Kiri Te Kanawa, the renowned soprano, invites you into her world with "Kiri Te Kanawa: A Portrait," a captivating collection of operatic arias and classic songs released on September 19, 2011, under Warner Classics. This album is a testament to Te Kanawa's extraordinary vocal range and emotional depth, spanning a little over an hour and eight minutes.
The tracklist is a journey through some of the most beloved and iconic pieces in opera and classical music. It begins with a hauntingly beautiful aria from Charpentier's "Louise" and continues with Massenet's enchanting "Manon" and "Hérodiade." Berlioz's "La Damnation de Faust" and Gluck's "Iphigénie en Tauride" showcase Te Kanawa's dramatic prowess, while Puccini's "Suor Angelica" and Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci" highlight her ability to convey deep emotion.
The album also features Te Kanawa's renditions of famous songs from Andrea Chénier, Adriana Lecouvreur, and Strauss's "Der Rosenkavalier." Korngold's "Die tote Stadt" and Gershwin's timeless classics "Somebody Loves Me," "Love Is Here to Stay," "Embraceable You," and "Summertime" round out the collection, demonstrating her versatility and mastery of both operatic and popular repertoire.
"Kiri Te Kanawa: A Portrait" is a celebration of one of the most celebrated sopranos of our time, offering a glimpse into her artistry and the breadth of her musical talents. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to her work, this album is a treasure trove of unforgettable performances.
Charpentier, G.: Louise, Act 3 Scene 1: "Depuis le jour où je me suis donnée" (Louise)Gustave Charpentier, Kiri Te Kanawa, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Jeffrey Tate
Massenet: Manon, Act 3: "Je marche sur tous les chemins" - "Obéissons, quand leur voix appelle" (Manon)Jules Massenet, Kiri Te Kanawa, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Jeffrey Tate
Massenet: Hérodiade, Act 1: "Celui dont la parole efface toute peine" - Air. "Il est doux, il est bon" (Salomé)Jules Massenet, Kiri Te Kanawa, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Jeffrey Tate
Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H. 111, Pt. 4 Scene 15: Romance, "D'amour l'ardente flamme" (Marguerite)Hector Berlioz, Kiri Te Kanawa, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Jeffrey Tate
Iphigénie en Tauride: O toi qui prolongeas mes jours (Act 1)Christoph Willibald Gluck, Kiri Te Kanawa, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Jeffrey Tate, Orch.Of Royal Opera House Covent Garden
Puccini: Suor Angelica: "Senza mamma, o bimbo, tu sei morto!" (Suor Angelica)Giacomo Puccini, Kiri Te Kanawa, London Symphony Orchestra, Myung-Whun Chung
Pagliacci: Qual fiamma avea nel guardo....Hui! Stridono lassu (Act 1)Ruggero Leoncavallo, Kiri Te Kanawa, London Symphony Orchestra, Myung-Whun Chung
Andrea Chénier (1995 Digital Remaster): La mamma mortaUmberto Giordano, Kiri Te Kanawa, London Symphony Orchestra, Myung-Whun Chung
Adriana Lecouvreur: Poveri fiori (Act IV)Francesco Cilea, Kiri Te Kanawa, Myung-Whun Chung, London Symphony Orchestra
Strauss, R: Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Act I: "Ich werd' jetzt in die Kirchen" (Marschallin, Octavian, Footmen)Richard Strauss, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa/Bernard Haitink, Bernard Haitink, Staatskapelle Dresden
Korngold: Die tote Stadt, Op. 12, Act I: Lied. "Glück, das mir verblied" (Marietta)Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Kiri Te Kanawa, Philharmonia Orchestra, Julius Rudel
Gershwin: Somebody Loves Me (From "George White's Scandels") [Orch. de Packh]George Gershwin, Kiri Te Kanawa, New Princess Theater Orchestra, John McGlinn
Gershwin: Love Is Here to Stay (From "The Goldwyn Follies") [Orch. Powell]George Gershwin, Kiri Te Kanawa, New Princess Theater Orchestra, John McGlinn
Gershwin: Embraceable You (From "Girl Crazy") [Orch. Russell Bennett]George Gershwin, Kiri Te Kanawa, New Princess Theater Orchestra, John McGlinn
Gershwin: Summertime (From "Porgy and Bess")George Gershwin, Kiri Te Kanawa, New Princess Theater Orchestra, John McGlinn, New York Choral Artists
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