Netrebko is sensational . . . Netrebko's strength is not just in the mobility of her voice and the razzle-dazzle of her upper register's big-money notes - no, it's the fullness and beauty of the middle voice that singles her out . . . properly overwhelming. For once, fullness of heart is truly matched in fullness of sound.
With this album, Anna Netrebko turns to lighter selections than her standard fare: arias and ensembles from operettas, folk, and salon songs, and crowd-pleasing favorites. She gives this repertoire the same focus, interpretive eloquence, and vocal brilliance that she brings to more "serious" material. Netrebko is notable for the absolute purity and flawless intonation of her sound. Her voice is consistently full, rich, and creamy in these tasty confections, but there is enough stylistic variety that's it's never too much of a good thing.
Netrebko brings real spirit to the contrasting sentiments of each of the selections, and she is simply a joy to listen to. "Heia, in den Bergen," from Die Csárdásfürstin, which opens the album, is primally wild and unrestrainedly passionate. She floats and soars through "Depuis le jour," from Louise, and sounds just overwhelmingly happy. The "Barcarolle" from Les Contes d'Hoffmann, which she sings with Elina Garanca, has rarely sounded so rapturously languid.
The pop-tinged "Pie Jesu" by Andrew Lloyd Webber sounds somewhat out of place in this collection, but Netrebko brings to it a melting loveliness, and her blend with boy soprano Andrew Swait is remarkable.
Much credit for the album's high level of artistry goes to Emmanuel Villaume, a frequent collaborator with Netrebko, who conducts the Prague Philharmonia and Prague Philharmonic Choir with loving attention to detail and sensitivity to the variety of musical styles represented. Deutsche Grammophon's sound is immaculate, lively and present. Highly recommended for all fans of bel canto.
【專輯曲目】:
01. Kálmán: The Gypsy Princess / Act 1 - Lied: "Heia, heia, in den Bergen ist mein Heimatland"
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia and Prague Philharmonic Choir
02. Heuberger: Der Opernball - Im chambre séparée
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Piotr Beczala and Prague Philharmonia
03. Lehár: Giuditta / Act 4 - Meine Lippen, die küssen so heiss
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia
04. G. Charpentier: Louise / Act 3 - "Depuis le jour" by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia
05. Offenbach: Les Contes d'Hoffmann / Act 2 - Barcarolle
by Anna Netrebko and Elina Garanca and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia and Prague Philharmonic Choir
06. R. Strauss: Vier Lieder, Op.27 - 2. C?cilie
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia
07. Grieg: Peer Gynt, Op.23 - Solveig's Song
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia
08. Messager: Fortunio - L'orsque j'etais enfant
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia
09. Dvorák: Gypsy Melodies, Op.55 - Instr. By Jiri Teml - 4. Kdyz mne stara matka
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia
10. R. Strauss: Fünf Lieder, Op.41 - 1. Wiegenlied
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia
11. Rimsky-Korsakov: 'T Was Not the Wind, Op.43, No.2 - Orchestrated By Andreas N. Tarkmann
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia
12. Rimsky-Korsakov: Captivated By The Rose (The Nightingale), Op.2, No.2 - Orchestrated By Andreas N. Tarkmann
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia
13. Anonymous: Schlof sche, mein V?gele - Orchestrated By Friedrich Meyer
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia and Prague Philharmonic Choir
14. Lloyd Webber: Requiem - Pie Jesu
by Andrew Swait and Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia and Prague Philharmonic Choir
15. Hahn: L'enamourée - Orchestrated By Andreas N. Tarkmann
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia
16. Guastavino: La rosa y el sauce
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia
17. Giménez: La Tempranica - N? 2 Tiempo de zapateado "La tarántula e un bicho"
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia
18. Arditi: Il Bacio
by Anna Netrebko and Emmanuel Villaume and Prague Philharmonia