Fiamma del Bel Canto

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BELLINI / DONIZETTI / LEONCAVALLERO / VERDI
Fiamma del Bel Canto
Diana Damrau (soprano) / Orchestra Teatro Regio Torino, Gianandrea Noseda, with Piotr Beczała & Nicolas Testé

[ Erato / Warner Classics / CD ]

Release Date: Wednesday 1 April 2015

In this recital of 19th century Italian arias Damrau proves that precision, refinement and controlled intensity of expression - the guiding principles of bel canto (literally, beautiful singing) - apply not only to Bellini and Donizetti, but also in the more explicit passions of their successors, Verdi, Puccini and Leoncavallo. Performing with the Orchestra of the Teatro Regio Torino under Maestro Gianandrea Noseda, and featuring as guests artists Nicolas Testé (Diana Damrau's husband), Nicole Brandolino and Piotr Beczała, this album sits between two releases of complete recordings of works at the centre of the bel canto canon - Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor (November 2014) and Verdi's La Traviata (Autumn 2015). This album is sure to further affirm her place as the important dramatic coloratura soprano of her generation.

"Damrau is one of the finest sopranos around today displaying a range of excellence from a truly caressing pianissimo to her most dramatic outpouring of emotion. In the coloratura arias Damrau is secure with an attractive, well focused tone. I especially enjoyed the extract from Donizetti's Rosmonda d'Inghilterra to a text by Felice Romani; it was premièred in 1834. Damrau as Rosmonda Clifford fights Eleanor of Aquitaine for the love of Enrico II, King of England, her lover, who she knows as Edgardo. I am pleased to report that full sung texts and English translations are provides in the booklet. Erato have surpassed themselves with excellent sonics which produce a clear and well balanced sound picture." (MusicWeb April 2015)

"In this survey of Verdi, verismo and bel canto arias, Ms. Damrau's singing is more than just beautiful. Her impeccable technique is wielded to potent, expressive effect." New York Times

Tracks:

Bellini:
O rendetemi la speme...Qui la voce sua soave...Vien, diletto (from I Puritani)
Ah! Se una volta sola (from La Sonnambula)
Ah, non credea mirarti (from La Sonnambula)
Ah! non giunge uman pensiero (from La Sonnambula)

Donizetti:
Ancor non giunse...Torna, torna, o caro oggetto (from Rosmonda d'Inghilterra)
Perché non ho del vento (from Rosmonda d'Inghilterra)
Allenta il piè, Regina (from Maria Stuarda)
O nube! Che lieve per l'aria ti aggiri (from Maria Stuarda)
Nella pace del mesto riposo (from Maria Stuarda)
with Nicole Brandolino (Anna)

Leoncavallo:
Qual fiamma avea nel guardo!.... Hui! Stridono lassù (from I Pagliacci)

Puccini:
Donde lieta usci (from La Bohème)

Verdi:
Venerabile Padre (from I Masnadieri)
Lo sguardo avea degli angeli (from I Masnadieri)
È strano! è strano!...Ah! fors è lui (from La traviata)
Sempre libera (from La Traviata)
with Piotr Beczała (Alfredo)
Tu puniscimi, o Signore … A brani, a brani, o perfido (from Luisa Miller)
Qui nulla (from Luisa Miller)
Il padre tuo (from Luisa Miller)
with Nicolas Testé (Wurm)

Check out a video here: