Search - Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti, Gioachino Rossini :: Cecilia Bartoli - An Italian Songbook (Bellini, Donizetti, Rossini)

Beautiful

G. Sawaged | Canada | 11/10/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my very first album of Cecilia Bartoli. Actually my first album by any female opera singer. So this review is written by someone who is lacking a lot of knowledge in this field, but I have to say that I just love this album. And the more I listen to it, the more I enjoy it and want to hear more of her work, as well as that by other great classical singers. Some reviewers here seem to complain about her voice, but to me, she sings like an Angel. The pianist, James Levine is wonderful too and adds to the whole listening experience. The booklet is good too, as it has all the Italian lyrics with an English translation so you know what the song is about."

A bel canto masterpiece

G. Newby | Memphis, TN United States | 08/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Some listeners may be disappointed because Bartoli, who has a history of taking on the heavy stuff, has suddenly gone off on a tangent and recorded these lovely little pieces taken from the Italian bel canto tradition. These were the kind of songs performed in salons and drawing rooms, parlor music if you will, but don't let that fool you. Bartoli is a vocal genius through and through, and she makes each of these numbers sparkle with something rare. The music has a charm of its own, but it takes a skilled interpreter like Bartoli to really make that evident. Then there's her pianist, James Levine, who is better known as a master conductor. Levine is a gifted musician in his own right, despite the bad hair, and his articulate phrasing is delightful in and of itself. His nimble playing has a joyful quality about it, making him the perfect accompaniment to Bartoli's delightful voice. The album's final track, a tarantella by Rossini entitled "La danza," provides an exquistite ending to a collection of 20 masterful performances. In fact, its so good you're likely to find yourself hitting the play button again."

Lovely rendition of Italian songs

Steven A. Peterson | Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL) | 03/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The booklet coming with the CD says of Cecilia Bartoli that she "is justly famous for her coloratura mezzo-soprano voice and her interpretations of Rossini and Mozart." This CD features her lush voice taking on songs of three great Bel Canto composers--Rossini, Bellini, and Donizetti. Some might think of these as trifles, but the singing and musicality is rich and the songs evocative. The piano accompaniment is by famed conductor James Levine, and he does a splendid job.



Some sampling of the songs. . . . The CD begins with a song by Rossini, "Aragones." This is lushly sung; Bartoli has a wondrously rich and textured voice. The pace is contemplative, altogether consistent with the words of the song, the reflection of a disappointed lover. Well done.



Donizetti's "Il barcaiolo" is also well done. Bartoli shows her vocal agility in this tune. This is a spirited song, and her coloratura technique animates her rendition. There are segments sung forte, showing the power of her voice. There is a nice soft closing to the song, so she ranges from forte to piano.



Bellini is represented, too. His "Vaga luna che inargenti" is a pleasant love song. Bartoli sings this tenderly, creating a melancholy spirit, fitting the song's words.



To close, there is Rossini's wonderful tarantella, "La danza." Levine plays at a quick pace, as he must for this spirited song. Bartoli shows great vocal agility and strong breath control (this is a tough song to get right!). A wonderfully spirited version. She even takes a pass at a trill toward the close. All in all, most satisfying.



Thus, this represents a nice CD, showing Bartoli's skills with the songs of some of the great Bel Canto composers. An album that is a lot of fun to listen to!

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