Search - Charles Gounod, Richard [Classical] Wagner, Gioachino Rossini :: Nezhdanova: In Opera & Song

Illuminating

David Saemann | 12/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Here we get to hear a soprano who premiered operas by Rimsky-Korsakov, Prokofiev, and Rachmaninoff. The last named even dedicated his Vocalise to her. For me, having never heard of Nezhdanova before, this disc was a real discovery. She sings with a full tone and impeccable technique, and also great intelligence. The program is divided between acoustical and electrical recordings, with the former containing all the operatic performances. Nezhdanova is particularly impressive as Violetta in La Traviata and as Rosina in The Barber of Seville, indicating that she could have given Maria Callas quite a run for her money. Although these operatic selections are early recordings, the voice always comes through fully. There also is a haunting acoustical recording of Solveig's Song from Grieg's incidental music for Peer Gynt. The electrical recordings all are songs, indicating that Nezhdanova preserved her voice well into her 60's. There are two delightfully spicy Spanish songs, and a lovely song by Glazunov. In my case, and perhaps in yours, too, Nezhdanova may be the best soprano you've never heard of."