Customer Reviews

The Hyperion Schubert Edition 32 - An 1816 Schubertiad / Dawson, Schäfer, Ainsley, Langridge

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Young and vital soprano Christine Brewer is now among the top Wagner and Strauss interpreters entering the arena of big voices on the operatic stage today. This recording, one volume (31) of the famed Hyperion Schubert Collection, finds her singing Schubert lieder, and given that this recording dates back to 1998, it is interesting to hear how her voice has developed.

Many of the sopranos who opt for careers in the operas of Wagner, Strauss, and the heavier weight Verdi/Puccini roles demonstrate less conviction when it comes to the communication required in the German lieder, especially Schubert. But here is Brewer eight years ago with all the promise of her soaring, rich voice addressing the smaller scale intimacies of Schubert and doing it quite successfully. Some of the vocal traits that seemed possibly problematic here (glottal attacks, a bit of pitch lurching) are happily not present in her current vocal estate!

This is an odd cluster of Schubert with Lieder combined with choral works (the Psalms), but given the overall context of Hyperion's venture, these all flow well. Certainly the artists perform them well - Graham Johnson is a superb accompanist - and the choral work is in keeping with the period. Not a great collection of works, but this early introduction to Christine Brewer will become a collector's item. She has a major career ahead! Grady Harp, October 05

Of course we all demand a capable performance. Unfortunatly I am frequently dissapointed. Prepare yourself to be astonished. Christine Brewer delivers a powerful yet amazingly luscious & almost creamy sound. You will stand jaw-dropingly awed by this unique combination of powerful mastery & Soothing finesse. ENJOY