Search - Gioachino Rossini, Henry Lewis, L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande :: The Spectacular Voice of Marilyn Horne: Rossini / Horne

ROSSINI SINGING WITHOUT EQUAL IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY!

lesismore26 | Chicago, Illinois USA | 11/30/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If one must only one recording of Marilyn Horne, this is it. But this recording has an even greater importance in that it showcases a type of Rossini singing that has been heard from no one else in the twentieth century. Horne was a rare bird indeed ------ a mezzo soprano (sometimes even contralto) capable of executing the most astonishing technical and florid feats that would have defeated even a high coloratura soprano, save for Joan Sutherland. In fact, Horne had the equal technical proficiency of Sutherland, but in a lower range, which made them so cherishable as a team in such operas as "Norma" and "Semiramide". But Horne's gifts were so spectacular that a permanent role as Sutherland's "sidekick" would have been completely unsuitable for her. Rossini operas not heard in over a hundred years were revived for her all over the world ----- for hers was the only voice capable of executing the demands of such music. Truly, Marilyn Horne is as significant in the bel canto revival as Maria Callas, Joan Sutherland, and Montserrat Caballe (with whom she also sang on many occasions). Virtually every selection heard on this CD is an exemplary example of Horne's artistry. All of them contain vocal fireworks that flare like Roman candles, and many of them are NEVER going to be performed like this again, if they are ever done again at all, which at this time seems somewhat doubtful. Certainly we are blessed by the presence of present Rossini mezzos like Cecilia Bartoli and Jennifer Larmore ----- great singers both ------but it seems unlikely that either will ever scale the heights of Mount Rossini that Marilyn Horne did. She was truly one of a kind. For anyone who treasures spectacular and vivid examples of singing not heard in well over a century, this CD is an absolute must. I cannot run out of superlatives for this one."

Stupendous in every way

Gapare Pacchierrotti | Canada | 12/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is an incredible CD filled with wondrous singing. The art of belcanto is not just beautiful singing, and an uncanny ability to sing a million notes a second, it is giving meaning to all that technique. That is exactly what Marilyn Horne does! She breathes life and direction into the music reflecting the purpose behind the character's words, and the intention behind the composer's music. To some her presentation is too "Farward", too "hard-driven." And to others not like some wonderful diva from the past ( Superviva ). Their techniques in this music are not the same. Superviva was dazzling, but not that accurate. Horne is dazzling, and accurate! She is not the frail heroine when singing female contralto, but she is not overbearing either. As for the contralto "male" leads, well, there are none to compare, and none with her gusto. Bartoli is ravishing, but not heavy enough in sound, Lamore is wondrous, but far too feminine. Ewa Podls may have a dark musky sound ( often nearly laboured, and mushy ), but more is required to give a special gusto, a machismo, if you will, to these roles. Horne does that in spades! Though her voice is not necessarily that large a voice ( strong at the bottom and top, gentler in the middle ), and one suited well to Verdi she is not ( even at her own admission ), she has a way of making everything Rossini wrote seem fresh, new, and exciting. I must mention her singing from the catacomb scene from L'Assedio di Corinto ( Act 3, scene 1 ). If one follows the score, one soon learns Horne is not only singing the difficult music written in the Paris rewriting of the opera, but a whole scene ( the same scene actually ) found in the opera Moametto II, the aria for the character of Calbo, as well. I say a special treat for anyone, for in performance one would never hear the wealth of music one will hear here. For a good sampling of Horne's art this is a must buy, for a good introduction to the wonders of Rossini ( and more than just the Barber of Seville ), this CD is a wonderfully exciting introduction to both."

The greatest coloratura along with Sutherland

Gapare Pacchierrotti | 07/21/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is Rossini singing in the finest. Horne has no peers in coloratura. She even give Sutherland a run for her money.
Attention, Horne fans, the historic Rossini's Semiramide with Horne/Sutherland is finally available. Do a search for
Horne, Semiramide and you'll get Rossini's neglected masterpiece containing the most difficult music ever written for the human voice. Coupled with Sutherland, the duets make their Norma duets seem like nothing.
I recommend this Rossini cd highly. And I also recommend the Semiramide. I love Rossini!"