Various Composers - 'Con Amore' Italian Soprano Opera Arias [Swenson/Rudel-London Symphony Orchestra]
Here's a nice little Opera Aria recital, without a Rossini in sight!, i love these compilations with a theme / programme to it, in this case it's Italian Composers, Swenson isn't the greatest i must admit, but she's very good, had this disc since 2001, and it got a fair play in it's early years, been a little neglected recently, but it's good to hear this again, i don't seem to listen to Opera Arias enough.
Ruth Ann Swenson is American, she's now 55, and she recorded this disc in 1998, the photo is a nice one [by Alex Newhall], nice and sharp, pastel colours, and really good lettering down the right side, so ten Arias in all, although there's 14 tracks, so four are split up into sections, i rubbed on letter transfers A-J to help me see where i am.
Well i guess it's the usual suspects here, the most famous Arias, i certainly enjoyed the Bellini items, he has a certain way with adding wonderful instruments, almost like having a Concerto movement at times, and 'tracks' A-E & J were my favourites, but the Aria that really touched me the most was track 7 / E 'Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi' from Puccini's La Boheme, whatever you think of Puccini, his simple melodies, his simple stories too, there's no doubt that he can move you with his music, this is one of the most touching Arias of his, after Rudolfo introduces himself to Mimi in his Aria, he asks her to tell him about her, and this is the cue for her Aria, she starts hesitatingly, and maybe a bit monotonous at first, but the lyricism soon flows, and those high notes on words of magic / love / spring [1:03-1:24], she then sings of the first rays of April's sunshine, like a kiss are hers [2:50-3:47], the high notes Swenson hits are thrilling, and also about the gentle perfume of her flowers [4:01-4:19], the whole Aria is full of heart tugs galore, you can't fail to be moved.
Here's on Swenson singing Mimi's Aria on YouTube.
Ruth Ann Swenson is American, she's now 55, and she recorded this disc in 1998, the photo is a nice one [by Alex Newhall], nice and sharp, pastel colours, and really good lettering down the right side, so ten Arias in all, although there's 14 tracks, so four are split up into sections, i rubbed on letter transfers A-J to help me see where i am.
Well i guess it's the usual suspects here, the most famous Arias, i certainly enjoyed the Bellini items, he has a certain way with adding wonderful instruments, almost like having a Concerto movement at times, and 'tracks' A-E & J were my favourites, but the Aria that really touched me the most was track 7 / E 'Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi' from Puccini's La Boheme, whatever you think of Puccini, his simple melodies, his simple stories too, there's no doubt that he can move you with his music, this is one of the most touching Arias of his, after Rudolfo introduces himself to Mimi in his Aria, he asks her to tell him about her, and this is the cue for her Aria, she starts hesitatingly, and maybe a bit monotonous at first, but the lyricism soon flows, and those high notes on words of magic / love / spring [1:03-1:24], she then sings of the first rays of April's sunshine, like a kiss are hers [2:50-3:47], the high notes Swenson hits are thrilling, and also about the gentle perfume of her flowers [4:01-4:19], the whole Aria is full of heart tugs galore, you can't fail to be moved.
Here's on Swenson singing Mimi's Aria on YouTube.
