Amour - The Voice of Romance

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

 

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Superb is about the only word I find appropriate. A good and eclectic collection of tracks from opera to pop. I'm not musically trained but I couldn't fault the voice nor the presentation. As an out and out Katherine Jenkins fan it was pleasant to hear a soprano in the same category. I am listening now to one of the best renditions of 'The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face' since Roberta Flack's version. Crystal clear diction and a warm presentation. 'Si un Jour' is probably the best track for me but there isnt a track I dont like.

I hope we both see and hear much more of Natasha Marsh - mind you as far the BBC goes, this sort of music seems to be part of the vast forgotten realm of classical/cross over/operetta vocal music! Sorry about the soap box!!

Anyway - if you like Kate Jenkins I'm pretty sure you'll like this, by no means light, soprano.

Soprano Natasha Marsh's debut album Amour (meaning `Love') hit the No. 1 spot in the classical album charts in its first week of release in February 2007.

The album is a mix of classical, contemporary classical, opera, popular and film music, so has inevitably attracted the interest of those wishing to debate the merits of the so-called `crossover' music genre and whether it is a case of a good opera singer selling out to the pop market, or a pop singer trying to masquerade as an opera singer.

For me this type of debate always detracts from the music and its real purpose, which of course should be to entertain. A singer, after all, should be free to perform anything he or she likes. A `real' opera singer surely is one who acts and sings in a full opera production (rather than for example simply singing an aria taken from an opera) and a `real' pop singer is broadly defined as one who attempts to appeal to a wide contemporary audience. If an artist chooses to sing outside of their normal genre, or `crossover' into another style, it should not be considered as either selling out to their normal fan base or a diluting of the quality of the music. Ultimately it's whether the music sounds good and entertains that is more important than debating musical genres.

That said, Natasha Marsh is an opera singer. She must be, for she joined the National Youth Music Theatre, won a Scholarship to the Royal College of Music, graduated with a first class degree in Music and Drama at the Birmingham University then went on to appear in operas such as Mozart's `Don Giovanni', `Magic Flute' and `Requiem', Puccini's `La boheme', Bizet's `Carmen', Britten's `The Turn of the Screw' and Berkley's contemporary `Jane Eyre' (for which the title role was written for her).

Add to that live performances at the Birmingham Early Music Festival, the London Handel Festival and the Beaumarais Festival, plus performances with Harry Christophers The Sixteen, a BBC Proms performance of Handel's `Samson' and regular appearances at the Raymond Gubbay's `Classical Spectacular' concerts, there's a considerable amount of musical training and experience being channelled into this debut recording.

I think the choice of music on the album is well considered, and as Natasha herself admits "every song on this album means a lot to me". There's a range of styles, singing as well as musical, which provide a varied repertoire but which retain a uniform feeling of beauty and emotion.

The album opens with one of several film scores, a beautiful piece `Si Un Jour' (If One Day) from the film `Jean de Florette', and continues with the popular `Gymnopedie No.1' by Erik Satie sung in a dreamy and seductive fashion that just floats you away.

By track three, the popular aria from the opera `La Wally' should have convinced even the most staunch `opera buffs' that this really is a beautiful collection of music sung by an accomplished singer with a gorgeous voice.

My favourite, among the many lovely songs on this album, is the heart breaking `La Delaissado' (The Abandoned Woman) and the lively `Les Fille de Cadix' (Maidens of Cadix) which demonstrates Natasha's ability to mix opera-style vocal agility with a real sense of fun and lively frivolity.

In the words of Natasha "there's so much beauty and power in opera", and this album certainly proves that. It sounds good, she looks good, and above all it makes you feel good

In summary, an outstanding debut album by an outstanding singer.

Beautiful attractive woman with an equally attractive and very pleasant voice singing from opera, musicals and Queen. I am just about to purchase her CD Amour and yes I do have in my library Samson & Delilah, Turandot, Tosca, Madam Butterfly to name a few. Natasha Marsh makes a pleasant change.

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5.0 out of 5 stars Natasha
Its a very good CD. I gave it to my mother on Mothering Sunday but also put it on my computer hard drive. Beautiful CD. For those relaxing moments.

Published 10 months ago by Tony

1.0 out of 5 stars Unremarkable voice
After reading several reviews commending her voice in various magazines and papers I was looking forward to listening to her. When I finally did I was really disappointed. Read more

Published on 11 Aug 2007 by The Diva

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful woman
Beautiful voice, beautiful woman. Some of the comments below are probably written by jealous singers who aren't quite as pretty as Natasha Marsh. Read more

Published on 22 May 2007 by colin68

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning
This album is simply beautiful - a stunning, versatile voice with each song exquisitely crafted with true musicianship. Read more

Published on 8 Mar 2007 by Eddie Gordon

5.0 out of 5 stars the real thing
At last, an opera singer who I have seen playing leads with Opera North, Glyndebourne, Holland Park and Grange who has a voice which can truly cross all styles. Read more

Published on 7 Mar 2007 by Jon Edwards

2.0 out of 5 stars EXTRA-Ordinary!
I heard this on Classic FM and I'm afraid I think it's just plain ordinary. I've also been an 'avid opera fan' for years, and this girl has never done any opera leads with any... Read more

Published on 3 Mar 2007 by Erin McDonath

5.0 out of 5 stars INCREDIBLE!!
I was shocked to see the below review. Has the person been listening with earmuffs on?! As a avid opera goer, I have followed Natasha's career for years and this is an... Read more

Published on 27 Feb 2007 by Emma Segal

5.0 out of 5 stars sublime actually
Whoever wrote the 1 star review is clearly mistaken and has not listened to this album (a Florida store?! Very odd!). Read more

Published on 26 Feb 2007 by sammy lucas

1.0 out of 5 stars Is this the new face of Classical Music?!
Were the above good reviews written by family and friends? I'm afraid this album is dreadful. I heard it in a store the other day and I really thought it was another famous... Read more

Published on 25 Feb 2007 by Norbert Hoff

5.0 out of 5 stars Stunning!
Natasha Marsh `Amour'. This must be one of the best young soprano's I have listened to, the smooth liquid tone and feeling in each track, especially `The First Time Ever I Saw... Read more

Published on 20 Feb 2007 by Mr. John Wesson

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