This album was soprano
Joan Sutherland's debut, recorded in 1960 and released the following year. The BBC some years ago named it one of the 50 greatest albums of all time, and few would disagree. It is difficult today to imagine the impact this album must have had. It includes music of various periods, French as well as Italian, but at its heart was bel canto, which was far less common at the time than it is nowadays.
Sutherland's
Bellini defines opera for many listeners, even those who may not be aware of the depth of the influence.
Sutherland's ease in the vocal ornaments have been the envy of singers ever since. She was a singer of range as well, with the chops to handle the extremes of
Rossini's
Semiramide and the insight to put across Desdemona's "Willow Song" from
Verdi's
Otello. All other readings of "Casta Diva" have had, ever since, to be measured against the one here, and there is something a bit chilling about hearing the original. Various reissues exist, but the 2011 version from
Decca is especially recommended; it includes a CD's worth of interview material with
Jon Tolansky, including not only a brief biographical overview but also close examinations of individual operas. ~ James Manheim
