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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
A treasurable record of a truly great musician,
By Ed Beveridge (London, England) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Yvonne Kenny - Great Operatic Arias / Philharmonia Orchestra · David Parry [in English] (Audio CD)
Those who have not seen Yvonne Kenny in the theatre have really missed out. I have been fortunate to experience many of her great performances in the UK both in Handel and Mozart(perhaps the composers to whom her light, silvery soprano is best suited) but also her fabulous Feldmarschallin, a performance that for its subtlety and understanding of this enigmatic lady stands with the all time greats. It is partly preserved on a Chandos recording of Rosenkavalier highlights which for those unfamiliar with it is a real gem.Kenny's voice has changed over the years both for better and worse. There is some scratchiness at the top nowadays (the aria from La Wally suffers seriously here and could perhaps with profit have been omitted) but her gorgeous timbre in the middle range remains seductive and fascinating, with its deliciously rounded production and seductive, resinous edge. She can still float a sensuous pianissimo. Above all, for a recording of arias in English. her diction is exemplary, and her understanding and use of text a model for others to follow. The selection of works here is certainly eclectic and contains a number of relative rarities. Leila's and Mathilde's arias are beautiful pieces, beautifully sung; there is some lovely Handel and - especially - Purcell ("Fairest Isle" is all the more powerful for its simplicity) and the operetta and musical numbers are delivered with charm. She is probably too mature now for Ann Trulove, though "Gently, little boat" is touching. As a reminder of her past achievements in Bel Canto, she sings a duet from Semiramide and one from Linda di Chamonix ably partnered by Della Jones and Barry Banks respectively. Banks returns as Nadir to her Leila in a passionate account of an Act 2 scene from Pearl Fishers. The highlight of the set? Perhaps for me it is "So in Love" from Kiss me Kate, a performance that captures the bitterness and tragedy of this great piece perfectly. David Parry, seriously underrated here in the UK, conducts stylishly and sympathetically. A serious blot on the recording is the horrible cover, though the English texts are all in the booklet along with some photos of Kenny's great performances. Her retirement from the opera circuit may be in sight before too many years, but at least this disc captures many of her best qualities for posterity.
4.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent collection of beautifully sung arias and songs,
By Matteo (San Francisco, CA United States) - See all my reviews
This review is from: Yvonne Kenny - Great Operatic Arias / Philharmonia Orchestra · David Parry [in English] (Audio CD)
I am a newcomer to Yvonne Kenny's singing. Her performance at the Olympic Games in Sydney (at which she sang the Olympic Hymn) certainly left an impression on me. I was struck by the richness of voice, and this recital disk shows that quality off to great effect.At this point in her career, Kenny's voice is not flashy; there are no coloratura fireworks or even high C's. What there is however, is someone who sings with clarity, charm, and ultimately with beauty. Kenny, like a great actor with the words, lets the music do the "talking" and proves an elegant and impassioned conduit for the composer whose work she is interpreting. Hers is a mature voice, an intelligent voice perfect for Mozart and Strauss, the former of whom is represented here. On the disk she excels in the arias by Mozart, Purcell, and Handel. She also dispaches with class the songs of Gilbert/Sullivan and Cole Porter (in truly disarming fashion in the latter case). There is a elegance to her singing that is rare, but she does not sacrifice passion or committment. She comes across as a consumate musician above all. On the technical side of things: Her diction is pristine. Enough said. She has one of the most beautiful middle registers of any soprano active today, and her vibrato is fresh and lively without being obtrusive. To be picky, the upper register can sound the tiniest bit forced. Yet taken into consideration with the rest of her efforts, this is a minor quibble which seems silly when I think of Kenny's deft negotiating of Handel's ornamentation or her solid trill throughout the disk. Outstanding contributions also come from tenor Barry Banks in duets from "The Pear Fishers" and "Linda di Chamonix" (where he really shines) and mezzo Della Jones in a duet from "Semiramide". This is one of the most satisfying recital disks I have ever heard, and I recommend it for anyone who is a fan of a simply beautiful voice.
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