Search - Stevens, Gluck, Mozart :: Legendary Voices: Rise Stevens

Superb

Robert Ross-Lewin | 12/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Rise Stevens was the Met's leading mezzo from 1938 to 1961, and after listening to this cd, you will understand why. To begin with, her voice is simply gorgeous; her chiaroscuro is beautifully balanced, and her vocal control is fantastic (though a mezzo, she performs acrobatics one would expect from a great lyric soprano). There is also a rare natural intensity to her sound. And if you thought it couldn't get any better, it does because she interprets the music wonderfully, too. Her "Che faro?" is easily the best out there. Her Carmen ranks among the very best; contemporary reviewers described it as "earthy," "alluring," and "sublime." I prefer it to any other I have heard. Some other interpretations are lovely, too, though perhaps not as definitive. I highly recommend this cd (in case you couldn't already tell); it's just a shame that it's so difficult to come by. It took me three months to track it down, but it's well worth it."

A wide ranging mezzo-soprano with secure technique

Jack L. Honigman | Manchester, U.K. | 06/11/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Rise Stevens spread her net wide from the Met. to films. In films, she sang with Nelson Eddy, a marvelous range and sound, to the Groaner himself. From the point of view of her classical repertoire, she combines (she remains with us at the age of 96) a vocal range both from the scale to the expression of the works, combined with a most secure technique. It is interesting to compare the love song from Orfeo as found on the first track of this CD with the standard Kathleen Ferrier recording. While there is no gainsaying Ferrier's talent, the accuracy is such that it would be easy to miss the sentiment expressed here.

Altogether a very sound investment in anyone's library of recorded music."

Legendary Voices: Rise Stevens

William M. Denton | 01/03/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Very good, considering the limited state of technology from the period. Very enjoyable recording."