Classic Recitals [Import]

Once again Decca has reached into its vaults and has found a treat for all opera lovers. This time the disc is a reissue of a Pilar Lorengar LP titled PRIMA DONNA IN VIENNA. It's just a great disc with a variety of wonderful pieces. She performs arias by Mozart, Beethoven, Weber, Wagner, Korngold, and Richard Strauss, associated with her varied career. She also ventures into some great pieces from German operettas. These pieces are well suited bother for her voice and vocal talents.

The reason the disc was re-released was due to the LP's critical and popular acclaim, and all opera fans can hope is that other reissues are in store for the future. Also, people who have enjoyed earlier sets but have been frustrated that the liner notes are printed in a font so small that reading it is next to impossible; will be happy to know Decca has heard our pleas. While more readable liner notes are not included with the disc, we are now given web address where we can access the liner notes and since this is a mid priced disc, we can complain-the music alone is worth more than the reasonable price.

I have a LP of this album. In writing this review I have to assume the quality of this CD is not an issue and all the discussions here are just directed at the music. Lorengar was a Spanish and based in Berlin. Like other well known singers she sang all over the world, at the Met, Vienna, everywhere else, and as a regular in San Francisco. But I got to agree with the review before me saying that Lorengar is not a household name (in the US) and that she did not received the recognition she should have deserved. By my guess, the problem being that quite often there is a miss conception that the so call diva is traditionally a lyric spinto whose fame was built on a set of standard Italian repertoire, on Puccini so to speak. A great Wagnerian soprano also is considered by some as diva. Lorengar was neither type of these. Though, she mastered all those, Puccini, Verdi, and the lighter Wagner, and performed them in all the big houses; and nonetheless she did have a very distinguished career. Her voice is unique. If you like a crystal clear voice this album is for you. Even if you don't particularly care for a crystal clear voice this album still is for you. This album contents a very good sampler of opera (and operetta) arias of the Viennese tradition. The duet that she sang together with Arleen Auger is not going to be missed. I am sure you will enjoy it as I do.

It is nice to hear some easy musics (like Lehar and Kalman operettas) -beside the calssical songs- form the incredible sensitive singer, like Pilar Lorengar was.It is a pitty that her publicity never raised her among the great singers of her time.

Highly reccomend to everybody.