Search - Berlioz, Steber :: Les Nuits Dete

A Treasure

03/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a beautifully remastered combination of two of Steber's rare recordings for Columbia. Steber is, in the view of many, the greatest soprano America ever produced. The Berlioz is the definitive recording of Les Nuit D'Ete. Her French diction is impeccable, and the tone, breath control, and emotionally expressive shape of each piece has never been equalled. One of her closest mentors, Mitropoulos, with whom she presented the cycle with the New York Philharmonic in 1953, provides excellent support.The sacred arias, while reflecting the performance practices of the 1950's, nevertheless show Steber as a master of this repertoire.Regretably, there are few Steber recordings using modern techniques. The 78's and mono recordings of the 1940's are appearing again and I would urge SONY and BMG to search their vaults and reissue everything they have, such as recordings with Ormandy, Robert Shaw, and the Met Faust."

The Great Steber

Kenneth D | Brooklyn | 06/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Buy this recording. Steber was the one that got Les Nuits d'été on the map, recording wise, and it has perhaps never been bettered. Ninon here has given it a pretty bad review, and should really be ignored. Yes, it's not Gallic in style, but then again, Steber was not really concerned with that. She was concerned about the music first. The other reviewer thought it was too operatic. Really? Berlioz was a revolutionary romantic, and very different from later french composers...oh, and yes, this was the birthplace of the mélodie. The Crespin recording was mentioned, and it's lovely. I would not be without it, but it's also cold. Very Gallic, but not totally in tune with Berlioz. Steber is the one who is the most poignant and probing singer of these songs that I know. I played this recording for my friend who is the first violinist in the Manhattan Quartet, and tears came down his face. I'm sure you'll be moved as well."