Dive into the enchanting world of bel canto with Dame Joan Sutherland's "Joan Sutherland Sings Bel Canto Arias," a captivating collection of arias that showcases her extraordinary vocal prowess. Released on November 19, 2012, this album is a testament to Sutherland's enduring legacy as an Australian dramatic coloratura soprano, known for her significant contributions to the bel canto repertoire from the late 1950s to the 1980s.
Spanning a generous 2 hours and 8 minutes, this album features a diverse array of arias from some of the most beloved operas, including works by Giuseppe Verdi, Charles Gounod, and Gaetano Donizetti. From the haunting beauty of "The Willow Song" from Verdi's "Otello" to the dramatic intensity of "The Mad Scene" from Ambroise Thomas's "Hamlet," each track is a masterclass in vocal technique and emotional expression.
Sutherland's voice soars effortlessly through the intricate melodies and demanding ranges of these arias, accompanied by the Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden and other esteemed ensembles. Highlights include the famous "Mad Scene" from Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor," the poignant "Casta Diva" from Bellini's "Norma," and the lively "Waltz Song" from Gounod's "Romeo et Juliet."
This album is not just a compilation of arias but a celebration of Joan Sutherland's artistry and her pivotal role in reviving the bel canto tradition. Whether you are a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, "Joan Sutherland Sings Bel Canto Arias" offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.
2012 Heritage Records2012 Heritage Records
Tracks
Les Huguenots: O beau paysGiacomo Meyerbeer, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Semiramide: Bel raggio lusinghierGioachino Rossini, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Linda di Chamounix: Act I, "Ah! tardai troppo...O luce di quest' anima"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, Nello Santi
Lucia di Lammermoor: Act II, "Il dolce suono mi corpi di sua voce!...Ardon gl'incensi" (Mad scene)Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, Paris Opera Chorus, Nello Santi, René Duclos
Lucia di Lammermoor: "Ancor non giunse!...Regnava nel silenzio"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, Nello Santi
I Puritani: "Son vergin vezzosa" (Polonaise)Vincenzo Bellini, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
I Puritani: "O rendetemi la speme... Qui la voce... Vien, diletto"Vincenzo Bellini, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Norma: "Sediziose voci...Casta diva...Ah! bello a me ritorna"Vincenzo Bellini, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
La Sonnambula: "Care compagne... Come per me sereno... Sovra il sen"Vincenzo Bellini, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Hamlet: The Mad SceneAmbroise Thomas, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Vespri Siciliani: Act V, "Bolero: Mercè, diletti amiche"Giuseppe Verdi, Dame Joan Sutherland, Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, Nello Santi
Rigoletto: "Caro Nome" (Recitative and Aria)Giuseppe Verdi, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Ernani: Act I, "Surta è la note...Ernani! involami"Giuseppe Verdi, Dame Joan Sutherland, Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, Nello Santi
La Traviata: "Ah, fors' è lui / Sempre libera"Giuseppe Verdi, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Otello: The Willow SongGiuseppe Verdi, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Fasut: "O Dieu! que de bijoux...Ah! je ris de me voir"Charles Gounod, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Romeo et Juliet: The Waltz SongCharles Gounod, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli