Kiri Te Kanawa is one of the best lyric sopranos of all time, with luscious sound and a great technique. This album present this beautiful singer in some of her best recordings. The range of her career is presented in full display here, from her brilliant version of Handel's Let the Bright Seraphim through the pop song World in Union. There is a glimpse of her wonderful Mozart in a masterful rendition of Dove Sono from LE NOZZE DI FIGARO and Laudate Dominum from Vesperae solennes de Confessore K339. Other highlights of the recording are the two Puccini arias that she sang as part of the soundtrack of the Merchant Ivory movie A Room with a View. These arias (O mio babbino caro from Gianni Schicchi and Chi bel sogno di Doretta from LA RONDINE) are as beautiful as I remembered from watching the film, the voice is fresh and clear, full of expression. The lighter numbers showcase Dame Kiri's capacity to change musical styles while maintaining an excellent technical skill. All this musical pleasure is enhanced by a booklet with magnificent photographs of the singer, showing how her personal beauty is in perfect harmony with the beauty of her singing voice. The only regret I have is that there is nothing of Richard Strauss here, a composer that has been very important for the soprano's career. Anyway, this CD is a great souvenir of Kiri Te Kanawa's career and a great way to introduce people to an artist who is still today giving much pleasure to people all around the world. --M Ramos. Listen to samples.
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