Track Listing

1. Jewel Song
2. Mi Chiamano Mimi
3. Ombre Legre (Shadow Song)
4. Micaela's Air
5. Bel Raggio Lusinghier
6. Signore, Ascolta
7. Tu Che Di Gel Sei Cinta
8. Bell Song

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #151376 in Music
• Released on: 1999-10-12
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Customer Reviews

At the top of her game
The so-called "beige album" was recorded near the start of Anna Moffo's career, and displays magnificently her beautifully milky lyric soprano. There have been very few American singers who have ever approached Moffo's mastery of the French repertoire, and this recording features two of the finest renditions of Gounod's Jewel Song and Meyerbeer's Shadow Song you are ever likely to hear. The Meyerbeer, in particular, is a real standout: Moffo executes the familiar coloratura passages with real facility and grace, but where many sopranos only use this aria only as a display of pure vocal flourish and range Moffo also makes the pathos of Dinorah's madness in this song extremely evident and moving. The only selection that doesn't seem here to be a wise choice may be the Rossini, which always sounds better with a voice like Sutherland's which can make those trills a display of pyrotechnics; Moffo's voice and technique just aren't suited for such a militant aria. But this is a tiny quibble. This album displays Anna Moffo at the top of her game at the beginning of her career, and shows what a lovely, warm, and dulcet voice she possessed.

Soprano Moffo exudes a rare sensuality...
Soprano Anna Moffo's 'beige' album is an opera buffs delight. The soprano, who largely scored in the Puccini/Verdi repertoire, also demonstrates her ability to sparkle amidst the other composers as well. The early recording shows Moffo at her best. The tone is lovely, with a radiant, warm middle and shimmering upper register. Her Gounod is delightful; a rightful owner of the Gallic line, she has a profound sense of Marguerite's jubilation and secures a perfect trill. Certainly not one to have made a career from the coloratura repertoire, nonetheless Moffo gives us an amazing 'Shadow Song' by Meyerbeer and an equally impressive 'Bel raggio..' from Rossini's 'Semirade'. The range and flexibilty is impressive and Moffo's ornamentation is always tastefully executed and never shoddy. Her BOHEME is of course, her true meat, and Puccini's ascending vocal line is even more haunting with Moffo's execution and delivery. One can feel Mimi's happiness seeing the first spring sun enter her little room. Bizet's CARMEN shows us another aria of exquisite beauty; Micaela's Aria. One of the most gorgeous arias ever composed, Moffo's interpretation is both intense and sincere a reading as ever to be found on disc. She closes with her most challenging assignment, Delibes BELL SONG (Lakme`). After minimum difficulty, Moffo delivers the goods as well as any other famous interpreter of that role, only with even more sensual lushness of tone. This CD is a must for the Moffo fan and especially for those who missed this singer in her prime.

My Introduction to Anna Moffo
This album served as my introduction to the artistry of Anna Moffo. She, like other sopranos who had the "misfortune" of appearing on the opera scene during the supremacy of Joan Sutherland, is often overlooked. Ms. Moffo is sometimes reduced to being little more than a footnote in the catalog of 20th century sopranos and is often referred to as simply being "a good soprano." However, she was more than good, she was one of the greats.

Overall, I was pleased with the majority of the selections on the CD. Her interpretation of the Lakme's Bell Song is not the best on record. Indeed, Sutherland's recordings of the aria are technically superior, but Moffo's performance here is not unsatisfactory. Her coloratura technique is passable, but she seems to be in a rush to get the final High E out of the way (so does Maria Callas on the La Divina 3 album).
Her "Signore, Ascolta," is breathtaking. She takes on the broken spirit of Liu and delivers an emotionally fluid performance.

In similar fashion, she performs the absolute BEST "Tu che di gel sei cinta" I have ever heard. If you buy the CD for no other reason, listen to the way she executes the emotional turmoil of Liu in her singing. Moffo is in total control. For some reason, most sopranos rush through this aria way too quickly, but here, Moffo takes advantage of the beautiful melody/orchestration and offers us a lush, legato performance. She sings in perfect synchronization with the orchestra. It's almost the same effect as if she were accompanying herself on the piano in free meter. I know there are many Maria Callas fans out there (including myself) but not even she can match the emotional depth and sheer vocal coloring that Moffo delivers in this aria.

I'm glad that I purchased this album. Anna Moffo is a genuine, undiscovered treasure for any opera enthusiast. Personally, she sounds very similar to Leontyne Price at times (except with more power in the middle and lower ranges and a more pleasant vibrato). I love the deceptive power of her seemingly demure voice. It has that cosmetically superficial beauty that is immediately pleasing, but just beneath the surface there is a notable muscle power to firmly support the complete vocal package (I love it!) The audio is superb and gives the impression of a grand opera hall. There's much to love about this CD. Don't miss out.