The Art of Cecilia Bartoli

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
The Art of Cecilia Bartoli provides an opportunity to look back over a decade of recordings made by one of the most popular and critically acclaimed mezzo-sopranos of our time. The 17 tracks on this smartly-packaged CD are almost exclusively in Bartoli's mother tongue, Italian, and include arias from operas by Handel, Vivaldi, Gluck, Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti and Verdi.

All but two pieces are taken from Bartoli's Decca discography but this is not just a "greatest hits" album--it lives up to its title and really does demonstrate the mezzo's "art". The disc opens with "Lascia ch'io pianga" from Handel's opera Rinaldo which demonstrates how Bartoli can bring the simplest of melodies to life. An extract from Vivaldi's Farnace reveals the heartstopping intensity of the Bartoli pianissimo while the Rossini arias allow the listener to revel in her glorious coloratura.

As well as the arias, there are plenty of opportunities to hear Bartoli the collaborator in duets with three fabulous partners, namely David Daniels, Bryn Terfel (including a charged rendition of the Papageno/Papagena duet from The Magic Flute) and, on two previously unreleased tracks, Luciano Pavarotti. This is a great introduction to one of the leading singers of today. --Rebecca Agnew

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2007-11-25 rating:
An ideal introduction to Bartoli's style

Although released some time ago now (2002) this collection of opera extracts remains an ideal introduction to the singing voice of Cecilia Bartoli, most of the tracks having been taken from her previous album releases.

The choices of music lean towards the more familiar and traditional pieces from the world of opera, thus allowing the listener to concentrate on familiarising themselves with the dramatic, exciting and passion-filled style of Bartoli's vocals.

Included are works by Handel, Vivaldi, Gluck, Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti and Verdi, and there are guest appearances by Bryn Terfel and Luciano Pavarotti on 5 of the tracks.

The CD shows some lovely photographs of the singer (again from previous releases), and so summarises nicely the style (hence the title `Art') of Cecilia Bartoli.

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review by: a song lark date: 2007-06-28 rating:
Cecilia - magical listening
This lady is the "Tina Turner" in her own "genre". She sings with passion, unrestrained and gives herself completely to the piece she is singing. Absolutely WONDERFUL and very very moving. Although I'm no expert whatsoever, she reminds me very much of Edith Piaf's singing - totally generous, no holding back. The singing is mind blowing - it leaves me absolutely full with admiration.

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review by: jameschicken date: 2005-10-13 rating:
the hidden vivildi revealed
this is a fabulous album in that it showcases 3 arias form vivaldis operas, which are mostly forgotten now. 2 of the arias are based on the four seasons so it good to hear them in another context. the arias themselves are sung wonderfully by cecelia and they really show her at her best in the top notes. i would recomend this album any day


review by: stardustraven date: 2002-12-02 rating:
Beautiful Cecilia Collection
'The art of Cecilia Bartoli' provides the listener with a beautiful compilation of several of her recordings. The composers whose works Ms. Bartoli performs here are: Haendel, Vivaldi, Gluck, Mozart, Rossini, Donizetti and Verdi. She's accompanied by various orchestras and conductors and the male soloists parts are taken by David Daniels (Haendel), Bryn Terfel (Mozart/Rossini), Roberto de Candia (Rossini) and Luciano Pavarotti (Donizetti/Verdi). Cecilia Bartoli's joy in music and dedication to the composers is evident throughout. She's the luminous center of this disc which is beautifully packaged with texts, translations and photographs. Her warm, low voice brings out every nuance and colour of the composers works. She's intense, passionate and achingly beautiful in the pieces by Haendel, Gluck and Vivaldi (which demand much from the singer and listener).

She gives us further a warm, tender and curious Cherubino in 'Voi che sapete' from Mozarts 'Le Nozze di Figaro'. The duets with Welsh bass-baritone Bryn Terfel were taken from Mozarts 'Don Giovanni' and 'Die Zauberflöte' are excellent, especially the 'Pa-pa-pa-pa' duet from 'Die Zauberflöte'. Cecilia Bartoli and Bryn Terfel are brilliantly matched as song partners and together they bring out every shade and nuance in these songs. It's a true delight to hear such gorgeous voices together on one disc.

Ms. Bartoli's Rossini is beautiful, warm and she brings out all of the pathos. But the last two pieces by Donizetti and Verdi were not my cup of tea, although Ms. Bartoli's contribution to those pieces is alert, intense and enthusiastic. Her partner here was Luciano Pavarotti and I am not an admirer of his voice. He's adequate and sounds if he's singing these pieces for the umpteenth time. Further I would have liked a bit more Haendel, Gluck or Mozart in this collection.

Despite some reservations towards Donizetti, Verdi and Luciano Pavarotti the listener gets a beautiful Cecilia collection, which I cannot but recommend very highly!

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