Search - Giacomo Puccini, Leo Delibes, Alfredo Catalani :: The #1 Soprano Album

The #1 Soprano Album
Giacomo Puccini, Leo Delibes, Alfredo Catalani
The #1 Soprano Album
Genres: Folk, New Age, Pop, Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (17) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (16) - Disc #2


     
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CD Reviews

Choices????
moonchic | New Jersey | 01/23/2003
(3 out of 5 stars)

"I wonder if the people who put these compilation cds together ever actually listen to their choices before making their decision. Yes, you are going to find some of the most famous names in opera on this cd. But, are they the best or even a good showcase of each voice? Why would you choose Leontyne Price singing Mozart when it is most certainly NOT her venue (and for so many others it is)? Besides, she is already included in other places on the cd. Joan Sutherland is truly amazing on E Strano and Let the Bright Seraphim, but why include her Casta Diva, recorded in the 80's? It's interesting to hear how her voice has held up over the years and that she's lost none of her deadly accurate (and famous) pitch, but it would have been nice to hear another do this one, maybe Maria Callas (who isn't included at all on the cd). For a double cd album advertising itself as the #1 Soprano album, there is a great deal of repetition of names and so many more missing. Only a duet for Beverly Sills? Countless Kire Te Kanawa (some questionable choices, too. What's with the Villa Lobos?) And for those sopranos that only get one shot on the album, such as Frederica Von Stade, it certainly is NOt the best I've heard them sing!
To be fair, if you want a good overview of the soprano world, this may be a good place to start, and I can't think of another album that includes so many in one place and some songs truly blow the listener away. It's also a good introduction to some names that the average opera listener might not ordinarily know. So, I'll give it 3 stars for that. But I'm getting tired of the same Sumi Jo Queen of the Night (found on countless compilation cds) and overdone Kiri Te Kanawa standards."
Finally, a 2-disc soprano collection from Decca
blackbull | Fl United States | 01/09/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a great compilation to have. I understand that no Maria Callas recordings are not available on this CD because she was never part of the company. There, I set the record straight for any fans of the late opera singer who question it. There are, however, some sopranos and mezzos who are a part of the company that were left off as well, which is my reasoning for giving a 4-star rating rather than a five. Where are Cecilia Bartoli and Mirella Freni. I know that Freni is featured as Mimi on the recording of Musetta's Waltz, but it is minor on the recording, and there should be a recording of her singing an actual aria of her own. Also, recordings of "Dove Sono" (by Te Kanawa, for example), "Voi Che Sapete" (by Bartoli, let's say), "Signore Ascolta" by Caballe, and the Song to The Moon should all be on this compilation. Plus I think that Tatiana Troyanos' recording of the Habanera from Carmen should be featured rather that of Marylin Horne's. Other than that, the #1 Soprano Album is great."
Beautiful collection, even though not perfect
C. R. Soo | Geneva, Switzerland | 05/17/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)

"As many reviewers have said before, there is a lot of incoherencies in the choices of singers on this double CD. In order to be a truly ultimate collection, the boundaries of recording companies and rights must not interfere, as must have been in this case. This said, it is up to the private collector to accumulate his/her ultimate soprano collection, BUT these CDs are an enormous contribution!



It starts out very strong with beautiful pieces of, and then some singers repeat OFTEN. Not that they are bad choices, it's just that a greater variety would have been nice. More importantly it would have been great to have the "definitive" version/singer of a given aria. Just one example, Sumi Jo's Der Holle Rache is just everywhere as a previous reviewer mentioned -- let's not forget that there is a pristine-perfect-beyond-comparison of Lucia Popp's Queen of the Night also out there somewhere...just NOT on this particular CD...



As far as aria choices are concerned, that is a bit strange to me, too. Of all of Mozart's arias, why those and leave out the magnificent soprano aria from Zaide, "Ruhe sanft"? Hmm...But anyway, the CDs are much better than any other compilation I have of the same type. Highly recommendable after all."