Customer Reviews

Souvenirs

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of the best performances I have heard. I say this because although several of the selections were music I usually dislike, as performed here I really enjoyed them. This preogram includes a wide range of music from Viennese operetta of Kalman, Lehar, etc, through opera, songs by R.Strauss, Greig, Messager, Dvorak etc. to LLoyd-Webber, all of them very well sung. The Prague Philharmonic and the other singers (Garanca, Beczala, & Swatt) were also excellent.

A very well-chosen album, presenting La Trebka in her true colours.
The timbre is deep, pure, full and with an icy hue contrasted with a hidden exotic outburst of passion.
This is the perfect voice for Slavic vocal works, not Italian works.
I have been waiting for Anna to return to these kinds of repertoire since her early Kirov days, when she demonstrated a huge potential to be the great soprano of the 21st century. Unfortunately, her starry excursions into the Western operatic world has seen her abandoning her strengths and strenuously taking on the Italian bel canto roles that ill suits her timbre and abilities.
This is a top lyrical soprano, adept at Slavic, Nordic and Germanic styles of singing. Hand her a Gypsy album, and just see what great stuff will come from her.
Give her the chance, please.

Everybody knows that Anna is one of the reigning sopranos of our day...gorgeous voice...pop star looks and charisma. Here, she has given us a good selection of her favorite pieces, in multiple languages...it was worth the effort.

Some of these pieces are, naturally, far better known than others. The "Pie Jesu" from the Andrew Lloyd Weber "Requiem" and the bacarolle from "The Tales of Hoffman" are probably the most familiar, and are really special. Heck, the entire record is special.

Pretty girl...great singing...fine music. Wonderful album. Enjoy.

This album gives one ample hope of hailing, in due time, Anna Netrebko as the foremost 21st century lyrical soprano, following the colours of the great Victoria de Los Angeles in the 20th Century.
Quite a number fo songs here were being recorded in the 1960's by de lOs Angeles in London. An interesting comparison between these two leading lyrical sopranos show that Netrebko, given that she treads on the correct path, is fully capable of holding up de Los Angeles' mantle of lyrical-cum-dramatic soprano. Of course, Netrebko has yet to savour Wagner's Tanhausser, as de Los Angeles did at Baytreuth in 1961 and 1962. Notwithstanding, to own a full and lyrical voice with such purity is a rarity, and one had to wait for half a century before another surfaces.
Bravo, Netrebko, and more of such goodies, please!

Previous customer's review is misleading. This cd does not include dvd; the version with dvd costs about twice as much.

Here is an artist the likes of which I have never known before and I am an opera lover for 70 years! She is a 1st class character and a singer who can express emotion equally well with her voice as her body, her face or her actions and demeanor. The La Boheme movie was the most moving and meaningful performance I have ever seen, and the extraordinary talent of Netrebko and Rolando Villazon even made one forget the absurd scenery and direction of La Traviata. With the exception of Caruso, I have seen or heard live the greatest opera singers of the 20th century, Gigli, Bjoerling, DiStefano, Melchior, Traubel, Callas, Tebaldi, Pons, Gobbi, Warren, etc. but have never experienced anything like Anna Netrebko.

Anna's voice is one of the greatest we have today. I truly enjoy this album and listen to it over and over again. Anna's performances are haunting and beautiful. A definite "must have" for fans of the opera...

Anna Netrebko's "Souvenirs" is an absolute joy from beginning to end. These are obviously songs which have special meaning for her, and she features all the facets of her glorious voice, from sparkling diamond to creamy pearl. The variety is endless, and I especially enjoyed the chance to widen my musical horizons to embrace the Russian art songs, most of which I had never heard before. "Not the Wind Blowing From the Heights", for example, really touched my heart with its poetic serenity.

"Depuis le Jour" has always been a favourite aria of mine, and Ms Netrebko's outstanding rendition with its pure, floating high notes is just magic. On the other hand, "Meine Lippen Sie Kussen So Heiss" simply erupts with dazzling brilliance - evoking memories of her flamboyant performance of this song at London's Proms - complete with red roses in abundance!

Amazingly, there are ten different languages on this recording - a tribute to Ms Netrebko's linguistic talent and her commitment to presenting each piece in its original setting.

The inlay summary of the CD compares its structure to a fine meal - opera/operetta main course, the luxurious dessert of the art songs, with a lively champagne digestif to finish. What a charming way to describe this delicious musical experience!

I loved the entire CD .The standout for is her version of "Meinne Luppen Kussen so Heis".Anna able to bring the same joy to her recording as she does her perfomances.A must for any Anna fan.

Her voice certainly has the most astounding purity and vocal range. Clarity is crystal clear. Looking foward to seeing more of her in the future; as she is taking on more coloratura roles.