A Bel Canto Treasure

March 31, 2008 in Culture, Music, Opera | No comments

Natalie

I picked up a copy of French soprano Natalie Dessay’s Italian Opera Arias. This is a nice collection of bel canto favorites from Verdi, Belinni and Donizetti. I truly enjoyed these recordings! Dessay’s Violetta, from Verdi’s la Traviata, is very strong, emotional and intelligent; she quite adeptly illustrates the shifting moods of the tragic courtesan destined to die. The offstage phrases were sung by none other than French tenor Roberto Alagna. As Elvira, from Belinni’s i Puritani, Dessay gives an emotionally-charged performance. Her sweet, lilting voice singing “Qui la voce” is ravishingly beautiful.

My favorite piece on this recording is Dessay’s Lucia, from Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor, a role she played in the Met’s opening night gala this past September. Just as in her Met performance, Dessay played a wonderfully vulnerable, fragile Lucia during the famous “mad scene.” And if the music itself isn’t enough, the CD comes with a bonus DVD of Dessay’s Lucia performance at the Met. One can’t truly appreciate this diva without actually seeing her perform! Brava!

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