Search - Vincenzo Bellini, Georges Bizet, Alfredo Catalani :: Natalie Choquette - La Diva

A remarkable French-Canadian Diva

Anthony Morelli | Montreal, Canada | 01/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"What a great find. To think I haven't bought anything by Natalie Choquette sooner. La Diva's content is excellent and really has Choquette on her feet as well as us. Honestly, I have been searching all over the place for any of Choquette's somewhat comical, yet renditions of masterpieces of yesteryear.
And, may I add, I never imagined her voice was so tempered and so magestic in versatility. I think she is as good as our best selling top name Classical/Opera Divas.Natalie makes singing her selections sound so easy and she is well known for her comedic performances while singing popular Classical/Operatic pieces. Not only did I like the multi-lingual selection but she can handle quite a vocal workout.
I don't regret spending my money on Natalie's La Diva.Not only do I have this CD, but also have "La Diva II", and "Diva Luna" by Choquette too! All 3 of these collections are great, but "La Diva" won me over first. There is a piece for everyone, from "Casta Diva" (Norma) or a breathtaking "La Wally" to funny yet beautiful experiences with "Ah! je ris de me voir si belle" or "Dis moi que je suis belle". Choquette goes from soft, swooning notes to high, powerhouse notes which shake the room when played at full volume.You might think the cover of this disc is comical, maybe...the slightest bit decieving, but Natalie's voice is to die for.
And she is from my hometown too. It's too bad she's not known that much in the US, but she should be.Do you like Habanera, or Un bel di (Madame Butterfly)? You have to get "La Diva" to believe it. All the material she sings here is beautiful and sung to perfection. I have watched Choquette sing live on TV before buying the CDs, and she was wonderful. That was all it took to inspire me to buy "La Diva". I hope that this review will inspire you to buy the CD online, all over the world.Here is the track list.1-Ah! Je ris de me voir si belle *(I smile of seeing my beauty)
2-Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix *(My heart opens to your voice)
3-Caro nome 4-Summertime ( from Porgy and Bess) 5-Dis moi que je suis belle *(Tell me that I am beautiful) 6-Sempre libera 7-Habanera 8-Che faro senza Euridice 9-Un bel di (From Madame Butterfly) 10-Addio del passato 11-Der Holle Rache 12-Casta Diva (from Norma) 13-Ebben ne andro lontana (La Wally)NOTE: The * (Asterisk) notes the translation of song titles.This recording was done in Montreal Canada, under the wand of Maestro Eric Lagace. A beautiful job done by Natalie Choquette.What's nice is (on the back cover) of the jewel-case, they included the year the pieces were written, and which opera/musical they were from. It's convenient and adds the the Classical feeling to this true work of art. Hope this review helps you."

Great artist en wonderfull voice

Nicole, | Neterlands | 04/30/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"She is the best classical voice from the last 5 years.
The covered song are more beautiful now because she sing`s them.
Listen and you will hear."