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15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Danielle de Niese cements her growing reputation in the operatic world with this collection of arias from Handel's operas.
It is perhaps no surprise that the 27-year old singer, best known for her show-stealing performance in David McVicar's 2005 production of Giulio Cesare at Glyndebourne (available on an excellent DVD that I can highly recommend), chose material either from or very similar to her current operatic repertoire for her debut disc.
Wisely, she was also able to secure the services of William Christie, conductor of that famous Glyndebourne performance, to assist her. On this disc William conducts the "Les Arts Florissants" orchestra with some aplomb.
The result is a very good CD which I would say is better musically than vocally.
As a stage performer Danielle takes some beating as her talent for dance movement and acting can raise an operatic performance to a very high level. On this studio CD she is more exposed. Whilst her performance is in general vivacious and colourful, I feel that her soprano tone is occasionally harsh and unable to eke out all of the emotion inherent in the music. Also, on some of the quieter arias her aspiration provides a slight distraction.
Churlish criticisms perhaps, but there is excellent competition in the market for discs of Handel arias (for instance, the late mezzo Hunt-Lieberson's CD with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment is pure joy), so I think I have to adjust the star rating accordingly.
Nevertheless, a fine debut from an excellent young artist.
It is perhaps no surprise that the 27-year old singer, best known for her show-stealing performance in David McVicar's 2005 production of Giulio Cesare at Glyndebourne (available on an excellent DVD that I can highly recommend), chose material either from or very similar to her current operatic repertoire for her debut disc.
Wisely, she was also able to secure the services of William Christie, conductor of that famous Glyndebourne performance, to assist her. On this disc William conducts the "Les Arts Florissants" orchestra with some aplomb.
The result is a very good CD which I would say is better musically than vocally.
As a stage performer Danielle takes some beating as her talent for dance movement and acting can raise an operatic performance to a very high level. On this studio CD she is more exposed. Whilst her performance is in general vivacious and colourful, I feel that her soprano tone is occasionally harsh and unable to eke out all of the emotion inherent in the music. Also, on some of the quieter arias her aspiration provides a slight distraction.
Churlish criticisms perhaps, but there is excellent competition in the market for discs of Handel arias (for instance, the late mezzo Hunt-Lieberson's CD with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment is pure joy), so I think I have to adjust the star rating accordingly.
Nevertheless, a fine debut from an excellent young artist.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Australian born (1980) American soprano Danielle de Niese has been singing opera since she turned professional at the age of 15. At age 19 she played Barbarina in `Le Nozze di Figaro' with Renee Fleming, Cecilia Bartoli and Bryn Terfel, and she played the title role in Ravel's `L'Enfant et les Sortileges' as well as appearing in the Puccini operas `Gianni Schicchi' as Lauretta and `Falstaff' as Nannetta.
It was after her portrayal of Cleopatra in Handel's `Giulio Cesare in Egitto' at the 2005 Glyndebourne Festival though that she started to find international fame. She appeared in Rameau's `Les Indes Galantes', Gluck's `Orfeo ed Euridice', played roles of Poppea in Monteverdi's `L'incoronazione di Poppea' and Despina in Mozart's `Cose fan tutte' to name just some. This impressive background should help prevent her name appearing in the continuing `she is not an opera singer' debate.
This debut solo CD is a collection of Handel arias, including her Cleopatra role in Giulio Cesare, and the baroque style gives her a chance to put her personality into the music and make it her own. To hear Danielle's passionate style of singing is to experience only part of her exciting and individual style. Describing her as `a performer of charismatic good looks and stage presence' (Opera News) I think is a conservative understatement. Better words which have been used are `sexy, saucy, seductive and sassy' and the excellent album sleeve notes by Roger Pines sum up her personality perfectly:
`Danielle de Niese creates electricity the moment she steps on stage. It's impossible to ignore her stunning face and figure, physical grace, and total assurance as an actress...her shimmering lyric soprano projects an irresistible sparkle, a palpable joy in performing'.
(She also played the leading role - singing 'Vide Cor Meum' - in the short but chillingy sublime opera scene in the 2001 film 'Hannibal'. Once seen and heard, never forgotten.)
The 36 page CD booklet also provides notes on William Christie's baroque ensemble `Les Arts Florissants' (including players names) and translations to English of the works libretti, and to complete the package there's some absolutely gorgeous pictures of Danielle.
A wonderful debut album by a hugely entertaining opera singer.
It was after her portrayal of Cleopatra in Handel's `Giulio Cesare in Egitto' at the 2005 Glyndebourne Festival though that she started to find international fame. She appeared in Rameau's `Les Indes Galantes', Gluck's `Orfeo ed Euridice', played roles of Poppea in Monteverdi's `L'incoronazione di Poppea' and Despina in Mozart's `Cose fan tutte' to name just some. This impressive background should help prevent her name appearing in the continuing `she is not an opera singer' debate.
This debut solo CD is a collection of Handel arias, including her Cleopatra role in Giulio Cesare, and the baroque style gives her a chance to put her personality into the music and make it her own. To hear Danielle's passionate style of singing is to experience only part of her exciting and individual style. Describing her as `a performer of charismatic good looks and stage presence' (Opera News) I think is a conservative understatement. Better words which have been used are `sexy, saucy, seductive and sassy' and the excellent album sleeve notes by Roger Pines sum up her personality perfectly:
`Danielle de Niese creates electricity the moment she steps on stage. It's impossible to ignore her stunning face and figure, physical grace, and total assurance as an actress...her shimmering lyric soprano projects an irresistible sparkle, a palpable joy in performing'.
(She also played the leading role - singing 'Vide Cor Meum' - in the short but chillingy sublime opera scene in the 2001 film 'Hannibal'. Once seen and heard, never forgotten.)
The 36 page CD booklet also provides notes on William Christie's baroque ensemble `Les Arts Florissants' (including players names) and translations to English of the works libretti, and to complete the package there's some absolutely gorgeous pictures of Danielle.
A wonderful debut album by a hugely entertaining opera singer.
Format:Audio CD
Danielle de Niese is not quite an overnight success, but if her performance as Cleopatra in Handel's "Giulio Cesare" at Glyndebourne brought her to the attention of British audiences, it was this disc of Handel arias which really made her name with the record-buying public. It has, in truth, taken me a while to get round to listening to the disc and I have to say that I'm impressed, even if her performances are relentlessly bright and, dare I say it, "sexy"; it would be foolish to pretend that looks have not played a significant role in the marketing of this artist, but her voice and, indeed, her artistry are of the very highest order too. The fact that the accompaniment is courtesy of William Christie and his marvelous Les Arts Florissants is testimony to her talent. Orchestrally, therefore, as well as vocally, this disc is a delight from start to finish. The expected tracks from "Giulio Cesare" are here, of course, and Miss de Niese finds Semele another congenial role; indeed, as I have already implied, my only real criticism is that it is all a little relentlessly bright. And be warned; the sleeve-notes, full of her looking gorgeous, are a touch OTT...pass the sick-bag, Doris! A bargain, nonetheless.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Danielle de Niese
I bought this album having purchased Diva and seen her on TV. I also am a Handel opera fan.
Published 19 months ago by J. G. Spry
Aurally caressing singing
Late to purchase this CD. Wonderful singing of many of Handel's best opera arias.Much better late than never here !
Published 21 months ago by listener
a must have for any handel fan or of a great soprano
as a handel lover i had to give this one a go and havent regretted it it is superbly sung and i felt was a much better rendition then i heard fromsome more well known stars such as... Read more
Published 23 months ago by daipenn
Fantastic voice
This performer has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard. It seems that this is the only disc she has recorded which is very sad. Read more
Published on 9 Dec 2009 by Peter R. E. Wallace
A little more variety required
Although Danielle de Niese's singing is lovely, the overall effect of so many soprano arias one after another is a bit too much and becomes tiring on the ears by the end of the... Read more
Published on 7 Sep 2009 by Lomond
Danielle de Niese - Handel Arias
I bought this CD after watching the BBC2 programme 'The Birth of British Music - Handel.' This young lady has an astonishing voice and her interpretation of each aria is so fresh. Read more
Published on 5 Aug 2009 by Mr. Geoffrey O. Platt
Wonderful Handel Arias
Danielle de Niese and William Christie produce together simply wonderful Handel. This CD is delightful and I recommend it highly.
Published on 27 April 2009 by Anne Matthews
Handel Heaven
I never really got Handel until I purchased this disc. But now I'm totally hooked.
I can't really comment on comparisons with other singers but if one of the main... Read more
I can't really comment on comparisons with other singers but if one of the main... Read more
Published on 3 April 2009 by M. Pearson
Handel as he should be sung
Hey, can this lady sing!!!
Pumped through expensive speakers on my old steam driven amplifier and CD player, her voice rocked the room. Read more
Pumped through expensive speakers on my old steam driven amplifier and CD player, her voice rocked the room. Read more
Published on 22 July 2008 by M. Porter
A fantastic debut
This is a very good debut recording from an upcoming soprano. Being a big admirer of Baroque and Handel my expectations were rather high, and it isn't quite as good as the... Read more
Published on 29 May 2008 by Mr. J. I. Karacs
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