Angels: Christmas with the Great Sopranos (2008)

performed by Angela Gheorghiu (soprano), Barbara Bonney (soprano), Crispian Steele-Perkins (trumpet), George Thalben-Ball (organ), Joan Sutherland (soprano), Kiri Te Kanawa (soprano), Leontyne Price (soprano), Mirella Freni (soprano), Patricia Clark (soprano)
composed by Adolphe Adam, Christmas Traditional, Felix Mendelssohn, Franz Gruber, Franz Schubert, Gabriel Fauré, George Frederick Handel, Giuseppe Verdi, Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, John Francis Wade, Pietro Mascagni, Richard Storrs Willis

This album's title, Angels: Christmas with the Great Sopranos, wisely leaves some latitude of interpretation about exactly what type of repertoire is included; this isn't all necessarily Christmas music, but there's nothing that stands out as musically inappropriate for the season. It helps to try to forget the original contexts of some of the selections, particularly Desdemona's "Ave Maria," and the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana arranged with the "Ave Maria" text. Other pieces, like Brahms' Lullaby and "I know that ... Read More

This album's title, Angels: Christmas with the Great Sopranos, wisely leaves some latitude of interpretation about exactly what type of repertoire is included; this isn't all necessarily Christmas music, but there's nothing that stands out as musically inappropriate for the season. It helps to try to forget the original contexts of some of the selections, particularly Desdemona's "Ave Maria," and the Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana arranged with the "Ave Maria" text. Other pieces, like Brahms' Lullaby and "I know that my Redeemer liveth" from Messiah, have nothing whatsoever to do with Christmas, but musically they fit fine with the mix of serene or joyful music for the holiday. Each of the selections is a delight in its own way, and the album should please any fans of operatic singing, except for those who are disgruntled because a particular favorite soprano isn't included. Highlights include Joan Sutherland's artlessly direct singing of "Good King Wenceslas," Barbara Bonney's gleaming account... Read Less