Mozart Heroines; Natalie Dessay

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
On previous releases, Natalie Dessay has established herself as perhaps the leading coloratura soprano of the day. Consider, for example, her artistry on the 1998 Lakmé. From the sensational fireworks heard in The Magic Flute's "Queen of the Night" arias that open and close this stimulating disc, her venture into the Mozart repertory is a resounding success. Dessay's elaborate embellishments in the arias from some of Mozart's little-known earlier works are as breathtaking--the high-flying aria from Ascanio in Alba leaves one begging for more. But roles like Pamina in The Magic Flute and Kostanze in The Abduction from the Seraglio are more properly the province of lyric sopranos, and often one feels the need for a voice with more expansive depth. Dessay nicely captures the tenderness in her affecting "Ach, ich fühl" lines, but Kostanze's "Martern aller Arten" would benefit from a juicier mid- and lower range. But the coloratura arias alone are worth hearing for their thrilling vocalism. --Dan Davis

Tracks:

Die Zauberflote, K.620: Akt II: Arie Der Holle Rache
Die Zauberflote, K.620: Akt II. Arie: Ach, Ich Fuhl's
Lucio Silla, K.135: Atto II. Recitativo: Vanne, T'affreta...
Lucio Silla, K.135: Atto II. Aria: Ah Se Il Crudel Periglio
Zaide (Das Serail), K.344: Akt I. Arie: Ruhe Sanft, Mein Holdes Leben
Zaide (Das Serail), K.344: Akt II. Arie: Tiger! Wetze Nur Die Klauen
Ascanio In Alba, K.111: Dal Tuo Gentil Sembiante
Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail, K.384: Akt II. Rezitativ: Welcher Wechsel...
Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail, K.384: Akt II. Arie: Traurigkeit Ward Mir Zum Lose
Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail, K.384: Akt II. Arie: Martern Aller Arten
Idomeneo, Re Di Creta, K.366: Atto III. Recitativo: Solitudini Amiche...
Idomeneo, Re Di Creta, K.366: Atto III. Aria: Zeffiretti Lunsinghieri
Die Zauberflote, K.620: Akt I. Arie: O Zittre Nicht, Mein Lieber Sohn!

Amazon.com

On previous releases, Natalie Dessay has established herself as perhaps the leading coloratura soprano of the day. Consider, for example, her artistry on the 1998 Lakmé. From the sensational fireworks heard in The Magic Flute's "Queen of the Night" arias that open and close this stimulating disc, her venture into the Mozart repertory is a resounding success. Dessay's elaborate embellishments in the arias from some of Mozart's little-known earlier works are as breathtaking--the high-flying aria from Ascanio in Alba leaves one begging for more. But roles like Pamina in The Magic Flute and Kostanze in The Abduction from the Seraglio are more properly the province of lyric sopranos, and often one feels the need for a voice with more expansive depth. Dessay nicely captures the tenderness in her affecting "Ach, ich fühl" lines, but Kostanze's "Martern aller Arten" would benefit from a juicier mid- and lower range. But the coloratura arias alone are worth hearing for their thrilling vocalism. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Dessay Shows How It's Done.......2007-03-23

Any musician will tell you that Mozart is difficult. The central difficulty with Mozart is that it must sound effortless. It must float, like gossamer. There is always a clear forward momentum, even in the slower, lyrical passages. The challenge is that technical difficulties abound in Mozart's music. These difficulties extend beyond the obviously difficult 16th notes and high notes. There are also ensemble challenges, both in terms of rythm and relative pitches. The singer must tune to sometimes fickle instruments, such as flute or oboe. Thus, it takes a lot of confidence and even more game to release a compilation CD of just Mozart arias. Dessay has the confidence and game to release such a CD.

Dessay leads off with guns a-blazin' by singing "Der Holle Rache" from "The Magic Flute". This is a punishing aria with high F's and coloratura passages that most women can't sing at all. I agree with some of the reviews that noticed some minor intonation issues, but there are more criteria by which to judge this performance than the 3 or 4 pitchy notes. Her intention is very strong, and it could be her intensity that causes her to lose some support. Her support is extraordinary in the coloratura passages. Natalie follows these fireworks with Pamina's famous aria, the poignant "Ach ich fuls". Some have said that Natalie's voice is too light for Pamina. This may be true in our age of obsessive pigeon-holing of voices, but she sings it beautifully. Natalie returns to the Queen of the Night character by closing this CD with "O zittre nicht, mein lieber Sohn!". It is very well done.

I really enjoyed some of the lesser known arias on this CD. The arias from "Zaide" were gorgeous, and the aria from "Ascanio in Alba" was vintage Mozart.

Perhaps the best arias on the CD were from "Abduction from the Seraglio", "Welcher Wechsel..Traurigkeit" and "Martern aller Arten".

Natalie collaborates with the sensitive Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment under Louis Langree. This is a great pick for her small voice. In addition, the sound engineering is perfect, and a real tribute to the staff of Virgin Classics. All told, this is a wonderful collection that will give you over an hour of beautiful Mozart arias that are well sung and played.

Highly recommended.

HIgh Gs?!?.......2006-10-14

Yes, there is one, very short, in the aria from "Lucio Silla". I expected more from the way some reviewers described this cd. Alas, I have perfect pitch - those Gs (yes, as mentioned above, there is a pretty short one) are, of course, Fs. No problem! Just not quite as high as some think. Obviously, not many singers have as fabulous an f''' as Miss Dessay. This really is an excellent recording, though I prefer the timbre and technique of the young Gruberova - her Mozart concert arias are heavenly.

Super-human Singing!.......2006-06-12

I hadn't ever heard of Natalie Dessay before I bought this CD, and I've been a fan of hers ever since. She has got one, if not the highest ranges of our time.As easy as her high notes sound, you wouldn't think she is singing high at all. The way she floats those High C's and High D's is just amazing. Especially at the end of "Ah se il crudel periglio", where she belts out a full throated High F that sends chills down your spine. And I would even venture to say that she equals, if not exceeds, Joan Sutherland (whom I also love) in coloratura ability. All her runs are spot on. On top of all that she has perfect legato. This CD is a showcase of one who has been blessed with incredible, almost super natural singing abilities. I would definitely buy it.

Okay, but not spectacular.......2006-01-29

I'm trying to understand her appeal. Yes, her high notes are INCREDIBLE but so are Mady Mesple's and Sumi Jo's and Lily Pon's and Joan Sutherland's and...well you get the picture. It IS nice to have a sample of Mozart'a lesser known arias and after listening to this cd 3 years after I bought it at the urging of my voice teacher I would probably rate this at 3 stars instead of two but I still don't like her middle range and there is no low range. Doesn't exsist. I just can't worship her like my own personally savior like my teacher thinks I should. I just don't see the perfection that others do. And she may be an incredibly gifted actress on the stage which I would not know as I have not seen her but her interepertation of every song leaves me cold. She sounds almost robotic in some places. And I simply hate her "revenge aria" from Mozart's Magic Flute. So many people have just done it so much better.

The best Mozart recital you'll hear!.......2005-06-12

I bought this CD around four years ago and it has been heard in my house and garden many, many times. I have never been less than delighted and moved by Natalie Dessay's performances of these arias.
The selection of arias is excellent - we are presented with a very agreeable collection of familiar and less familiar arias from the major and minor operas (if you consider any of Mozart's operas "minor" - I do not!).

Natalie Dessay sings with HIP sensibilities and her orchestra, The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, is one of the world's greatest period instrument bands.

Listen to "Ah se il crudel periglio" from Lucio Silla and "Marten aller Arten" from Die Entführung aus dem Serail and you will be hooked. She also sings the more tender arias like "Ach, Ich fühl's" from Zauberflöte and the famous "Ruhe sanft, mein holdes Leben" from Zaide with great pathos and style, too. The timbre of mademoiselle Dessay's voice is very attractive and she knows how to introduce just enough "edge" into her voice when necessary. We hear singing that is stylish, intelligent, characterful, dynamic and deeply moving on this CD.

I do not normally have much time for aria compilation CDs, but this one is totally good.

Please ignore any of the negative reviews of this CD. This is modern Mozart sung by a singer who really "knows her stuff" when it comes to 18th century music, accompanied by an orchestra that specialises in this music.

I can listen to this CD at any time of the day or night and it always puts me into a good mood. What more can I say?!

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