Title : Under the Stars
Author : Sondheim, Stephen
Release Date : 20030211
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $16.98
Amazon.com Price : $13.83
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Editorial Reviews : In these days of the crossover, it is hardly surprising to find two great opera singers making a foray into numbers from Broadway musicals by such composers as Cole Porter, Stephen Sondheim, and Andrew Lloyd Webber. What's remarkable is that they seem completely at home in this music. Both say they grew up listening to it, and indeed they approach these songs with no less care and seriousness than they'd give the most demanding operatic arias, and without a trace of condescension. However, their vocal, expressive, and interpretive styles are very different, both in the solos and the duets. Terfel projects assertive manliness, tender, intimate affection, and rollicking humor without external effects, using only his incomparably sonorous voice and powerful personality. His diction is impeccably clear, and though he has sometimes let his theatrical flair spill over into Schubert songs, he is the soul of simplicity here. This is in stark contrast to Fleming's tendency to exaggerate colors and dynamics and to turn sentiment into sentimentality. Moreover, though she claims a background as a jazz singer, her 'crooning' sounds artificial and unnatural. However, her top notes, culminating in a triumphant high C at the end of the final number, ring gloriously. Her voice glows and shimmers with irresistible luster, soaring from seductive whispers to thrilling climaxes. The program features a great variety of love songs, and includes an antiwar protest (from Beautiful Game), a celebration of the American dream (from Ragtime), and a rousing fun piece (from The Music Man). Unfortunately, even the best songs are marred by thoroughly corny arrangements. Listeners will find their own favorites, but the real 'stars' on this record are the two singers. --Edith Eisler
Buyer Reviews : What sounds like a great idea --- teaming two 'modern day' opera greats --- sounds awful. Renee Fleming and Bryn Terfel have glorious voices --- but they are voices suited for opera, not pop (read; show) music. It doesn't work here. It has never worked. (Does anyone recall Barbara Hendricks' embarrassing Disney tribute?) Just as Barbra and Mariah should not tackle Rossini and Mozart, opera stars should stay away from Sondheim and Kander and Ebb. If you gonna insist on playing it, please, not while I'm around.
