Natalie Dessay - Vocalise

Léo Delibes (Composer), Camille Saint-Saens (Composer), Alexander Alyabyev (Composer), Maurice Ravel (Composer), Eva Dell'Acqua (Composer), Johann Strauss II (Composer), Enrique Granados (Composer), Heinrich Proch (Composer), Michael Schonwandt (Conductor), Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester (Orchestra), Natalie Dessay (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Natalie Dessay
• Orchestra: Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester
• Conductor: Michael Schonwandt
• Composer: Léo Delibes, Camille Saint-Saens, Alexander Alyabyev, Maurice Ravel, Eva Dell'Acqua, et al.
• Audio CD (June 2, 1998)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B000006OGC
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #143,616 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Vocalise, Op.34 No. 14

2. Salavieï (Le Rossignol) Poplular Russian Melody

3. Le Rossignol Et La Rose

4. Les Filles De Cadix

5. Vocalise En Forme De Habanera

6. La Maja Y El Ruiseñor

7. 'Deh, Torna Mio Bene', Air And Variations

8. Villanelle 'J'Ai Vu Passer L'Hirondelle'

9. I Andante

10. II Allegro

11. Frühlingsstimmen-Walzer (Voix Du Printemps (Voices Of Spring), Op.410

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

28 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars coloratura perfection, August 27, 2001

By 

"puccinigirl" (Shawnee, Oklahoma United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natalie Dessay - Vocalise (Audio CD)

This is a wonderful collection of coloratura pieces. Dessay is tremendous technically, and, though the voice can be a bit thin at times, she is absolutely stunning in this repertoire. As a coloratura-in-training, I am listen in awe as Dessay fools her audience into thinking this is simple stuff! While it may seem to be on the verge of heresey, I much prefer Dessay to Joan Sutherland (though she is indeed La Stupenda) and even enjoy listening to her over Sills. The reviews which comment on Dessay seeming to have a less-than solid sound and comparing her to Fleming may be forgetting that this type of literature cannot afford to sound weighty, nor can the voice perform optimally with a weight up in the rafters! Though I think Fleming is a fine singer, I personally prefer listening to Dessay, and I certainly learn more from the experience. This is an incredible album and a true accomplishment. Also, if Dessay is your cup of tea, check out the recording of Lakme with Dessay in the title role-wow!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant, April 18, 2000

By 

M. Tietjen "tietj" (Syracuse, NY, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Natalie Dessay - Vocalise (Audio CD)

As a student at the music school which Renée Fleming attended and is worshipped, one would think that I would agree with the reviewer who compared Natalie Dessay unfavorably to her. But I've never really liked Renée Fleming; she's very good, yes, but her voice isn't distinctive enough for me to call her a "great" soprano, lyric or otherwise. Dessay's performances of these relatively unknown selections are flawless, with the possible exception of Rachmaninov's Vocalise, which is more for a lyric soprano. True, Dessay's ultra-thin tone can be piercing, but it's worth it to hear intelligent interpretations of songs that I haven't heard eight million times before. And her coloratura technique has got to be among the best in the world today.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Resplendent, December 9, 1999

By 

LJW (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Natalie Dessay - Vocalise (Audio CD)

French soprano Natalie Dessay sings a beautiful program of coloratura gems. One critic has dubbed her the "thinking man's" coloratura soprano. The voice is pure and agile with a transluscent quality about it. Flirtatious and sensual in "Les filles de cadix" and dulcet in "J'ai vu passer l'hirondelle," Dessay is a fine interpreter. She uses her voice like an instrument in the actual vocalise selections, coloring her lines tastefully and elegantly.

One reviewer attested to the supremacy of Renee Fleming. They are both wonderful sopranos with very different voices. Fleming is a full lyric soprano and Dessay is a coloratura soprano. I wouldn't want to be without either of them.