I can clearly remember in 1994 the BBC clearing its evening schedule to broadcast live from Covent Garden, Angela Gheorghiu’s sensational performance as Violetta in
La Traviata. It was conducted by her champion Sir Georg Solti. It’s hard to imagine there being enough interest in an opera singer for that being done on television today. From that day I’ve followed the fortunes of this Moldavian soprano, a train driver’s daughter, who married a plumbing engineer and then divorced for a temperamental French/Sicilian star tenor. It’s been quite an eventful ride. Hailed as the successor to Maria Callas, the Sunday Times described Gheorghiu’s voice as “a liquid instrument of great lyrical beauty with gleaming spun-gold notes”. Was it really as long ago as 2010 that from the comfort of my Odeon cinema seat I watched the live stream from Royal Opera House with Gheorghiu in her prime singing the title role in Cilea’s
Adriana Lecouvreur opposite Jonas Kaufmann. Her velvety, dark-tinged voice has a special quality that can move the stoniest of hearts and together with her refined acting ability she can command the stage. I, like many, acclaim her as the greatest soprano of her generation.
Either singing on her own or opposite her equally starry ex-husband, Roberto Alagna, the body of work Gheorghiu has amassed both on the opera stage and in the recording studio is outstanding. Titled ‘Angela Gheorghiu - Autograph’ this generous Warner Classics box set marks the 25th Anniversary of Gheorghiu’s first appearance on the opera stage. The set comprises eight thematically programmed CDs plus a single DVD containing performance extracts and an exclusive interview with film and opera director and producer Franco Zeffirelli. It seems that Gheorghiu herself was involved in the programme selection and it comes as no surprise that her most celebrated stage roles Violetta, Mimì, Tosca, Magda (La rondine) and Adriana Lecouvreur are included.
The first CD ‘Femmes Fatales’ showcases her roles as the seductive women in opera who dominate men emotionally and who are like putty in her hands. Here we have scenes and arias from Bizet, Saint-Saëns, Massenet and Puccini - a disc covering sizeable extracts from Bizet’s
Carmen and Massenet’s
Manon. Notable from
Carmen is the famous
Habanera, and the
Seguidilla and
Près des ramparts de Seville (seduction duet) opposite Roberto Alagna as José. Closing the disc is the desperate Manon’s heartbreaking aria
Sola, perduta, abbandonata from
Manon Lescaut.
CD two, entitled ‘Puccini Heroines’ comprises scenes and arias from
Tosca,
Madame Butterfly and
Turandot - operas that portray women as principals in the scenario: brave women of conviction and principle. One of Gheorghiu’s signature roles is as the renowned singer Floria Tosca. The duet
Mia gelosa! with Cavaradossi sung by Alagna demonstrates Gheorghiu’s top register to wonderful effect. Coming later the much loved
Vissi d'arte sounds spectacular and is sung with tenderness and emotion. The duet
Vogliatemi bene, un bene piccolino from Madam Butterfly with Gheorghiu as the love-struck Japanese girl Cio-Cio San (Madame Butterfly) and Alagna as love rat Navy Lieutenant Pinkerton radiates compelling passion. Also of note from
Turandot is slave girl Liú’s aria
Tu che di gel sei cinta sung prior to her suicide. It's accorded real purity by Gheorghiu.
CD 3 named ‘Daughters’ is a varied collection where the destinies of daughters are affected by parental dynamics. From Verdi’s
Simon Boccanegra in the arias between Gabriele and Amelia -
Cielo di stelle orbato and
Vieni a mirar la cerula - one senses a special frisson between Alagna and Gheorghiu. This gives an authentic depth to the performance. In Gounod’s
Roméo et Juliette I was struck by the wonderful blend from Gheorghiu and Alagna and in the duet
Romeo! qu'as-tu donc? From Gustave Charpentier’s
Louise. an opera not too well known, it is good to hear the aria
Depuis le jour où je me suis donnée so beautifully sung by Gheorghiu in the title role. On the other hand from Puccini’s
Gianni Schicchi the aria
O mio babbino caro is one of the best known in the operatic repertoire. With Gheorghiu as Lauretta, Schicchi’s daughter, I doubt
O mio babbino caro has been better sung or with as much sincerity.
CD 4 is titled ‘From Baroque to Bel canto’ and the range of arias spans from Italian baroque composer Alessandro Scarlatti born in the mid-seventieth century to the Bel canto master Bellini, born just inside in the nineteenth century. In Almirena’s aria
Lascia ch'io pianga from Handel’s opera
Rinaldo Gheorghiu demonstrates her empathy with the text. This is a moving rendition of this now popular concert piece. Bellini’s opera
Norma is best known for its show-stopping
Casta diva sung by Norma, the high priestess. In the title role Gheorghiu doesn’t disappoint in her beseeching prayer for peace to the Moon Goddess - one of the highlights. From the Donizetti opera
Lucia di Lammermoor worthy of special note are the arias
Regnava nel silenzio and
Quando rapito in estasi. These are marvellous examples of Gheorghiu’s innate gift for tone colour.
Named ‘Verdi: Opera, Oratorio and Song’ CD 5 is an appealing disc and I could have singled out any track here for special praise. The well known arias
È strano! È strano! ... Ah, fors` è lui and
Follie! Follie! ... Sempre libera recorded in 2010/11 are fairly recent examples of Gheorghiu in mature voice. She sings the courtesan Violetta from
La traviata, a signature role on stage and one of her most acclaimed. Also as Violetta from
La traviata but recorded earlier in 1994 there is
Teseste la promessa … Addio del Passato. This reveals how Gheorghiu is able to get right inside the role. As the noble Leonora from
Il trovatore the act I aria
Di tale amor, che dirsi feels cheerful and uplifting. From later in the opera
D'amor sull'ali rosee is a fine example of the depth of feeling Gheorghiu’s voice can impart. Finally I was struck by the remarkable level of emotion that Gheorghiu once again communicates in
Qui Radames verrà! ... O Patria mia in the title role of
Aida.
Entitled ‘Verismo’, CD 6 draws on operas written in the
Verismo style - the tradition associated with greater realism with gritty, true-to-life plots. Puccini is represented here by arias from
La bohème,
La fanciulla del West,
La rondine,
Suor Angelica and
Turandot. This is another impressive disc reflecting three of Gheorghiu’s most celebrated stage roles: Mimì from
La bohème, Magda from
La rondine and Adriana from
Adriana Lecouvreur. Here I just have to choose Gheorghiu as seamstress Mimi from
La bohème, a role that suits her perfectly and could have been written for her. It is hard to believe the amount of feeling and expression that Gheorghiu puts into the aria
Si, mi chiamano Mimi recorded in 2004. It is one of her greatest aria performances on disc. Recorded earlier in 1995 her duet
O soave fanciulla, o dolce viso with Roberto Alagna as Rodolfo is one of those special performances that makes the hair stand up on the back of the neck. Another character that could have been especially created for Gheorghiu is Adriana who steps from the pages of Cilea’s neglected masterpiece
Adriana Lecouvreur. Recorded around a decade apart, the two alluring arias
Ecco:
respiro appena ... Io son l'umile ancella and
Poveri fiori (Flower aria) are portrayed with elegance and remarkable tenderness. Once again I was reminded of the singer as the actress Adriana opposite Jonas Kaufmann in David McVicar’s 2001 production broadcast to cinemas live from Covent Garden. Another of her celebrated stage roles is in Puccini’s
La rondine one of the composer’s lesser known works and one that Gheorghiu has done her best to champion. Here the act I aria
Chi il bel sogno di Doretta stands out for the singer's assurance and style as courtesan Magda. Among many other qualities she demonstrates an astonishing fluidity in her high register.
On CD 7 we find a selection of French arias and melodies together with a number Romanian songs and Christmas carols. From Gounod’s
Faust there is the much admired aria
O Dieu! Que de bijoux! (Jewel Song) when maiden Marguerite wears the jewels and sings about how they enhance her beauty. This is a characterful portrayal and one distinguished by high spirits yet a recognition of the character's nervy vulnerability. Delightful too, with its splendid horn accompaniment, is the aria
Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante of Micaëla, the village girl seeking to rescue José from Carmen’s clutches. This is a fine example of Gheorghiu’s dark-tinged, low register. I am far less familiar with the remainder which include French mélodies and Romanian songs and Christmas carols. They are all splendidly sung by Gheorghiu.
CD 8 titled ‘Angela Gheorghiu: An Interview Portrait’ is conducted by Jon Tolansky in July 2014 in London. The edited conversations, interspersed with extracts from arias from the operas under discussion, predominantly concern interpretation and Gheorghiu’s experiences of the various roles. Tolansky introduces things by explaining how in June 1990 at the Romanian National Opera, Cluj-Napoca, Angela Gheorghiu made her professional debut in a production of
La bohème as Mimi and in less than two years had in that role conquered the top opera houses in Europe and the USA. The interview is a fascinating insight into how Gheorghiu undertakes her character interpretations.
The DVD is a rather cobbled-together affair with no introduction. It propels us straight into a clip of
Vogliatemi bene from
Madame Butterfly filmed in 1999 at an open-air concert at Theaterplatz, outside Semperopera, Dresden. Following on are video clips of the arias
Un bel dì vedremo (
Madame Butterfly),
Tu che di gel sei cinta (
Turandot);
O mio babbino caro (
Gianni Schicchi) and
Pace, pace, mio Dio (
La forza del destino). Next, world-famous director and producer Franco Zeffirelli is in conversation with Paul Cozighian paying tribute to Angela Gheorghiu and discussing her qualities as an artist. The filming was in Zeffirelli’s apartment, Rome in 2007. Finally serving as a preview of ‘Casta Diva’ Angela Gheorghiu’s first Warner Classics solo album from 2001 the soprano is in conversation (interspersed with film clips) talking about the role of Norma and singing
Casta Diva.
Overall the sonics are of good quality, always clear and well balanced with a satisfying presence. The enclosed booklet is only of limited use and fizzles out after explaining CDs 1-5. The failure to provide sung texts and translations is a real oversight. The various orchestras and conductors used are of the highest quality and have been well chosen.
This Warner Classics collection ‘Angela Gheorghiu - Autograph’ containing carefully chosen arias and songs, makes indispensable listening for opera lovers. Admirers will be in their element.
Michael Cookson
Full Details of Recording
CD1. Femmes Fatales - Scenes and Arias from Bizet, Saint-Saëns, Massenet, Puccini
Georges BIZET (1838-1870)
As Carmen - scenes and arias from Carmen - opera (1875)
1. Mais nous ne voyons pas la Carmencita! ... [1.12]
2. Quand je vous aimerai? … L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera) [4.34]
3. Mon officier c'était une querelle Tra la, la, la, coupe-moi [2.40]
4. Où me conduirez-vous? [1.20]
5. Près des ramparts de Seville [4.14]
6. Les tringles des sistres tintaient avec un éclat métallique [4.36]
7. La-la-la-la / Attends un peu, [1.58]
8. Au quartier! pour l'appel [2.34]
9. Voyons que j'essaie à mon tour [1.08]
10. En vain pour éviter [2.25]
11. La mort / Parelez encore, parlez mes belles [0.55]
12. Tu m'aimes donc plus [5.58]
Carmen - Angela Gheorghiu (soprano); Don José - Roberto Alagna (tenor); Michaela - Inva Mula (soprano); Escamillo - Thomas Hampson (baritone); Frasquita - Elizabeth Vidal (sop); Mercédès - Isabelle Cals (sop); Morales - Ludovic Tézier (bar); Zuniga, Nicholas Cavallier (bass)
Choeur ‘Les Eléments’
Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse/Michel Plasson.
rec. February, March 2002, Halle aux Grains, Toulouse, France
Camille SAINT-SAËNS (1835-1921)
As Dalila - aria from Samson et Dalila - opera (1877)
13. Mon cœur s'ouvre à ta voix [5:39]
Angela Gheorghiu (soprano)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Marco Armiliato
rec. August 2010, March 2011, Studio No.1, Abbey Road, London, UK
Jules MASSENET (1842-1912)
As Manon - scenes and arias from Manon - opera (1884)
Angela Gheorghiu (soprano) - Manon; Roberto Alagna (tenor) - Des Grieux; Nicolas Rivenq (baritone) - De Brétigny;
Orchestre Symphonique et Choeurs de la Monnaie, Bruxelles/Antonio Pappano
rec. 23 April - 9 May 1999, Cirque Royal, Brussels, Belgium
14. Je suis encor tout étourdie [3.26]
15. Restons ici, puis-qu'il le faut! [1.40]
16. Voyons, Manon, plus de chimères [2.07]
17. Adieu, notre petite table [2.18]
18. Je marche sur tous les chemins [2.06]
19. Obeissons, quand leur voix appelle [3.17]
20. N'est-ce plus ma main [3.44]
21. Ah! Des Grieux! O Manon! Tu pleures! [3.08]
22. Qu'ai-je à te pardonner [2.01]
23. Nous reparlerons du passé [2.16]
24. N'est-ce plus ma main que cette main presse? [2.15]
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924)
As Manon - arias from Manon Lescaut - opera (1892)
25. In quelle trine morbid [2.40]
26. Sola, perduta, abbandonata [6.08]
Angela Gheorghiu - Manon
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi/Anton Coppola
rec. July 2004, Auditorium di Milano, Italy
CD 2. Puccini Heroines - Scenes and Arias from Tosca, Madame Butterfly, Turandot
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924)
As Tosca - scenes and arias from Tosca - opera (1900)
1. Mario! Mario! Mario! Son qui! [1.57]
2. Ora stammi a sentir [0.59]
3. Non la sospiri la nostra casetta [2.28]
4. Ora lasciami al lavoro [1.51]
5. Ah, quegli occhi! / Qual occhio al mondo [1.39]
6. Mia gelosa! [4.06]
7. Orsù, Tosca, parlate [3.39]
8. Vissi d'arte [3.33]
9. Senti, l'ora è vicina [1.37]
10. Amaro sol per te m'era il moiré [2.17]
Angela Gheorghiu - Tosca
Roberto Alagna - Cavaradossi
Ruggero Raimondi - Baron Scarpia
Tiffin Boys’ Choir,
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Antonio Pappano
rec. August 2000 Studio No. 1, Abbey Road, London, UK
As Cio-Cio San (Madama Butterfly) scenes and arias from Madama Butterfly - opera (1904)
11. Gran Ventura [3.41]
12. Leri son salita tutta sola [2.09]
13. Vogliatemi bene, un bene piccolino [7.17]
14. Un bel di vedremo [4.28]
15. Ora a noi [3.10]
16. Due cose potrei far [2.07]
17. Ah! m'ha scordata? [2.00]
18. Sai cos'ebbe cuore di pensare [3.18]
19. Io scendo al piano [1.48]
20. Glielo dirai? [4.36]
21. Vespa! Voglio che tu risponda [3.46]
22. Come una mosca progionera [3.29]
23. Tu? tu piccolo Iddio! [1.59]
24. Va, gioca, gioca! [2.34]
Madama Butterfly - Angela Gheorghiu (soprano); Pinkerton - Jonas Kaufmann (tenor); Suzuki - Enkeledja Shkosa (mezzo); Sharpless - Fabio Capitanucci (baritone); Goro - Gregory Bonfatti (tenor); Il Bonze - Raymond Aceto (bass); Kate Pinkerton - Cristina Reale (soprano)
Chorus and Orchestra of the Accademia Nationale di Santa Cecilia, Rome/Antonio Pappano
rec. 2008, Sala Santa Cecilia, Auditorium Parco della Musica, Rome, Italy
As Liú - arias from Turandot – opera (1926)
25. Signore, ascolta! [2.45]
26. Tu che di gel sei cinta [3.20]
Angela Gheorghiu (Liú)
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi/Anton Coppola
rec. July 2004, Auditorium di Milano, Italy
CD 3. Daughters - Verdi, Gounod, Massenet, Gustave Charpentier, Puccini, Bernstein
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
As Amelia - Arias from Simon Boccanegra - opera (1857 rev. 1881)
1. Cielo di stelle orbato [2.32]
2. Vieni a mirar la cerula [2.48]
Angela Gheorghiu - Amelia; Roberto Alagna - Gabriele
Berliner Philharmoniker/Claudio Abbado
rec. February 1998, Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Dahlem, Berlin, Germany
As Gilda - Aria from Rigoletto - opera (1851)
3. Gualtier Maldè! ... Caro nome [6.24]
Angela Gheorghiu, Gilda
Orchestra Sinfonica Di Milano Giuseppe Verdi/Riccardo Chailly
rec. July 1999, Sala Verdi Milan, Italy
Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893)
As Julietta - Scenes and Arias from Roméo et Juliette - opera (1867)
4. Non! non! je ne veux pas t'écouter plus longtemps … Ah! Je veux vivre dans le rêve [3.54]
5. O nuit divine! [3.41]
6. Ah! ne fuis pas encore! [4.33]
7. Adieu mille fois! ... Va! repose en paix! [2.38]
8. Va! je t'ai pardonné ... Tybolt voulait at mort [4.13]
9. Romeo! qu'as-tu donc? [6.59]
10. Dieu! quel frisson court dans mes veines? [1.03]
11. Amour ranime mon courage [4.25]
12. A toi, ma Juliette! [4.36]
13. Console-toi, pauvre âme [5.19]
Juliette - Angela Gheorghiu; Roméo - Roberto Alagna, Gertrude - Claire Larchner
Choeur et Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse/Michel Plasson
rec. October 1995, Halle aux grains, Toulouse, France
Jules MASSENET (1842-191)
As Charlotte - Arias from Werther - opera (1892)
14. Werther: Werther! Werther! Qui m'aurait dit la place [3.12]
15. Des cris joyeux d'enfants montent sous ma fenêtre [3.16]
16. A cette heure suprême, je suis heureux! [4.24]
Charlotte - Angela Gheorghiu; Werther - Roberto Alagna
London Symphony Orchesta/Antonio Pappano.
rec. August 1988 Studio No. 1, Abbey Road, London, UK
Jules MASSENET (1842-1912)
As Chimène - Aria from Le Cid - opera (1885)
17. Pleurez, mes yeux [5.37]
Angela Gheorghiu - Charlotte;
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Marco Armiliato
rec. May 2010, Henry Wood Hall, London, UK
Gustave CHARPENTIER (1860-1956)
As Louise - Aria from Louise - opera (1900)
18. Depuis le jour [5.09]
Angela Gheorghiu - Louise;
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Ion Marin
rec. live, June 2001, in association with the BBC, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, UK
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924)
As Lauretta - Aria from Gianni Schicchi - opera (1918)
19. O mio babbino caro [2.47]
Angela Gheorghiu - Lauretta
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi/Anton Coppola
rec. July 2004, Auditorium di Milano, Italy
Leonard BERNSTEIN (1918-1990)
As Maria - Song from West Side Story - musical (1957)
20. Only you ... Tonight, tonight [3.46]
Angela Gheorghiu - Maria; Roberto Alagna - Tony
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Sir Richard Armstrong
rec. September 1995, Lyndhurst Hall, Air Studios, London, UK
CD 4. From Baroque to Bel Canto
Arias from Alessandro Scarlatti, Handel, Gluck, Mozart, Cherubini, Rossini, Bellini, Donizetti, Parisotti, Martini
Alessandro SCARLATTI (1660-1725)
As Sesto - Aria from Il Pompeo - opera
1. O cessate di piagarmi [2.54]
George Frideric HANDEL (1685-1759)
As Almirena aria - from Rinaldo - opera (1711)
2. Lascia ch'io pianga [4.43]
Christoph Willibald GLUCK (1714-1787)
As Paride from Paride ed Elena - opera (1770)
3. O del mio dolce ardor bramato oggeto [3.49]
Wolfgang Amadeus MOZART (1756-1791)
As Countess- aria from Le Nozze Di Figaro - opera (1786)
4. Porgi amor [4.04]
Jeff Cohen (piano, tracks 1, 3)
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Ion Marin (tracks 2, 4)
rec. live, March 2006, Teatro alla Scalla, Milan (tracks 1, 3)
rec. live, June 2001, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London (tracks 2, 4)
Luigi CHERUBINI (1760-1842)
As Medea - aria from Medea - opera (1797)
5. Dei tuoi figli la madre tu vedi [4.45]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Marco Armiliato
rec. August 2010, February 2011, Henry Wood Hall, London
Gioachino ROSSINI (1792-1868).
As Rosina - arias from Il Barbiere di Siviglia - opera (1816)
6. Una voce poco fa [2.34]
7. Io sono docile [4.02]
Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835)
As Norma - arias from Norma - opera (1831)
8. Casta diva [7.20]
9. Ah bello a me ritorna [2.20]
As Amina - aria from La Sonnambula - opera (1831)
10. Ah! non credea mirarti [5.22]
As Elvira - arias from I Puritani - opera (1835)
11. Qui la voce sua soave - O rendetemi la speme [3.35]
12. Vien diletto, è in ciel la luna [2.29]
Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848)
As Anna - arias from Anna Bolena - opera (1830)
13. Piangete voi [5.00]
14. Al dolce guidami [4.46]
As Lucia - arias from Lucia di Lammermoor - opera (1835)
15. Regnava nel silenzio [4.35]
16. Quando rapito in estasi [4.30]
Royal Opera Chorus (tracks 8, 9, 13, 14)
London Symphony Orchestra/Evelino Pidò
rec. April 2000, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London; March 2001, Lyndhurst Hall, Air Studio, Hampstead, London
Alessandro PARISOTTI (1815-1913)
17. Se tu m’ami [3:32]
Jean-Paul MARTINI (1741-1816)
18. Plaisir d’amour [4:03]
Vincenzo BELLINI (1801-1835)
19. Malinconia, ninfa gentile (1829) [1:28]
Gaetano DONIZETTI (1797-1848)
20. Amor marinaro: Me voglio fa’na casa [2:35]
Jeff Cohen (piano)
rec. live, April 2006, La Scala, Milan,
CD 5. Verdi: Opera, Oratorio and Song
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
As Violetta from La traviata - opera (1853)
1. È strano! È strano!...Ah, fors` è lui [6.26]
2. Follie! Follie!...Sempre libera [4.35]
James Valenti, (tenor) - Alfredo
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Marco Armiliato
rec. April 2010, February 2011, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
3. Teseste la promessa… Addio del Passato [7.15]
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Sir Georg Solti
rec. live, December 1994, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London
As Leonora from Il trovatore - opera (1853)
4. Ascolta! Tacea la notte placida [3.39]
5. Quanto narrasti di turbamento [0.50]
6. Di tale amor, che dirsi [2.43]
7. D'amor sull'ali rosee [3.43]
8. Miserere ... Quel suon, quelle preci [5.03]
9. Di te! scordarmi di te! [0.22]
10. Tu vedrai che amore in terra [4.03]
Federica Proietti (mezzo) - Ines
Roberto Alagna (tenor) - Manrico
London Voices
London Symphony Orchestra/Antonio Pappano
rec. April 2000, No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London
Giuseppe VERDI (1813-1901)
As Elisabetta from Don Carlo - opera (1884)
11. E dessa! ... Un detto, un sol ... [5.54]
12. Ma lassù ci vedremo [4.27]
Roberto Alagna (tenor) - Carlo
Swedish Radio Choir
Berliner Philharmoniker/Claudio Abbado
rec. February 1998, Jesus-Christus-Kirche, Dahlem, Berlin, Germany
As Aida from Aida - opera (1871)
13. Qui Radames verrà! ... O Patria mia [6.35]
Orchestra Sinfonica Di Milano Giuseppe Verdi/Riccardo Chailly
Andrea Tenaglia (oboe)
rec. July 1999, Sala Verdi, Milan
VII. Libera me from Messa de Requiem for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor, bass, chorus and orchestra (1874)
14. Libera me, Domine [2.27]
15. Libera me [2.23]
16. Requiem aeternam [3.10]
17. Libera me, Domine [6.05]
Swedish Radio Chorus, Eric Ericson Chamber Choir, Orfeón Donostiarra,
Berliner Philharmoniker/Claudio Abbado
rec. live, January 2001, Philharmonie, Berlin
Songs
18. In solitaria stanza [4.29]
19. Brindisi [2.21]
20. Stornello [1.51]
Jeff Cohen (piano)
rec. live, March 2006, La Scala, Milan
CD 6. Verismo
Ruggero LEONCAVALLO (1857-1919)
As Nedda from Pagliacci - opera (1892)
1. Qual fiamma avea nel guardo! ... Stridono lassu [4.55]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Marco Armiliato
rec. April 2010, No. 1 Studio Abbey Road, London
Pietro MASCAGNI (1863-1945)
As Suzel from L'amico Fritz - opera (1891)
2. Suzel, buon dì ... [4.22]
3. Tutto tace, eppur tutto al cor mi parla (Cherry Duet) [4.36]
Roberto Alagna (tenor) - Fritz
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Richard Armstrong
rec. July and September 1995, Lyndhurst Hall, Air Studios, London
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924)
As Mimi from La bohème - opera (1896)
4. Si, mi chiamano Mimi [5.08]
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi/Anton Coppola
rec. July 2004, Auditorium di Milano, Italy
5. O soave fanciulla, o dolce viso [3.50]
Roberto Alagna (tenor) - Rodolfo
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Richard Armstrong
rec. July and September 1995, Lyndhurst Hall, Air Studios, London
6. Donde lieta uscì (Mimì's Farewell) [3.14]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Marco Armiliato
rec. April 2010, No. 1 Studio Abbey Road, London
Umberto GIORDANO (1867-1948)
As Maddalena from Andrea Chenier - opera(1896)
7. La mamma morta [5.16]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Marco Armiliato
rec. August 2010, February 2011, Henry Wood Hall, London
Francesco CILEA (1866-1950)
As Adriana from Adriana Lecouvreur - opera (1902)
8. Ecco: respiro appena ... Io son l'umile ancella [3.53]
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Ion Marin
rec. June 2001, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London
9. Poveri fiori (Flower aria) [3.35]
Alfredo CATALANI (1854-1893)
As Wally from La Wally - opera (1892)
10. Ebben? ... Ne andrò lontana [3.44]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Marco Armiliato
rec. May 2010, Henry Wood Hall, London
11. Ebben? ... Ne andrò lontana [3.38]
BBC Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin
rec. live, September 2003, Royal Opera House, London (Last Night of the Proms)
Giacomo PUCCINI (1858-1924)
As Minnie from La fanciulla del West (The Girl of the West) - opera [1910]
12. L'amore e un altra cosa … Laggiù nel Soledad [3.30]
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi/Anton Coppola
rec. July 2004, Auditorium di Milano, Italy
As Magda from La rondine - opera (1917)
13. Chi il bel sogno di Doretta [2.40]
14. Chi il bel sogno di Doretta [2.25]
15. Donale il bacio mio! [2.19]
16. Non! Non dir questo! [0.39]
17. Ma come puoi lascar [5.29]
Patrizia Biccire (soprano) – Yvette;
Patrizia Ciofi (soprano) – Bianca;
Monica Bacelli (mezzo) – Suzy;
Toby Spence (tenor) – Gobin;
Riccardo Simonetti (bass) – Périchaud;
Enrico Fissore (bass) – Crébillon
William Matteuzzi (tenor) – Prunier
Roberto Alagna (tenor) – Ruggero;
London Symphony Orchestra/Antonio Pappano
rec. August 1996, No. 1 Studio Abbey Road, London
As Angelica from Suor Angelica - opera (1918)
18. Senza mamma [5.07]
As Turandot from Turandot - opera (1926)
19. In questa Reggia [6.42]
Roberto Alagna (tenor) – Calaf;
Royal Opera House Chorus,
Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi/Anton Coppola
rec. July 2004 Auditorium di Milano, Italy
CD 7. French Arias and Melodies and Romanian Songs
Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893)
As Marguerite from Faust - opera (1859)
1. O Dieu! Que de bijoux! (Jewel Song) [4.56]
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Marco Armiliato
rec. May 2010, Henry Wood Hall, London
Georges BIZET (1838-1875)
As Micaëla from Carmen - opera (1875)
2. Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante [5.08]
Bayerische Staatsoper/Giuseppe Sinopoli
rec. December 1995, Stadthalle Germering, nr Munich, Germany
3. L'amour est un enfant de bohème [3.39]
Choeur 'Les Elements',
Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse/Michel Plasson
rec. February/March 2002, Halle aux Grains, Toulouse
Charles GOUNOD (1818-1893)
4. Sérénade [3.53]
Georges BIZET (1838-1875)
5. Chant d’amour (1872) [3.33]
Jules MASSENET (1842-1912)
6. Elégie [2.33]
Jeff Cohen (piano)
rec. live, March 2006, Teatro alla Scala, Milan
Jacques BREL (1929-1978)
7. La chanson des vieux amants [5.31]
Jeroen Willems (speaker); Eliane Rodrigues (piano)
rec. live, April 2005, The Royal Palace, Amsterdam
Tiberiu BREDICEANU (1877-1968)
8. Cate flori pe deal in sus [4.23]
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Ion Marin
rec. June 2001, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London
George GRIGORIU (1927-1999)
9. Muzica (Valurile Dunării) [3.00]
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Iván Fischer
rec. December 1996, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London
10. Muzica (Valurile Dunării) [2.51]
BBC Symphony Orchestra/Leonard Slatkin
rec. live, September 2003 (Last Night of the Proms), Royal Albert Hall, London
Alfred ALESSANDRESCU (1893-1959)
11. Cind perdeaua dragii mele [2.23]
Diamandi GHECIU (1892-1980)
12. Si Daca [3:06]
Tiberiu BREDICEANU (1877-1968)
13. Floricica de pe apa (1917) [1.43]
14. Bade, pentru ochii tai (1923) [3.03]
15. Vai, badita, dragi ne-avem (1905) [3.20]
Gherase DENDRINO (1901-1973)
16. Lăsaţi-mă să cânt (Let me sing), Aceast melodie… Te iubesc [3.37]
Jeff Cohen (piano)
rec. live, March 2006, Teatro alla Scala, Milan
Traditional Romanian Christmas Carols
17. O, ce veste minunatã!
18. Coroana de trandafiri
19. Na lerea Domnului
Corul Accoustic,
Corul National de Camera Madrigal,
Romanian National Radio Orchestra/Tiberiu Soare
rec. September 2013, Radio Hall & ISV, Geneva
CD 8. Angela Gheorghiu: An Interview Portrait
1. Introduction [4.18]
Extract, narration: La bohème, Si, mi chiamano Mimi
Extract, narration: I Puritani: Qui la voce sua soave - O rendetemi la speme
2. Early years in Romania, Bucharest School and Conservatoire, and becoming a singer [9.28]
Commentary from Angela Gheorghiu
Extract: Tosca: Vissi d'arte
3. Research, method and approach to interpretation
Commentary from Angela Gheorghiu -
The role of Mimi
Extract: La bohème: Donde lieta uscì (Mimì's Farewell)
4. Further discussion of research, method and approach to interpretation
Commentary from Angela Gheorghiu -
5. Introduction narration about La traviata [2.25]
6. La Traviata [4.21]
Extract: La Traviata: È strano ... Ah fors'è lui che l'anima
Commentary from Angela Gheorghiu -
Extract: Follie! follie! Sempre Libera
7. Introductory narration about Manon (Massenet) [2.10]
8. Manon (Massenet)
Extract: Je suis encor tout étourdie
Commentary from Angela Gheorghiu
Extract: Adieu, notre petite table
9. Adriana Lecouvreur [5.29]
Commentary from Angela Gheorghiu
Extract: Adriana Lecouvreur: Ecco: respiro appena ... Io son l'umile ancella
10. Introductory narration about Werther [1.28]
11. Werther [5.35]
Extract: Je vous écris de ma petite chambre
Commentary from Angela Gheorghiu
Extract: A cette heure suprême, je suis heureux! With Roberto Alagna (tenor) as Werther
12. Introductory narration about Madam Butterfly [2.12]
13. Madam Butterfly [9.37]
Commentary from Angela Gheorghiu
Extract: Ah! dolce notte! Quante stelle! with Jonas Kaufmann (tenor) as Pinkerton
Extract: Ora a noi... Quando? With Fabio Captaincy (baritone) as Sharpless
Commentary from Angela Gheorghiu
14. Narration about La Scala recital and Se tu m'ami (Parisotti) [1.52]
15. Se tu m'ami (Parisotti) [2.35]
Commentary from Angela Gheorghiu
Extract: Parisotti: Se tu m'ami
16. French mélodies [2.36]
Commentary from Angela Gheorghiu
Extract: Gounod Sérénade
17. Romanian Song [5.42]
Commentary from Angela Gheorghiu
Extract: Alessandrescu, Cand perdeaua dragii mele
This interview with Angela Gheorghiu was conducted by Jon Tolansky in London on 17 July 2014.
DVD
1. Madam Butterfly, Vogliatemi bene (Love duet) Butterfly/Pinkerton [13.47]
Roberto Alagna (tenor) - Pinkerton
Staatskapelle Dresden/Giuseppe Sinopoli
rec. 11 July 1999, Theaterplatz, outside Semperopera, Dresden
2. Un bel dì vedremo (Butterfly) [7.04]
Staatskapelle Dresden/Giuseppe Sinopoli
rec. 20-29 July 2004, Auditorium di Milano
3.Turandot, Tu che di gel sei cinta (Liù) [2.27]
4. Gianni Schicchi, O mio babbino caro [2.39]
Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden/Ion Marin
rec. 8 June 2001, Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London
5. Verdi La forza del destino, Pace, pace, mio Dio (Leonora) [5.58]
Staatskapelle Dresden/Giuseppe Sinopoli
rec. 11 July 1999, Theaterplatz, outside Semperopera, Dresden
6. Franco Zeffirelli pays tribute to Angela Gheorghiu
Franco Zeffirelli in conversation with Paul Cozighian, discusses Angela Gheorghiu’s qualities as an artist.
rec. April 2007, Apartment of Franco Zeffirelli in Rome.
7. Preview of Angela Gheorghiu’s first Warner Classics solo album.
Angela Gheorghiu, in conversation and, in the role of Norma, singing ‘Cast Diva’ from act 1 of Bellini’s Norma.
DVD - Colour NTSC system mixed format 16.9/4.3 - Disc format DVD-9
[56.48]
