Comments on: Renée Fleming – I Want Magic! ~ American Opera Arias http://www.whitehorseopera.com/renee-fleming-i-want-magic-american-opera-arias.html Learn more about Shopping Online the Largest Amazon's Music Products for Famous Opera Mon, 05 Jul 2010 02:45:58 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: B. Marold http://www.whitehorseopera.com/renee-fleming-i-want-magic-american-opera-arias.html#comment-118 B. Marold Wed, 26 May 2010 06:23:33 +0000 http://www.whitehorseopera.com/renee-fleming-i-want-magic-american-opera-arias.html#comment-118 'I Want Magic' sung by superstar mezzo Renee Fleming, backed by James Levine and his Metropolitan Opera Orchestra follows the same pattern of severa of Fleming's other releases, in that there is one widely known and very familiar piece (Gershwin's 'Summertime' from 'Porgy and Bess') plus many less familiar pieces. <br /> <br />The theme of all the pieces is that they are arias from American operas, all in English. And, I get a lot more from this selection than I do from, for example, her recording of Shubert Lieder. One thing I learn is how totally typical is Leonard Bernstein's piece from 'Candide', which sounds like it stepped right out of a production of 'The Fantasticks'. Gershwin's two great songs, on the other hand, are icons of American music and even Herrmann's movie song from Wuthering Heights makes Bernstein's song sound ordinary. <br /> <br />But, the album is really all about Fleming's realization of these songs, which is simply nothing less than spectacular. While I tend to prefer hearing works 'in situ', Fleming's talent is so great that hearing her do eleven pieces out of context is worth it. The album is also more interesting than the average collection of Lieder in that it has the backing of a major American dramatic orchestra. <br /> <br />Better than average Fleming choice. Rating: 5 / 5 ‘I Want Magic’ sung by superstar mezzo Renee Fleming, backed by James Levine and his Metropolitan Opera Orchestra follows the same pattern of severa of Fleming’s other releases, in that there is one widely known and very familiar piece (Gershwin’s ‘Summertime’ from ‘Porgy and Bess’) plus many less familiar pieces.

The theme of all the pieces is that they are arias from American operas, all in English. And, I get a lot more from this selection than I do from, for example, her recording of Shubert Lieder. One thing I learn is how totally typical is Leonard Bernstein’s piece from ‘Candide’, which sounds like it stepped right out of a production of ‘The Fantasticks’. Gershwin’s two great songs, on the other hand, are icons of American music and even Herrmann’s movie song from Wuthering Heights makes Bernstein’s song sound ordinary.

But, the album is really all about Fleming’s realization of these songs, which is simply nothing less than spectacular. While I tend to prefer hearing works ‘in situ’, Fleming’s talent is so great that hearing her do eleven pieces out of context is worth it. The album is also more interesting than the average collection of Lieder in that it has the backing of a major American dramatic orchestra.

Better than average Fleming choice.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Anonymous http://www.whitehorseopera.com/renee-fleming-i-want-magic-american-opera-arias.html#comment-117 Anonymous Wed, 26 May 2010 04:51:58 +0000 http://www.whitehorseopera.com/renee-fleming-i-want-magic-american-opera-arias.html#comment-117 Don't worry about the Glitter and be Gay- you won't be listening to it ever again once you hear the Vanessa aria (no disrespect to Steber whose old recording is wonderful). Simply stunning. Also, the Rake's Progress aria which is also fantastic- beautifully, urgently sung. Still- the Met may have done Susanna for Ms. Fleming; but if they ever mount a Venessa for her, I'm buying a plane ticket to New York. Rating: 5 / 5 Don’t worry about the Glitter and be Gay- you won’t be listening to it ever again once you hear the Vanessa aria (no disrespect to Steber whose old recording is wonderful). Simply stunning. Also, the Rake’s Progress aria which is also fantastic- beautifully, urgently sung. Still- the Met may have done Susanna for Ms. Fleming; but if they ever mount a Venessa for her, I’m buying a plane ticket to New York.
Rating: 5 / 5

]]> By: Cynthia Wimer http://www.whitehorseopera.com/renee-fleming-i-want-magic-american-opera-arias.html#comment-116 Cynthia Wimer Wed, 26 May 2010 03:11:33 +0000 http://www.whitehorseopera.com/renee-fleming-i-want-magic-american-opera-arias.html#comment-116 an incredible voice...but does she know what she's singing? Rating: 3 / 5 an incredible voice…but does she know what she’s singing?
Rating: 3 / 5

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