Search - German Traditional, Swiss Traditional, French Traditional :: Rita Streich: Folksongs & Lullabies

On a High!

G. L. Smerdon | South Africa | 04/19/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a blessing it is that technology can preserve voices like this, sounding their best! This disc, like Lucia Popp's 'Children's Songs and Lullabies', shows the diva, Rita Streich, turning to the demands and restraints of the lied, her lovely coloratura voice now gay, now poignant, in all its clear purity. The spirit of different folksongs (including German, Swiss, French, Italian, English, Russian, Japanese ..) is captured beautifully by Streich, sometimes supported, admirably, by the Singgemeinschaft Rudolf Lamy and especially the Regensburger Domspatzen, notably in 'Der Burgermeister von Wesel' and 'Der Kuckuck'. Her very soft, very high notes, held or tossed off, are thrilling throughout but especially in the Mozart canon 'Ave Maria'. While the personality of the performer is not as striking as Popp's on her disc, Streich's simple rendition of a generous 32 songs gives the listener 79 minutes of magic."

Bel canto at its finest

song junkie | Smyrna,, Georgia USA | 02/24/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I was overjoyed to see this recording available on CD after many years out of the catalogue. It contains some of the finest singing we are ever likely to hear from a light soprano voice.Each of the selections has merit; the diction is clear, the voice true and sweet to its highest reaches. Mme Streich was a much-loved singer of Strauss (Richard and Johann) and Mozart and these songs are elevated from folk status to that of great individual arias. The phrasing and musicianship displayed here should be models for many of our current warbles who inhabit the worlds opera houses and concert venues.I am madly in love with this voice. Needless to say, my review is biased, but one will go far to hear such beautiful singing by a great artist. If you would have your heart broken, and hear the meaning of true "bel canto", listen to Streich's singing of the Jewish lullaby, "Schlof sche, mein Vogele". It is guaranteed to turn stone to water and soften the hardest heart."