Susan Graham ~ Berlioz - Les nuits d'été

Hector Berlioz (Artist), John Nelson (Artist), Susan Graham (Artist), Orchestra of the Royal Opera House (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 15, 1997)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B0000029U0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #104,045 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
On casual listen, Graham can seem like yet another pretty voice. And it is extremely pretty. But there's an intelligence and learnedness that can only make her more interesting as time goes on. As is, her performances are slightly undercooked, though there are some moments during Les Nuits d'été as passionate and committed as one could want. The arias added to fill out the disc aren't heard in optimal performances, but show what riches lie in Berlioz's neglected operatic output, namely Ascanio's lighthearted aria from Benvenuto Cellini and the long soliloquy from Beatrice and Benedict. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The greatest "Nuits d'Ete" on record!, August 31, 2002

By	madamemusico "madamemusico" (Cincinnati, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

I have been listening to Berlioz' song cycle for nearly thirty years, and have heard most of the famous recordings: Teyte, Danco, de los Angeles, Steber, Janet Baker, Jessye Norman et al. Formerly, it was only Baker who penetrated the poetry of the lyrics...the "old" French style was to simply sing in a straightforward manner with no particular inflection, a style that Teyte and Danco worked to perfection. But the advent of such "chanson" singers as Gerard Souzay, Regine Crespin and Gabriel Bacquier changed all that, their approach was more specifically poetic. That is the approach that Graham uses here, and I find that it works beautifully.

Only in "Villannelle" does one hear the simple, straightforward style of Teyte or Danco. Almost immediately, in "Le Spectre de la Rose," one is hit with the meaning and feeling of Gautier's poetry...and one is literally swept away in the passionate performance of Graham and her conductor, John Nelson. I agree with the reviewer who said that the orchestra is somewhat recessed in sound, but Nelson brings out so many felicitous details that it inevitably doesn't matter....and, unlike Baker, Graham is a mezzo-soprano who can sing "Nuits d'Ete" in the original key, adding a soprano luster and sweep to her performances....and the opera arias are equally well sung. Highly recommended!!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Subtle elegance for Berlioz, December 4, 1999

By A Customer

Susan Graham is a singer's singer. The more that one listens to this disc, the more this singer's introspection reaches the listener. This disc has much of the same haunting quality that Dame Janet Baker's older recording of Les Nuits D'ete has. Ms. Graham singing of the Berlioz arias is truly stunning at times. This singer is to be much admired. This listener hopes to hear more of her on future recordings.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Mezzo of the New Millenium!, September 10, 1998

By A Customer

Susan Graham's recording of Hector Berlioz'"Les nuits d'ete" sets a new standard for contemporary mezzos and sopranos alike. Sometimes mistaken for a soprano, Miss Graham's is a lush, lyrical mezzo with ample high notes and a secure foundation. Her French diction is understatedly impeccable and the songs are elegantly sung - the interpretation of each having been given much sensitive thought. As lovely as the songs are, better still are the Berlioz opera arias. Even the more familiar of an admittedly obscure bunch - in this country, at least - are given fresh and definitive interpretations. John Nelson leads the Royal Opera House Orchestra as if they've been playing this repertoire all their lives. One hopes that this cd is the first of many extraordinary solo cd's from this under-hyped artist who regularly performs with the world's great opera companies and orchestras.