Step back in time to the golden age of opera with Nicolai Gedda's "The First Ten Years, 1952-1962," a captivating collection that showcases the Swedish tenor's remarkable early career. This album, released by Bluebell in 2012, is a testament to Gedda's extraordinary vocal prowess and versatility, featuring a selection of his most memorable performances from the 1950s and early 1960s.
Spanning a variety of iconic operas, this 13-track album offers a diverse range of arias and songs that highlight Gedda's ability to convey depth and nuance in his performances. From the haunting beauty of "Viens, gentille dame" from "La dame blanche" to the powerful "Celeste Aida" from "Aida," each track is a masterclass in vocal artistry. The album also includes notable works from Mozart's "Don Giovanni" and "Così fan tutte," as well as excerpts from "Don Pasquale," "Oberon," "Prince Igor," and "La forza del destino."
Gedda's collaboration with the Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra and other esteemed musicians adds an extra layer of richness to these recordings. The album's duration of 70 minutes provides a substantial and satisfying listening experience, making it an essential addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection. Whether you're a longtime fan of Nicolai Gedda or a newcomer to his work, "The First Ten Years, 1952-1962" is a treasure trove of operatic brilliance that stands the test of time.
2012 Bluebell2012 Bluebell
Tracks
La dame blanche: Act II: Viens, gentille dameFrançois-Adrien Boieldieu, Nicolai Gedda, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Stig Rybrant
Don Pasquale: Act II: Recitative and Aria: Provero Ernesto … Cerchero lontana terreGaetano Donizetti, Nicolai Gedda, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Stig Rybrant
Don Giovanni, K. 527, Act II: Aria: Il mio tesoro intantoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Nicolai Gedda, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Sten Frykberg
Così fan tutte, K. 588: Act I: Aria: Un'aura amorosaWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Nicolai Gedda, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Sten Frykberg
Così fan tutte, K. 588: Act II: Cavatina: Tradito, schernitoWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Nicolai Gedda, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Sten Frykberg
Oberon, J. 306: Act II: Von Jugend auf schon in KampfgefildCarl Maria von Weber, Nicolai Gedda, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Prince Igor (Knyaz Igor): Act II: Aria: Ty li, Vladimir moy, ty li?Alexander Borodin, Nicolai Gedda, Kerstin Meyer, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Stig Rybrant
Aida: Act I: Se quel guerrier io fossi! … Celeste AidaGiuseppe Verdi, Nicolai Gedda, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Aida: Act IV: La fatal pietra sovra me si chiuse … O terra addioGiuseppe Verdi, Nicolai Gedda, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
La forza del destino, Act III: Ne gustare m'e dato un'ora (Sung in Swedish)Giuseppe Verdi, Nicolai Gedda, Björn Forsell, Stig Rybrant
Roméo et Juliette, CG 9: Act II: Ah! Leve-toi, soleilCharles Gounod, Nicolai Gedda, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
Roméo et Juliette, CG 9: Act II: Va repose en paixCharles Gounod, Nicolai Gedda, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Nils Grevillius
4 Visor i folkton (4 Folk Ballads), Op. 5: No. 3. Som stjärnorna på himmelenWilhelm Peterson-Berger, Nicolai Gedda, Swedish Radio Orchestra, Tor Mann