Customer Reviews

Rediscovered

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

World-renowned soprano Leontyne Price can be an intimidating presence on any stage but not on this live concert recording. She lends a warm, lovely presence and of course, her unparalleled voice, to this eclectic program, which amazingly at the age of 38, represented her Carnegie Hall recital debut in 1965. It's hard to imagine her sounding any better than this at any point in her career, and just as importantly, the program reflects her heightened awareness of what serves her powerful voice best. It's a wonderful record of an obviously triumphant evening, and in what must be one of the recording industry's most monumental oversights, it languished in the RCA vault for thirty-seven years.

Price starts with three opera arias from Handel, all very clean in delivery and one especially noteworthy, "Piangerò la sorte mia" from "Giulio Cesare in Egritto". She is simultaneously opulent and regal while displaying a strong sense of pathos as Cleopatra contemplates her fate. The ten-minute Brahms "Zigeunerlieder, Op. 103" is stunning for the freshness she provides with her flexible quicksilver tones, all delivered in her very expressive German. The four Poulenc selections are delivered in a such a delicate manner that it can only be described as buttery, and as such, perfect for the Gallic verses. And her big opera moment comes with Giordano's "La mamma morta" from "Andrea Cénier" sung with her requisite passion. Regardless though, Price really soars with the American selections where her voice takes on an added dimension of humanity. She begins this portion with three stellar selections from Samuel Barber, all shimmering showcases for her voice: the haunting "Nocturne, Op. 13 No. 4", the light and airy "The Daisies, Op. 2 No. 1" and the near spiritual "Sleep Now, Op. 10 No. 2". These segue seamlessly into two lush pieces by the relatively unknown Lee Hoiby, who wrote specifically for Price. For me personally, the high points of the entire recording are the four spirituals, which she sings with an unearthly combination of roof-raising conviction and clarion tones. She concludes with classic arias from Puccini and Cilea and of course, her definitive version of George Gershwin's "Summertime". This is as fulfilling a recital as you could possibly hear from this wondrous singer. Essential listening.

I have "lived" happily and joyously with Leontyne Price since I purchased the "blue" album many, many years ago. We are indeed fortunate that RCA found the recording of this recital, for Ms. Price's recitals always afforded her audiences opportunities to listen to the sheer beauty of her instrument and to marvel at her intelligent interpretations of German "Lieder," French "melodies," art songs by such American composers as Rorem, Hoiby, Swann, and, of course, Barber. The "Negro Spirituals" were always bonuses and gave those who were unfamiliar with the songs of the African American an opportunity to understand and appreciate the depth of the African American's faith in God. On this CD, Ms. Price is in resplendent voice. It memorializes the sublime moments of her recitals which many of us still treasure. Listen carefully to her interpretation of Brahms' "Zigeunerlieder," for they are performed beautifully and idiomatically. But I would say that her performance of Poulenc's "Tu vois le feu du soir" alone is worth the price of the CD. To those who "grew up" with Ms. Price and to those who are too young to have heard her in recital, I say: Purchase this CD, and you will relive those sublime moments of the past or understand why the late music critic of The Washington Post, Paul Hume, wrote in a review of a recital given in Washington that the state of Ms. Price's voice is "great . . . they come no greater."

The idea that a recording of this quality and importance in the career of our American Diva is almost too hard to believe. The fact that it has been released now is such a pleasure. Imagine that night in Carnigie Hall, a singer at the peak of her vocal powers, a night I would have never forgotten. Some of the material recorded here she has recorded at later times but these performances are top notch and the quality and dedication to the art of singing is here for all to enjoy. What else does RCA have in their vaults. Do we have to wait another 37 years to find out.

American soprano Leontyne Price,one of this country's greatest artists, has enjoyed a recorded career that is quite unrivalled by any divas save Callas & Sutherland. Ms. Price's five (5) volume PRIMA DONNA series -now available in one (4) four CD set-(still singular in breadth and vocalism), solo compilations of Verdi, Mozart, Puccini, R.Strauss, Barber, Operas, Spirituals, and more, attest to the diva's extraordinary abilities, and showcases one of the most gloriously beautiful voices of any musical era.

'Live' performances are like treasured rarities from soprano Leontyne Price - unlike her better-represented kindred divas. So, when one is released, (or "re-discovered" in this case) fans rush to own it, most of them unconcerned about the quality of the sound, secure that the performance itself is worth any sonic distortions. What a joy to report that this disc's sound quality is superlative and has nearly everything anyone, fan or music-lover, could desire in a Live concert. Ms. Price's sovereign instrument has always provoked sustained, vociferous, almost visceral excitement at all of her appearances - no less so on this evening. She is simply sensational in this concert. Her voice, magnificently produced, encompasses the stylistic and musical challenges in a recital few others would ever dare risk. The programme includes German lieder, French chanson, Twentieth-Century American song, Italian opera arias, and spirituals as well. Her interpretive powers and artistry are well-suited to the nuanced Recital idiom. Then, of course, there are the fabled encores as well. One can hear the ever-increasing frenzy that this fabulously-gifted soprano whips up in her audience, capped by a stunning "Vissi D'Arte".

This disc is a must-have for anyone who wishes to enjoy the live experience of a cherished Prima Donna in her prime, and re-live the excitement of the recital experience, as presented by Diva assoluta Leontyne Price: "La Splendissima" indeed!

La Price has the greatest, most beautiful soprano of the last 50 years or so. She had a career that is AS GREAT as that of Sutherland or Callas. She was, in short, a credit to American sopranos. Her voice is just so thrilling and glorious.
To supplement this wonderful cd, you MUST have a video to go with it. I mean that video must have Price in her prime like this cd.
Along with this "Leontyne Price re-discovered", I highly recommend the DVD...Great Stars of Opera - Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour 1959-1966. It shows the young Leontyne in her greatest roles, the diva singing arias from Aida and Tosca. It also has Franco Corelli, Birgit Nilsson, Joan Sutherland and the great Eileen Farrell. It's a must have!

This recording demonstrates the singular brilliance of Price's artistry. The feeling of immediacy is palpable and the remastering optimizes the breadth and scope of Price's singing - her voice, that velvety powerhouse, is anything but "dime a dozen." Indeed, one is given a glimpse of an artist at the peak of her powers in relationship with an audience - Price makes magic. You will not be disappointed. How pitiful that space for the review of serious music should be sullied by the ramblings of an adolescent mentality as with the previous review. We are blessed to have several wonderful singers who have fostered the American presence in opera. Callas and Price stand together in this pantheon.

What a beauty this is. The most beautiful singer in our American history in a glorious recital. It doesn't get any better than this. But you have to have a video to see Ms Price singing arias from two of her greatest roles...Aida and Tosca. She sings "Vissi D'arte" better in the DVD than here. She is a better Tosca than Callas.
Buy this cd, and go search for the DVD on Amazon..."Great Stars of Opera- Telecasts from the Bell Telephone Hour 1959-1966".
You'll be in awe as I am by these.

Opera enthusiasts are often thought to be more bitterly partisan than the most extreme of politicians (witness the Callas/Tebaldi rivalry of the 1960's and '70's). Whether this is true or not, we all have our favorites. And Leontyne Price is mine. There is virtually nothing this divine lady could not have tackled in her prime: Verdi, Puccini, Mozart, Barber, German lieder, and more. Her voice is never less than sublime - pure and open, with brilliant top notes, dusky depths, and a gorgeous vibrato.

This, as the liner notes explain, was a Carnegie Hall recital which was meant to be recorded and released but for some reason was forgotten until recently. It captures Ms. Price in excellent voice as she sings a wide selection of pieces, including some by Handel, Brahms, Poulenc, Barber, Puccini, and her favorite spirituals.

I have only purchased this CD today, and have not listened to it carefully, but from the majority that I have heard it is an exciting addition to Leontyne Price's corpus of recorded works. I enthusiastically recommend this recording to anyone who wishes to become more familiar with Leontyne Price, as well as to those of us who already keep her voice close to our hearts.

This magnificent recording is a collection of rare and beautiful arias sung by the gifted lyric-dramatic soprano Leontyne Price, the very first successful black opera diva, who reigned supreme in the 60's and 70's. While there are many full-length operas starring Price, this compilation album is quite refreshing because it's new and lovingly remastered from the original tapes/LPs. Among the arias are Bel Piacere- a Handel piece full of gorgeous ornamentation, Care Salve from Falla's Atlantida, very beautiful and majestic. Other songs include Summertime from Porgy and Bess and songs by Samuel Barber. Leontyne Price had versatility. While she was famous for her Aida, Leonora in Trovatore, Leonora in Forza Del Destino, as Tosca, and as many of the dramatic Verdi and Puccini roles, she sung roles that were modern and thrilling- Cleopatra in Antony and Cleopatra was one. She sang Lieder, she sang Gospel, she was a one-woman opera. This recording is a fitting tribute to her artistry. However there are many other fine compilation albums out there that far surpass even this new one - the best is The Prima Donna Collection, Leontyne Price in Concert, An Evening With Leontyne Price, The Best of Leontyne Price and The Ultimate Leontyne Price.

Few sopranos in their prime have consistently
balanced vocal beauty and power as well as Price did.
I'm sure her smooth legatos were the envy of
her contemporaries, and those since. However,
I do not think this album is the best recording
of her live recitals.

Vocally, Price is in great form. I have no
complaints with the voice. My issue is with the
performance as a total package, in it's entirety.
The ambiance and general "feel" of this recording
is odd. To me, it sounds like Price was coaxed into
entertaining a group of friends after a high society
dinner party; It's as if someone had suggested after dinner,
"Leontyne, why don't you regale us with a few classical
arias?"

Truthfully, this sounds like a completely impromptu performance.
The pianist is on autopilot, banging through each aria
in a fevered, sometimes overbearing bravura. Price
displays excellent musicianship by adjusting to
the volume and varying tempos without compromising
superb artistry. At times, it appears that Price and the
pianist are battling for artistic control. The
audience is obviously in love with her, as well they
should be. They are not reserved in their thunderous
applause and whistles. I personally prefer to hear Price
backed by full orchestra. The rendition of Spirituals
are well sung and sound more appropriate with the piano accompaniment.
"Vissi d'Arte" is regal and elegant, in grand fashion.
"Chi il bel sogno" from La Rondine is a richly
legato master work.

While Leontyne Price's vocal performance on this album is
top-notched, I would only recommend this "rediscovered" performance
as a collection keepsake. For some reason, I can't part
from the feeling that perhaps this recording was never
meant to be released. It's not bad, but by no means is it
definitive of Leontyne Price's remarkable contributions
as an operatic legend.