Natalie Dessay is surely the leading coloratura soprano today; for years now I have marveled at not only her technical abilities in the upper register, but her unerring sense of drama in the way she uses these abilities. Nothing is wasted, nothing overdone, devoid of histrionics, yet infused with a powerful understanding of the nature of a particular role and how to present it.
This delectable album presents us with three composers of considerable worth and fame, the roles united by a sense of social conventions interfering with an otherwise natural process of life itself. Dessay dances with these roles like Astaire with Rogers; there is no fluff here, only substantive and serious music that takes a real star to bring it to life.
The one thing that concerns me is the sound; compared to the best of conventional stereo (let alone SACD), it is somewhat small, though certainly clear and clean. A volume boost helps, but does little to widen the stage. For this only do I defer to four and one-half stars. Also, it is a little strange to hear this music played by an enhanced period band, especially as the DVD features one of the brawniest bands in the world, the marvelously modern instrument Met orchestra. But Concerto Koln plays well, and with great intonation and enthusiasm. As an additional bonus we get a 2007 DVD Met production that features the soprano in Lucia’s bloody “mad scene”, not essential by any means, but a fine addition. Don’t miss this one!
TrackList:
La Traviata (Violetta) – E Strano!…Ah, for’s e lui; Follie! Follie…Sempre libera
I puritani (Elvira) – O rendetemi la speme; Qui la voce sua soave; Vien diletto
Maria Stuarda (Maria Stuarda) – Allenta il pie, Regina; Oh nube che lieve; Nella pace del mesto riposo
Rigoletto (Gilda) – Gualtier Malde… Caro nome
I Capuleti e i Montecchi (Giulietta) – Eccomi in lieta vesta; Oh! Quante volte
Lucia di Lammermoor (Lucia) – Eccola…Il dolce suono; Ardon gli incense; S’avanza Enrica; Spargi d’amoro pianto
DVD: Lucia’s Mad Scene
— Steven Ritter
