Bizet - Carmen - Obraztsova, Domingo, Carlos Kleiber, Vienna State Opera 1978

 

Release Date: 2000 Label: Connoisseur Number of discs: 2 Composer:  Georges Bizet Performer: Carlos Kleiber cd info/ buy

Review:

Who knew this existed? Yes, it's been in their "vaults", waiting for who-knows-what, and they asked Carlos Kleiber--a "great but difficult man"--if they might release this recording, and he agreed. As suggested, the true value of this set is the elusive Kleiber's leadership. This is a brilliant reading, full of sunlight and very strong rhythms, with quick tempos, no sentimentality, and a string section that slashes away maniacally during the Gypsy Song and third-act knife fight, but caresses Carmen's Habanera and José's Flower Song. The Quintet is taken so fast that you fear for the ensemble, but there's no need: this show has been impeccably rehearsed and it's as clean as possible. Kleiber even finds a lilting rhythm in the usually dull Smuggler's chorus in Act 3, and the tension in the final scene is almost terrifying, with José's desperation growing out of control. In short, you'll hear much that seems new--or as if you're hearing it anew--with Kleiber at the helm. Elena Obraztsova, even with her covered vowels and outrageously off-key singing in the Gypsy Song, is a splendid Carmen. She offers singing alternately sultry and sarcastic ("Bel officier") and mostly alluring, until she turns gloomy and vicious in Act 3 and unleashes her chest voice. She's never actually subtle, but she's very convincing and always full of personality. And it's likely that Placido Domingo has never been better. The voice is absolutely free and intensely expressive. He and Kleiber clearly inspire one-another. The supporting cast is well-drilled, both musically and dramatically, with no rough edges or inept moments. Needless to say, the orchestra plays gorgeously. This is a remarkable release. I wonder what else is in "the vaults".

 

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The Very Best of Nicolai Gedda

 

Release Date: 09/02/2003 Label: Emi Classics Number of discs: 2 Composer: Various Performer: Nicolai Gedda cd info/ buy

Review:

Hands down, Nicolai Gedda was the classiest lyric tenor of the 1950s and '60s (and very early '70s). For the most part he wisely kept away from the after-1860 Italian repertoire: his voice lacked the necessary juice, and with Björling, Bergonzi, Corelli, and del Monaco around, why bother? These CDs offer two hours and 35 minutes of singing--and interpreting--that never tire the ear and never bore. "Ach so fromm" is ravishing in its intimacy (by its close, it's normally shouted); Lohengrin's Narrative may lack heft, but it's a model of lyricism and Gedda darkens his tone enough to give it authority; an aria from Goldmark's The Queen of Sheba closes on an unearthly head-voiced high-C that's matched only by a similar feat in Bizet's Pearl Fishers (a performance notable for its great breath control and legato as well); Hoffman's tale of Kleinzach is a riveting, snappy story, filled with just the schizophrenia the role requires; the Dmitri/Marina duet from Boris is energetic and filled with smoldering undercurrent; three Tchaikovsky songs become little dramas; Beethoven's "Adelaide" and Schubert's "Ständchen" are models of Lieder singing; selections by Gounod and Massenet exhibit his impeccable French diction and style; the high-D at the close of Adam's "Postman" aria and repeated Cs in William Tell's would be the envy of any tenor; and his bel canto style in a duet from Sonnambula (with Mirella Freni) is ideal. Yes, this is the very best of Nicolai Gedda.--Robert Levine

 

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Viva Villazon!

 

Release Date: 04/23/2008 Label: Virgin Classics Number of discs: 2 Composer: Various Performer: Rolando Villazón cd info/ buy

Review:

The most exciting tenor during the first decade of the new millennium has undoubtedly been Rolando Villazón. He has a charming appearance, is a good actor, has a voice that besides brilliance and beauty can also express all kinds of nuance, he has good taste and a versatility that is stunning. In other words he has all the attributes to make him a star performer. More than once his voice has been compared to that of the young Placido Domingo. In certain repertoire, notably on this set in the two zarzuela arias, the similarities are so close that one has to check who is singing. As can be seen from the track list, we are treated to a large number of the expected standard arias. Few of them have been better sung in recent times. We are also treated to several comparative rarities, which makes this an attractive buy even for those who are already well stocked with the standard stuff. When, for example, did you last hear something from Gounod’s Polyeucte or Massenet’s Le Mage and Roma? The sacred song by Berlioz is also something for the rarity list. Make no mistake: these are high quality pieces that are very likely to become friends to which you will want to return.

 

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Bizet - La Jolie Fille de Perth - Anderson, Kraus, Pretre

 

Release Date: June 2, 2009 Label: EMI France Number of discs: 2 Composer: Georges Bizet Performer: Georges Pretre, New Philharmonia Orchestra  cd info/ buy

Review:

'La jolie fille de Perth', a very loose adaptation of Walter Scott's 'The Fair Maid of Perth', is a delightful opera, full of memorable melodies, composed in 1867, between 'Les pecheurs de perles' and 'Djamileh'; Bizet on his journey towards creating one of the greatest masterpieces in the operatic genre, 'Carmen', completed in 1875, the year of his untimely death. What makes this recording exceptional are the singers, all in their prime back in 1985. Especially notable are June Anderson (Catherine) and Alfredo Kraus (Henry). They are at their finest. The lesser roles are sung by such notables as Jose Van Dam (Ralph) and Gabriel Bacquier (Simon). The exception is a young Gino Quilico (le duc de Rothsay), son of Louis, just as he was starting out on his career, already a singer showing promise. All in all this is a splendid opera and worth owning.

 

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Georges Bizet - Djamileh - Popp, Bonisolli, Lafont, Pineau; Gardelli, BR

 

Release Date: May 23, 1995 Label: Orfeo Number of discs: 1 Composer: Georges Bizet Performer: Lamberto Gardelli, Lucia Popp et al. cd info/ buy

Review:

Djamileh is not Carmen, but by the same token Carmen is not Djamileh. Djamileh also is not the Pearl Fishers though it is closer to it. This one-act opera stands on its own, showing in what very different and original ways Bizet could rise to a challenge. The story of the slave girl and the variety seeker may have  produced a delicious frisson in the breasts of the corsetted 19th century audience, but now it is both politically incorrect and not overly interesting. Nevertheless, Bizet lavishes some splendid music, in many instances quite far in advance of its time, on this work. Lucia Popp sings with a melting sweetness that should win any heart even if you cannot make out most of her words. Franco Bonisolli in the unsympathetic tenor role matches her perfectly. Gardelli makes it all fit together, including the splashes of "oriental color", bringing the best from his orchestra and choir.

 

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