Search - Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart :: Leontyne Price: The Ultimate Collection

Fabulous singing, Overblown orchestras

madamemusico | Cincinnati, Ohio USA | 04/09/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I was first getting interested in opera, during the late 1960s - early 1970s, Leontyne Price was still singing at the Met, but I could never get a ticket because she only sang five performances a year (later, three). She said this was to "preserve" the voice but, as I learned from those who actually did hear her in person, her mid-range was deteriorating at that time until it was practically inaudible (though her high notes and lower range still sounded great). Also, to be honest, as a youngster I was put off by the promotion of her albums...all those fancy pictures of her in diamonds and furs just seemed so ostentatious to me, and listening to her on records was not always a pleasurable experience. Her voice so often sounded swamped by those loud, blaring, overblown orchestras.But then I heard a remastering of the famous 1961 "Aida" with Vickers, Gorr and Merrill, and I realized how great a singer she was. That's when I started listening more seriously, and discovered a soprano who had a thorough command of her voice from the late '50s to the late '60s, not only in terms of vocal color but also in terms of phrasing. Listening to Price in her prime is incredible...she almost sounds as if she never breathed, her phrasing is so beautifully bound and poised. At the same time, however, I was disappointed by RCA's choice of partners for her on recordings. ...This set goes a long way towards restoring the legend. Stripped of her sub-par partners (with the exception of Corelli's belting in the "Seguidilla" from "Carmen"), one can listen to Price's voice uncompromised, and it is a thrill. Even when the orchestra sounds detached and uninteresting, as it often does, Price seems to be on an entirely different wavelength, giving out with passion and great musicality. As for the selections chosen, they represent an excellent cross-section of Price's best work, even though the Purcell and Berlioz sound awfully heavy by today's standards and I can live without the "Anthony and Cleopatra" selection or the Strauss song.One caveat I have is the lack of discographical information. No dates, orchestras or conductors are given. This is a grave injustice, even though the backup does not always meet expectations. On the plus side, all of the legendary "blue album" (her first recital discs for RCA in 1961) is presented complete, including the two selections from the July 1959 "Il Trovatore" that were on that LP...and in MUCH better, more focused sound. For this, and the heavy orchestral sound, I give the set only 4 stars...but for the singing alone I would give it eight!!"

The true prima donna asoluta

William A. Johnson | Clinton, Maryland United States | 05/23/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ms. Leontyne Price is the quentisential diva. I fell in love with her when I started studying music at the conservatory level. Her phrasing, tone, quality, and endless range are breathtaking. This CD features selections from when she was vocaly at her best. Even though I could go without the Ariadne and Cleopatra, the rest of the CD is simply marvelous. I cannot stop listening to D'amor sull'ali rosee, which I think is the best interpretation and performance of the piece that I have ever heard!!! I prefer Price over Sutherland, Caballe, Freni, and Fleming any day. Her high tones give you the feeling of floating on clouds. This is one of the best CD's in my entire classical/Opera collection. Whoever purchases this CD, it will be worth your while."

Soprano of the Century - Bar NONE!

Michael G. Wilson | Detroit, Michigan United States | 03/30/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My initial exposure to vocal classical music was during the early 1950s. I have always admired and been a fan of the soprano voice, especially those gifted with the ability to achieve and sustain those notes in the upper-most register. In the beginning I was entertained by the likes of Callas, Schwartzkopf, Tibaldi, Sills, Sutherland, and other noted soprano voices. "Summertime", from Porgy & Bess, was the very first song I ever heard sung by Leontye Price. I new immediately that I had experienced the ultimate in soprano artistry. I just had to hear more. Next I heard the complete works of Verdi's "Aida", followed by "Tosca", Bizet's "Carmen", and a host of the arias featured on this recording. I was convinced by the overwhelming excellence of delivery as well as her depth and majestic tonal quality that Leontye Price is indeed the Soprano of the Century and beyond."