This disc was nominated for the 1998 Grammy Award for "Best Classical Vocal Performance." It is hard to think of Renee Fleming as being in the "greatest hits" stage of her career, as at this release she is a young artist with a long career ahead. However, she has accomplished much and is widely recognized as the premier interpreter of the works of Strauss, Mozart, and Verdi, to name a few. The aptly titled SIGNATURES showcases Fleming's affinity for this music. Recorded with conductor Georg Solti, SIGNATURES features operatic excerpts chosen by Fleming. Among those included are "Porgi, Amor" and "Dove Sono" from 'Le Nozze di Figaro' and "The Willow Song" and "Ave Maria" from 'Otello.' Fleming's gift is in transporting the listenerRead more to the world of the story line, while never compromising the integrity of the music. In the 'Otello' excerpts, where "The Willow Song" segues into "Ave Maria," we hear the anguish and foreboding in every note Fleming's Desdemona sings, while she flawlessly adheres to Verdi's score. Also on the disc is a rarely heard selection from Strauss' 'Daphne.' Fleming's "Transformation Scene" illustrates her bond with the music of Strauss, and one can only hope she will record the entire opera. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Le nozze di Figaro, K 492: Porgi, amor, qualche ristoroby Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Performer:
Renée Fleming (Soprano)
Conductor:
Sir Georg Solti
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Classical Written: 1786; Vienna, Austria Date of Recording: 12/1996 Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England Length: 3 Minutes 51 Secs. Language: Italian
2.
Le nozze di Figaro, K 492: E Susanna non vien...Dove sonoby Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Performer:
Renée Fleming (Soprano)
Conductor:
Sir Georg Solti
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Classical Written: 1786; Vienna, Austria Date of Recording: 12/1996 Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England Length: 6 Minutes 16 Secs. Language: Italian
3.
Eugene Onegin, Op. 24: Tatiana's letter sceneby Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky Performer:
Larissa Diadkova (Mezzo Soprano),
Renée Fleming (Soprano)
Conductor:
Sir Georg Solti
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic Written: 1877-1878; Russia Date of Recording: 12/1996 Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England Length: 21 Minutes 16 Secs. Language: Russian
4.
Rusalka, Op. 114/B 203: O moon high up "Song to the moon"by Antonín Dvorák Performer:
Renée Fleming (Soprano)
Conductor:
Sir Georg Solti
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic Written: 1900; Bohemia Date of Recording: 12/1996 Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England Length: 6 Minutes 40 Secs. Language: Czech
5.
Otello: Piangea cantando...Ave Mariaby Giuseppe Verdi Performer:
Renée Fleming (Soprano),
Larissa Diadkova (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
Sir Georg Solti
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic Written: 1887; Italy Date of Recording: 12/1996 Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England Length: 16 Minutes 5 Secs. Language: Italian Notes: This selection begins with "Era piů calmo?".
6.
Peter Grimes, Op. 33: Embroidery in childhoodby Benjamin Britten Performer:
Renée Fleming (Soprano),
Jonathan Summers (Baritone)
Conductor:
Sir Georg Solti
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century Written: England Date of Recording: 12/1996 Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England Length: 5 Minutes 55 Secs. Language: English Notes: This selection begins "Peter seems to have disappeared...".
7.
Daphne, Op. 82: Ich komme, grünende Brüder [Final scene]by Richard Strauss Performer:
Renée Fleming (Soprano)
Conductor:
Sir Georg Solti
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Symphony Orchestra
Period: Romantic Written: 1936-1937; Germany Date of Recording: 12/1996 Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England Length: 11 Minutes 26 Secs. Language: German
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: ( 2 Customer Reviews )
little too muchOctober 7, 2014By Lois S. (Kennesaw, GA)See All My Reviews"I love Renee Fleming and was looking forward to a little more relaxing music. She is flawless in her singing, but for me the high-powered opera wad a little too much. I would love to find another more peaceful CD from Renee Fleming."Report Abuse
R.Fleming/'90'sMay 11, 2012By E. Robinson (Brooklyn, NY)See All My Reviews"The timbre of her voice is full, neither slipping nor forced in the fullness of her range.A beautiful time for her and this recording."Report Abuse