Nicolai Gedda - French and Russian Arias & Songs

Hector Berlioz (Composer), Georges Bizet (Composer), Francois-Adrien Boieldieu (Composer), Alexander Borodin (Composer), Leo Delibes (Composer), Charles Gounod (Composer), Giacomo Meyerbeer (Composer), Modest Mussorgsky (Composer), Sergey Rachmaninov (Composer), Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Ernst Marzendorfer (Conductor), Georges Prêtre (Conductor), Gianandrea Gavazzeni (Conductor), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Jean Fournet (Conductor), Nils Grevillius (Conductor), Stig Rybrant (Conductor), Colon Theater Orchestra (Buenos Aires) (Orchestra), Rome RAI Orchestra (Orchestra), Radio Filharmonisch Orkest Holland (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Orchestra: Colon Theater Orchestra (Buenos Aires), Rome RAI Orchestra, Radio Filharmonisch Orkest Holland
• Conductor: Ernst Marzendorfer, Georges Prêtre, Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Herbert von Karajan, Jean Fournet, et al.
• Composer: Hector Berlioz, Georges Bizet, Francois-Adrien Boieldieu, Alexander Borodin, Leo Delibes, et al.
• Audio CD (June 6, 2000)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Gala
• ASIN: B000001XMK
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #239,641 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is some of the finest singing ever recorded, May 12, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Cupertino, California) - See all my reviews

Although strangely forgotten by the opera world and overshadowed by the overwhelming publicity surrounding the three tenors (Carreras, Domingo, and Pavoroti), Gedda ought to be recognized as the greatest living tenor. His artistry, technique, musicianship, and individuality are second to none. Buy this CD and delight in some of his best work. There are presently no singers that even approach the mastery of the repetoire recorded on this album which Gedda sings perfectly and easily.His refinement and power are unexcelled. (No, the three tenors don't hold a candle to him. In fact, comparing Gedda to them is a bit like comparing a halogen bulb to a candle. Very nice candles, yes, but no match for an artist of his caliber.)

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a master singer!!!, January 19, 1999

By	Rod Tierman (Houston, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This is a truly wonderful recording of the tenor, who I feel, is the greatest in the second half of the 20th Century. Maestro Gedda sings repetoire from the lyric Gerrard in Lakme to the dramatic Raoul in Les Hugeunots all with stylish ease and elan. Gedda had the most beautiful high notes in the business. These are all live performances and the span of time is from 1954 (Carmen, with von Karajan) to 1972 (Les Hugeunots). Finally, on CD, one gets to hear Maestro Gedda sing Lenski's Aria from Eugene Onegin, more beautiful and sumptuous than any other Tenor before or since. Also the last 9 tracks are Russian songs and this is some of the most beautiful singing heard anywhere (also done live).

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Gedda in 60's and early 70's, August 20, 2003

By	Rosomax (Boulder, CO United States) - See all my reviews

Nicolai Gedda, a vocal wonder of the post-WWII Europe is in great form in live selections presented on this CD.
The French opera arias, particularly Berlioz and Gounod, required stellar high B's and C's plus ability to shift the registers seemlessly. Well, Gedda dispite his accent, was indeed perfect for this material. He will make you hold your breath every time he hits those high notes and each of these notes is crystal clear and dead-center on pitch.
For me personally, the best part of the disc is a 1971 recital of Russian art songs by Mussorgsky, Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninov. Gedda sings with a lot of feeling and is not afraid to "invent" -- check out the messa voce, or rubato that he adds. "Where art thou, little star" is heart-gripping in its beauty.
Unfortunately, the recital is clearly not presented in its entirety. I just hope Gala will release the full version some time soon.
Of course, all the selections are "live". But that's not a serious problem here (unlike many other Gala CDs made almost unlistenable by caughs and other noises). Yes, there are a few distractions, but not enough to take away from pure joy of Gedda's singing.