Customer Reviews

Denyce Graves - Voce di Donna

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Ms. Graves has a very engaging personality and a wonderful voice. However, these attributes are not always on display in this recording. She has a warm, creamy voice of a good size and this occasionally, like fellow American Renee Fleming, prevents proper diction. Evidence of this can be heard in the two English language arias; I needed the booklet that comes with the CD to understand what she was saying. Plus, some of the notes she hits are, quite frankly, scary. She's pushing her voice and that is never a good thing! This is most notable in "Acerba Volutta" and the last track (a song from SAMSON ET DALILA). When I heard that this past summer she performed in AIDA I could not help but worry that she was approaching vocal crisis. Verdi is a composer well-known for his grand orchestrations. Only a voice that is naturally large and dramatic (a la Leontyne Price) will thrive in this context. Ms. Graves' voice is naturally dramatic but large it is not. I can only hope that her handlers, vocal coaches, etc. are wisely choosing new roles to add to her repertoire, rather than just trying to groom her for operatic superstardom.

"Why," you may ask, "if he has all these reservations and criticisms, did he give the album 4 stars?" Well, quite simply, I gave it 4 stars because with this CD, we are witness to some glorious singing, despite the few technical flaws. Denyce Graves' Carmen revels in her sexuality unashamedly. Honestly, how many times have you heard the "Habanera" sung so sensually? We cannot see her but we know that she is winking, smiling, and kicking up her heels in triumph at the power her feminine wiles allow her to wield over Don Jose. The Fanfare reviewer said that Ms. Graves lacks the ability to differentiate between the emotions of the various characters and project these into the microphone but I have to strongly disagree. Anger and doubt are all over La Principessa's aria, while anger, sadness, and remorse color her interpretation of "Voi lo sapete." Her assumption of Dido and Dardanus make me eager for a production mounted for her. We've seen her in verismo, now give us an opportunity to see her in something a little more Baroque, with more acting and vocal challenges to overcome. "Pena tiranna" especially serves as the breath of fresh air that this recital needed. It's far subtler than most of the other arias and in it we see evidence of a trill, which is very exciting. And the ornamentation that the Amazon reviewer speaks of is not unnecessary or distracting. It adds to the song and places the listener in the proper context and frame of mind.

In the end, this is a very good recital from a promising talent that will satisfy, provided you are able to overlook some of the vocal flaws. It seriously leaves me panting for more!

Note: If you want to see Ms. Graves at her best, vocally and interpretively, pick up her album of spirituals and hymns ANGELS WATCHING OVER ME.

I first heard Voce di Donna onboard a United Airlines flight and instantly fell in love with Denyce's beautiful phrasing and lyric musicality. Her voice is truly impressive and speaks of greater things to come as she matures. The selections on this recording are exceptionally well-suited to her, the Carmen arias being my personal favorites. I was so pleased to hear that she will be performing Werther with Andrea Bocelli on my birthday this year, although it's in Detroit so I won't be able to attend. I highly recommend this album to any opera fan, especially those who appreciate a talented mezzo-soprano.

Ms. Graves' voice is so warm. The sound is so impressive!!! There has been debate on whether or not she is truly a mezzo-soprano. Some critics feel that she is a true contralto with an extended upper range. The role of Dalila, is also considered borderline mezzo-soprano and contralto. Anyway, her voice has total ring in every tone. The rich sound that she produces is totally even from her bottom register to her top. The baroque selections need to be maybe a little lighter and more pure, but I am not that petty. I just believe that she is absolutely wonderful!!! Brava Ms. Graves!!!

There is nothing I can say other than this is the perfect recording. Denyce Graves has chosen arias that we don't always get to hear and I thank her for doing so, she breathes live into the old standards from "Carmen" and introduces us to arias that will undoubtably become new favorites. Denyce's voice is absolutely fabulous, it's powerful yet calm and perfectly refined, I can say nothing bad about her voice or this recording.

This is a wonderful showcase for the warmth and sensistive musicality of this extraordinary mezzo soprano. This a must-buy for the growing number of opera fans and other lovers of good music who have come to expect outstanding performances from Ms. Graves.

Denyce Graves is one of the Mezzo-Sopranos who can truly extend her velvety voice from the contralto range to the high soprano rang with the greatest of ease. For those fortunate to have seen her on stage as Dalila or Carmen or any of the roles she inhabits know just how electrical are her interpretations of the roles she elects to sing. This recording from 1999 was made at a very top stage of her career. This is a time with a beautiful voice.

Included here is Graves sensuous and sultry Carmen, her elegant Orfeo, her primary arias as Dalila and with these well known arias she also offers arias from Dido and Aeneas, La Favorita, Samuel Barber's wonderful aria from 'Vanessa', 'Must winter come so soon', and excerpts from Cilea's 'Adriana Lecouvreur', Massenet's 'Werther' and Mascagni's 'Cavalleria rusticana.' In each she delivers a lush, warm, creamy sound as beautiful as any singer in this range. Denyce Graves continues to stun audiences and probably this is her finest recording sampler she has mad. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, April 11

Denyce Graves has a lot of potential in this Album "Voce Di Donna". These are some of the most interesting Operas of it's time. They have stood the test of time. And such emotional airas as from Vanessa's Opera, when she sings the role of Erika in "Must the winter come so soon" is something. But other songs as I noticed in "Acerba Volutta" When she comes to substaining the high A6 note, she sounds as though she had to push her voice a little. And the same in "O mio Fernando" The A6 sounds more pushed at the end. In "Pres des remparts de Seville", the B6 sounds somewhat thin, but otherwise, she performs it very well. Denyce Graves has a lot of potential, but she should perform airas and in Operas as to her vocal comfort. Pushing the voice often isn't a good thing, as can lead to vocal Crisis. But nontheless, this is a good Opera Album. I can't wait till she puts out another CD.

A much superior offering to her Heroines of French Romantic Opera offering, I feel. Her voice rings beautifully. You won't find yourself listening only to her as Carmen. She'll pull you in with the rest of the arias also.

Unlike the other reviewers here, I'm an amateur piano player, and ocassionally listen to classical music. Several years ago while flipping, I came across Ms. Graves. I was totally blown away. I introduced her to my father who is an avid fan of the opera before he passed on.
While vocal crisis is a terrible thing for any singer to suffer (and I do worry about Ms Graves too), just step aside and listen to her render these time tested works for just a moment. Perhaps like me, you'll end up continually repeating this album on your iPod for hours on end. The final two tracks from Samson and Delilah makes your hair stand on end and your knees weak.

I have only listened to this disc a few times and I am deeply touched by her silky, velvety, almost smokey voice. Her diction is brilliant and so is her voice. I first heard Denyce on PBS from the Wash. Cathedral in her Christmas special and have been a fan ever since. She blows Bartoli, Horne, Baltsa, and every other mezzo away. Clearly in a class by herself. I only hope that Denyce records many more projects with BMG. I already can't wait for the next one.