Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of opera with Elisabeth Schwarzkopf's "The Three Sopranos," a captivating collection of timeless arias and scenes that showcase the legendary soprano's unparalleled artistry. Released on March 5, 2007, by Warner Classics, this album is a testament to Schwarzkopf's enduring legacy and her ability to bring depth and emotion to each role she embodies.
Spanning a little over an hour, this album features a diverse selection of pieces from some of the most beloved operas in the classical canon. From Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro" and "Don Giovanni" to Bizet's "Carmen" and Wagner's "Tristan und Isolde," Schwarzkopf navigates each aria with grace and power, demonstrating her remarkable vocal range and dramatic prowess. The album also includes lesser-known gems like "El niño judío" and Lehár's "Die lustige Witwe," offering a delightful mix of familiar favorites and hidden treasures.
Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, renowned for her crystalline tone and exquisite phrasing, delivers a performance that is as technically impressive as it is emotionally resonant. Her interpretations of Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" and Verdi's "Aida" are particularly noteworthy, showcasing her ability to convey the deepest emotions through her voice. The album also features Schwarzkopf in her signature role as the Marschallin in Strauss's "Der Rosenkavalier," a performance that highlights her dramatic depth and vocal brilliance.
"The Three Sopranos" is not just a collection of arias but a journey through the rich tapestry of operatic history. Schwarzkopf's masterful performances bring each character to life, making this album a must-listen for opera enthusiasts and classical music lovers alike. Whether you're a seasoned opera aficionado or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a captivating introduction to the world of opera and the extraordinary talent of Elisabeth Schwarzkopf.
Le nozze di Figaro (1989 - Remaster), Act II: Porgi, amorWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Philharmonia Orchestra, Carlo Maria Giulini
Don Giovanni (2002 - Remaster), Act II, Scene Two: Recitative & AriaWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf/Philharmonia Orchestra/Carlo Maria Giulini/Roberto Benaglio, Carlo Maria Giulini, Philharmonia Orchestra
Mozart: Così fan tutte, K. 588, Act 1: Recitativo. "L'intatta fede che per noi già si diede" (Fiordiligi)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Karl Böhm, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Heinrich Schmidt, Philharmonia Orchestra
Der Freischütz J277: Wie nahte mir der Schlummer...Leise, leise, fromme Weise (Act II)Carl Maria von Weber, Birgit Nilsson, Robert Heger, Orchester der Bayerischen Staatsoper München
Faust (1994 Digital Remaster): Les grand seigneurs...Ah! je ris (Jewel Song)Charles Gounod, Victoria de los Ángeles, André Cluytens
Bizet: Carmen, WD 31, Act 1 Scene 4: Récitatif, "Quand je vous aimerai?" - No. 5, Havanaise, "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" (Carmen, Chorus)Georges Bizet, Victoria de los Ángeles, Orchestre National Radiodiffusion Française, Sir Thomas Beecham, Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion-Television Francaise
Tristan und Isolde (2000 Digital Remaster): Mild und leise (Liebestod) (Act III)Richard Wagner, Birgit Nilsson, Leopold Ludwig, Philharmonia Orchestra
Verdi: Aida, Act 1: "Ritorna vincitor!" (Aida)Giuseppe Verdi, Zubin Mehta, Birgit Nilsson, Orchestra Del Teatro Dell'Opera Di Roma
Puccini: Madama Butterfly, Act 2: "Un bel dì vedremo" (Butterfly)Giacomo Puccini, Victoria de los Ángeles, Gabriele Santini, Orchestra Del Teatro Dell'Opera Di Roma
Puccini: Gianni Schicchi: "O mio babbino caro" (Lauretta)Giacomo Puccini, Victoria de los Ángeles, Gabriele Santini, Orchestra Del Teatro Dell'Opera Di Roma
Puccini: Turandot, Act 2: "In questa Reggia, or son mill'anni e mille" (Turandot, Coro, Calaf)Giacomo Puccini, Francesco Molinari-Pradelli, Birgit Nilsson, Coro Del Teatro Dell'Opera Di Roma, Franco Corelli, Orchestra Del Teatro Dell'Opera Di Roma
Strauss, R: Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Act I: "Da geht er hin, der aufgeblasene schlechte Kerl" (Marschallin)Richard Strauss, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Philharmonia Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan
El niño judío: De España vengoPablo Luna, Victoria de los Ángeles, Sinfonia Of London, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos
Lehar: Die lustige Witwe, IFL 12, Act 2: "Nun laßt uns aber wie dahein". "Es lebt' eine Vilja" (Viljalied)..."Mi velimo dase dase Veslimo!" [Hanna, Chor]Franz Lehár, Philharmonia Orchestra, Philharmonia Chorus, Lovro Von Matacic