Delibes: Lakme (Highlights) / Sutherland, Bonynge

Leo Delibes (Composer), Richard Bonynge (Conductor), Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra (Orchestra), Alain Vanzo (Performer), Emile Belcourt (Performer), Gabriel Bacquier (Performer), Gwenyth Annear (Performer), Jane Berbie (Performer), Joan Sutherland (Performer), Joseph Clement (Performer), Monica Sinclair (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Alain Vanzo, Emile Belcourt, Gabriel Bacquier, Gwenyth Annear, Jane Berbie, et al.
• Orchestra: Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra
• Conductor: Richard Bonynge
• Composer: Leo Delibes
• Audio CD (September 12, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000024756
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #90,721 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Delibes's opera Lakmé is full of gorgeous melodies, even if you don't count the coloratura sensation, the famous "Bell Song." That aria virtually demands a soprano of Sutherland's agility and ease, and it gets it here (this is the highlights version of Sutherland's complete recording). Even the few singers who can match her in the upper altitudes can't do it with a voice so rich and full. Sutherland's is a Lakmé beyond comparison with twittering, thin-voiced, coloratura specialists. She did make this recording at a time when her diction was mushy and her vocal lines sometimes drooped, so she's not beyond criticism. But revel in the voice; after all, Lakmé is a cardboard character, and the opera, for all its considerable charms, isn't another Ring cycle. Sutherland's colleagues are excellent too. Vanzo was one of the finest lyric tenors of his generation, and he's by far the best Gérald on disc. Jane Berbié and Gabriel Bacquier are also unmatched, and Bonynge's conducting is idiomatic and flowing. Add engineering from Decca/London's golden age of recording, and here's a Lakmé to treasure. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the perfect vehicle for Sutherland, June 27, 2001

By 

A Customer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Delibes: Lakme (Highlights) / Sutherland, Bonynge (Audio CD)

I'm a fan of those great operas that for whatever reason aren't immediately thought of by the general public when asked to name an opera. So Lakme is no Carmen- it doesn't need to be. So the plot is paper-thin: that's what Verdi and Wagner are for. I was glad to hear Joan paired with another great soprano for the flower duet. Jane Berbie comes dangerously close to overshadowing Joan Sutherland, with her sultry, rich style.

I have one other recording of Joan Sutherland singing the Bell Song. It is on her Art of the Prima Donna CD. That rendition is slower, more technically precise, with less flourishes. On this recording of Lakme, she speeds it up considerably, with a few more flourishes.

A third highlight is her duet with Alain Vanzo, "Lakme! Lakme! C'est toi..." What a wonderful, wonderful pairing and performance. Curiously enough, this gorgeous duet isn't even mentioned on the back of the CD jewel case as one of the high points of this highlights package!

Not every "highlight" here will take your breath away, but if nothing else, you can push the repeat button, and listen to the meltingly beautiful flower song again and again.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Most Beautiful Music, October 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Delibes: Lakme (Highlights) / Sutherland, Bonynge (Audio CD)

This incredible music moved me to tears and lifted my spirits to the heights. I heartily recommend it!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Incomparable voice, November 5, 2006

By 

Musicologist (Seattle) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Delibes: Lakme (Highlights) / Sutherland, Bonynge (Audio CD)

For those both familiar and unfamiliar with Sutherland's beautiful voice, this CD won't disappoint. It's a nice compilation. Sutherland's performance singing the "Flower Song" has got to be among the most beautiful musical experiences I know of. I bought myself one recently and one for a friend. I plan to buy more for Christmas presents!