The ‘Superhuman’ Voice of Pauline Viardot

Pauline Garcia Viardot (1821-1910) was one of the 19th century’s most versatile and influential opera stars. In his book 'Musical Memories,' CAMILLE SAINT-SAENS provides the most in-depth profile extant of Mme. Viardot.
by David McGee
 

 
 

The Elite Half Hundred of 2014 (Part 1)

THE ELITE HALF HUNDRED OF 2014 (PART 1)--Numbers 1-25 of our half hundred best albums of 2014, excluding the Albums of the Year
by David McGee
 

 

 
 

An Empress On the Forgotten Paths of Russian Song

Venturing down forgotten paths of Russian song on her new album, ST PETERSBURG, Empress of Song CECILIA BARTOLI offers a virtuoso performance of the long-hidden body of music composed for the Romanov court.
by David McGee
 

 
 

2013’s Elite Half-Hundred – Part I

Selections 1-25 of the 2013 Elite Half Hundred include THE BENEDICTINES OF MARY, QUEEN OF APOSTLES, STEEP CANYON RANGERS, DAILEY & VINCENT, ALAN JACKSON, et al.
by David McGee
 

 

 

Melody and Drama from a Baroque Master

As part of CECILIA BARTOLI's Steffani Project, I BAROCCHISTI, under the direction of DIEGO FASOLIS, has recorded 'a first-class collection of instrumental suites and movements from Agosto Steffani's operas, DANZE E OUVETURES. P...
by David McGee
 

 
 

Steffani’s ‘Stabat Mater’: Sophistication, Beauty & Originality

A new recording of Steffai's STABAT MATER is a triumph not only for CECILIA BARTOLI and conductor DIEGO FASOLIS but for the entire surrounding cast of stellar vocalists
by David McGee
 

 

 

The 2012 Album of the Year Trifecta & The 2012 Elite Half Hundred

The Method to Our Madness: Why we picked three recordings as Album of the Year, and the unveiling of our first Elite Half Hundred keeper albums of 2012, topped by the GIVING TREE BAND's powerful Vacilador.
by David McGee
 

 
 

‘Mission’ Possible: Cecilia Bartoli Rules the Classical Roost

With Mission, her acclaimed new album of Agostino Steffani songs, CECILIA BARTOLI is not only getting the best reviews of her distinguished career, but says she is 'going against the typical cliche of a diva, of being beautiful...
by David McGee
 

 

 

‘Mission’ Accomplished

On her vaunted new album, Mission, CECILIA BARTOLI (this is her--really, it is) fashions the music of Agostino Steffani into a conceptual work brimming with passion, politics and intrigue. It is the opera great’s finest hour.
by David McGee