Dolora Zajick - The Art of the Dramatic Mezzo-Soprano

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Dolora Zajick is a real rarity--a true dramatic mezzo-soprano. Her voice, live and on disc, is huge and lush and absolutely even from the deepest chest tones all the way up to the high B natural. With a sound so ample, she's occasionally unsubtle, but on this recital CD, she sings Dalila's music with great gentleness and allure, while portraying Azucena (in Trovatore), Eboli (in Don Carlo) and the Princess (in Adriana Lecouvreur) with vigor, generous tone, and the correct rage. She also sings the Sleepwalking Scene from Verdi's Macbeth, rising to the high D-flat at its close softly--as Verdi wrote it and almost no soprano (let alone mezzo) can sing it. Zajick manages the coloratura from Arbace's aria in Rossini's Semiramide well enough, but it's clearly not her cup of tea. This is a thrilling recital; listening to it is like viewing a geyser--very, very impressive indeed. --Robert Levine

Tracks:

Prastite Vy, Xalmy
Sily Patainyye
Acerba Volutta
Ah! Quel Giorno Ognor Rammento
Voi Lo Sapete
Mon Coeur S'ouvre A Ta Voix
O Don Fatale
Condotta Ell'era In Ceppi
Divinites Du Styx
J'ai Perdu Mon Eurydice
La Luce Langue
Una Macchia E Qui Tuttora

Amazon.com

Dolora Zajick is a real rarity--a true dramatic mezzo-soprano. Her voice, live and on disc, is huge and lush and absolutely even from the deepest chest tones all the way up to the high B natural. With a sound so ample, she's occasionally unsubtle, but on this recital CD, she sings Dalila's music with great gentleness and allure, while portraying Azucena (in Trovatore), Eboli (in Don Carlo) and the Princess (in Adriana Lecouvreur) with vigor, generous tone, and the correct rage. She also sings the Sleepwalking Scene from Verdi's Macbeth, rising to the high D-flat at its close softly--as Verdi wrote it and almost no soprano (let alone mezzo) can sing it. Zajick manages the coloratura from Arbace's aria in Rossini's Semiramide well enough, but it's clearly not her cup of tea. This is a thrilling recital; listening to it is like viewing a geyser--very, very impressive indeed. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Refreshing new interpretations..............2005-11-20

.........of many of the old war-horses and some rarities. I first heard Miss Zajick as Eboli in "Don Carlo" at the MET. Not since Simionato and Cossotto have I heard an Eboli of such magnitude and ease. Of course she recorded "O don fatale" here as well and how brilliantly! The Russian pieces as well as the aria by Cilea are little gems in the tiara that is this recording! Semiramide and Alceste prove that not only does she have the BOOM but also the florid abilities to sing Bel Canto. (In "Norma" she outshone Eaglen in the role of Adalgisa) The Verdi-pieces are well known and well done and Orfeo's lament left me yearning for a full recording! A long awaited recital that doesn't disappoint!

Terrifying photograph.......2005-06-20

Oh, but the instrument. So opulent. Zajick sings with reckless abandon when appropriate (and often when blatantly not so.) Immaculate diction, chest tones defying mortality, hair splitting, tooth rattling, apartment complex shaking high notes. Oh. But Christ that cover shot. I mean the hair and the camera angle and that obscene chair one must have purloined from my paternal grandmother's old farm in Richmond, Indiana...just a travesty. The voice though...heldenbariton? Coloratura soprano? Who the hell knows. A wholly compelling recital.

It's about time..........2005-04-06

Dolora is one of my idols being a dramatic mezzo myself. I find there just aren't many true dramatic mezzo's worth listening to but Dolora is the real deal, a true power house. I also feel she is ignored by the recording industry. I would love to hear more from her.

Great CD.......2004-07-29

Dolora's voice is viserally thrilling to listen too. Sometimes I think she's a soprano, and sometimes she's a Mezzo. Anyways, a great CD.. Amongst Mezzo land, she has be best high notes in the business.

Dolora is amazing!.......2004-05-25

This CD is awesome! Dolora has an incredible vocal ability! I am a high school student, and several weeks ago, I had the opportunity to actually sing on stage with her at my high school in Orem, Utah. I was blown away by the power of her voice; it made me feel insignificant. She was very kind and encouraging, and offered good advice even though I must have sounded terrible next to her.

Anyhow, I recommend this CD to anyone who has a love for music.

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