Various Composers - 'Nuit Resplendissante' French Mezzo Soprano Opera Arias [Kasarova /Chaslin-Munchner Rundfunkorchester]A few days ago my 'disc of the day' was another French Opera Arias disc [17th March 2010], and here's another, with only one Aria duplicated.
Vessalina Kasarova is Bulgarian, she's a Mezzo-Soprano, so a bit darker/heavier, she's got a great sense of drama about her, and a distinctive voice, it's surprising she's nearly 45, she looks a lot younger.
I was mightily impressed with the aria 'O Ma Lyre Immortelle' from Gounod's Opera Sapho, about the Poetess Sapho who commits suicide at the end of the Opera, by throwing herself into the sea, the aria on this recording is preceded by a 2 minute recitative intro, the aria starts of course with the Harp [Lyre] that Sapho is strumming [2:02 onwards], and then this gorgeous Cor Anglais lament comes in [2:04-2:25], and this same Cor Anglais tune keeps making appearances [3:03-3:11 & 3:58-4:20], the Horns / broiling sea starts to growl [4:27+], while Sapho/Kasarova sings,
Farewell, light of the world
Descend into the ocean!
I shall sink beneath the waves
into eternal rest
The Orchestra sing a saddened and troubled version of the Cor Anglais tune, this time punctuated with dissonant flutes [5:57-6:24], while Kasarova sings,
Open up, briny deep, open up!
I shall sleep forever under the sea!
She throws herself off the cliff, a very dramatic Aria, full of imagery and power, very effective at welling up all sorts of emotions.
Here's Kasarova singing 'O Ma Lyre Immortelle' on YouTube.
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