Search - Gioachino Rossini, Charles Gounod, Ambroise Thomas :: Supervia: In Opera And Song (Prima Voce)

A singer like no other.

John Austin | Kangaroo Ground, Australia | 08/18/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Those attempting to describe the unique "timbres" of singers' voices sometimes liken them to food and taste sensations. This one has a honeyed tone, that one has a voice like rich chocolate, etc. In such terms I would describe Supervia's voice as like hot chili. Not only does it have a strong and individual flavor, it is also associated with a throbbing sensation. For some, it is an acquired taste.Her greatest admirers, including Desmond Shaw-Taylor who wrote the liner notes in the fat booklet that accompanies this double CD set, are those who saw her on stage. Not only was she a sparkling and fascinating performer, she also had the vocal range and histrionic allure to restore to the boards many of the Rossini operas that had been neglected for years. She also enjoyed remarkable success as Carmen in the early 1930s. Found in this double CD are all her "Carmen" recordings, together with samples from her Rossini repertoire, some French items, some zarzuela extracts and her recording of de Falla's "Seven Popular Spanish Songs". I believe her recording of the de Falla collection was the first, and it certainly held sway for more than twenty years before more recent sopranos tried to provide anything comparable. While being grateful to Nimbus for providing this indispensable compilation, I happen to believe that the Nimbus restoration processing of vintage material gives better results with acoustic recordings than with early electric recordings such as these."

An intriguing, powerful singer

Robert J. Cruce | Muskogee, OK United States | 09/15/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"How to convey the excitement of this artist in words? With the wealth of great vocal recordings we've been blessed with over the past few years would you consider going back 70 or so years to hear one of the great mezzo-sopranos of all time? I bought my first Supervia album on Angel-Seraphim in 1978 that contains some of the recordings featured on this double CD set. A review at the time paired Supervia with Victoria de los Angeles in similar repertoire and described both as "desert island discs". Supervia projected a stunning personal magnetism through her recordings. You'll be hooked as I was, if you hear her."