Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky, Antonin Dvorak, Giuseppe Verdi, Benjamin Britten, Richard Strauss, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti, RenA©e Fleming, Larissa Diadkova, Jonathan Summers - RenA©e Fleming - Signatures ~ Great Opera Scenes / Sir Georg Solti

As the possessor of one of the great lyric soprano voices of our time, soprano Renée Fleming is in demand in the world's great opera houses. (It doesn't hurt that she's also lovely and a fine actress.) This album is an outstanding collection of great arias, ravishingly sung. It shows something of Fleming's range, including as it does music by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, Dvorák (the sumptuous "Song to the Moon" from Rusalka, the best part of the entire opera, and sung here in definitive fashion), Verdi, Britten (an effective "Embroidery Scene" from Peter Grimes), and Richard Strauss. This disc is a good starting point for someone seeking to learn more about operatic singing, and a valuable addition to the library of anyone already converted. Fleming is given strong support by mezzo-soprano Larissa Diadkova, baritone Jonathan Summers, and by the late Sir Georg Solti in one of his last recordings. --Sarah Bryan Miller Amazon.com essential recording

Still evolvilng on this album...

I'm surprised at the generally positive tone of the other reviews on this particular album. Maybe it's for the selection rather than the singing? I feel that present day Renee has matured into one of the great divas of our time, but on this album, she still sounds thin, strained, working too hard! Compare her singing on this, done in 1997, with her more recent recordings, such as her complete Traviata done with Rolando Villazon, and Renato Bruson,or her complete Eugene Onegin done with Vargas and Hvorostovsky, and you will hear a world of difference, much more relaxed, assured, mellowed, richness of tone! February 4, 2008

what a voice....

I love this recital which is my first introduction to a solo album by Fleming.
Her voice , with its richness and dusky timbre and beautiful, strong higher notes is a treat to hear.
She did sound expressive too but has not yet touched a chord in me when it comes to emotion and feeling.
Call me a helpless Callas fan, but I couldn't help but wonder how La Divina would sound if she sang Russian and played Tatyana in the "Letter" scene; what a great vehicle for acting!
But it does take voices a while to grow on me and that might be it.
I do plan on buying more of her CDs. September 14, 2006

Amazing!!

This may be one of my favorite albums of all time. Renee Fleming is of course amazing with Mozart...but there are other gems on this album. The scene from Otello is truly astounding!! My personal favorite on this album is the Embroidery Scene from Peter Grimes by Benjamin Britten...WOW!!! And of course we all know that the Song to the Moon from Dvorak's Rusalka is amazing. The Tchaikovsky is so wonderful!! The scene from R. Strauss's Daphne is awesome! Brava Renee!!! September 28, 2005

Renee Fleming - Signatures-Great Oper Scenes

I gave this item as gift so I cannot review it. August 11, 2005

BEAUTIFUL CROSS SECTION OF STYLES

I really loved this CD, mainly however due to "Mesicku Na Nebi Hlubokem" as it was the first version I had ever heard. Her phrasing, emotion, and tone were a perfect match for Dvorak's lone mermaid. I was also surprised to find Richard Strauss's Daphne here. It is not a common opera or aria so it was all I could do to listen to the beauty of the music that was not a real aria as it was vocal renderings controlled by the orchestra. It may not ever be common but it shows Richard Strauss in a more lyrical way verses his usual more heavy and harsh operas including "Salome" and "Elektra". Now if only we could get Fleming to record "Daphne" in it's entirety. Her other pieces were rich and warm as I have always adored her in the Countess road and she has always does Desdemona proud even if it is just a literary character. This CD is Renee Fleming at her best! November 21, 2004

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