Dame Joan Sutherland, the legendary Australian soprano, invites you into the enchanting world of bel canto with her album "Joan Sutherland Sings Bel Canto Arias." Released on November 19, 2012, under the Heritage Records label, this exquisite collection showcases Sutherland's unparalleled vocal prowess and artistry.
Spanning a rich duration of 2 hours and 8 minutes, the album is a treasure trove of arias from some of the most celebrated operas in the classical repertoire. From the haunting beauty of "Il dolce suono" from Lucia di Lammermoor to the fiery passion of "Ah, fors' è lui" from La Traviata, Sutherland's voice shines with clarity, precision, and emotional depth. Each aria is a masterclass in vocal technique, demonstrating why Sutherland was renowned as one of the greatest sopranos of the 20th century.
The album features iconic works by composers such as Gaetano Donizetti, Vincenzo Bellini, and Giuseppe Verdi, among others. Highlights include the mad scenes from "Lucia di Lammermoor" and "Hamlet," showcasing Sutherland's dramatic intensity and vocal agility. The inclusion of arias from lesser-known operas like "Les Huguenots" and "Semiramide" adds a layer of depth and variety to the collection.
"Joan Sutherland Sings Bel Canto Arias" is not just a compilation of arias; it is a testament to Sutherland's enduring legacy and her unparalleled contribution to the world of opera. Whether you are a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a captivating journey through the golden age of bel canto, showcasing the timeless beauty of Sutherland's voice.
2012 Heritage Records2012 Heritage Records
Tracks
Les Huguenots: O beau paysGiacomo Meyerbeer, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Semiramide: Bel raggio lusinghierGioachino Rossini, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Linda di Chamounix: Act I, "Ah! tardai troppo...O luce di quest' anima"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, Nello Santi
Lucia di Lammermoor: Act II, "Il dolce suono mi corpi di sua voce!...Ardon gl'incensi" (Mad scene)Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, Paris Opera Chorus, Nello Santi, René Duclos
Lucia di Lammermoor: "Ancor non giunse!...Regnava nel silenzio"Gaetano Donizetti, Dame Joan Sutherland, Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, Nello Santi
I Puritani: "Son vergin vezzosa" (Polonaise)Vincenzo Bellini, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
I Puritani: "O rendetemi la speme... Qui la voce... Vien, diletto"Vincenzo Bellini, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Norma: "Sediziose voci...Casta diva...Ah! bello a me ritorna"Vincenzo Bellini, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
La Sonnambula: "Care compagne... Come per me sereno... Sovra il sen"Vincenzo Bellini, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Hamlet: The Mad SceneAmbroise Thomas, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Vespri Siciliani: Act V, "Bolero: Mercè, diletti amiche"Giuseppe Verdi, Dame Joan Sutherland, Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, Nello Santi
Rigoletto: "Caro Nome" (Recitative and Aria)Giuseppe Verdi, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Ernani: Act I, "Surta è la note...Ernani! involami"Giuseppe Verdi, Dame Joan Sutherland, Paris Conservatoire Orchestra, Nello Santi
La Traviata: "Ah, fors' è lui / Sempre libera"Giuseppe Verdi, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Otello: The Willow SongGiuseppe Verdi, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Fasut: "O Dieu! que de bijoux...Ah! je ris de me voir"Charles Gounod, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli
Romeo et Juliet: The Waltz SongCharles Gounod, Joan Sutherland, Orchestra Royal Opera House Covent Garden, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli