Dame Kiri has always been my favourite soprano (and of course Renee Fleming), and the moment she sang her first note, it was electrifying. Even the moment she walked on stage with pianist Julian Reynolds, her beauty took my breath away. She has beauty, stage presence and a captivating voice.
I admire Dame Kiri that she has chosen songs/arias which is suitable to her voice which has darkened (but still beautiful) because of age. She's 59 but can still hold an audience with her special brand of kiri magic. i just love her.
This cd is a good introduction to non-opera connoseurs and even to opera purist this will have a wide appeal. From her Handel's Let the Bright Seraphim which catapulted her to legendary status, Puccini's Vissi d' Arte and of course, her hugely successful song from Chants d' Auvergne, Canteloub's Bailero.This cd is worth having.
Her Puccini's O mio babbino caro is something she made her own that when she sang it earlier as the final encore the audience stood up in rapturous applause (I am actually the first one who had the courage to stand up!)
Dame Kiri is perhaps one of the top three greatest female voices that ever lived and I hope she continues to ignite her magical voice to audiences world wide. Rarely would we see a performer who has grace, class, serenity and vocal beauty like Dame Kiri.
Brava Dame Kiri, Brava!!!
This CD is not the most representative of her career but everything heard here is truly enjoyable. The Dove Sono stands out as one of the most beautiful readings of this aria. Speaking of Mozart, they should have included arias from operas like Don Giovanni or Cosi fan Tutte as well. Her Strauss heroines are also not here,pity. Kiri is at her best in Mozart and Strauss. She admits that her voice lacks the power Puccini operas require and that she had to push her voice during stage performances to become audible. Indeed, one has to listen to a spinto soprano like Renata Tebaldi to feel the glory of Puccini in arias like Vissi D'arte or In quelle trine. Not that Kiri doesn't sing these well but they sound more like Mozart than verisimo. Her Violetta is acceptable but even better is her portrait of Amelia (Simon Boccanegra) unfortunately not on this CD. I loved all the modern songs. She proves that opera singers can sing modern music superbly if they want to. Many pop stars could learn a thing or two from opera singers about breathing and sound production!
Although I would have wanted more Mozart and a bit Strauss on this CD, it is nevertheless highly recommendable. Bravo Kiri!
