Various Composers - 'Casta Diva' Italian Soprano Opera Arias [Gheorghiu/Pido-London Symphony Orchestra]A lovely recital of Opera arias, not a compilation from other recordings cobbled together, but a proper recital with one Conductor, and a well chosen programme also, not just including the arias, but the extra bits either side, creating a greater dialogue with the storyline, and instead of '20 greatest hits', we have only 8 pieces of music, though with over an hour of music, each piece ends up lasting roughly 8 minutes, it's of course filled with the most famous pieces, but that's a good thing for me.
Angela Gheorghiu was born in Romania in 1965, she's now 46, and it's amazing how she continues to look as if she's in her 30's, she made this recording in 2000 and 2001, the photography is fantastic [by Uli Weber], the whole thing is couched in blue, nice background that matches the dress, and those sequins!, very well done, i like the way the lettering goes through the centre of the picture.
I have to admit that i have a real soft spot for Bellini, the tracks that especially touched me were 1, 5, 7 & 13, Bellini is extremely lyrical, a wonderful sense of spinning a great tune, notice how he often uses a solo woodwind instrument to weave a breathtaking vocal line, i guess i have an extra soft spot for the famous number from Bellini's I Puritani, the Qui la voce..., the intro is dominated by flutes singing the main tune to great effect [0:00-0:48], Gheorghiu has a sweet and high voice, a certain innocent tremble to it, it only lasts three and a half minutes, and it doesn't deviate from the simple rapturous tune, it's soothing and sweet, even though for the character Elvira, she sings of the distress of the abandonment of her by her Fiance, it's still touching and enchanting.
Here's Angela Gheorghiu singing Bellini's 'Qui la voce sua soave'... from I Puritani on YouTube.
