Martinez: Soprano Songs and Arias

Joseph Marie Canteloube (Composer), Leo Delibes (Composer), Charles Gounod (Composer), Franz Lehar (Composer), Francis Lopez (Composer), Pablo Luna (Composer), Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Heitor Villa-Lobos (Composer), Steven Mercurio (Conductor), Prague Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Ana Maria Martinez (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Ana Maria Martinez
• Orchestra: Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Steven Mercurio
• Composer: Joseph Marie Canteloube, Leo Delibes, Charles Gounod, Franz Lehar, Francis Lopez, et al.
• Audio CD (November 15, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B000BK53G0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #153,368 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Ana Maria Martinez is a young Puerto Rican soprano with a natural Mediterranean warmth to her tone and an easy upper extension that is suitably bright but does not lose the color and texture of the rest of her voice. Hers is a true lyric which will probably grow darker soon; at the moment, vocally, there's little she has trouble with. Her high pianissimi are lovely, her agility is tested and true in Juliette's Waltz, her sense of rhythm impeccable, as exhibited in both "Les filled de Cadix" and an aria from the Zarzuela "El Nino Judio." Her version of Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras no. 5 is lovely, including the difficult hummed part at the end of the Aria. She lacks both the heft and interpretive subtlety--or interest--for "Un bel di" and Doretta's Dream and lacks charm in "O mio babbino caro," but her "Vilja-Lied" is ravishingly sung. As soon as she begins to delve a bit into the characters she's portraying, she'll be quite something; now, however, Martinez is already a fine singer, with a beautiful voice, and should be heard. Stephen Mercurio is the sympathetic conductor. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rising Star, November 18, 2005

By	J Scott Morrison (Middlebury VT, USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 10 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Rising fast in the world of opera is the Puerto Rican soprano, Ana María Martínez. Indeed, as I write this she is on the eve of her début as Micaëla in 'Carmen' at the Metropolitan Opera. That will happen tomorrow evening. She has already sung Elvira at Covent Garden, Fiordiligi at Salzburg, Violetta at the Los Angeles Opera (she is rather a protégée of Plácido Domingo). And this CD of a varied program of soprano arias and songs tells us why she is becoming such a hot commodity. The voice is perfectly produced, top to bottom, loud to soft. There is an attractive and distinctive spinning core to the voice that is always present, even at pianissimo. There is also enough squillo to cut through a moderately heavy orchestra to the last row of a large auditorium. Add to that she is a beautiful woman.

The program contains selections varying from a couple of Spanish songs (López's 'Violetas imperiales' and Pablo Luna's 'De España vengo' from 'El Niño Judio') to 'Un bel dì vedremo' from 'Madama Butterfly.' She demonstrates coloratura including trills in 'Les filles de Cadix' by Delibes (with yet more Spanish flavor). An aria she has sung in many of her programs, 'Je veux vivre' from 'Roméo et Juliette,' demonstrates more of the flexibility, as well as the allure, of the voice. We are given a very sexy Hanna Glawari in the 'Vilja-Lied' from 'The Merry Widow.' I'd love to see her in that rôle.

She includes two extraordinarily popular arias - why not? - in Puccini's 'O mio babbino caro' and 'Che il bel sogno di Doretta.' Both are sung simply, believably and with rich tone. One must add, though, that the orchestral accompaniment of the former is a bit soupy for my taste. Otherwise the Prague Philharmonia under American conductor/composer Steven Mercurio.

The high point for me, possibly because I'm immersed in the music of Villa Lobos at the moment, is the most popular of the 'Bachianas Brasileiras,' No. 5, the one for soprano and eight cellos. She sings it operatically and very effectively. And one mustn't forget the most popular of Canteloube's 'Chants d'Auvergne,' 'Baïlèro.' She portrays the young girl singing to her shepherd boy friend across the river with innocence and longing. Wonderful.

This is a marvelous collection and a good demonstration of why young Ms Martínez is drawing such praise in the musical capitals of the world.

Scott Morrison

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ana Maria Gloria, April 23, 2008

By	John P. Schmitt "Rockies Fan" (Denver, CO) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Ana Maria Martinez is a young up-and-coming diva, captured here singing familiar but glorious arias and songs. Ms. Martinez combines drama, great range and sweet lyricism. The selections include standards like Delibes' Le Fille de Cadiz, Puccini's Un Bel Di and O Mio Babbino Caro. Her rolling r's in the last piece are delicious embellishments. On the other side she nicely handles two darkly lyrical pieces of Villa Lobos's Bachiana Brasilieras. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys or thinks they might possibly enjoy a soprano who could melt your heart. No kidding!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Reminds me of Leontyne Price, August 3, 2006

By	John A. Mitrushi - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A beautiful instrument. The voice has such clarity! The Aria choices superb! I cannot bestow enough accolades!