Search - Richard Strauss, Antonio Pappano, Natalie Dessay :: Natalie Dessay - Amor (Opera Scenes and Lieder by Richard Strauss)

A wonderful holiday gift

cherubino | Houston, Texas United States | 12/14/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Unquestionably the reigning coloratura of our times, Natalie Dessay has the misfortune of blossoming at a time where complete opera recordings are no longer being produced at the rate they were from the 50's to the 80's. Thankfully, we have this delightful pastiche of Strauss, including her signature role, Zerbinetta. She is far and away my favorite opera singer of the current generation. First, she is to be commended for reviving the tradition of the French coloratura, which has been lacking ever since the heyday of Mady Mesple. Second, she defies the notion that all coloraturas have to stand up to Joan Sutherland (my all-time favorite). True, Sutherland's vocal legacy is truly formidable, but then again, would Sutherland have tackled roles like Zerbinetta or Zdenka? It takes a Natlie Dessay to bring these roles to life.



This is a very satisfactory recital, from start to end. What's more, complete scenes are featured, with a host of top-drawer guests, like Felicity Lott and Angelika Kirschlager. Decca is to be thanked for pulling out all the stops. Not being an expert on Strauss, I can't judge Pappano's conducting, except to say that it sounds quite fine to my ear. Furthermore, the sound quality is excellent.



Now, I'm sure everyone will listen closely for evidence of vocal distress. Natalie just had another surgery to remove a node from her vocal cords, and in a recent press release stated that she hasn't "completely healed" from her intial surgery over a year ago. The only thing I can pick up on are a few high notes sung in alt (like in the duet from Arabella) that sound like they were squeezed out. However, there isn't anything really troubling, like a wobble or ugly spread on top. Let's pray for Dessay's full recovery from her second surgery.



This is music that is absolutely sublime. Surprise someone with this recital for Christmas, especially those who stubbornly listen to Italian opera and eschew any other genre."

Natalie Dessay - with a little help from her friends!

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 11/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"AMOR is an appropriate title for this new release of the works of Richard Strauss as sung by Natalie Dessay and conducted with his usual finesse by Antonio Pappano: 'Love' is the emotion that soars from this collection. Not only do we have Dessay singing it top form in some of the most challenging soprano roles in the opera repertoire (Zerbinetta in 'Ariadne auf Naxos', Zdenka in 'Arabella', and Sophie in 'Der Rosenkavalier', she also graces this collection with the rarely heard Brentano Songs - some of Strauss' most eloquent writing.



AND, if that weren't enough, this very special CD gives us scenes from Ariadne, from Arabella, and from Rosenkavalier with the finest possible artists assisting. Sophie Koch sings the Composer as a perfect match to Dessay's Zerbinetta. On hand as the Marschallin, as Arabella, and as the Primadonna is the velvet voiced Felicity Lott. In a crowning glory is Angelika Kirschlager as Octavian.



All of the excerpts work very well indeed. Perhaps the most refreshing portion is the Brentano Songs which Dessay sings beautifully, revealing the glories of these gems. But for sheer incandescently luxurious singing the duets and trio from Rosenkavalier are the highpoint - these ladies singing individually and together are otherworldly! Antonio Pappano conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden with passionate solid support. This is an album to treasure!

Grady Harp, November 2004"

Premiere Lyric Coloratura of modern times!

J. Wood | Waco, Texas | 12/03/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"From the opening strains of Zerbinetta's big showpiece aria in Ariadne auf Naxos to the final trio pieces from Der Rosenkavalier, Natalie Dessay establishes the soul of each character she portrays. She is not only incredibly virtuosic with great ease in the Coloratura repertoire, but she is a thinking man's soprano who obviously reads and understands the text of what she is singing. She recently had to undergo a second vocal cord surgery to remove a polyp from her right vocal cord. Let us hope and pray that this "down to earth" but celestially talented soprano recovers so she can continue to release benchmark recordings that -in my humble opinion- are unsurpassed in terms of vocal beauty and character development. (She not only sings beautiful high notes for the canary fanciers, but this lady acts from her core and center. For an idea of her immersion in a role, get a hold of her Hamlet DVD to witness her Ophelia's mad scene.) Sophie Koch, Kirchschlager, and Felicity Lott provide first class support to Dessay on the Strauss recital. (For another taste of Dessay's virtuosity, check out her Mozart Heroines recital disc. Dessay is moving slowly into Italian Bal Canto repertoire so let's hope that her health holds up for those exciting future recordings and performances. She WAS Amina in the sometimes silly libretto opera La Sonnambula this summer in Sante Fe, New Mexico, despite its beautiful Bellini music. Dessay raised the opera to another level.)

I whole-heartedly recommend this Richard Strauss area scene and lieder recital disc to anyone!

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