Janine Micheau.(Sound Recording Review)

[] Songs and arias by Debussy. Chabrier, Gounod, Thomas, Proch, Charpentier and Bizet. L'Orchestre des Concerts Lamoureux, Bigot; L'Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire, Fournet, Desormiere, conds. No texts. Pearl GEM 0186 (Koch, dist.)

On first listening, Janine Micheau (1914-76) sounds like what we now regard as the typical French soprano: a high, very clear voice placed forward in the mask, the personality oozing agility and charm. But Micheau also had oodles of technique, an even production over almost two and a half octaves, and a delicious, chocolatey middle voice not necessarily characteristic of her type (or of her rivals in the same repertoire). The absence of the intrusive, fast vibrato typical of the Fach adds to the pleasure offered by this artist, too little known outside of her native France.

Micheau's career flourished in the decades between 1940 and 1960, and this recording of nine selections with orchestra sits solidly at the middle part of that period, when Micheau was in her thirties. The prominent features of her well-stocked vocal arsenal are perfect upward octave leaps, astonishing staccato work, a beautifully balanced and colorful voice within the staff and a slim, focused top above it. This recording shows off all these ...