Track Listing

1. Samson, oratorio, HWV 57: Let the bright seraphim
2. Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492: Dove sono
3. Vesperae solennes de confessore for soloists, chorus & orchestra, K. 339: Laudate Dominum
4. Ave Maria, for voice & piano (after Bach's Prelude No. 1 from the Well-Tempered Clavier, Book 1)
5. La Traviata, opera: Attendo, attendo...Addio del passato
6. Tosca, opera: Vissi d'arte
7. Gianni Schicchi, opera: O mio babbino
8. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Ecco: respiro appena. Io son l'umile ancella
9. La Rondine (The Swallow), opera: Chi il bel sogno di Doretta
10. Louise, opera: Depuis le jour
11. Requiem, for 2 solo voices, chorus, organ & orchestra, Op. 48: Pie Jesu
12. Baïlèro, folksong for voice & orchestra (Chants d'Auvergne, Series 1, No. 2)
13. Tonight, song (from 'West Side Story')
14. Summertime, song (from Porgy and Bess, opera)
15. Someone to Watch Over Me, song (from Oh, Kay!, musical)
16. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes, song (from 'Roberta')
17. Let's Face the Music and Dance, song (from 'Follow the Fleet')
18. True love, song (from 'High Society')
19. Liverpool Oratorio for soloists, chorus & orchestra: The world you're coming into
20. World in Union, song (after Holst's Jupiter Suite)

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #42063 in Music
• Released on: 2001-11-20
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Customer Reviews

A Great Tribute to a Great Singer
Kiri Te Kanawa is one of the best lyric sopranos of all time, with luscious sound and a great technique. This album present this beautiful singer in some of her best recordings. The range of her career is presented in full display here, from her brilliant version of Handel's Let the Bright Seraphim through the pop song World in Union. There is a glimpse of her wonderful Mozart in a masterful rendition of Dove Sono from LE NOZZE DI FIGARO and Laudate Dominum from Vesperae solennes de Confessore K339. Other highlights of the recording are the two Puccini arias that she sang as part of the soundtrack of the Merchant Ivory movie A Room with a View. These arias (O mio babbino caro from Gianni Schicchi and Chi bel sogno di Doretta from LA RONDINE) are as beautiful as I remembered from watching the film, the voice is fresh and clear, full of expression. The lighter numbers showcase Dame Kiri's capacity to change musical styles while maintaining an excellent technical skill. All this musical pleasure is enhanced by a booklet with magnificent photographs of the singer, showing how her personal beauty is in perfect harmony with the beauty of her singing voice. The only regret I have is that there is nothing of Richard Strauss here, a composer that has been very important for the soprano's career. Anyway, this CD is a great souvenir of Kiri Te Kanawa's career and a great way to introduce people to an artist who is still today giving much pleasure to people all around the world.

What a voice!! Goosebump city.
I purchased this CD based on the favorable reviews already listed, and I wish to thank those reviewers profusely. Several years ago I saw a TV special on the life of Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and had always intended to acquire some of her recordings. This compilation fits the bill very well. Nearly all of the tracks have been previously released on other CDs and I will undoubtedly purchase some of those after hearing this sampler. Kiri is the female equivalent of Pavarotti--an opera singer that has a voice and artistic ability to reach listeners without a background or knowledge in opera. I do not know nor care about how opera "purists" might appraise this CD. The voice just captivates me, for its richness and precision. This is another CD that you play when you have the time to just sit and do nothing but listen to it, concentrate and appreciate.

Brava Kiri! Brava!
Earlier this evening, I had a unique privilege in seeing Dame Kiri Te Kanawa live here in Edinburgh at Usher Hall and truly it was a captivating experience, I booked the ticket six months ealier for I know it would be sold out.

Dame Kiri has always been my favourite soprano (and of course Renee Fleming), and the moment she sang her first note, it was electrifying. Even the moment she walked on stage with pianist Julian Reynolds, her beauty took my breath away. She has beauty, stage presence and a captivating voice.

I admire Dame Kiri that she has chosen songs/arias which is suitable to her voice which has darkened (but still beautiful) because of age. She's 59 but can still hold an audience with her special brand of kiri magic. i just love her.

This cd is a good introduction to non-opera connoseurs and even to opera purist this will have a wide appeal. From her Handel's Let the Bright Seraphim which catapulted her to legendary status, Puccini's Vissi d' Arte and of course, her hugely successful song from Chants d' Auvergne, Canteloub's Bailero.This cd is worth having.

Her Puccini's O mio babbino caro is something she made her own that when she sang it earlier as the final encore the audience stood up in rapturous applause (I am actually the first one who had the courage to stand up!)

Dame Kiri is perhaps one of the top three greatest female voices that ever lived and I hope she continues to ignite her magical voice to audiences world wide. Rarely would we see a performer who has grace, class, serenity and vocal beauty like Dame Kiri.

Brava Dame Kiri, Brava!!!