A Night At The Opera

Mariusz Kwiecien (Performer), Valerian Ruminski (Performer), Vincenzo Bellini (Composer), Georges Bizet (Composer), Charles Gounod (Composer), George Frederick Handel (Composer), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Jacques Offenbach (Composer), Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Henry Purcell (Composer), Richard [1] Strauss (Composer), Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Charles Rosekrans (Conductor), Kristine Jepson (Performer), Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra), Indra Thomas (Performer), Matthew Polenzani (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Mariusz Kwiecien, Valerian Ruminski, Kristine Jepson, Indra Thomas, Matthew Polenzani
• Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Charles Rosekrans
• Composer: Vincenzo Bellini, Georges Bizet, Charles Gounod, George Frederick Handel, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, et al.
• Audio CD (November 16, 2004)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B00030B9CU
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #175,440 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

A Night At The Opera features five young singers who have already made considerable names for themselves. The soprano Indra Thomas has been acclaimed as the next great Verdi soprano, while the mezzo-soprano Kristine Jepson has enjoyed great success in the key role of Octavian at the New York Met, in addition to other roles there and throughout Europe and America. The lyric tenor Matthew Polenzani’s international career also includes appearances at the Met in a varied and challenging repertoire. The Polish baritone Mariusz Kwiecien’s operatic appearances have included the Met and the Vienna State Opera, with a number of distinguished awards, and the prize-winning bass-baritone Valerian Ruminski boasts a particularly wide repertoire in a career of growing distinction. These marvelous talents are backed by the renowned Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, with internationally noted opera conductor Charles Rosekrans.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly entertaining sample of five fine young artists, May 13, 2005

By	D. H Patterson "danpatter" (Houston, TX United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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I have only a few quibbles about this release, but it really is enjoyable, and repeated listenings have only increased my admiration. The repertoire ranges across much of the operatic spectrum - okay, there's no Wagner, but perhaps that's too much to expect at this point in their careers. Since most of these selections have been recorded by other, established artists, individual comparisons are pointless. The overall impression given by these singers is that of vibrant youth and spontaneous joy in singing. Matthew Polenzani is perhaps the best known of these, and certainly justifies one's attention with some fine tenorizing. If he can't quite pull off the SCHICCHI aria (who has, lately?) he sings a splendid Faust, and there are darn few good ones these days. He's a real pleasure to hear. Since I've heard Indra Thomas live on numerous occasions, I'm thrilled to have her on CDs at last. She possesses a soaring, juicy lyric soprano (unfortunately not all that well captured here - the voice has a gorgeous spin to it, reminiscent of the young Leontyne Price, and that emerges from the recording only occasionally). Ms. Thomas sang the most beautiful and one of the most exciting performances of the TROVATORE Leonora I have ever heard (and I've heard some great Leonoras), and I'm glad to have a memento of it here. Valerian Ruminski, whose bass is exceptionally beautiful and well-focused, is one of the most fluent male exponents of coloratura that I've heard in 50 years of live performances, so I'm delighted to have the Purcell and Handel selections. In addition, he possesses what Walter Legge called "an immediately recognizable timbre" - the voice sticks in the memory. Kristine Jepson and Mariusz Kwiecien also acquit themselves well. My single real reservation about the individual selections is Ms. Jepson's track of the Composer's outburst from ARIADNE ("Sein wir wieder gut!"). In common with many mezzos, she sounds overparted by its high, soaring lines, though she throws herself into with gusto. To my mind, this role really is best sung by a soprano. Nevertheless, Ms. Jepson proves herself adept enough for Sesto and Zerlina. Mr. Kwiecien's robust baritone is a treat to hear in Verdi, and he and Mr. Ruminski sing a wonderful PURITANI duet. The orchestra plays well and while one might wish the conductor was a bit more "accommodating" to the singers, things move along nicely. This really is, on the whole, an invigorating and tuneful evening's worth of entertainment and a promise of fine things to come.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Compilation of Arias, December 21, 2008

By	Michael J. Colbruno (Oakland, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

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This is as fine a collection of opera arias that you can find and it's at mid-price. It has some of the best emerging artists on it, including two of my favorites, Matthew Polenzani and Mariusz Kwiecien. Don't miss the famous Pearl Fishers duet, it's a nice alternative to the Bjoerling/Merrill version if you've worn it out over the years. Also, Kristine Jepson and Indra Thomas, two gifted singers are also on the CD.