Customer Reviews

Leontyne Price in Concert

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Quite simply, this is a bargain-lovers motherlode. The sound is quite good. You aren't likely to hear any other world-class soprano sing such a daring programme live...and how this soprano sings!!! The "L'Africaine" aria is actually better-sung than Ms. Price's beautiful RCA rendition(and this aria 'ain't no walk in the park). "Dove sono" has always been a Price specialty, with an unbroken line and seamless legato, and fluid fioritura. The pianissimi in "Depuis" are equalled only by Caballe's; quite different,but just as breath-taking. She sings"Leise,leise" in a concert!!but wait...its also a damn good performance(perhaps a bit idiosyncratic as well). The soprano shows her humor in the fearfully difficult "Come scoglio", sung with ease here, while the Debussy 'air', a rarity for the singer, is given an intensely-felt reading. Leontyne Price has reigned as the World's supreme Verdi soprano for over 30 years, and one of the finest Puccini singers on record as well. Both the "Ernani"& "Don Carlo" scenas, so very different in period, are superbly sung; the former with thrust, fluidity, and power, while the latter is performed with a darker more richly-hued tone. However,in this recital, it is Puccini's music that gives the listener a glorious sampling of this great artist, and why she generated tumultuous ovations wherever she sang. "Chi bel sogno di Doretta", a Price 'signature piece' with her floated "tops", and "Vissi D'arte", a Price 'signature role' (at least on recordings)with the fearless "tops" and drama are gloriously sung, and defintive. "Senza Mamma",sung with creamy, luscious tone,and heartbreak, ends with a lovely high-placed diminuendo. Another rare treat is R. Strauss' formidable "Zweite Brautnacht". Ms. Price's splendid, soaring trajectory, aligned with her vibrant middle voice, makes this aria a reeaal thriller whenever she sings this exciting and challenging music, as she does here. The "Porgy"&"Adrianna" arias are famous Price encores, and it's obvious to hear why on this cd. Whether you're a Opera neophyte or 'fanatic', you simply CANNOT go wrong in purchasing this cd, a wonderful bargain that showcases one of Opera's greatest and most superlative voices: "La Splendissima" - American soprano LEONTYNE PRICE!!

Leontyne Price, one of the most decorated Sopranos of her day, offers a stellar performance on this recording. Not only is the sound of this particular recording of the highest quality, but we are also given Leontyne at her best and most opulent. ... everyone should purchase this recording. It's a piece of nostalgia as well as a dynamic musical offering of the highest order. Your musical life will be enriched by this recording. A music library must have!

Leontyne Price sings all arias with full orchestra at the top of her career. The sound quality is very good, the audience is enthusiastic, and Leontyne delivers the goods. At the cost of this CD, its a gift! This CD would also make an excellent introduction to Opera, beautiful arias combined with etheral and passionate singing! Brava!

These live concerts were radio broadcasts and I am so happy that they are available to the fans of Miss Price as well as fans of great opera singing. Some of the material she has recorded previously in the studio, but the sound quality and the excitment of the audience adds plenty of the experience. Don't let the very low price of the CD scare you away. This is the bargain of the year. Get it.

The selections here are from two live recitals, and Miss Price is in fine fettle. Her "Vissi d'arte" is perfectly placed and gorgeously sung as is "Summertime," which is more beautifully rendered here than on the studio recording with her former husband, Warfield. And it's so cheap for the excellent sound (and that's high praise coming from one who hates most live recordings).

Not sure what Minnie is referring to, perhaps her speakers need help, because I have this CD, and the sound is just as good as a studio recording. And the CD contains some real gems.

I was really suprised to see anyone list anything negative about the sound quality as I was so pleasantly surprised by it when I got it in my CD player.

Comes highly recommended.

Several reviewers have argued about the sound quality of this concert CD. Overall the quality is extraordinary (and rivals many studio recordings). The exception to this is in two arias (Come Scoglio and the Don Carlos aria), where the sound goes back and forth from being somewhat muffled.

Nonetheless, do not let that deter you from purchasing this CD. Price could not have been in better form, and there are few artists of record who sound as good, even in studio recordings, as Price in this superb selection of arias.

Another must buy from Leontyne Price. Although recordings show their age she makes up for all the shortcomings. She is absolutely fabulous.

A bargain not to be missed.

A first class performance by a great lady. For anyone who's never listened to Classical or Opera before then Leontyne Price is well worth listening to.

One of the noisiest live recording that they have the nerve to release. Ms Price is glorious. But everytime she sings a high note or even a medium loud note, there is static. I'm not talking just static. I'm talking like a bad cel phone.
Don't get this, rather I recommend her most fabulous Puccini Heroines which no one alive can sing better.