Search - Robert Merrill, Gioachino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi :: Lebendige Vergangenheit: Robert Merrill

Superb singing

Peter Reeve | Thousand Oaks, CA USA | 02/19/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Of the Merrill CDs currently on offer, this one, with its 20 tracks, seems to offer most baritone for your buck. The sound quality is adequate but not great. The duet with Dorothy Kirsten is barely adequate, as Kirsten's light voice does not fare so well on early recordings. The packaging has a cheap feel to it, the insert notes being a couple of pages of biography in German, followed by an English translation. The track listing gives minimum information. The cover displays the singer's rather absurd matinee-idol good looks and announces, "Lebendige Vergangenheit", which is German for something or other (I think it means something like 'living past'). It is part of a very extensive series featuring historic recordings from famous singers of the past.



The first 12 tracks are from the classical repertoire, followed by 6 theatrical songs. The collection is rounded off with 2 spirituals. Merrill is completely at ease in all these genres.



The aria from Hamlet is stirring stuff, but for most listeners the largo from The Barber of Seville will remain their favorite. Merrill's rich baritone is in perfect control throughout.



By all accounts, Merrill was an indifferent actor at best and not the easiest person to get along with. But his voice is sheer pleasure. If you do not absolutely insist on remastered recordings, and if you would welcome a break from the current glut of tenors, you should add this CD to your collection.

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