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I already have ALL of Renee Fleming's cd's but I shall always go back to this one as her very best, a vehicle if there ever was one, no wonder, her fans just absolutely adore it. Barbra Streisand has always been my favourite singer and there never was a second one. Until now. Renee has absolutely commanded my respect. Her talent, specially her voice is a wonder to behold. it has been described as creamy, tremulouus, rich, like being enveloped in warm silk, honey-like. Listening to her is like watching Michaelangelo paint the Sistine Chapel, it is an experience of joy.

Her Mariettas Lied is the most hypnotic version I've ever heard, her voice soars and she is in absolute control, the beauty will just take your breath away. Chi Il Bel Sogno is a knockout. Goosebumps. The famous Rachmaninov Vocalise is also beautiful. My favourite amongst all is Bailero. For years, I have admired Kiri Te Kanawa's seductive version of this piece but Fleming's version is so awesome that the opening verse, "Pastre de delai l'aio, as gaiire de boun tems..." is worth the price alone of this cd. Her thick and creamy voice is the MOST beautiful soprano the art of music has ever produced.

Yes, many critics have pointed out her tendency to over-inflect and "Flemingise" arias. But this is just an exhibition of her genius as a soprano, aren't all great singers blamed for making it appear that songs were tailor-made for them? Yes she does inject her own brand of style and technique but they are so beautiful to listen to that I don't understand what the fuss are all about? (How Bel Canto was lambasted!)

I know some people who are lions guarding the celestial gates of opera that have elevated Caballe, Callas, Sutherland as goddesses and have a responsibility to be loyal, But
Renee Fleming is here and she is THE greatest among all of them.I have curiouly bought works of these women, they are good but Miss Fleming's voice is complete, powerful and perfect. Yes, perfect.

All of us her fans will make sure that Miss Fleming will continue to burn her bright flame and more of your music. Brava! Brava!

15 of 16 found the following review helpful:

Great CD of an exquisite singer!Mar 18, 2002

This is a great CD. "Chi il bel sogno di Doretta" is my favorite track. Ms. Fleming's voice is lovely. I don't understand the incessant need of some reviewers to downrate modern opera recordings. Yes, there were some magnificent singers in the past; however, there are magnificent singers today too. Ms. Fleming is one of them. It would be a shame to miss out on the lovliness of this recording as a show of loyalty to a singer of the past. This is a great CD and you won't be sorry you purchased it. It has the lyrics to the songs printed in the language in which they're sung along with an English translation where needed. This is an excellent addition to an opera or vocal music collection.

21 of 24 found the following review helpful:

One of those magical recordingsMay 13, 2004
By T. Sparfeld
You will love this CD. I heard a friend playing it and knew that I would have to get it some day. It is truly gorgeous.

I am amazed by some of the reviewers who can dare to give this recording fewer than five stars. I know there are some opera perfectionists out there who can be fickle, but this recording is gorgeous. I'm willing to concede that Renee Fleming may not be the greatest opera singer the world has had in the last 100 years, but her voice is what the title says--beautiful. Fleming has worked hard to get where she is today and it shows. Jeffrey Tate seems to do a fine job, and he doesn't get in the way.

Fleming sings each aria with flair, amazing presence, and musical integrity. Each aria showcases her voice, and yet is quite musically inspiring. "Chi il bel sogno" by Puccini and "Marietta's Lied" by Korngold (an oft-overlooked composer) are among my favorites. I also like the aria from Carmina Burana as well as the one from Manon. If you click on the Manon aria (Track 3) to listen online, you will be sold on the CD.

If you don't know anything about opera, you will love this recording. If you are an opera fanatic--no matter who your "favorite" soprano is--you will be forced to admit the singing here deserves instant respect.

10 of 11 found the following review helpful:

A magnificent Fleming samplerSep 22, 2004
By Bruce Hodges
Although Renee Fleming seems to stir strong opinions, this writer generally adores her work, and on this project there is unmistakable artistry on display. The combination of Fleming's instrument, Jeffrey Tate's sensitive accompaniment, and the not-insignificant contribution of the English Chamber Orchestra makes a memorable recording.

The highlight for me is the moving "Marietta's Lied" by Korngold; for awhile following September 11, 2001, Fleming performed it as an (entirely appropriate) encore on her recitals. "In trutina," from Orff's Carmina Burana, has both purity and gentleness, as does Richard Strauss' touching "Morgen!" The project as a whole seems to have a nice balance between the more lyrical numbers such as these, and vocal fireworks like her track from Manon.

Jeffrey Tate, whose work is sorely missed by this U.S. listener, does his usual superb and tasteful job, and the English Chamber Orchestra sounds positively glowing. Decca's sound is clear with lots of presence, capturing the instrumental passages such as the beautiful violin solo in "Morgen!" as naturally as Fleming's voice.

All told, a gorgeous recording, and possibly one of Fleming's best to date.


7 of 7 found the following review helpful:

A New Generation of SopranoOct 13, 2003
By Daniel J. Graser
Since many people feel the need to compare Renee Fleming to Dame Joan Sutherland I guess I will too. Both have big, full bodied voices, Sutherland's is rounder, Fleming's has much better projection (By that I mean that her voice naturally contains more of the upper overtones of the overtone series which makes it easier for her to fill a hall with her voice, those with more of the fundamental tone like Sutherland have to work a little harder to get her voice to the back of the hall and sometimes can sound duller). Both have a particularly fine vocal trill technique and considerable vocal range. Fleming has absolutley clear diction so that you har every word clearly, Sutherland sacrificed diction for tone to the point that most of the words weren't distinguishable. Both are magnificent musicians, Fleming has a tendency to be overly dramatic at points. When you add it all up these two sopranos are pretty much even. So if you approach this cd with the notion that Fleming can't compare to Sutherland you're really going to miss out on some beautiful music. Some tracks of particular note are a splendid rendition of Che il bel sogno di Doretta, Morgen, and Rachmaninov's Vocalise. Fleming's vibrato is very natural and not forced or overly wide. Fleming is already showing all of the characteristics of a mature vocalist. All in all, this is an essential cd to any music fan. Highest Recommendation.

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