Search - Marilyn Horne :: Souvenir of a Golden Era - Opera Arias

Not competition for Cecilia's "Maria," but worthy indeed

Bartolo | New York City, New York USA | 03/16/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Since both Cecilia Bartoli's "Maria" and the re-issue of Horne's "Souvenir" were attempts to recall the repertory and style of Maria Malibran (and, with Horne's album, her equally accomplished sister Pauline), I had expected some overlap of programs, perhaps enough to say I preferred one over the other. No such overlap occurs: "Maria" capitalizes on little-heard arias and encore songs, delightful in themselves; Horne devotes most attention to well-known Rossini show stoppers, and one each of Beethoven, Bellini, Gluck, Gounod and Verdi. So I can prize both releases without having to worry about a head-to-head evaluation.



Horne's old appearance on a DVD (from a black-and-white Italian RAI-TV recording) with Caballe in Rossini's "Semiramide," her live recording with Sills in La Scala's "The Siege of Corinth," and her spectacular solos on the Bonynge/Sutherland collection "The Art of Bel Canto" awoke me to the incredible range and early magnificence of Horne ca. 1960. The metallic, somewhat nasal quality of lower register that I associated with her later, post-1980 appearances is here sometimes, but less pronounced, and more than compensating are wonderful turns in the upper register, an agility to rival any and a authoritative early command of bel canto techique.



Henry Lewis's orchestra sounds full and fine, the chorus likewise. This is not a compilation excerpted from recordings of individual operas, as with most aria collections, but that rare bird, the studio recording of an opera recital against full orchestra and chorus, with all the silken continuity that implies.



The transfer from the 60's Decca masters seems to have been accomplished optimally. I am only a recent opera enthusiast, I should admit, and will await correction from my betters, if any is needed. But I daresay for most bel canto lovers and fans of Horne, this set is welcome indeed."

The art of (mezzo) prima donna

C. Pacheco | Houston, TX | 06/23/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Incredible historical recording, this to me needs to be held up on the same level as Joan Sutherland's great "The art of prima donna". This is truly a display of incredible vocal talent, incredible music written for possible the biggest Divas of the 19th century, Maria Malibran and Pauline Viardot.

Marilyn's voice is always attractive and powerful, her coloratura is perfect, the range is AMAZING like in "Bel Raggio" where high sopranos go to the E above high C, Marilyn takes you to the contralto low E and back up in a jump of 2 octaves! I specially like her youthful tone in this recording, still the low notes are booming but the tone is overall sweeter and less metallic (except on the high B's in some of the songs).

A must have for any bel canto lover. No direct competition to Bartoli's wonderful album "Maria", but certainly a treasure all on its own."