guidami
Adelson e Salvini: Dopo l'oscuro nembo
I Vespri Sicillani: Arrigo! Ah, parli a un core

Customer Reviews:

A fab collection of the loveliest soprano voice ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1.......2005-12-23

First off this two cd set is for the price of one,that is always great.Montserrat caballe is the star of this cdset,and she demonstrates all that is beautiful in singing,on ever track.Her ave maria from othello is included here.It is one of the best performed arias by caballe ever,she ends it with a heavenly piano top note.Also included is her magical casta diva from norma.Caballe sings all these arias with her legendary sound and breath control.On this set there are plenty of examples of long sustained notes,seemless legato,glorious high notes,and magically floated soft notes.Check out the cover to,there are some great photos of Caballe in opera costumes.These cds have great sound,and play for over two hours,too.

LA SUPERBA!.......2005-11-22

Montserrat Caballe is an amazing person and an amazing singer. In my opinion she has a more beautiful voice than Maria Callas. The high notes she reaches are just fantastic! Her Sempre Libera is the best ever! Her Ave Maria is stunning and her Vissi D arte is really moving. Her voice is so beautiful, it's as if it's an angels voice coming from her.

Madame Caballé is great!!!.......2003-04-06

This collection of Caballé's recordings is fantastic! Her soprano is the most beautiful that has been recorded. L. Price, Tebaldi, Ponselle, and a few others have gorgeous voices, but can any of those voices compare with Caballé's? Caballé's singing throughout is of the highest standard. Her "Ave Maria" is spectacular. "Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore" has never sounded more beautiful. I love her "Non ml">Books 040 041 042 043 044 045 046 047 048 049 050 051 052 053 054 055 056 057 058 059 060 061 062 063 064 065 066 067 068 069 070 071 072 073 074 075 076 077 078 079 080 081 082 083 084 085 086 087 088 089 090 091 092 093 094 095 096 097 098 099 100 101

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Los Mejores Nortenos del Milenio, Vol. 2 MacBeth, and Pace, Pace Mio Dio from La Forza del Destino. Also worth mentioning is her O Patria Mia from Aida. She might not be Leontyne Price or Martina Arroyo, but she gives a superb reading of this wonderful aria.

Of course, brevity does require some editing- a true "Ultimate" Caballe collection would span four or five CDs, at least- but to include late-career and less-than-best selections at the expense of others is a crime.

Tracks:

Cosi fan tutte: Temerari! ... Come scoglio
Cosi fan tutte: Ei parte ... Per pieta, ben mio
Cosi fan tutte: In uomini, in soldati
Le nozze di Figaro: E Susanna non vien! ... Dove sono i bei momenti
Le nozze di Figaro: Giunsi alfin il momento .... Al desio
Don Giovanni: Batti, batti, o bel Masetto
Don Giovanni: In quali eccessi ... Mi tradi quell'alma ingrata
Davidde penitente, K469: Lungi le cure ingrate
Exsultate, jubilate

Amazon.com essential recording

Bartoli, in her musical journey defying all stereotypes, paints multi- dimensional vocal portraits of these Mozart characters. From the most delicate pianissimo to the grandest forte, this superb recording leaves you breathless. While others struggle with Come Scoglio's vocal gymnastics and Dove Sono's challenging legato, Bartoli uses her dark timbre, impeccable coloratura and passionate phrasing to create a kaleidoscope of luscious, wildly exciting sound. The fire of Mozart, the "romantic" composer, is brought to life. Occasional breathiness employed for dramatic purposes serves only to seduce the listener even more. Other selections including Exsultate jubilate, Davidde penitente, and selections from Don Giovanni are merely terrific. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Customer Reviews:

A Truly Great Mozart Recital.......2003-05-24

If I could own just ONE Mozart recital disc, it would be this one. (Though Renee Fleming's Mozart collection is superb as well). I believe that the two arias for Fiordiligi in COSI FAN TUTTE included here are among Bartoli's very finest recordings to date. But all of the arias on this CD are memorably performed. Please buy "Mozart Portraits"!

Stars fell on Italy..........2002-08-14

...the day Cecilia Bartolli was born. Talk about blessed -- all this and such a versatile voice, too. Mozart would have been delighted.

However, I don't think she's perfect. Yet. This recording is, however. The orchestra has just the right timbre to complement the richness of her voice. And it is a rich voice. In fact, my main complaint is that I think she has outgrown Mozart's Susanna. Her voice is perfect for the Countess, and the rendition here of E Susanna non vien! is utterly charming and believable, with just the right touch of pathos.

The other aria that bothered me was the Batti, batti, o bel Masetto. She just sings it beautifully, of course, but it deserves more con fuoco at the beginning (she is, after all, begging to be beaten!) and more espansivo at the end, possibly with a touch of arrogance. Callas sang it that way once.

I prefer Kathleen Battle's Alleluia because she's more precise. Bartolli sings it "scorrevole." It's easy for her, as easy as a mother will sing a lullabye to a child. To me, this prayer needs vocal fireworks -- like an explosion of faith and gratitude. Bertolli can do it, she just chooses not to. That's why I can't fault her for it. After all, she made the album, it's her choice.

In all I really love this album and I love her voice. How wonderful it must be to have the ability to open your mouth and have such musical richness issue forth. The pleasure alone has to be worth all the work and effort it takes to make it that way.

The Best "Exultate, Jubilate".......2002-05-10

"Exultate, Jubilate" seems to be one of those works which every soprano records at some point in her career. Among others, I've heard recordings by Barbara Bonney, Sumi Jo, and Kathleen Battle. But if I had to choose only one recording of "Exultate, Jubilate" to content myself for the rest of my life, it would definetly be this recording - Cecilia Bartoli's. She sings gloriously, with such an infectious joy that I've never heard in the others (Sumi Jo comes close, but still too careful and measured). The orchestration is also great - big and full of gusto, just like Cecilia's voice.

I haven't listened closely to the rest of the disc, but from what I have, it is just as well done as the "Exultate, Jubilate" (especially the Countess's "Dove Sono" and Despina's humorous "In Uomini, in Soldati"). As one reviewer pointed out, this recital would have made Mozart proud - I heartily agree.

bravo bartoli!.......2001-10-21

this got me hooked on Cecilia Bartoli. I heard the Mozart Exultate Jubilate over the radio, every hair on my body upright & quivering with delight. She sings it like you dream to hear someone sing it. Heavenly! And then you disover the rest of the cd is like unpacking a treasure chest - one gem following the other. Don't just sit there, buy it :) For once in your life, you will NOT be sorry :)

Mozart would have been proud.......2001-02-05

It was Maria Callas who complained that Mozrt is too carefully sung by singers - as if they're on their tiptoes. Well, on this disc is a singer who doesn't sing as if she's on her tiptoes; she breaks all the steroetypes associated with Mozart's music (you know, the period style-followers and those who argue that Mozart should be sung lightly)and gives us a completely emotional portrayal of the composer's heroines. Of the many pieces represented, I found the two beautiful Giovanni arias most satisfying, although all are wonderfully sung. Batti, batti is sung with a delicateness that makes you feel like you're eating the sweetest chocolate and enjoying every moment of it. In quali...Mi tradi is sung with a grittiness that really portrays the true emotions of Donna Elvira, who is a broken woman - the feisty singing of the recitativo almost sounds like the vengeful Medea (but thankfully, it isn't quite that extreme). Every note Bartoli sings portrays some kind of emotion - she is a singer who really has a joie de vivre in her singing. Every note is a joy to hear because she is transmitting her own joy for singing. I have rarely heard such a natural commuinicator in singing, which I regard as the highest form of art. In Exsultate, jubilate Bartoli sings like the words - exalted and jubilant. The Alleluia is a sheer joy to hear. Everything on this disc is simply great. I have always said that music is about communication of emotions and this is precisely it. I am not just writing all sorts of superlatives because I'm a huge fan (I am a huge fan though), but because she fulfils the meaning of music through her singing and serves the composer as faithfully as she can. She is a singer that makes you feel great about living. There can't be many performers who can do that. Brava.

The Essential Jessye Norman [Includes DVD: Jessye Norman Sings Carmen]

Average customer rating:

wonderful
Favorite Soprano: Gorgeous Dramatic Voice
Amazing.... if you get it somewhere else
A MUST HAVE...
Amazing Voice

The Essential Jessye Norman [Includes DVD: Jessye Norman Sings Carmen]

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Norman, Jessye | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Very Best of
Jessye Norman at Christmas (Ac3 Dol Dts)
Jessye Norman - Sacred Songs ~ Ave Maria, Amazing Grace, etc..

ASIN: B00067GKEM
Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

Quand Je Vous Aimerai? L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle (Habanera)
Pres Des Ramparts De Seville (Seguidilla)
Porgi, Amor, Qualche Ristoro
E Susanna Non Vien! ... Dove Sono I Bei Momenti
Regina Coeli Laetare ... Inneggiamo, Il Signor Non E Morto (Easter Hymn)
Thy Hand Belinda ... When I Am Laid In Earth
Cacilie, Op. 27 No. 2
Wiegenlied
Villanelle (No. 1)
Standchen
Ave Maria
Amazing Grace
Somewhere
With A Song In My Heart
O Holy Night
Panis Angelicus
Mild Und Leise (Isoldes Liebestod)

Customer Reviews:

wonderful.......2007-04-04

This record is wonderful; simply Jessye Norman. What else can I say: loved it!

Favorite Soprano: Gorgeous Dramatic Voice.......2006-11-05

The first time I ever heard Jessye Norman sing was a recording of Dich Teure Halle from Wagner's Tannhauser, and I was immediately enchanted. She has a gorgeous ringing tone and powerful voice. However, she can also bring her voice to a delicate sweetness that other dramatic sopranos find difficult. This album is put together particularly well. I love her Carmen and Isolde here, but I cannot stop listening to the other songs either, the non-operatic ones included. This my favorite CD, and I would definitely reccomend it to anyone considering the purchase.

Amazing.... if you get it somewhere else.......2006-05-28

I got it for HKD $69 in HKV in Hong Kong (which is around 8.70USD)

A MUST HAVE..........2006-02-09

The American soprano Jessye Norman was born in Augusta, Georgia (the segregated South) on September 15, 1945 in a family of amateur musicians; her mother a pianist, her father a singer in a local choir.

Norman received a scholarship to Howard University (a historically black university in Washington, D.C.) -NOT INDIANA-, graduating in 1967 with a degree in music. The following year, she won the ARD International Music Competition in Munich. She made her operatic debut in 1969 as Elisabeth in Richard Wagner's Tannhäuser at the Berlin State Opera, and in subsequent years performed with various German and Italian opera companies. She returned to the US to make her professional concert debut at Lincoln Center in 1973.

Amazing Voice.......2005-07-06

Jessye Norman has possibly the greatest voice I have ever heard. Being a bass/baritone, I usually shy away from higher voices (especially tenors), but I find this soprano to be flooring. For being a classicaly trained vocalist (she attended Indiana University) Ms. Norman has an incredibly versatile voice. In this album alone, she sings broad French arias, light Mozart, spirituals, and Broadway. Each is done superbly. Out of every track, her rendition of "Ave Maria" is my favorite. She sings it so tenderly and intimately, it is like she is singing it directly in front of you. You will be moved, certainly.

I suggest this CD to everyone, a fan of classical music or not. It is important for everyone to have these songs to relax, calm down, or to just listen to. You would not regret it.

Average customer rating:

A Mozartian Unsurpassed Since.

Mozart: Opera Arias

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Schubert: 24 Lieder
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Great Recordings Of The Century - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Sings Operetta / Ackermann

ASIN: B000AQACVQ
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

L'amero, Saro Costante
Zeffiretti Lusinghieri
Welcher Kummer...Traurigkeit
Martern Aller Arten
Non So Piu Cosa Son
Porgi, Amor
Voi Che Sapete
Dove Sono I Bei Momenti
Giunse Alfin Il Momento...Deh, Vieni, Non Tardar
Batti, Batti, O Bel Masetto
Vedrai, Carino
In Quali Eccessi...Mi Tradi Quell' Alma Ingrata
Crudele?...Non Mi Dir
Ach, Ich Fuhl's

Customer Reviews:

A Mozartian Unsurpassed Since........2007-02-15

These arias were recorded when ES was still quite young.
What a voice! What singing! What devotion!
It is interesting to have ES singing Cherubino as well as Susanna and the Countess Rosina in Le Nozze di Figaro.
Her Donna Elvira is always a killer.
But my greatest admiration in this album goes to her aria from Il re Pastore, the great Rondo of Aminta.
The great beauty of her singing - a duet with the solo violin, with well-controlled coloraturas, well-paced tempo supported by seamless breathing - her performance is simply unsurpassed, not even by Joan Sutherland in the other recording of the same aria, and certainly not by others available (like Renee Fleming or Ann Murray). ES never over-did those coloraturas like Cecilia Bartoli does these days, and that in itself is a big 'pro' in the enjoyment level of her Mozart arias.
Although the recordings are old and not really in state-of-the-art accoustics, the sheer beauty of ES's singing makes up for any lack that there may be in the sound.

Average customer rating:

The most beautiful voice
A Vocal Battleship in full sail
Quite dissapoited
MAGNIFICENT ARIAS RICHLY DELIVERED
Another 5-Star Performance for Ms. Eaglen

Jane Eaglen - Italian Opera Arias

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Jane Eaglen - Four Last Songs, Wesendonck-Lieder, Seven Early Song / Runnicles

ASIN: B00005OKTH
Release Date: 2001-09-18

Tracks:

Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di, Vedremo
Madama Butterfly: Che Tua Madre
Tosca: Vissi D'arte, Vissi D'amore
Turandot: In Questa Reggia
La Wally: Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana
La Gioconda: Suicidio!... In Questi Fieri Momenti...
Suor Angelica: Senza Mamma, O Bimbo, Tu Sei Morto
Cavalleria Rusticana: Voi Lo Sapete, O Mamma
Adriana Lecouvreur: Poveri Fiori
Adriana Lecouvreur: Io Son L'umile Ancella
Edgar: Addio, Addio, Mio Dolce Amor - Jane Eaglen/The Royal Opr Chor Covent Garden
Mefistofele: L'altra Notte In Fondo Al Mare
Cavalleria Rusticana: The Easter Hymn: Regina Coeli, Laetare... - Jane Eaglen/The Royal Opr Chor Covent Garden
Madama Butterfly: Tu, Tu, Piccoli Iddio!

Amazon.com

Jane Eaglen, today's most acclaimed interpreter of Wagnerian heroines, takes on 11 post-Verdian ones, only three of whom she has portrayed on stage: Ponchielli's Gioconda, Puccini's Turandot, and Santuzza from Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana. The program is an interesting mix of beloved and unfamiliar arias. In addition to the operas already mentioned, they come from Cilea's Adriana Lecouvreur, Catalani's La Wally, Boito's Mefistofele, and several from Puccini.

The disc begins with Butterfly's famous "Un bel di" and closes with her heartbreaking death scene. Eaglen's resplendent voice illuminates every note, soaring triumphantly and effortlessly over the orchestra. The top range especially is glorious; there are numerous thrilling high B-flats, B's, and C's. Her voice is a bit heavy for the lightness of "Un bel di" and the coloratura in "Mefistofele," but Eaglen projects Marguerite's madness with extraordinary empathy. Though renowned primarily for her dramatic roles, she seems to have the strongest affinity for the lyrical, mournful arias here. Sister Angelica's lament for her dead child, Adriana's somber resignation, and Santuzza's aching sorrow are especially memorable. Butterfly's death is perhaps the disc's highlight, both for the intensity of expression and the glorious singing. It is, of course, very difficult to create operatic characters in excerpts performed out of context. There is not enough differentiation between these very dissimilar heroines, but Jane Eaglen's incomparable voice and emotional honesty make one long to hear her bring them fully to life in the opera house. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

The most beautiful voice.......2004-11-29

She just has the most beautiful voice. It's just the greatest. And the way she approaches high exposed notes is just brilliance. Her In questa reggia sounds better than most. Her Vissi d'arte and all the Madama Butterfly are my favorite renditions so far. I really love her vibrato. It's not too slow where she'd fall underpitch, but just slow enough that it stays perfectly in the area that's beautiful and exciting. This album is just pure gold. I really wish she'd actually SING these roles. Her L'altra Notte In Fondo Al Mare is also quite good. I'm very happy with this CD.

A Vocal Battleship in full sail.......2002-04-11

Jane Eaglen's voice is enormously impressive. It is simply huge, and it's hard perhaps for anyone who hasn't heard her in the theatre to understand this. This recording doesn't really do full justice to the power and amplitude of the voice (I notice I'm not the only reviewer to think this) but there is plenty to keep the listener occupied.

She has stage experience of many of these roles - I've been fortunate enough to her her Tosca, Turandot and Gioconda live. The main drawback of this disc for me is the relative lack of involvement Eaglen seems to show. No matter how red-blooded and passionate these Italian ladies are, they just don't seem to float Eaglen's boat in the same way that her Wagnerian ladies do. Some of the excerpts are touching, such as those from Madama Butterfly (real bitterness as well as sorrow) and Gioconda. However, too often one has the feeling that she is simply singing words without attaching real meanings to them, and I suspect that this is partly to do with Carlo Rizzi's deeply uninspiring (and he a native Italian!!) conducting.

So most of the pleasures of this disc are vocal. And what pleasures! How many other sopranos can you name who can sing "In Questa Reggia" without appearing to bat an eyelid? Ditto "Suicido"? There is admirable control of all registers and a blessed lack of wobble. I enjoyed the "Edgar" excerpt (ably accompanied by the Royal Opera Chorus) and her Santuzza. The voice is simply too large for some of the most delicate pieces (I listened to "Io son l'umile ancella" alongside Renee Fleming's version and I'm afraid Fleming's exquisite control won hands down) but by and large she makes an intoxicating sound.

So - a flawed recording and one that doesn't do full justice to a highly impressive singer. But certainly one for her fans and really impressive listening for voice-fanciers. However, nothing really beats trhe thrill of hearing a voice like this in the theatre.

Quite dissapoited.......2002-03-01

Well,for a heavy soprano,her performances are quite good,
but i don't like the style of the conductor,i feel nothing
with his conducting,under his baton,jane can do nothing but just
sing only,like other reviews,her voice is beautiful,huge,warm,
but less poweful,after this album,i bought her "Four Last Songs",
she did a good job with this album,her voice is pure and the legato line she made was one of the best four last songs i have heard(although norman's was the best).
I've sang for five years,it's not easy to control a voice which is heavy,broad or huge,jane has done her best.
I like her,and i'm look forward to her Aida.

MAGNIFICENT ARIAS RICHLY DELIVERED.......2002-01-29

Sung with beauty, energy, and endurance these well-loved arias are superbly rendered by soprano Jane Eaglen. Butterfly, Margherita, and Sister Angelica have seldom been given such heartfelt life.

This CD focuses on the work of the incomparable Giacomo Puccini, presenting seven arias from five operas. Granted, I have a bias here because of my admiration of this composer's work, nonetheless I would unequivocally state that these arias find hitherto unexplored dimensions with the emotional and vocal agility of Eaglen. Her voice embracing "Che tua madre" is especially moving.

With Tosca we again experience "Vissi d'arte," now transformed into a poignant prayer. Turandot is, of course, without peer and "In questa reggia" the perfect vehicle for Eaglen to showcase her vocal amplitude and passion.

Richly delivered, magnificent arias, what more could one ask?

- Gail Cooke

Another 5-Star Performance for Ms. Eaglen.......2002-01-28

I'll have to admit I bought this CD with some misgivings. I always think of Jane Eaglen as the glorious Brunnhilde and other roles requiring a strong Wagnerian voice, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that Ms. Eaglen's voice readily lends itself to Italian opera. Her Suor Angelica: Senza Mamma, O Bimbo, Tu Sei Morto -- well I cannot even express how this recording affected me. Her warm golden voice evokes all too well the nun who learns her baby died without her. Her Cavalleria Rusticana: The Easter Hymn: Regina Coel was magnificient. I think this is the best recording I have of this perennial favorite. Her Madam Butterfly was fantastic. I would love to see her perform this role.

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Mozart: Great Opera Moments II

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000ASAEPI
Release Date: 2006-01-10