Customer Reviews

An Evening With Jessye Norman

5 star:		(3)
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The accompanist for this spectacular evening was Irwin Gage, whose masterful artistry catapults this recital into the "A"-class. This recording reveals a young Jessye Norman in superb form. It is a pity that the recording firm neglected to honor Mr. Gage's contribution.

This is my favorite record by Jessye Norman -- and only SIX BUCKS! Some people are afraid of this series on sonic grounds, but this one (and most I have heard) is excellent. It's live and you will note a splutter or two but the concert is mostly well balanced and Jessye is well accompanied.The programme in particular knocks me out, the pieces contrasting enough to make repeated listening easy. Standouts are the Ravel songs and There is a Balm in Gilead, but when she opens with When I Am Laid in Earth you aren't going anywhere for the next hour. When Jessye came along I liked the big voice but felt there was a lack of artistry -- an unsophisticated judgment it would now seem. But roles like Belle Helene and Penelope gave her more variety of tone and when I finally saw her in concert I was unprepared for the spectrum of songs and arias she can sing. I wish I was at this concert though, here is a rare case of a CD exceeding even my memory of the real thing! PS I also recommend Von Stade in this series, though not Franco Corelli: he sounds like he is singing from the bottom of an elevator shaft.

A beautiful symphony of sounds and harmonies, as expected of this melodious diva!!! Loved it... HES