The Art of the Prima Donna
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Free Music Notes for The Art of the Prima Donna
Free Music Review: Joan Sutherland and diction
Hit: 3 Stars
Yes, she has (had) a beautiful voice. Her diction is awful. I like to read librettos and follow along while listening to operas. Don't lose your place while listening to Ms. Sutherland sing because she gives no verbal clues as to where she is in the song. You'll have to wait for somone else to sing in order to figure it out. Free Music Review: The One Soprano Recording Every Collector Should Have!
Hit: 5 Stars
Sutherland's "Art of the Prima Donna" has never been surpassed by any other great soprano of the 20th century. Her voice is at once a glory to behold: the perfect vibrato, amazing power balanced by a delicate grace, the most glorious top, unsurpassed technical skills, and sheer beauty. I have purchased hundreds of other soprano recordings over the past 35 years but none has come close to this collection. I'm simply in awe of it every time I hear it. Critics who complain about her diction must find something to nag about; to me it's a non-issue. There have been many great female artists over the past 50 years, and many marvelous recordings (I ought to know--I own them), but you'll never hear ANYTHING like this. They don't call her "La Stupenda" for nothing!Free Music Review: Like a walk in the clouds!
Hit: 5 Stars
What can one say about one of the greatest soprano recitals ever. Despite all her later achievements, this early recital is Sutherland's most significant contribution to operatic discography. This recital is full of her huge but always sweet high notes. This is after all, what made them so special. When I listen to these high notes it's as if a bird is taking me on a trip to the sky. Her coloratura abilities are jaw dropping to say the least. You have no idea what a trill or staccato means if you haven't heard Joan singing! Everything here is stunning but my favourites are her Bell Song, Care compagne and The soldier Tir'd.
I've never been Sutherland's greatest fan due to her mushy enunciation, which fortunately is restricted to the minimum here but this early recital never stays far from my cd player! Indeed the art of a primadonna, Sutherland's art!
Free Music Review: All-time desert island recording!
Hit: 5 Stars
Haven't you been disappointed sometimes by 5 star reviews? Gushing superlatives? Well, it's simply impossible to indicate in mere English how exceptional this recital is. Can a human being actually do that with her voice? Can we give it 100 stars?If stranded on an island, this would be the recording I would want. I never tire of it -- it always amazes. This is required listening for any opera fan, but also for music buffs of any kind.
Free Music Review: Compulsory Operatic Recordings
Hit: 5 Stars
There are a few sopranos that every opera listener MUST listen to:1. Joan Sutherland (The Art of Prima Donna - this CD)
2. Birgit Nilsson (Elektra - Solti, Decca & Der Ring des Nibelungen, Solti, Decca)
3. Christa Ludwig (Fidelio - Klemperer, EMI & Celebrating Christa Ludwig - RCA)
4. Kisten Flagstad (Tristan & Isolde, EMI)
5. Leonie Rysanek (Operatic Arias - Basile, RCA & Salome, Kempe, Golden Melodram)
6. Astrid Varnay (Original Masters: Excerpts from Der Ring des Nibelungen and Tristan & Isolde - Deutsche Grammophon)
The Art of Prima Donna contains the most astounding dramatic soprano coloratura ever committed on recording. Don't miss it.