Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice ~ Gounod, Lehar, Orff, Puccini, Rachmaninov, Strauss

This vocal recital certainly lives up to its title, perhaps too well. It's a collection of arias and songs Fleming has sung for years that for some may be too much frosting and not enough cake. Surely, her performances are rich with interpretive nuances, wonder-filled portamentos and word colorings that reflect a long history with this repertoire, which ranges from Charpentier's "Depuis le jour" to Rachmaninoff's "Vocalise." Some may find Fleming a bit much, but agree with her or not, she's far more interesting than singers who keep a safe, discreet distance from the music. --David Patrick Stearns Amazon.com essential recording

Compelling, Poetic And Marvellously Sung!

Once again Renee Fleming presents glorious collaborations in a compelling performance. The overall conception is one of beauty and unequivocal direction of line. Fleming begins with "Louise: Depuis le Jour." The spacious long phrases are profoundly evocative and the vocal timbre is crafted with glowing, long-breathed generosity. My most cherished performance is "Songs My Mother Taught Me",(A favorite of Joan Sutherland's) from the Gypsy Melodies Op.55, No.4. It is delighting in sweet textural clarity and brimming over with an infectious sense of inner purpose. Followed by "Martha: Last Rose of Summer," and "Doretta's Dream Song", Fleming sings with such a level of imagination which is rare enough, but once heard it never leaves you. "Carmina Burana: In Trutina", is absolutely angelic and sung with such radiant inwardness. In "Morgen" Op. 27 No.4, Fleming sings with such a special resonance and is, as ever, superb in the quality of her tone, the clarity of diction and innate comprehension of lieder. Fleming fills "The Merry Widow" with supple lyricism, elegance and singing at a pleasing lilt capturing its gentle energy. The overall performances culminate with "Chants D'Auvergene: Ballero". Fleming's phrases are conveyed with both elegance and intensity. The pacing is eager but never hectic and the accompaniments are scrupulous in their sensitivity. The nuanced dynamics are breathtaking and there is no denying the incandescence of the climaxes.
Whatever Renee Fleming sings makes for a delightful encounter.

Author: Raymond Vacchino M.Mus.(MT) A.Mus. L.R.S.M. Licentiate (honorary) March 31, 2008

Renee Fleming sings favorite works

Renee Fleming has turned out a fine CD of arias with which not everyone is familiar. Outstanding are Depuis le Jour from Charpentier's Louise and Marietta's Lied, Glueck, das mir verblieb, from Korngold's Die Tote Stadt. The latter is one of the most haunting arias ever written. Many of us cannot get it out of our minds. She includes Chi il bel sogno di Doretta from Puccini's La Rondine and does it well. Hers is not really a Puccini voice. Perhaps Richard Strauss and Mozart are her strengths. July 30, 2007

The best of the best.

I've given away at least a dozen copies of this CD. I'm running low, so I just refilled the stash. For people who haven't discovered Renee Fleming or who think they don't care for opera, this CD is the best possible way to blow down the walls. If you think there's nothing new to be heard in these old arias, you owe it to yourself to find out how wrong you can be. April 11, 2007

Beautiful and creamy voice

I like so much Ren?e Fleming and this is special cd ! February 28, 2006

Renee Fleming;THE BEAUTIFUL VOICE

IT'S A FINE RECORDING THAT OFFERS A VARIETY OF SELECTIONS FROM OPERA, OPERETTAS AND FOLK SONGS, ALL WITH FLEMING AT HER BEST.















January 30, 2006

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