Customer Reviews

Eternal

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

 

 

I say run to get this recording, you know how briefly they stay in print. This is a gleaming collection of Caballe's art. A wide span of recording years is covered here. Beginning delightfully with "Hijo de la luna" and a set of Spanish songs, the magic comes on quick. A recent version here of "My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice" is an irreplaceable treasure. Such understanding in the singing, such intelligent and mighty phrasing - just wonderful! And "Io son l'umile ancella" is rendered with colossal artistry, the final rising phrase so laden with genuine patience, it turns the merely artful into true art. It's a remarkable rendering of Cilea's aria. Disc 2 is the more expansive of the two- Caballe's take on "Sempre libera" ('67 version here) has no real peer, except maybe Sutherland's. The Charpentier is delicious as can be. What is that lingering feeling around this woman's singing? She is an uncompromising artist, we're so lucky to have these recordings.

This is among my most favorite CD collections. The pieces on it are romantic, inspired, and haunting and only improve with age and repeated listening. This is that rare CD that enchants company and leads them to quietly listen, spellbound. A truly remarkable compilation of astonishingly beautiful music sung by an equally beautiful voice.

Montserrat Caballe went into the recording studio a number of times in 1991 with various conductors and orchestras. There was just about enough new material to make a single CD. BMG decided to combine the new material with older reissues to make a two CD set. The 1991 stuff, including several items that she had not recorded elsewhere under studio conditions is pretty irresistible. (Arias from MARIA STUARDA, LE CID, CARMEN and SAMSON ET DALILAH, a song from PHANTOM OF THE OPERA and a vocal arrangement from Rodrigo's CONCIERTO DE ARANJUEZ as well as some Spanish popular songs and Zarzuela arias are unique in Caballe's discography.) That the 1991 recordings largely hold their own compared to recordings made twenty five years earlier is a tribute to Caballe's extraordinary vocal technique and artistry. Only a few wiry high notes betray the passing of time.
This is a very strong recommend.