Barbara Bonney sings Mozart ~ Great arias and duets with Bryn Terfel, Arleen Auger and many more

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Artist), Christopher Hogwood (Artist), Barbara Bonney (Artist), The Academy of Ancient Music (Artist), Arleen Auger (Artist), Arnold Östman (Artist), Drottningholm Court Theatre Orchestra & Chorus (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 10, 1998)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00000DI3R
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #152,022 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
American soprano Barbara Bonney has emerged as one of the most engaging interpreters of Mozart's heroines on the stage today. Indeed, the selections offered here--culled from various full-length recordings over the 1990s--are about more than beautiful singing: Bonney's portrayals of four Mozart heroines are rich in vivid characterization and emotional nuance and are models in their own way of "vocal acting." Bonney makes a particularly appealing Susanna with her natural, unforced sound and remarkably poetic phrasing (the Figaro selections include the two new arias Mozart later interpolated for a favorite singer, which are rarely heard in stagings of the opera). Gorgeously floated pianissimos and a deliciously lilting legato give her Zerlina a knowing, sexually charged charm, while her Pamina is both vulnerable and radiant. And, unlike the dime-a-dozen Mozart excerpt albums, this one provides not only arias but duets (with Hakan Hagegard's characterful Count and Don Giovanni and Bryn Terfel's Masetto, among others) and a few ensemble scenes. Most of the selections are conducted with grace by period-instrument maven Arnold Östman; two selections from La clemenza di Tito under Christopher Hogwood will tempt the listener to take a closer look at these artists' complete recording of a neglected Mozart masterpiece. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mozart + Bonney=Outstanding!, January 24, 2000

By	D. Gammelgard "dave_ga" (Falun, Sweden) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I consider Barbara Bonney to be the ultimate Mozart soprano, and that's it! Her beautiful and lyrical soprano is just perfect for the music. Her performance in Die Zauberflöte with Östman/Drottningholm is the best I have ever heard in that opera. The music of Mozart doesn't really require any Wagner-sopranos with huge vibrato and tasteless phrasing. No, it's more suitable for the lovely and brilliant sopranos like Barbara Bonney!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice, but quiet, November 12, 2004

By	Linda Yoder (Morton, IL United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I bought this CD about a year and a half ago and play it all the time, but I do have to turn up the volume, especially in the car (which is a lousy place to listen to serious music anyway). I still prefer Bonney's "Deh vieni" to the other recordings I have, including Bartoli and Upshaw. I love the "Sull'aria," something omitted from a Nozze Highlights CD (also featuring Bonney) I also own. If you like Bonney, you'll probably love the recording.

10 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solid Mozart singing from opera's leading current soubrette, October 2, 1999

By A Customer

This cd has excellent recorded sound, and Barbara Bonney's light, sweet soprano is heard at its freshest. For young sopranos studying Mozart roles, it would be a valuable purchase. Bonney sounds most at home in the Magic Flute selections where her obvious love for the music is really apparent. I give only 4 stars however, because I personally prefer a bigger voice in these roles like Swenson. But this should not deter Mozart and light soprano fans as diva prefences are all a matter of personal taste.