Natalie Dessay - Amor (Opera Scenes and Lieder by Richard Strauss)

Richard Strauss (Composer), Antonio Pappano (Conductor), Natalie Dessay (Performer), Felicity Lott (Performer), Sophie Koch (Performer), Angelika Kirchschlager (Performer), Thomas Allen (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Natalie Dessay, Felicity Lott, Sophie Koch, Angelika Kirchschlager, Thomas Allen
• Conductor: Antonio Pappano
• Composer: Richard Strauss
• Audio CD (November 2, 2004)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B0002ZBSN6
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #263,641 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Ariadne auf Naxos, opera, Op. 60-I (TrV 228) (original version): Opera. Recitative & aria. Großmächtige Prinzessin... Noch glaub' ich

2. Ariadne auf Naxos, opera, Op. 60-I (TrV 228) (original version): Prologue. Duet & aria. Kindskopf! Merkt auf, wir spielen mit in dem

3. Ariadne auf Naxos, opera, Op. 60-I (TrV 228) (original version): Prologue. Duet & aria. An Ihre Plätze... Seien wir wieder gut

4. Songs (6) for voice & piano (or orchestra) ('Brentano Lieder'), Op. 68 (TrV 235): No. 2. Ich wollt'ein Sträußlein binden

5. Songs (6) for voice & piano (or orchestra) ('Brentano Lieder'), Op. 68 (TrV 235): No. 3. Säusle, liebe Myrte

6. Songs (6) for voice & piano (or orchestra) ('Brentano Lieder'), Op. 68 (TrV 235): No. 4. Als mir dein Lied erklang

7. Songs (6) for voice & piano (or orchestra) ('Brentano Lieder'), Op. 68 (TrV 235): No. 5. Amor

8. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act I. Duet. Ich danke, Fräulein... Aber der Richtige, wenn's einen gibt

9. Der Rosenkavalier, opera, Op. 59 (TrV 227): Act 2. Duet. Mir ist die Ehre widerfahren

10. Der Rosenkavalier, opera, Op. 59 (TrV 227): Act 3. Trio & final duet. Marie Theres', wie gut Sie ist

11. Der Rosenkavalier, opera, Op. 59 (TrV 227): Act 3. Trio & final duet. Ist ein Traum... Spür' nur dich

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Natalie Dessay's vocal crisis--she was operated on for nodes on her vocal cords three years ago--is clearly over. The voice has ripened somewhat but the incredible high notes are still present and easily produced. Zerbinetta is one of her signature roles, and she knows this complex, winning gal well. She can be cajoling, sarcastic, witty and sincere--and toss off high Cs, Ds and more, with impeccable staccati and trills, making them seem as natural as speech. She works magic with the four Brentano Lieder recorded here, expressing longing, sweetness and rapture as well as sheer perkiness in "Amor" with its vocal imitation of flame. In the extended scene from Ariadne, the composer sung by Sophie Koch delivers her aria with passion and seems to lack only a bottom note or two to fill the role ideally. In the act-one Arabella-Zdenka duet, Dessay is girlish and loving of her big sister, unaffectedly sung here by Felicity Lott. But the pieces de résistance on this CD are the highlights from Der Rosenkavalier: the Presentation of the Silver Rose and final trio and duet. Dessay sounds youthful and pure in the Presentation and sings with the most loving legato and tone at the opera's end. She's abetted by Angelika Kirchschlager as Octavian, who is simply perfect, and Felicity Lott, also smooth as silk. Pappano is becoming an all-purpose great opera conductor, and the Covent Garden orchestra is polished and elegant. The sound is rich and full. This CD is a gem. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a wonderful holiday gift, December 13, 2004

By 

cherubino (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Natalie Dessay - Amor (Opera Scenes and Lieder by Richard Strauss) (Audio CD)

Unquestionably the reigning coloratura of our times, Natalie Dessay has the misfortune of blossoming at a time where complete opera recordings are no longer being produced at the rate they were from the 50's to the 80's. Thankfully, we have this delightful pastiche of Strauss, including her signature role, Zerbinetta. She is far and away my favorite opera singer of the current generation. First, she is to be commended for reviving the tradition of the French coloratura, which has been lacking ever since the heyday of Mady Mesple. Second, she defies the notion that all coloraturas have to stand up to Joan Sutherland (my all-time favorite). True, Sutherland's vocal legacy is truly formidable, but then again, would Sutherland have tackled roles like Zerbinetta or Zdenka? It takes a Natlie Dessay to bring these roles to life.

This is a very satisfactory recital, from start to end. What's more, complete scenes are featured, with a host of top-drawer guests, like Felicity Lott and Angelika Kirschlager. Decca is to be thanked for pulling out all the stops. Not being an expert on Strauss, I can't judge Pappano's conducting, except to say that it sounds quite fine to my ear. Furthermore, the sound quality is excellent.

Now, I'm sure everyone will listen closely for evidence of vocal distress. Natalie just had another surgery to remove a node from her vocal cords, and in a recent press release stated that she hasn't "completely healed" from her intial surgery over a year ago. The only thing I can pick up on are a few high notes sung in alt (like in the duet from Arabella) that sound like they were squeezed out. However, there isn't anything really troubling, like a wobble or ugly spread on top. Let's pray for Dessay's full recovery from her second surgery.

This is music that is absolutely sublime. Surprise someone with this recital for Christmas, especially those who stubbornly listen to Italian opera and eschew any other genre.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sparkling Strauss, September 23, 2005

By 

Zenka B. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natalie Dessay - Amor (Opera Scenes and Lieder by Richard Strauss) (Audio CD)

I just love this CD; Ms Dessay is radiant vocally, and she puts on a great show in each aria- you can practically see her on stage, she is so absorbing and vivid. Of the current sopranos, she is probably best Zerbinetta, and she has a great laughter. Actually, I felt that Der Rosenkavalier pieces were the best, but there are no weak links and any arias and songs that are less than spectacular on this CD. Ms Dessay has a touch of French accent when she sings in German, but I find totally charming and overall her diction is very good.
The other singers are great, especially Angelika Kirchschlage, and the sound is just perfect. This is such a sweet treat, a real Straussian desert!

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Natalie Dessay - with a little help from her friends!, November 2, 2004

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Natalie Dessay - Amor (Opera Scenes and Lieder by Richard Strauss) (Audio CD)

AMOR is an appropriate title for this new release of the works of Richard Strauss as sung by Natalie Dessay and conducted with his usual finesse by Antonio Pappano: 'Love' is the emotion that soars from this collection. Not only do we have Dessay singing it top form in some of the most challenging soprano roles in the opera repertoire (Zerbinetta in 'Ariadne auf Naxos', Zdenka in 'Arabella', and Sophie in 'Der Rosenkavalier', she also graces this collection with the rarely heard Brentano Songs - some of Strauss' most eloquent writing.

AND, if that weren't enough, this very special CD gives us scenes from Ariadne, from Arabella, and from Rosenkavalier with the finest possible artists assisting. Sophie Koch sings the Composer as a perfect match to Dessay's Zerbinetta. On hand as the Marschallin, as Arabella, and as the Primadonna is the velvet voiced Felicity Lott. In a crowning glory is Angelika Kirschlager as Octavian.

All of the excerpts work very well indeed. Perhaps the most refreshing portion is the Brentano Songs which Dessay sings beautifully, revealing the glories of these gems. But for sheer incandescently luxurious singing the duets and trio from Rosenkavalier are the highpoint - these ladies singing individually and together are otherworldly! Antonio Pappano conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden with passionate solid support. This is an album to treasure!

Grady Harp, November 2004