"Music For All Seasons" (Legato Classics)

This CD is an absolute delight; a fine sampler of the vocal treasures to be found in the Legato Classic vaults. It's also a great stocking stuffer for any opera lover (Christmas shopping in July?)

My only quibble is the lack of detailed information on each selection as to when and where performed. These are live recordings so the sound varies from excellent to poor.

Renata Tebaldi – Tosca – "Vissi d'arte"
The diva's mellifluous voice is rich, creamy and wonderfully expressive. Tebaldi executes a rallentando in mid-aria which is most effective.

Jussi Bjoerling – La Boheme – "Che gelida manina"
Not only is Jussi in "juicy" voice but he sings the aria with a combination of pathos and passion that is very moving.

Zinka Milanov – LA GIOCONDA – "Suicidio" I like Milanov's "guts and velvet" interpretation. Milanov's voice is clear and focused; she uses her chest voice judiciously.

Richard Tucker – MANON LESCAUT – "Donna non vidi mai" Tucker is in great voice. He scales down his heroic instrument when necessary, illuminating the text with his customary exemplary musicianship.

Monserrat Caballe – AROLDO – "Ah! Dagli scanni eterei" In a word: Stunning! Caballe is swept up by the passion and fire of this aria; she executes the nuances of the text with her wonderfully controlled voice.

Carlo Bergonzi – MEFISTOFELE – "Dai campi, dai prati"
I can't say I'm a Mefistofele fan, but I am an admirer of Bergonzi. His rich, velvety voice caresses the vocal line. Admirers of both opera and tenor will enjoy this excerpt.

Magda Olivero – LA TRAVIATA – "Sempre libera" Olivero sings the aria with ebullience, negotiating the coloratura with precision and abandon, adding a "glittery" sheen that is very apropos. Her genius for vocal characterization is demonstrated by the way she sings the word "amore," giving it so many shades of meaning.

Robert Merrill – LA TRAVIATA – "Di provenza"
Merrill's performance is moving; not hectoring or self-pitying but lovingly paternal.

Renata Scotto – LA TRAVIATA – "Addio del passato"
Scotto is in secure voice. "Tenesta la promessa" is given a poignant interpretation. The aria is superb. Scotto is in full command of her extraordinary ability to infuse the text with life.

Guiseppe di Stefano – FAUST – "Salut demeure" This "Salut demeure" is indeed a happy surprise. The tenor gives the aria a dreamy, interior interpretation and climaxes it with a breathtaking diminuendo on High C.

Birgit Nilsson – TURANDOT – "In questa reggia"
Nilsson is an inexhaustible font of fire, ice and scorn. She flings her volcanic high notes right in our face.

Franco Corelli – TURANDOT – "Nessun dorma" You can hear how Corelli adores this aria; he seems to be in love with certain notes and phrases. The word "speranza" is given an erotic tone which I find most appropriate. The high notes are secure and thrilling.

Mirella Freni – CARMEN – "Je dis que rien" Mirella's French diction may be wanting but the voice is fresh, lovely; the top golden, soaring and free. Freni beautifully suggests Micaela's innocent, virginal quality and sense of foreboding in this scene.

Mario Del Monaco – I PAGLIACCI – "Vesti la guibba"
Del Monaco gives the aria his impassioned and vocally rock-steady best.

Leontyne Price – TURANDOT – "Signore ascolta" Price spins a lovely, poignant rendition of the aria culminating with an effective vocal cry of anguish and unfulfilled love.

Joan Sutherland – LA SONNAMBULA – "Ah! Non giunge"
Sutherland seems a bit uninvolved at the beginning of the aria but once she flies into familiar stratospheric territory (especially in the repeat) she astonishes with cascade after cascade of brilliant, diamond-like coloratura.

Maria Callas – "Proch Variations on Deh torna, mio bene" The recording is understandably a bit raw since it must have been recorded in-house in the 50's. The Callas voice is rich and secure within its astonishing range and stunning in the vocal fireworks.


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