Title : Bel Canto
Author : Vincenzo Bellini
Release Date : 20020827
Binding : Audio CD
Regular Price : $16.98
Amazon.com Price : $12.95
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Editorial Reviews : Surely Renée Fleming's soprano must be one of the most beautiful voices before the public today. Though renowned for her interpretations of Mozart, Strauss, and Verdi, as well as for her commitment to contemporary music, she says that the 'bel canto' repertoire has always been central to her career. On this recording, which features scenes and arias from operas by Bellini, Donizetti, and Rossini, she proves that she has achieved total, effortless technical mastery of the uniquely difficult vocal writing characteristic of the style. Every note is perfectly placed. Her runs, including scales over a huge range in both directions, are as clear and evenly paced as a chain of exquisite pearls. Her leaps always land in the center of the pitch. Her intonation is flawless. Fleming also displays her emotional affinity for the drama, pathos, and lyricism of the music and her ability to identify with her larger-than-life heroines. Chosen from familiar and unfamiliar operas, the music is beguilingly beautiful, ranging from peacefully pastoral to darkly menacing. However, some listeners may feel that Fleming's tendency to overinflect, overphrase, make long pauses, and put swells on long notes, especially in the slow arias, undercuts the music's simplicity and the directness of her expressive communication. The performances are based on the latest scholarly research into the 'bel canto' style regarding historically correct ornamentation (only in repeats) and the problems of balancing textual fidelity with imaginative freedom. The Orchestra of St. Luke's gives splendid support, with outstanding solos, especially from the winds.
Buyer Reviews : i cannot believe all the publicity one hears about Renee Fleming - based on this album alone she distorts and ruins music that has been very well served by many artists in the past. Apparently she doesn't see that she cannnot measure up in any way to the demands of this music. Swooping and wobbling, crooning, ugh - the new york times reviewer got it right for once - she sounds like she is channeling Sarah Vaughan. One of the worst recordings of anything i have ever heard!!!!!
