Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehar, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss

Gustave Charpentier (Composer), Charles Gounod (Composer), Jules Massenet (Composer), Antonin Dvorak (Composer), Friedrich von Flotow (Composer), Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Erich Wolfgang Korngold (Composer), Carl Orff (Composer), Richard Strauss (Composer), Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Composer: Gustave Charpentier, Charles Gounod, Jules Massenet, Antonin Dvorak, Friedrich von Flotow, et al.
• Audio CD (February 10, 1998)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: London/Decca
• ASIN: B0000042I6
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,324 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #1 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Divas > Fleming, Renée
  • #5 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Composers > Korngold, Erich Wolfgang
  • #8 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Featured Performers, A-Z > C to G

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fleming's Brightest Flame, November 30, 2002

By 

pastre (edinburgh,UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehar, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss (Audio CD)

First, I am not an opera connoseur. Whilst I do appreciate classical and opera, I do not have the knowledge of other reviewers when it comes to having this album reviewed. However, I can't help but include myself in Ms. Fleming's legion of admirers and I felt I must write something about this extraordinary album.

I already have ALL of Renee Fleming's cd's but I shall always go back to this one as her very best, a vehicle if there ever was one, no wonder, her fans just absolutely adore it. Barbra Streisand has always been my favourite singer and there never was a second one. Until now. Renee has absolutely commanded my respect. Her talent, specially her voice is a wonder to behold. it has been described as creamy, tremulouus, rich, like being enveloped in warm silk, honey-like. Listening to her is like watching Michaelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel, it is an experience of joy.

Her Mariettas Lied is the most hypnotic version I've ever heard, her voice soars and she is in absolute control, the beauty will just take your breath away. Chi Il Bel Sogno is a knockout. Goosebumps. The famous Rachmaninov Vocalise is also beautiful. My favourite amongst all is Bailero. For years, I have admired Kiri Te Kanawa's seductive version of this piece but Fleming's version is so awesome that the opening verse, "Pastre de delai l'aio, as gaiire de boun tems..." is worth the price alone of this cd. Her thick and creamy voice is the MOST beautiful soprano the art of music has ever produced.

Yes, many critics have pointed out her tendency to over-inflect and "Flemingise" arias. But this is just an exhibition of her genius as a soprano, aren't all great singers blamed for making it appear that songs were tailor-made for them? Yes she does inject her own brand of style and technique but they are so beautiful to listen to that I don't understand what the fuss are all about? (How Bel Canto was lambasted!)

I know some people who are lions guarding the celestial gates of opera that have elevated Caballe, Callas, Sutherland as goddesses and have a responsibility to be loyal, But
Renee Fleming is here and she is THE greatest among all of them.I have curiouly bought works of these women, they are good but Miss Fleming's voice is complete, powerful and perfect. Yes, perfect.

All of us her fans will make sure that Miss Fleming will continue to burn her bright flame and more of your music. Brava! Brava!

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great CD of an exquisite singer!, March 18, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehar, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss (Audio CD)

This is a great CD. "Chi il bel sogno di Doretta" is my favorite track. Ms. Fleming's voice is lovely. I don't understand the incessant need of some reviewers to downrate modern opera recordings. Yes, there were some magnificent singers in the past; however, there are magnificent singers today too. Ms. Fleming is one of them. It would be a shame to miss out on the lovliness of this recording as a show of loyalty to a singer of the past. This is a great CD and you won't be sorry you purchased it. It has the lyrics to the songs printed in the language in which they're sung along with an English translation where needed. This is an excellent addition to an opera or vocal music collection.

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of those magical recordings, May 12, 2004

By 

T. Sparfeld (Miami, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehar, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss (Audio CD)

You will love this CD. I heard a friend playing it and knew that I would have to get it some day. It is truly gorgeous.

I am amazed by some of the reviewers who can dare to give this recording fewer than five stars. I know there are some opera perfectionists out there who can be fickle, but this recording is gorgeous. I'm willing to concede that Renee Fleming may not be the greatest opera singer the world has had in the last 100 years, but her voice is what the title says--beautiful. Fleming has worked hard to get where she is today and it shows. Jeffrey Tate seems to do a fine job, and he doesn't get in the way.

Fleming sings each aria with flair, amazing presence, and musical integrity. Each aria showcases her voice, and yet is quite musically inspiring. "Chi il bel sogno" by Puccini and "Marietta's Lied" by Korngold (an oft-overlooked composer) are among my favorites. I also like the aria from Carmina Burana as well as the one from Manon. If you click on the Manon aria (Track 3) to listen online, you will be sold on the CD.

If you don't know anything about opera, you will love this recording. If you are an opera fanatic--no matter who your "favorite" soprano is--you will be forced to admit the singing here deserves instant respect.