Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. Eccomi In Lieta Vesta
2. Oh! Quante Volte..
3. Si, Fuggire..
4. Odi Tu?
5. Vieni, Ah! Vieni
6. Care Compagne..
7. Come Per Me Sereno
8. Sovra Il Sen
9. Sediziose Voci..
10. Casta Diva...
11. Ah! Bello A Me Ritorna!
12. Bel Raggio Lusinghier
13. Una Voce Poco Fa

Disc 2:

1. Ancor Non Giunse?
2. Regnfava Nel Silenzio
3. Quando Rapito In Estasi
4. Sulla Tomba Che Rinserra..
5. Qui Di Sposa Eterna Fede
6. Ah! Verrano A Te Sull'Aure
7. Il Pallor, Funesto, Orrendo
8. Che Fia? Suonar Di Giubilo
9. Se Tradirmi Tu Portrai
10. Il Dolce Suono
11. Ardon Gl' Incensi
12. Spargi D' Amaro Pianto
13. Deciso E Dunque

Disc 3:

1. Gli Sguardi Trattieni
2. O Zittre Nicht, Mein Lieber Sohn
3. Zum Leiden Bin Ich Auserkoren
4. Der Hoelle Rache Kocht In Meinem Herzen
5. Crudele?
6. Non Mi Dir Bell' Idol Mio
7. E Susanna Non Vien!
8. Dove Sono I Bei Momenti
9. Wie Dnahte Mir Der Schlummer
10. Leise, Leise, Fromme Weise
11. Dall' Infame Banchetto
12. Tu Del Mio Carlo
13. Ou Va La Jeune Indoue?
14. Nobles Seigneurs, Salut!
15. Ah! Je Veux Vivre Dans La Reve
16. A Vos Jeux, Mes Amis
17. Partagez-Vous Mes Fleurs!
18. Pale Et Blonde

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #287206 in Music
• Released on: 2004-01-01
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Import

Customer Reviews

La prima donna di bel canto!
This is a true gem. Some of the most beautiful works of Bellini, Rossini and Donizetti, followed with a brilliant example of versatility within the confines of a little known thing called 'appropriate repertoire'.

She might be unconvincing on the lowest note of 'Una voce poco fa', her Donna Anna might not be the greatest interpretation ever heard, three or four of the bell-imitating fioriture of 'Ou va la jeune indoue' may not be as clean as the rest of her shining coloratura and the last note of this, the Bell Song, might be hundredths of a semitone under, but by the gods, this recording is more faultless than one could dare to hope!

Edita Gruberova's glistening coloratura, spectacular range, pure and balanced tone, and intelligent musicality are hallmarks of a true bel canto diva. Her 'Eccomi in lieta vesta' and 'Oh, quante volte' are simply reference recordings of the literature. The 'Sediziose voci' gives a commanding introduction to the famed cavatina and cabaletta, showing the great richness of which this voice is capable. The 'Casta diva' does not languish but is undescribably brilliant, heartwarming and heartrending at the same time, and the 'Ah bello a me ritorna' a reminder of the coloratura fireworks of the great Dame herself. The 'Una voce poco fa', an interesting choice for a soprano noted for her performances of the Queen of the Night, is not only brilliantly sung, but impeccably characterised, with ornaments that will leave your jaw hanging.

The mixed bag, with numbers such as 'O zittre nicht, mein lieber sonn' and the most stirring 'Je veux vivre dans ce reve' I've heard, add to an amazing recording that words hardly describe. Listen for an interesting addition of the under-appreciated aria "Wie nahte mir der schlummer..Leise, leise, fromme weise", which is truly satisfying.

This recording cannot be recommended highly enough, and nor can Edita Gruberova, a singer whose virtuosity can be described by the fact that, despite being at the age many singers choose to retire, she is the current reigning stage and recording Norma. Money well spent, and a truly awe-inspiring and beautiful experience.

Queen of Coloratura
Edita Gruberova's distinct, clear voice is shown off perfectly in this 3CD compilation. There are 2 recitals and highlights from her first recording of Lucia di Lammermoor. A wonderful example of today's leading coloratura soprano.

This is what singing can and should be
"Ms. Gruberova is a true consummate artist"- that is an understatement. She has power over her voice to make it do things that very few humans can, and yet she spins her vocal lines with audacity and abandon. Her voice, from top to bottom, is limpid, flexible, and fluid. Her recording of the aria from Romeo and Juliette is by far my favorite recording of this aria because she captures the youthfulness of Juliette through stunning up-and-down singing in a tone that is uniform and brilliant from top to bottom- and yet entirely spontaneous and hysterical, just as a young pubertal woman would if she possessed an instrument as TREMENDOUS as Ms. Gruberova's. There are moments when you can actually feel how flexible and poised her larynx, soft palate, and tongue are. Her instrument is truly a divine gift to mankind!