Opera aria recitals have a tendency to either work fantastically, or fall flat on their face, this is definitely in the former category, a recital that is based on Italian Composers, and a nice mix of the big three, not only does Gheorghiu give us the famous aria, but also the 'number' before or after it, to give it a greater coherence / storyline, all coupled with great singing, and and a great visual presentation, it make for a great musical evening of an hour of music, i played this wonderful disc last year also [27th February 2012].
Angela Gheorghiu is Romanian, she's now 47, and she made this disc in 2000 & 2001, the front cover is truly inspired [photo by Uli Weber], a stunning shot of Gheorghiu, in a blue ball gown with sequins of what look like petals, a dark blue background against the milky white skin, hair blowing by some fan, and the lettering is so well done, nicely placed symmetrical across the front, and the red logo sticks out like a sore thumb, but i like that very much, and even the back cover is well done, showing a full length shot of Gheorghiu, notice that i've added 'rub on transfer' letters to the numbers, as this helps me to clearly differentiate each work, this is one of the best visual discs i own.
All of these arias where so inspired, even Rossini's 'Una Voce Poco Fa', which can sometimes grate me with it's continuous repetitions at the end, well it was the title track that i found so compelling, Bellini is the master of creating a truly memorable aria, it's his especial way with using a wind instrument to 'double' as the vocal line that makes his music perform wonders, here's it's the flute that 'sings' the aria as a sort of introduction at first [0:20-1:38], so that when Gheorghiu comes in [1:46+], we're already primed with the melody, and we know what to expect, but only the Singer takes it further, culminating in the most exquisite launch into the treble stratosphere [2:57-3:32], now that's what truly makes an aria, but there's more!, and we're given a second dosage in another verse [4:42+], with Gheorghiu launching off again [5:53-6:28], and i find myself also catapulted into the stratosphere also!, Gheorghiu rounds off the aria with a short cabaletta with the female chorus [the Druid Priestesses], the whole thing is a tremendous of example of everything what an aria should be, i loved it!.
Here's Gheorghiu singing Bellini's 'Casta Diva' on YouTube.
Angela Gheorghiu is Romanian, she's now 47, and she made this disc in 2000 & 2001, the front cover is truly inspired [photo by Uli Weber], a stunning shot of Gheorghiu, in a blue ball gown with sequins of what look like petals, a dark blue background against the milky white skin, hair blowing by some fan, and the lettering is so well done, nicely placed symmetrical across the front, and the red logo sticks out like a sore thumb, but i like that very much, and even the back cover is well done, showing a full length shot of Gheorghiu, notice that i've added 'rub on transfer' letters to the numbers, as this helps me to clearly differentiate each work, this is one of the best visual discs i own.
All of these arias where so inspired, even Rossini's 'Una Voce Poco Fa', which can sometimes grate me with it's continuous repetitions at the end, well it was the title track that i found so compelling, Bellini is the master of creating a truly memorable aria, it's his especial way with using a wind instrument to 'double' as the vocal line that makes his music perform wonders, here's it's the flute that 'sings' the aria as a sort of introduction at first [0:20-1:38], so that when Gheorghiu comes in [1:46+], we're already primed with the melody, and we know what to expect, but only the Singer takes it further, culminating in the most exquisite launch into the treble stratosphere [2:57-3:32], now that's what truly makes an aria, but there's more!, and we're given a second dosage in another verse [4:42+], with Gheorghiu launching off again [5:53-6:28], and i find myself also catapulted into the stratosphere also!, Gheorghiu rounds off the aria with a short cabaletta with the female chorus [the Druid Priestesses], the whole thing is a tremendous of example of everything what an aria should be, i loved it!.
Here's Gheorghiu singing Bellini's 'Casta Diva' on YouTube.
