Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Raymond Leppard, Scottish Chamber Orchestra :: Mozart Recital: Janet Baker

Mozart, Baker & Leppard: It Doesn't Get Much Better

veryclassy | hummelstown, PA United States | 11/26/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Janet Baker was considered by some to be peerless as a recital performer. Her 27 year career on the opera stage included many performances of Mozart operas. Even though this disc was made three years after her retirement from the limelight, Dame Baker's talents and experience are superbly displayed in these diva arias penned by Mozart and in his vocally challenging motet Exultate jubilate. As a mezzo-soprano, Janet Baker sings with great variety. Feel her passion in the Arias di Madame Lucilla that Mozart and da Ponte wrote for a Soler opera, Il burbero di buon cuore ("The surly man with a good heart"). Listen to the haunting quality in the depth of her tone displayed in the Aria di Sesto from La Clemenza di Tito and the Recitativo & Rondo di Imamante from Idomeneo. Then listen to the rich sound of her voice in the Rondo di Susanna from Le Nozze di Figaro. Skip to the last track, and she is singing bright and clear in the bouncing Exultate jubilate motet. Raymond Leppard, an experienced opera conductor, leads the Scottish Chamber Orchestra (a fine group with an up and coming reputation). Their accompaniment is ideal, melodic yet never intrusive. This is a fine spotlight display of a talented singer whose career may have been overshadowed by her competitors - bel canto soprano Sutherland and mezzo-soprano Horne. One drawback is that the disc notes contain no libretto for the lyrics. Unless you're fluent in Italian, you are left with listening to Janet Baker's voice as the ultimate instrument. And, a beautiful sounding instrument it is. Whether it's the quality of the performances or the sub-50 minute length of the disc, when the music ends you're left wanting more."