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A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 12/30/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"DAMSELS INDEED IN DISTRESS BECAUSE THIS REALLY EXCELLENT RECORDING OF SOME OF THE WORLD'S FINEST SINGERS IS FADING INTO THE MIST!

This excellent compilation from 1993 should not be ignored by those who enjoy and appreciate opera and skilled sopranos. The price is actually insulting to the performers, but certainly an advantage for us. This has been in my libary for at least ten years, and I have received much pleasure from it.



The collection (listed below the CD ) shows what an excellent variety of singers and arias are on this recording. In the booklet each selection has a synopsis on the damsels and their distress and fate in the respective operas. For example: DAMSEL: La Gioconda, a ballad singer; DISTRESS: Gioconda loves Enzo; Enzo loves Laura (wife of Alvise); the evil inquisition spy Barnabas lusts after Gioconda. Laura saves Gioconda's mother's life; so feeling beholden, Gioconda arranges for Enzo and Laura's elopement by promising her body to Barnabas in return for his allowing Enzo's safe passage. Gioconda stabs herself before Barnabas can have his way with her, "falling heavily to the ground". FATE: Death.



The drama put forth and excitement on this recording cannot be denied. Some of the notable examples from my own personal standpoint are: 'Vissi d'arte' brom Tosca sung by Kiri Te Kanawa with the London Philharmonic conducted by Sir John Pritchard. 'Che fiero momento' from Orfeo Ed Euridice sung by Nancy Argenta with Tafelmusik conducted by Friedor Bernius. 'O toi qui m'abandonnes' and 'Comme un eclair' from Le Prophete sung by Marilyn Horne and John Treleaven (tenor) with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Henry Lewis.



In truth, all of the selections were notable, and none done poorly!. Just good solid singing with good solid music!"