This two-disc set is a sampler of operatic singers from the corporately related Virgin Classics and EMI labels, and like most such samplers it delivers a good deal less than it promises. The marketing is scattershot, for one thing: the two-disc set purports to offer both the "new generation" of singers and "greatest arias" -- whether of these particular artists or of opera in general is not made clear, but neither contention would be defensible. The booklet notes consist of a history of opera in five paragraphs, which isn't a whole lot of use to anybody. The selections date as far back as 1991, and the artists involved are as venerable as Felicity Lott, who made her debut...
This two-disc set is a sampler of operatic singers from the corporately related Virgin Classics and EMI labels, and like most such samplers it delivers a good deal less than it promises. The marketing is scattershot, for one thing: the two-disc set purports to offer both the "new generation" of singers and "greatest arias" -- whether of these particular artists or of opera in general is not made clear, but neither contention would be defensible. The booklet notes consist of a history of opera in five paragraphs, which isn't a whole lot of use to anybody. The selections date as far back as 1991, and the artists involved are as venerable as Felicity Lott, who made her debut in 1976, and, for Zoroaster's sake, José Van Dam, who was born in 1940. All this said, the newbie buyer looking for a selection of opera arias for the car stereo could do much worse than this set. The group of singers represented is diverse, and it would give a U.S. listener, especially, an idea of some exciting new trends in European singing. There are some genuinely newsworthy new artists, such as Latvian soprano Elina Garanca; the drastically different qualities of her low, middle, and top registers make much more of "Come scoglio," from Mozart's "Così fan tutte," than is usually the case. There are French singers, who get a good deal less ink in anglophone countries than they deserve; Sandrine Piau and Véronique Gens both have soaring instruments familiar to those who have followed recent operatic and sacred releases of the eighteenth century, and some proportion of those who buy this album will be hooked. Countertenors are rarely heard on collections of this kind, but here is the energetic Philippe Jaroussky in an aria from Vivaldi's "Giustino." There are superb interpreters who fly under the general radar; hear Susan Graham's passionate reading of "When I am laid in earth," from Purcell's "Dido and Aeneas," in which she seems to hang on every word. And all these singers are balanced out with a selection of hunks and crowd-pleasers on disc 2, which is devoted to Italian and French repertoire from the nineteenth century; disc 1 starts with Mozart but works its way back to the early Baroque. The Donizetti selections by Rolando Villazón and Roberto Alagna are not the best-known of these young singers, but they're enough to enter the artists in the next-Three-Tenors sweepstakes. Early music fans will be heartened by this collection, and nearly everyone will find something to enjoy.
Our reader reviews allow you to share your comments on titles you liked,
or didn't, with others. By submitting an online review, you are representing to
Barnes & Noble.com that all information contained in your review is original
and accurate in all respects, and that the submission of such content by you
and the posting of such content by Barnes & Noble.com does not and will not
violate the rights of any third party. Please follow the rules below to help
ensure that your review can be posted.
Reviews by Our Customers Under the Age of 13
We highly value and respect everyone's opinion concerning the titles we offer.
However, we cannot allow persons under the age of 13 to have accounts at BN.com or
to post customer reviews. Please see our Terms of Use for more details.
What to exclude from your review:
Please do not write about reviews, commentary, or information posted on the product page. If you see any errors in the
information on the product page, please send us an email.
Reviews should not contain any of the following:
- HTML tags, profanity, obscenities, vulgarities, or comments that defame anyone
- Time-sensitive information such as tour dates, signings, lectures, etc.
- Single-word reviews. Other people will read your review to discover why you liked or didn't like the title. Be descriptive.
- Comments focusing on the author or that may ruin the ending for others
- Phone numbers, addresses, URLs
- Pricing and availability information or alternative ordering information
- Advertisements or commercial solicitation
Reminder:
- By submitting a review, you grant to Barnes & Noble.com and its
sublicensees the royalty-free, perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use the
review in accordance with the Barnes & Noble.com Terms of Use.
- Barnes & Noble.com reserves the right not to post any review -- particularly
those that do not follow the terms and conditions of these Rules. Barnes & Noble.com
also reserves the right to remove any review at any time without notice.
- See Terms of Use for other conditions and disclaimers.
Search for Products You'd Like to Recommend
Create a Pen Name
Welcome, penname
You have successfully created your Pen Name. Start enjoying the benefits of the BN.com Community today.
Editorial Reviews
All Music Guide - James Manheim
This two-disc set is a sampler of operatic singers from the corporately related Virgin Classics and EMI labels, and like most such samplers it delivers a good deal less than it promises. The marketing is scattershot, for one thing: the two-disc set purports to offer both the "new generation" of singers and "greatest arias" -- whether of these particular artists or of opera in general is not made clear, but neither contention would be defensible. The booklet notes consist of a history of opera in five paragraphs, which isn't a whole lot of use to anybody. The selections date as far back as 1991, and the artists involved are as venerable as Felicity Lott, who made her debut...