Gioachino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi, Alfredo Catalani, Umberto Giordano, Amilcare Ponchielli, Giacomo Puccini, Vincenzo Bellini, Georges Bizet, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Richard Wagner, Modena Community Theater Orchestra, Royal Opera House Orchestra Covent Garden, Monte Carlo National Opera Orchestra, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra, Wiener Philharmoniker, London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly, Sir Georg Solti, Henry Lewis, Fausto Cleva, Fernando Previtali, Herbert von Karajan, Richard Bonynge, Hans Knappertsbusch, Cecilia Bartoli, RenA©e Fleming, Angela Gheorghiu, Marilyn Horne, Renata Tebaldi, Frank Lopardo, Zinka Milanov, Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Chorus, Leontyne Price, Montserrat CaballA©, John Alldis Choir - The Ultimate Divas Album

a voice teacher and early music fan

SEVENTEEN DIVINE DIVAS IN FAVORITE ROLES.
"Qualifications for divahood may be elusive, but there is little doubt that the 17 artists featured in this collection eminently qualify." George Jeffries. To which I heartily agree!!!!! The term 'diva' refers to the goddesses of the operatic world who are loved and endorsed by the media and audiences everywhere. The term has been in use since the early days of opera, and will no doubt continue 'ad infinitum'.

I will focus on a few that I personally like to hear:In Cecelia Bartoli's selection from 'Cinderella', a very much admired role,she exchanges her early life for a bright future with Prince Charming, and does so with expressive and great joy! I especially liked her in Handel's opera "Rinaldo" in which she stars along with David Daniels, American countertenor. She, in fact could be called the successor to Marilyn Horne,the Mezzo of an earlier generation.

In Horne's aria from Rossini's "Italian in Algiers", she unleashes her formidable 2 octave range as the brave Italian lady unfazed by a mere shipwreck and the prospects of an Algerian harem. MAGNIFICENT!

In my conservatory days I was privileged to see Kirsten Flagstad 'live' in several Wagnerian operas. Not only was it a sight to hear her, but to see AND hear her was a memorable and totally unforgetable experience. Her voice was BIG and her body (especially as seen in costume)was equally so, but she sang notes that I'm not sure can really be sung anymore (no doubt,that's an exaggeration)but I'm trying to make a point here, so bear with me.

Now the consummate soprano has to be Kathleen Battle; my favorite role is Handel's "Semele" that includes a star-studded cast that also includes Marilyn Horne; just a great listen!

I'm sure this album is not perfect, but I have had many many hours of listening enjoyment, so go for it! February 13, 2007

ILL FITTED ARIAS MAKES THIS CD INTERESTING BUT NOT AMAZING

The overall CD was a nice collection however there were several pieces that seemed ill placed with certain "divas" Both Cecilia Bartoli and Marilyn Horne show off their rich voices and passion in the selections chosen for them. But Angela Gheorghiu's "Sempre Libera" was shrill and incomplete without the usual high "C" finish. She has had so many other pieces that are so much better than what was featured including my favorite by her "Mi Chiamano Mimi" Rebata Tebaldi has never thrilled me nor Montserrat Caballe do what they do and that's about it. I do like Mirella Freni's voice in general but once again didn't feel like this was one of her better pieces. Joan Sutherland, whom I adore, does great justice to "Casta Diva" but I have always preferred her more "florid" arias such as her "Lucia" But then again I am partial to Maria Callas in the role, the one soprano who was curiously missing. Her most famous track "Vissi D'Arte" was handed over to Leontyne Price who has the voice and the spirit of Tosca but just doesn't have the passion Callas does. I would much more preferred Ms. Price style in the arias of "Il Trovatorel" that holds her as one of the all time great Leonaro. I love Fleming and Kiri Te Kanawa but would prefer them switched with Kiri voicing her sweetness into "Ave Maria" and Fleming adding her richness to "Dove Sono" I like Frederica Von Stade for her simplicity in "Voi Che Sapete" and Sumi Jo has excellent tonal quality in the aria listed as "Queen of the Night's Revenge" which is actually named "Der Holle Rache", Kathleen Battle has always bored me but she does a nice cut of "Durch Zartlichkeit und Schmeicheln" . My two Dramatic German Sopranos Kirsten Flagstad and Birgit Nilsson, are so impressive that I have yet to find anyone who can matched their beauty. The overall cd was a fun one to listen even if it lacked in proper aria placement. November 21, 2004

Excellent CD, but where is Miss Norman?

First and foremost, I must say that Diva Battle stole the show. Her rendition of Mozart's "Durch Zarlichkeit" is absolutely astounding. Even if you are not a fan of the other singers, the CD is worth its price just to hear Miss Battle.

I must say, I was quite disappointed when I noticed that Jessye Norman was not included in this compilation. She is the Supreme Diva!! If anyone should have been included, it should have been her. Perhaps they will come out with a CD entitled "The Diva: Jessye Norman", as that is the only way they could do her justice. She's in a league of her own.

Buy the CD. You will not be disappointed. October 10, 2003

The Best of the Best

I'm sorry I had to give this CD only 4 stars - it really deserves more. I had to subtract a star for the absence of La Divina - Maria Callas - from this disc. If she doesn't qualify as a diva, who does?

That said, this is a FANTASTIC compilation CD. It features all (well, a good sampling) of the great sopranos of past and present. All my favorites are here: Bartoli, Fleming, Battle, Kanawa, and of course, Sumi Jo.

The editors were very careful to include arias which display each soprano's strengths and predilections in repertoire - Bartoli has her bubbly Rossini, Sumi Jo her dazzling coloratura in Mozart, and Renee Fleming, with the most heartrending and beautiful version of Desdemona's "Ave Maria" from Verdi's Otello that I have ever heard. I can't help but catch my breath on the last syllable of "prega" - her tone is that innocent and pure. Kiri Te Kanawa, the consummate Countess, also makes an appearance with a very moving "Dove Sono".

This disc is also teaching me to appreciate the greats of yesteryear like Kirsten Flagstad and Birgit Nilsson - the legendary Wagnerian sopranos.

PLEASE don't listen to the previous reviewer - Kathleen Battle does not "fall flat" on Durch Zärtlichkeit. Only a beautiful soubrette like hers could pull off a challenging aria like that, and she does it marvelously (as usual ;)

BUY THIS CD! January 26, 2002

beautiful!

This is a wonderful cd for new fans of opera. It contains a wonderful selection of songs from some of the greatest divas.

Kathleen "The Great" Battle(my personal fav) just steals the show. Her delicate vocals can carry any wary listener into the pearly gates of heaven (bravo, bravo, encore, encore).

Montserrat Caballe, Dame Sutherland and Leontyne Price are also featured.
This part is a new edition to my review: There is a reviewer somewhere on this or the next page who called the GREAT BATTLE an insult! I'm shocked at this and you should be as well! BATTLE does NOT go flat..infact her entire performance was magnificent. So take that! January 18, 2002

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