French Opera Arias / Von Stade, Pritchard, London Po

$11.99
Label
Sony Masterworks
Release Date
September 22, 1998
Format
Added to Cart! View cart or continue shopping.


    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      FREDERICA VON STADE
    • PERFORMER
      Frederica Von Stade
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      September 22, 1998
    • UPC
      074646052723
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      SMK60527
    • LABEL
      Sony Masterworks
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Vocal
    Works ⌄

    1. Beatrice and Benedict, Act II: Dieu! Que vien-je d' entendre?

      Composer: Hector Berlioz

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Frederica von Stade

      Conductor: John Pritchard

    2. Werther, Act III: Va! Laisse couler mes larmes

      Composer: Jules Massenet

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Frederica von Stade

      Conductor: John Pritchard

    3. Cendrillon, Act III: Enfin, je suis ici

      Composer: Jules Massenet

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Frederica von Stade

      Conductor: John Pritchard

    4. La damnation de Faust, Op. 24, Part IV: D'amour l'ardente flamme

      Composer: Hector Berlioz

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Frederica von Stade

      Conductor: John Pritchard

    5. Mignon, Act I: Connais-tu le pays?

      Composer: Ambroise Thomas

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Frederica von Stade

      Conductor: John Pritchard

    6. Les Huguenots, Act I: Nobles seigneurs salut

      Composer: Giacomo Meyerbeer

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Frederica von Stade

      Conductor: John Pritchard

    7. Romeo et Juliette, Act III: Depuis hier je cherche en vain mon maitre!

      Composer: Charles Gounod

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Frederica von Stade

      Conductor: John Pritchard

    8. La Grande-Duchesse de Gerolstein, Act II: Dites lui qu'on l'a remarque

      Composer: Jacques Offenbach

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Frederica von Stade

      Conductor: John Pritchard

    9. La Perichole, Act I: Ah! quel diner je viens de faire

      Composer: Jacques Offenbach

      Ensemble: London Philharmonic Orchestra

      Performer: Frederica von Stade

      Conductor: John Pritchard


Frederica von Stade and French vocal music go together like peanut butter and jelly. For example, her Melisande remains unmatched in its depth of character and great musical profundity. Von Stade was meant to sing the arias on this compilation disc of recordings from her early career. Her years of living in France greatly influenced her interpretations and approach to the music. Equipped with one of the greatest mezzo instruments, von Stade sings with such natural ability and charm that it is easy to forget all that goes into preparing an aria.
A case in point is Offenbach's "Ah! quel diner je viens de faire" from 'La Perichole.' Often referred to as the "drunk" aria, it is one of von Stade's signatures, and she slyly portrays the plastered dinner guest trying to hide the extent of her intoxication. In dramatic contrast, von Stade passionately sings of desperate love in "Dieu! Que viens-je d'entendre?" from 'Beatrice et Benedict.' She seems to thrive on the intricate orchestration of Berlioz, and her flawless French diction is a delight to the ear. This is an important disc for those interested specifically in this repertoire, and von Stade sings it better than anyone else.