Customer Reviews

Lorraine Hunt - Handel Arias

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Lorraine Hunt's voice is incredibly beautiful, and very recognizable. It is simply impossible to mistake her for anybody else. Her best register is mezzo, and she generally sings low-tessitura parts in which she can be very effective. Yet, her voice is not low enough (plus it is too feminine) in order to sing male roles convincingly. Unfortunately also, she has quite a bit of vibrato in her upper register where her voice can spread uncomfortably when pushed. Nevertheless, the sheer beauty of her timbre compensates for the occasional technical flaw. I enjoyed this disc, but I most cherish Lorraine Hunt's performances as Medee and Phaedra in two stunning recordings with Les Arts Florissants.

I've been meaning to review this album for the longest time, but haven't because of my committments at work and other things. Lieberson's voice, in my opinion, is one of the most beautiful instruments of our generation. It is, unlike a certain Renaaay who tries to sing anything and everything as a huge, incoherent slur, a very beautifully and artistically sung Handel recital. The tone is simply magnificent! And no other Handelian artist has connected her singing of the role with a dramatic sense that is so acute as her performances of the role.

It is really sad to know that this great artist died of breast cancer two days ago in her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was a big loss for the operatic world to lose such a beautiful instrument at such a young age. Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson will be missed.

Of all the wonderful (and not so wonderfil) Handel CDs I own, this is the one I return to over and over. The combination of musicianship, beauty of voice, and complete dramatic conviction makes this collection of (generally) very obscure arias a pleasure that intensifies with repeated hearing. Among the highlights: "Vieni o figlio" (from Ottone) which becomes, with Hunt's interpretation, one of the truly great arias of loss, a precursor of the great Romantic standards; "Angels, Ever Bright and Fair" (from Theodora), with unbelievable diction and sweetness, making Engish sound as beautiful as Itaian; and "Qual nave" (from Radamisto), again a miracle of delicate phrasing and conveyed deep feeling. But Hunt finds real meaning in all the songs -- she's never just vocalizing. Best of all is the way she manages to intensify meaning in the da capo section without excessive decoration.

I have had this CD for several years now, and also all of the CDs from which these arias are drawn. What a great album; I would not be without it. Ms. Hunt (now Hunt Lieberson) has the voice, phrasing, discipline...the inner understanding of this music. She's "connected" on almost every piece here. 'Angels Bright and Fair' is a particular standout in my view; but almost certainly, if you are a lover of Handel's music, you will find something special here. Her soprano to mezzo soprano on this CD was a subtle and extraordinary voice for performing these pieces.

If you love the voice of Janet Baker or Kathleen Ferrier, you will love this collection. Miss Hunt is the peer of any mezzo soprano I have ever heard, bar none. Her voice is pure and rich, her musicality is flawless, her total effect awe inspiring. If you have never heard Lorraine before, this is a great place to start. You won't be sorry!

I can't recommend this collection too highly. Lorraine Hunt's voice is mellow, distinctive and beautiful. I have listened to this cd again and again and I never tire of it. Lucky Handel to have such a singer. Lucky us.

With Lorraine Hunt you can't go wrong. Her appeal is universal: those who don't fancy opera will love it because of her virtuoso capability, originality and sincerity. Laurent Naouri expressed the core of her appeal: "When she sang her character, people would forget all that is conventional in opera. People would forget even her singing; they would just feel something so deep and true." Bravo, Lorraine, you set a standard for all time.

She really left a wonderful gift in this cd. I wish I could have appreciated her voice before she died so as to have seen her in concert. What a voice she had!

This is the fist time I am ever purchased a CD by Lorraine Hunt. She has a wonderful voice and it is soothing to the ears. My only disappointment was that the packing case was cracked!

This is a fine disc - or rather a compilation of highlights from four other fines discs, (i.e. Arias for Durastanti, Tirsi, Susanna, Theodora), but those who are lovers of Handel rather than fans of the singer herself might to better to search for reissues of some of the original recordings on the Amazon catalogue. The 'Tirsi and Clori' disc in particular is a very good recording.