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Track Listings
| 1. Air de Lia |
| 2. Les Filles de Cadix "Chanson Espagnole" |
| 3. Bailero (Chants d'Auvergne, 1st series, no.2) |
| 4. Malurous qu'o uno fenno (Chants d'Auvergne, 3rd series, no.5) |
| 5. La Délaïssàdo (Series 2, No.4) |
| 6. Vocalise en forme de habanera |
| 7. Anne Truelove's aria (Scene III) |
| 8. Recitative & Aria "No word from Tom" |
| 9. Cabaletta "I go, I go to him" |
| 10. In Trutina (Carmina Burana) |
| 11. Wiegenlied, Op. 41/1 |
| 12. Ich wollt ein Sträusslein binden, Op.68, No.2 |
| 13. Morgen, Op. 27/4 |
| 14. Sa maja ye el Ruisenor (The Lover & the Nightingale) from Goyescas |
| 15. 1. Con qué la laveré? |
| 16. 2. Vos me matásteis |
| 17. 3. De dónde venis, amore? |
| 18. 4. De los álamos vengo, madre |
| 19. The Sprig of Thyme |
Product Description
Review
This may be Kate Royal's first solo disc, but she has been making rather large waves in the classical music world for a while now. As the 2004 winner of both the Kathleen Ferrier and John Christie awards, with critically acclaimed Glyndebourne and Royal Opera House performances, and appearances on Paul McCartney's Ecce Cor Meum recording and Ian Bostridge's latest disc of Handel arias and duets, one would expect her to have recorded a pretty special recital. And she has.
Royal is accompanied by Edward Gardner and the Academy of St Martin in the Fields, and her recital takes the listener from French cantata to English folk song by way of Strauss. It includes old favourites such as Canteloube's Chants d'Auvergne alongside lesser-known works such as Debussy's 'Air de Lia' from L'Enfant Prodigue. Although there is no particular theme, Royal plainly has an affinity with music of and inspired by Spain. It pervades much of the recital, from Ravel's 'Vocalise en forme de habanera' to Rodrigo's gorgeous 'Cuatro madrigals amatorios'.
Royal's voice is just sublime; rich, warm and pure, it is able to be both lightly playful in Canteloube's 'Malurous qu'o uno fenno', and languorously dreamy in Strauss's 'Wiegenlied'. I could listen to it all day. What really sets her apart, though, is her ability to get under the skin of a song's lyrics to take on their emotions. She doesn't just sing a song; she becomes it. Take Delibes' party piece, 'Les Filles de Cadix'. This puts in an appearance almost too regularly on recital discs and, whilst it may be fun, unless acted convincingly it can fall flat as a pancake. There is no danger of that here though. Royal's interpretation is full of panache and fiery coquettishness. Likewise, she takes on all the wistfulness, then hope, of the jilted maid in 'The Sprig of Thyme', and the hollow loneliness of Rodrigo's beautiful madrigal, '¿Con qué la lavaré?' Kate Royal is much more than just a beautiful voice. This is music and singing to savour. --Charlotte Gardner
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Product Description
CD Composer: Leo Delibes / Conductor: Edward Gardner / Orchestra: Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields / Soloist: Kate Royal
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
13 of 13 people found the following review helpful
By Mr. S. J. Bonsor
VINE™ VOICE
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I am not one for 'recital' discs, as so often they are mere bleeding chunks of larger works, which encourage lazy listening: Also, there are too many compilation discs by so-called opera singers who have neither the voices nor the stamina for actual opera or classical works. This however is the real thing.
I cannot even begin to think how our one star wonder came to his conclusions about Kate Royal's voice, as they are bizarrely off-beam. There are no problems with vibrato, her pitch is firm and secure: This is a rich, full, creamy voice with bags of character and a superb musical and interpretative control. I think it is fair to say that Ms Royal has true star quality.
This is a generous and imaginative programme which presents both well-known and more obscure items: it is a tribute to the singer that she brings the same integrity to every piece on the album. Rodrigo's 'Cuatro madrigales amatorios' are an absolute delight, whilst the 'Chanson espagnole' from Delibes' Les Filles de Cadix is a showstopper.
The three songs from Canteloube's 'Chants d'Auvergne' are all the obvious choices from that collection, but entirely justified given the sensuous characterisation she brings to them- especially the smouldering 'Bailero': more- much more- of this please!
Similarly, the Richard Strauss songs are those (other than the ubiquitous Four Last) most regularly heard: with precision and clarity of line, she makes them very much her own.
Orchestral playing by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields under Edward Gardner is exemplary, and the recording as near perfect as one would wish.
Oh... and I think I've fallen in love.....(!)
I cannot even begin to think how our one star wonder came to his conclusions about Kate Royal's voice, as they are bizarrely off-beam. There are no problems with vibrato, her pitch is firm and secure: This is a rich, full, creamy voice with bags of character and a superb musical and interpretative control. I think it is fair to say that Ms Royal has true star quality.
This is a generous and imaginative programme which presents both well-known and more obscure items: it is a tribute to the singer that she brings the same integrity to every piece on the album. Rodrigo's 'Cuatro madrigales amatorios' are an absolute delight, whilst the 'Chanson espagnole' from Delibes' Les Filles de Cadix is a showstopper.
The three songs from Canteloube's 'Chants d'Auvergne' are all the obvious choices from that collection, but entirely justified given the sensuous characterisation she brings to them- especially the smouldering 'Bailero': more- much more- of this please!
Similarly, the Richard Strauss songs are those (other than the ubiquitous Four Last) most regularly heard: with precision and clarity of line, she makes them very much her own.
Orchestral playing by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields under Edward Gardner is exemplary, and the recording as near perfect as one would wish.
Oh... and I think I've fallen in love.....(!)
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I can't get enough of this album, Kate is an incredible operatic talent and the selection of songs on this album really blends together well, plus there is something for everyone!
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I saw Ms Royal on the proms TV show on the BBC and was amazed by her performance and just had to buy the CD. I have to say the person who gave one star must have been listening to someone else as her voice is exquisite and I find it almost meditative to sit back and enjoy her soaring vocals.
Very soothing and uplifting at the same time! a must buy!!
Very soothing and uplifting at the same time! a must buy!!
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4.3 out of 5 stars
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
stunning soprano
I got this CD for christmas and it is fantastic - one of my best pesents. She has a fantastic voice, wonderful rich sound, full of emotion and sounding effortless. Read more
Published on 21 Feb 2008 by K. Stones
5.0 out of 5 stars
Divine
What a wonderful debut disc. Miss Royal's voice is simply one of the most beautiful and relaxing sounds one could wish to hear.
Published on 12 Dec 2007 by Bill D C
5.0 out of 5 stars
An absolute delight!
What the reviewer was listening to who gave one star I don't know, but either he had a bad pressing or was listening under water, because Kate Royal's voice is absolutely exquisite... Read more
Published on 25 Sep 2007 by K. White
5.0 out of 5 stars
Exceptionnal
The most beautiful CD I have heard in years! Am moved to tears by her singing! Not to mention the technical mastery and beauty of sound. Read more
Published on 5 Sep 2007 by CBS
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