Customer Rating: 
Summary: Great representation of music from a great singer
Comment: A terrific album by a great singer. This album represents the considerable territory that Kiri Te Kanawa covers in here repertoire. She moves easily from Handel to Puccini to Jerome Kern. The insertion of classic show tunes as a part of this CD is a nice little plus. Some opera stars absolutely kill popular music by overwhelming it with operatic technique (listen to Richard Tucker singing "What now my love"; this is a pleasant little tune, but it can't stand up to Tucker's voice of steel, using all the power at his command). Te Kanawa sings these songs, for the most part, nicely and does not overpower them with operatic conventions.
She does a wonderful job on Handel's "Let the bright seraphim," displaying good coloratura technique, as a matter of fact. This cut nicely illustrates the clean sound of her voice. Her version of "Dove sono" (from Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro) is a reflective rendering of this aria. The smoothness of her vocal line is wonderful to hear. Her version of "Vissi d'arte" (from Puccini's Tosca) also illustrates the art of Dame Kiri.
The popular tunes that follow are very interesting. She and Jose Carreras, at the outset, begin to overwhelm "Tonight" (from "West Side Story," with--by the way--Leonard Bernstein himself conducting this cut), making it appear that this might be one of those dismal pieces where opera singers wreck songs. However, shortly thereafter, the song becomes more Broadway than Metropolitan Opera, and that is to the good. Better still are Te Kanawa's versions of classic songs such as "Summertime" (from Gershwin's Porgy and Bess), where singing in a higher register works nicely and where she treats the song on its own terms; just so, Jerome Kern's "Smoke gets in your eyes" is sung so well. It is a poignant version of this song.
All in all, for those who are curious about Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, this is one interesting entrée. Well worth acquiring and listening to.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Magnificent
Comment: I admit straightout to know nothing of opera - the cd is my first of its kind. Knowledge, however, is not required to enjoy this cd, only the ability to listen and feel.
Hearing her voice used as an instrument so beautifully I cannot but fall a little in love with her whenever listening to it.
The selection of tracks is varied; I probably prefer the classical tracks, but all are well performed in my opinion.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Kiri Te Kanawa Is Peerless
Comment: She looks and sounds so beautiful. The first time I ever heard the inimitable voice of Kiri Te Kanawa was on a recording of Salaambo's aria from CITIZEN KANE for the RCA film classics series on vinyl. It was one of the most haunting and beautiful pieces of music ever composed by Bernard Herrmann. It was Kiri Te Kanawa performance of this piece that was so incredible. I had seen the film several times, but to hear a high fidelity recording of Kiri Te Kanawa on this particular piece really demonstrated not only the raw talent but also a depth of intuitive emotion that she brought to Herrmann's composition. Anyone that could interpret the inner struggle behind Herrmann's music so precisely demonstrated an uncommon ability to become one with the music. Her performance of "Ave Maria" on this CD is referent and exquisite. I love Leonard Bernstein's piece from WEST SIDE STORY that Kiri performs so vibrantly with Jose Carreras. I still can't pronounce her entire name correctly but Kiri Te Kanawa is the epitome of a well-honed talent. The selections on this CD are appreciably diverse demonstrating her phenomenal range and abilities. Kiri Te Kanawa has been and still is a gift to us all. This CD is wonderful.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Brava Kiri! Brava!
Comment: Earlier this evening, I had a unique privilege in seeing Dame Kiri Te Kanawa live here in Edinburgh at Usher Hall and truly it was a captivating experience, I booked the ticket six months ealier for I know it would be sold out. Dame Kiri has always been my favourite soprano (and of course Renee Fleming), and the moment she sang her first note, it was electrifying. Even the moment she walked on stage with pianist Julian Reynolds, her beauty took my breath away. She has beauty, stage presence and a captivating voice.
I admire Dame Kiri that she has chosen songs/arias which is suitable to her voice which has darkened (but still beautiful) because of age. She's 59 but can still hold an audience with her special brand of kiri magic. i just love her.
This cd is a good introduction to non-opera connoseurs and even to opera purist this will have a wide appeal. From her Handel's Let the Bright Seraphim which catapulted her to legendary status, Puccini's Vissi d' Arte and of course, her hugely successful song from Chants d' Auvergne, Canteloub's Bailero.This cd is worth having.
Her Puccini's O mio babbino caro is something she made her own that when she sang it earlier as the final encore the audience stood up in rapturous applause (I am actually the first one who had the courage to stand up!)
Dame Kiri is perhaps one of the top three greatest female voices that ever lived and I hope she continues to ignite her magical voice to audiences world wide. Rarely would we see a performer who has grace, class, serenity and vocal beauty like Dame Kiri.
Brava Dame Kiri, Brava!!!
Customer Rating:
Summary: LOVELY SINGING IN ALL TYPES OF MUSIC
Comment: Kiri Te Kanawa has one of the most beautiful lyric voices and a solid technique to support her charming instrument. Furthermore she is a gorgeous woman and it is always a pleasure to see her performing on stage. This CD is not the most representative of her career but everything heard here is truly enjoyable. The Dove Sono stands out as one of the most beautiful readings of this aria. Speaking of Mozart, they should have included arias from operas like Don Giovanni or Cosi fan Tutte as well. Her Strauss heroines are also not here,pity. Kiri is at her best in Mozart and Strauss. She admits that her voice lacks the power Puccini operas require and that she had to push her voice during stage performances to become audible. Indeed, one has to listen to a spinto soprano like Renata Tebaldi to feel the glory of Puccini in arias like Vissi D'arte or In quelle trine. Not that Kiri doesn't sing these well but they sound more like Mozart than verisimo. Her Violetta is acceptable but even better is her portrait of Amelia (Simon Boccanegra) unfortunately not on this CD. I loved all the modern songs. She proves that opera singers can sing modern music superbly if they want to. Many pop stars could learn a thing or two from opera singers about breathing and sound production!
Although I would have wanted more Mozart and a bit Strauss on this CD, it is nevertheless highly recommendable. Bravo Kiri!
