Notes and Editorial Reviews
Frederica von Stade and French vocal music go together like peanut butter and jelly. For example, her Melisande remains unmatched in its depth of character and great musical profundity. Von Stade was meant to sing the arias on this compilation disc of recordings from her early career. Her years of living in France greatly influenced her interpretations and approach to the music. Equipped with one of the greatest mezzo instruments, von Stade sings with such natural ability and charm that it is easy to forget all that goes into preparing an aria.
A case in point is Offenbach's "Ah! quel diner je viens de faire" from 'La Perichole.' Often referred to as the "drunk" aria, it is one of von Stade's signatures, and she slyly portrays the
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plastered dinner guest trying to hide the extent of her intoxication. In dramatic contrast, von Stade passionately sings of desperate love in "Dieu! Que viens-je d'entendre?" from 'Beatrice et Benedict.' She seems to thrive on the intricate orchestration of Berlioz, and her flawless French diction is a delight to the ear. This is an important disc for those interested specifically in this repertoire, and von Stade sings it better than anyone else. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Béatrice et Bénédict: Dieu! Que viens-je d'entendre? by Hector Berlioz
Performer:
Frederica Von Stade (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
John Pritchard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1860-1862; France
Date of Recording: 01/1976
Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England
Length: 10 Minutes 33 Secs.
Language: French
2.
Werther: Va! laisse couler mes larmes! by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Frederica Von Stade (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
John Pritchard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1892; France
Date of Recording: 01/1976
Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England
Length: 3 Minutes 8 Secs.
Language: French
3.
Cendrillon: Enfin, je suis ici by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Frederica Von Stade (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
John Pritchard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1899; France
Date of Recording: 01/1976
Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England
Length: 6 Minutes 26 Secs.
Language: French
4.
La damnation de Faust, Op. 24: D'amour, l'ardente flamme by Hector Berlioz
Performer:
Frederica Von Stade (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
John Pritchard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1845-1846; France
Date of Recording: 01/1976
Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England
Length: 10 Minutes 18 Secs.
Language: French
5.
Mignon: Connais-tu le pays? by Ambroise Thomas
Performer:
Frederica Von Stade (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
John Pritchard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1866; France
Date of Recording: 01/1976
Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England
Length: 5 Minutes 33 Secs.
Language: French
6.
Les Huguenots: Nobles seigneurs, salut! by Giacomo Meyerbeer
Performer:
Frederica Von Stade (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
John Pritchard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1836; France
Date of Recording: 01/1976
Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England
Length: 4 Minutes 54 Secs.
Language: French
7.
Roméo et Juliette: Que fais-tu, blanche tourterelle by Charles Gounod
Performer:
Frederica Von Stade (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
John Pritchard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1867; France
Date of Recording: 01/1976
Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England
Length: 5 Minutes 17 Secs.
Language: French
Notes: This selection begins with "Depuis hier je cherche en vain..."
8.
La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein: Dites-lui qu'on l'a remarqué distingué by Jacques Offenbach
Performer:
Frederica Von Stade (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
John Pritchard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1867; Paris, France
Date of Recording: 01/1976
Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England
Length: 3 Minutes 18 Secs.
Language: French
9.
La Périchole: Ah! quel dîner by Jacques Offenbach
Performer:
Frederica Von Stade (Mezzo Soprano)
Conductor:
John Pritchard
Orchestra/Ensemble:
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1868/1874; Paris, France
Date of Recording: 01/1976
Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London, England
Length: 2 Minutes 5 Secs.
Language: French
Sound Samples
"Dieu! Que viens-je d'entendre?" from Béatrice et Bénédict, Act II (Voice)
"Va! laisse couler mes larmes" from Werther, Act III (Voice)
"Enfin, je suis ici" from Cendrillon, Act III (Voice)
"D'amour l'ardente flamme" from La Damnation de Faust, Act V (Voice)
Connais-tu le pays? from Mignon, Act I (Voice)
"Nobles Seigneurs, salut!" from Les Huguenots, Act I (Voice)
"Depuis hier je cherche en vain" from Roméo et Juliette, Act III (Voice)
"Dites-lui" from La Grande-Duchesse de Gérolstein, Act II (Voice)
"Ah! quel dîner je viens de faire" from La Périchole, Act I (Voice)
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