The Art of the Prima Donna
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Free Music Notes for The Art of the Prima Donna
Free Music Review: The most stupendous recital ever,
Hit: 5 Stars
This is the most stupendous recital by a coloratura soprano ever. The jealous Sills and Callas fans are bashing this as you can see. But you be the judge as who is the "Voice of the Century". I say La Stupenda, by a mile.Free Music Review: The "voice of the Century"
Hit: 5 Stars
Sutherland is the voice of the century. This cd proves it. I give it 10 stars
Free Music Review: Good one Sills!!!
Hit: 2 Stars
I'm usually wary of compilations with titles such as "the art of...", "the best of....", "....'s greatest hits", etc. They are more often than not ordinary collection of arias sung by the artist. This album however is among the top 3 compilations of this nature. What the "la Stupenda-supreme voice" is for Sutherland, this "Art of Beverly Sills" is for Beverly. Each selection truly represents milestones in her career, and each one is PERFECTLY sung, no one can sing them better. Beverly was untouchable in French repertoire, and here we have arias from Mignon, Manon, and Louise that showcase her impeccable French diction (she spoke the language fluently...Italian too), extraordinary coloratura, and beautiful limpid singing. The Italian arias, notably the 3 Queens, I would have to say are also untouchable. Beverly brought such a distinction to the roles, to this day I've never heard them sung with more dramatic intensity and emotion and guts. She was truly one of a kind.The second disc opens with French arias again, from the Tales of Hoffmann. Beverly was especially on fire when she sang comic parts, and Olympia was one that she always had a field day with. I do have to say however, that she could have added just a little bit more embellishments, as I've come to expect nothing BUT added ornamentation when she sings coloratura! This is a tiny quibble, as Beverly tosses this aria off with no effort at all. The high E flat at the end is SUPERB! The turtle dove aria is one of the most heartfelt renditions. Beverly was an excellent Mozart interpreter, and here Ruhe Sanft is the most lyrically gorgeous rendition I have ever heard. This is the kind of singing that is very, very difficult, as it requires the most disciplined and well-trained breath control to pull the aria off the way Bev does. It seems almost like she sung it all the way through with one breath. The same can be said especially of the Strauss lied, in which the singing is even MORE lyrically moving and soft, the vocal line truly seems like it doesn't break at all! This is something I know not even Sutherland can do and be successful in giving that lyrical feel. The Opernball and Merry Widow pieces are great bonuses. Beverly sang them (the Widow piece I'm sure) quite a lot in her early career (and at such a young age, early 20's, being named the youngest Widow in captivity). The silver aria is exclusively Beverly Sills' territory (the entire role of baby doe to be accurate), and there will never be a greater interpreter, vocally and dramatically. She perfected the role 110%. As the liner notes indicate, the Korngold piece is the slowest one ever to be recorded! The result is that trademark lyrically gorgeous singing that only our dear Bev can execute. Sustaining a legato, endless-seeming phrase pianissimo, again, is one of the most difficult types of singing. The only rendition I feel that comes in second, and then even a distant second, is Fleming's on her La Bella Voce recital. And what a surprise, the Daphne scene! This was not Beverly's usual repertoire, but she gave such a moving performance! Excellent!!!
Free Music Review: Sutherland's best recital! And remastered
Hit: 5 Stars
This is certainly one of the great cds of our time. Sutherland is stupendous to the point of possible "Coloratura of the Century" status here. I am also a fan of Callas, and she certainly is as great as Sutherland, but in a different way. Sutherland has the voice, Callas theater. Both are valid.I have to disagree with the review person who gave Sutherland one star and call Callas the almighty! Only GOD is almighty. Callas is great, but she is not almighty. This aside. I want to really recommend this recital again.
The remastering of "art of the prima donna" makes it a must for all Sutherland fans to upgrade to this. The biggest difference is the size of Sutherland's high notes. And the echo effect of the older "art of the prima donna" release is now replace by a much nicer, more natural ambience. Listen, you'll see.
Free Music Review: Sutherland is great, Callas is too, don't be evil
Hit: 5 Stars
Callas basher...You say you're a God person. Yet put down one of the most greatest coloratura of our time. I thought you are supposed to love people, not hate them. I'm ashamed of you.