Edita Gruberova - Queen of Coloratura ~ Arias by Donizetti, Mozart, J. Strauß, Verdi

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Artist), Gaetano Donizetti (Artist), Giuseppe Verdi (Artist), Johann Strauss II (Artist), Nikolaus Harnoncourt (Artist), Richard Bonynge (Artist), Carlo Rizzi (Artist), Edita Gruberova (Artist), Neil Shicoff (Artist), Zurich Opera Orchestra (Artist), Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam (Artist), Concentus musicus Wien (Artist), Europe Chamber Orchestra (Artist), Alexandru Agache (Artist), Ambrosian Singers (Artist), Alastair Miles (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 5, 1994)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Teldec
• ASIN: B000000SMG
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #154,006 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Die Zauberflote: 'Der Holle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen'

2. Don Giovanni: 'Or sai chi l'onore'

3. Don Giovanni: 'Crudelle!-Ah no ... Non mi dir, bell'idol mio'

4. Lucio Silla: 'Dalla sponda tenebrosa'

5. Concert Arias: 'Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio!' K. 418

6. Concert Arias: 'Ah, se in ciel, benigne stelle' K. 538

7. Lucia di Lammermoor: 'Oh giusto cielo...Il dolce suono'

8. Lucia di Lammermoor: 'Ohime! sorge il tremendo fantasma'

9. Lucia di Lammermoor: 'S'avanza Enrico'

10. Lucia di Lammermoor: 'Spargi d'amore pianto'

11. La Traviata: 'E strano! e strano ... Ah, fors e' lui'

12. Die Fledermaus: 'Klange der Heimat'

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pure artistry and magic!, February 25, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Edita Gruberova - Queen of Coloratura ~ Arias by Donizetti, Mozart, J. Strauß, Verdi (Audio CD)

I love many coloratura sopranos but I must say that Edita Gruberova is one of the very few sopranos who can conquer the challenging terrain of coloratura fireworks and still sound like a deeply philosophical brain is at work. She is more than vocal wizardy... she is intelligent, profound interpretation. Her voice is haunting with its mixture of purity and moodiness somehow combined but her artistry catapults her into the stratosphere. For me the best track on this cd is her exquisitely controlled rendition of Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio!; it floats literally out of this world... I own recordings with about 4 or 5 different sopranos singing that aria and no one comes remotely close to matching Gruberova's technical skills. She is one of the best Donna Annas I've heard, with her elegant, driving anger sounding much more aristocratic and wounded than many another's outburst. I don't know how anyone can sound ethereal and deep at the same time but her's is a truly unique voice and of all my Gruberova cds, this is my favorite.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A real treat AND a just title...REALLY!, November 27, 1999

By 

"kenjisak" (Kaneohe, HI) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edita Gruberova - Queen of Coloratura ~ Arias by Donizetti, Mozart, J. Strauß, Verdi (Audio CD)

Really, for all of those of you who have already named your own "queen of coloratura" (from Sutherland to Sills to Sumi Jo to Swenson), there's no need to scoff at the title of this album. This is not warfare against other singers of this 'fach', but rather a noteworthy compilation of Miss Gruberova singing arias as celebrated as her career. So what if the strataspheric notes (you know, G above high C? ) have no vibrato? THESE NOTES BELONG TO ONLY A SELECT FEW! And they're all perfectly pitched and well balanced. THAT'S what crowns her as a 'queen of coloratura'. This album has made me one of her fans. I'm sure you'll enjoy this album, as well!

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Here comes the Gruberova, September 7, 2005

By 

Akimon Azuki - See all my reviews

This review is from: Edita Gruberova - Queen of Coloratura ~ Arias by Donizetti, Mozart, J. Strauß, Verdi (Audio CD)

Is this the worst cover they could find, or was there anything else left in the file labeled "Revenge of the Eightes: The Bridal Years"?
Pay no mind: on this CD, Gruberova's easy high notes alone are worth suffering through the visual horror. She cuts to the chase and starts with Queen of the Night's Hoelle Rache, a very very good one. And the orchestra is very, very loud. This is Mozart with subtlety of a sledge hammer, but it works well with Gruberova's athletic style.
Donna Anna that follows is interesting- Or Sai Chi L'Onore is strong, but lyrical. Gruberova sang a mean Donna Anna live and this is strong evidence for how good she was it in that role. Non mir dir is overdone and swooned somewhat, but it still works.
Another Mozart aria that follows, Dalla sponda tenebrosa, is good too, if overswooned again, and Vorrei spiegarvi gives us more of Edita's trademark top notes and lyrical poise, and some high octane energy- this is a live recording and the ovation at the end is well earned.
What doesn't quite work is the rest of the album; Ah, se in ciel is flat in places, Lucia's scene is overdone and overcrooned in the worst way, Violetta's scene is cut in half and bland. The end piece, Klange der Heimat by Strauss is OK, just about that.
Gruberova was a veritable force on opera stages- still is, but this is a mish mash collection, exciting in places but uneven. Another CD she released, the "The Art of Coloratura" has more interesting choices, but the cover that is even worse. Take your pick.