Art of Elaine Bonazzi

Track Listings

1. Monteverdi - From Scherzi Musicali

2. Monteverdi - From Scherzi Musicali

3. Monteverdi - From Scherzi Musicali

4. Monteverdi - Messenger's scene from L'Orfeo

5. Britten - A Charm of Lullabies

6. Britten - A Charm of Lullabies

7. Britten - A Charm of Lullabies

8. Britten - A Charm of Lullabies

9. Britten - A Charm of Lullabies

10. Brahms - Two Songs, Op. 91

11. Brahms - Two Songs, Op. 91

12. Ravel - Chansons Madecasses

13. Ravel - Chansons Madecasses

14. Ravel - Chansons Madecasses

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Bridge is pleased to release this superb vocal recital by the great mezzo-soprano, Elaine Bonazzi. Recorded at the Peabody Conservatory in 1985, this studio recording was never released, and is being issued in a new re-mastering by engineer Adam Abeshouse. The career of mezzo soprano Elaine Bonazzi has been an extraordinary one. Called "a fantastically gifted actress and singer" by The Washington Post, Bonazzi earned a singular reputation for her vivid and memorable portrayals on the opera stage. As an oratorio and orchestral soloist, she was one of the leading mezzos of her generation and was equally at home on the recital and concert stage. Bonazzi made her debut in Santa Fe in 1958 in the role of Meg Page in Falstaff. In Santa Fe, over the next 35 years, she sang everything from the title roles in Carmen, Regina, and The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, to important roles in the American premieres of Berg’s Lulu, and Hindemith’s News of the Day (with Hindemith conducting). It was at Santa Fe that she began her long association with Igor Stravinsky, when she played Baba the Turk in The Rake’s Progress in a production supervised by the composer. She was subsequently chosen by Stravinsky for a number of premieres, including The Requiem Canticles, which she recorded, and Le Rossignol at The Washington Opera, which she also recorded. At New York City Opera, Bonazzi made her debut in Ned Rorem’s Miss Julie, and she was cast by Stephen Sondheim as Mrs. Lovett in his Sweeney Todd, and Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music. Other American companies with which Bonazzi appeared included the Metropolitan Opera at the Forum, and the companies of Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Houston, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Wolf Trap, Seattle, Dallas, Houston. In 1985, the year this recording was made, Byron Belt, writing for Newhouse Newspapers, summed up what composers, audiences, and critics alike had felt about this unique singer: "Elaine Bonazzi is the rarest of artists—a superb performer who is admired deeply…as a singer and woman who is sensitive, gifted and able to communicate music and the meaning of words as few stars of the stage can achieve so consistently."

Tracks:

Monteverdi - From Scherzi Musicali
Monteverdi - From Scherzi Musicali
Monteverdi - From Scherzi Musicali
Monteverdi - Messenger's scene from L'Orfeo
Britten - A Charm of Lullabies
Britten - A Charm of Lullabies
Britten - A Charm of Lullabies
Britten - A Charm of Lullabies
Britten - A Charm of Lullabies
Brahms - Two Songs, Op. 91
Brahms - Two Songs, Op. 91
Ravel - Chansons Madecasses
Ravel - Chansons Madecasses
Ravel - Chansons Madecasses

Product Description

Bridge is pleased to release this superb vocal recital by the great mezzo-soprano, Elaine Bonazzi. Recorded at the Peabody Conservatory in 1985, this studio recording was never released, and is being issued in a new re-mastering by engineer Adam Abeshouse. The career of mezzo soprano Elaine Bonazzi has been an extraordinary one. Called Â“a fantastically gifted actress and singerÂ” by The Washington Post, Bonazzi earned a singular reputation for her vivid and memorable portrayals on the opera stage. As an oratorio and orchestral soloist, she was one of the leading mezzos of her generation and was equally at home on the recital and concert stage. Bonazzi made her debut in Santa Fe in 1958 in the role of Meg Page in Falstaff. In Santa Fe, over the next 35 years, she sang everything from the title roles in Carmen, Regina, and The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein, to important roles in the American premieres of BergÂ’s Lulu, and HindemithÂ’s News of the Day (with Hindemith conducting). It was at Santa Fe that she began her long association with Igor Stravinsky, when she played Baba the Turk in The RakeÂ’s Progress in a production supervised by the composer. She was subsequently chosen by Stravinsky for a number of premieres, including The Requiem Canticles, which she recorded, and Le Rossignol at The Washington Opera, which she also recorded. At New York City Opera, Bonazzi made her debut in Ned RoremÂ’s Miss Julie, and she was cast by Stephen Sondheim as Mrs. Lovett in his Sweeney Todd, and Madame Armfeldt in A Little Night Music. Other American companies with which Bonazzi appeared included the Metropolitan Opera at the Forum, and the companies of Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Houston, Minnesota, Cincinnati, Wolf Trap, Seattle, Dallas, Houston. In 1985, the year this recording was made, Byron Belt, writing for Newhouse Newspapers, summed up what composers, audiences, and critics alike had felt about this unique singer: Â“Elaine Bonazzi is the rarest of artistsÂ—a superb performer who is admired deeplyÂ…as a singer and woman who is sensitive, gifted and able to communicate music and the meaning of words as few stars of the stage can achieve so consistently.Â”

Customer Reviews:

Elaine Bonazzi, Beloved Singer in TOP FORM!!.......2005-11-29

The Art of Elaine Bonazzi on the Bridge Records label will showcase Ms. Bonazzi's seamless vocal line, warm bel canto technique, flawless diction and phrasing, but also one enjoys her stylistic interpretation on these Monteverdi, Britten, Brahms and Ravel selections. Ms. Bonazzi performs here with excellent accompanist, Ellen Mack, who also brings her best to each selection. In Brahms' Two Songs, Karen Tuttle's warm viola beautifully partners Bonazzi's mezzo. Flutist Timothy Day and the late
'cellist Stephen Kates partner Ms. Mack in providing sensitive accompaniment in Ravel's Chansons Madecasses. The recordings on this CD will provide years of inspiration for music lovers, voice teachers and singers alike. The recital was recorded live, but the clarity of the sound would rival any studio recording! Ms. Bonazzi's career has brought her more premieres than any other American singer living or dead. Some of her secrets are revealed in the accompanying CD notes: As a teenager she studied with Elisabeth Schumann and she later studied with mezzo Jennie Tourel and for many years Aldo di Tullio. The notes are filled as well with many photographs of Ms. Bonazzi on stage. We certainly hope that Bridge will publish MANY more of Elaine Bonazzi's recitals in the future. Sadly, this lyric coloratura mezzo enjoyed such a busy singing career that she was not able to get into the recording studio as often as her adoring fans would have liked. Count me in that number. Having heard her sing on many occasions beginning in 1972 and ending in 1996, Elaine Bonazzi delivered a rave-worthy performance at every concert. We are grateful to Bridge Records to be enjoying the art of Elaine Bonazzi for many years to come!

Stunning artistry and vocalism.......2005-09-15

This newly-discovered recital disc from 1985 is a stunning showcase for one of America's finest vocal artists, mezzo Elaine Bonazzi. Ms. Bonazzi graced the opera and concert stage for 4 decades and her performances will be long remembered and cherished. This recital, a pristine digital recording, was made at Peabody Conservatory, when she was teaching there, and it is an admirable showcase for her special communicative powers. The Brahms and Ravel are pretty well known, but the Britten and, especially, the Monteverdi are less familiar. To hear them sung so compellingly and with such artistry is a rare and satisfying treat. And she is joined by some of the finest instrumentalists of the time--pianist Ellen Mack, flutist Timothy Day, violist Karen Tuttle, and the late cellist, Stephen Kates. Don't miss this one!!

A stunning gem.......2005-09-11

I am delighted that this outstanding mezzo has gotten a showcase CD all her own. Her vocal passion and commanding presence are fully revealed- especially in the Monteverdi and Brahms pieces. Elaine Bonazzi's mezzo polishes and shines these jewels into a brilliant sheen! But I believe that she is no longer performing so if you want to hear a golden and timeless mezzo, this is one to get.

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Trapeze [Original recording remastered]

Mekanische Musikinstrumente

Johannes Brahms: Sonatas for Clarinet and Piano, Op 120

Everything for Love

Invasion Dance

Natural States

Irish Celebration: Mountains of the Mourne

I Don't Want to Go Home/This Time It's for Real [Import]

In the Plain [Import]

In C

Jazz Music: A Taste of Jazz [Import]

In the Hood [Explicit Lyrics]

Lo Mejor del Rock & Roll en Español: Lo Mejor de los 50s

Me & Joe

For You

1. Monteverdi - From Scherzi Musicali
2. Monteverdi - From Scherzi Musicali
3. Monteverdi - From Scherzi Musicali
4. Monteverdi - Messenger's scene from L'Orfeo
5. Britten - A Charm of Lullabies
6. Britten - A Charm of Lullabies
7. Britten - A Charm of Lullabies
8. Britten - A Charm of Lullabies
9. Britten - A Charm of Lullabies
10. Brahms - Two Songs, Op. 91
11. Brahms - Two Songs, Op. 91
12. Ravel - Chansons Madecasses
13. Ravel - Chansons Madecasses
14. Ravel - Chansons Madecasses