Search - Gaetano Donizetti, Jacques Offenbach, Jules Massenet :: Natalie Dessay - French Opera Arias

Salut à la France!

M. Ramos | 05/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Natalie Dessay is a delight on this CD of arias from 19th century French Opera. The listener can experience a singer who is both concerned about the vocal and interpretative values of each selection of this recital. The first two tracks of the Cours de la Reine Scene from Massenet's 'Manon' show a fresh voice that portrays easily the youth and frivolity of the title character. All the stacattos, cadenzas and high notes are on the service of the character. It is delightful to find some rarities on this recital, like the Fabliau from 'Manon' (an alternative aria that Massenet composed for sustitution of the Gavotte) and the pieces from 'Chérubin', 'La fête du village voisin' and 'Robinson Crusoe'. On the selection by Offenbach, Dessay sings a stunning trill on a Dflat and then goes to expectacular scales, finishing the dazzling waltz with an elaborate cadenza and a firm high E. Another highlight of the CD is the elaborate aria from 'Le Comte Ory' by Rossini, where the soprano's attention to the nuances of the piece bring out a lively interpretation. The aria from 'La fille du régiment' makes us wish for a complete recording of the opera. However, the best part of the CD are the last two tracks. Dessay brings all her gifts to a climax with a marvelous performance of the Ophélie's Mad and Death Scenes from 'Hamlet' by Ambroise Thomas. This version of the Mad Scene is even better than her previous rendition on her last recital of French arias. This is a highly emotional interpretation where all the brilliant scales and cadenzas reflect the changing moods of Ophelie's madness and her despair as well as her innocence. This is the definitive performance of this music on records, period. The Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse and the Choeur 'Les Eléments', ably conducted by Michel Plasson, complement Dessay beautifully. In summary, another wonderful CD by one of the most remarkable coloratura sopranos of our time."

Wonderful, but a minor quality control problem

Lawrence Landis | Tulsa, OK USA | 04/01/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Five stars for Natalie Dessay, who has an incredible instrument, and a great selection of arias. But I've listened to 4 copies of this disc and each had a very short "click" at 2:22 on track 2 (the Gavotte from Manon). Must be a quality control problem. Maybe it was just a bad batch.Anyway, Dessay's voice is a force of nature; she must be one of the greatest coloraturas ever. I prefer her live version of Handel's "Tornami" from Alcina to Sutherland's. And she's incredible on Orphee Aux Enfers - not only a wonderful singer, but obviously a great actress and comedienne.So, if you've not heard her before, give this album a try - ignore the "click" and listen to a truly angelic voice.So 5 stars for Natalie Dessay and the selections, and a slap on the wrist for the record label and its quality control."

Great voice, great music, lousy recording

EmbeddedFlyer | Seattle, WA United States | 08/24/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"If you're not bothered by recording problems and love Dessay, buy this CD. But the recording, by Musica Numeris in France, is sloppy at best. Perhaps the French engineer had a bit too much wine over lunch? Virgin should be ashamed and let's hope Sir Richard Branson takes more care with his airplanes than his Virgin group does with their CDs. The mostly clear recording is flawed by numerous "glitches" like the one mentioned by another reviewer at 2:21 on track 2. Some of it sounds like clipping distortion while others might be extraneous noises. Some of Dessay's crescendos are sadly distorted right at their climax. Quality problems like these are inexcusable on a full price classical CD. And it's a shame because it's a great collection of arias and Dessay has an amazing voice."