"RENEE FLEMING".(Review)

Renee Fleming [] "RENEE FLEMING" Arias by Puccini, Leoncavallo, Cilea, Catalani, Massenet, Bizet, Gounod, Verdi and Bellini. London Philharmonic Orchestra, Mackerras. Texts and translations. Decca 289 467 049 2

Not all stars (or star vehicles) are created equal. Bryn Terfel's newest recital disc, which celebrates his Welsh homeland, is a triumphant custom fit of singer and song. What other artist could make this material work as well as Terfel does? The disc opens and closes with him shaking the rafters with the Welsh national anthem, backed by a magnificent choir. Impressive, indeed. But it's the second cut that takes this program into the realm of must-haves: "Ar lan y mor" (By the Seashore) -- the simplest of melodies, arranged here with admirable spareness for winds and strings, spun with surpassing tenderness by a great singer. This high standard is met in the rest of the program, which sounds like a labor of love. There are many treasures, but top honors go to the lullaby "Suo-gan," with which the crafty charmer Terfel could melt a heart of stone.

Renee Fleming's luxe aria favorites sampler includes some full-scale diva artillery ("Casta Diva," Juliette's waltz, "Un bel di," the Vepres Siciliennes bolero), as well as cuts from seconda donna roles (Lauretta, Micaela, Nedda, Liu) that are unlikely opera-house assignments for the soprano at this white-hot stage in her career. She ...