Like Richard Strauss, I
have an on-going love affair with the soprano voice (which perhaps
fits with my love of the violin). Recently I put on a CD of songs
sung by … a tenor! … and had to exit the disc after a few
of the songs. For song and aria recitals, I favour Véronique Gens,
Sandrine Piau, Carolyn Sampson, Julia Lezhneva, Diana Damrau, Simone
Kermes, Joyce DiDonato, Patricia Petibon … and a few others. A good friend has just
given me a CD of Carolyn Sampson singing a multilingual
collection of songs (with piano) and it really is a major treat. I
like Ms Sampson's voice, I like the fact I can hear the words she is
singing, I like the fact that her French (especially) and German
dictions are extremely acceptable, and I like her intelligence
applied to what she is singing.
The other nightingale I
acquired recently was the Russian Julia Lezhneva, with her
first CD that featured Rossini operatic arias. Some have commented
that, at 21 years old when this CD was recorded, she was just too
young for some of this music, and I suspect that is true (I am no
Rossini expert). Others have commented that her intonation goes
astray on occasions; I am blessed with imperfect pitch, and a
dozen false notes in an hour of singing or playing never particularly
bother me; I find it acceptable to wince on a few occasions. What
does matter to me is that I like Ms Lezhneva's voice, and the
music she sings and can sit back and enjoy the programme. Just as I
like Carolyn Sampson's voice. But, no, I am not a fan of Elisabeth
Schwarzkopf; I don't just love every soprano who comes along.
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