Mozart: Opera & Concert Arias (2006)

Mozart: Opera & Concert Arias is the first recital disc made for Virgin Classics by young Latvian mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca. She is partnered in an interesting program of 10 Mozart arias by the Camerata Salzburg under Louis Langrée encompassing pieces drawn from La finta giardinera, La Clemenza di Tito, and Cosí fan tutte, the last-named being a property that Garanca is readily identified with on the concert circuit in Europe. Despite the title of the disc, there is only one true concert aria here, Misero me!...Misero ... Read More

Mozart: Opera & Concert Arias is the first recital disc made for Virgin Classics by young Latvian mezzo-soprano Elina Garanca. She is partnered in an interesting program of 10 Mozart arias by the Camerata Salzburg under Louis Langrée encompassing pieces drawn from La finta giardinera, La Clemenza di Tito, and Cosí fan tutte, the last-named being a property that Garanca is readily identified with on the concert circuit in Europe. Despite the title of the disc, there is only one true concert aria here, Misero me!...Misero pargoletto, K. 77, as the rest are insertion arias intended for other composers' operas. These are not recorded with frequency, however, and Garanca's producer is to be congratulated for picking such selections over more obvious, and popular, operatic arias for mezzo in Mozart.Garanca has beautiful, clear sky-blue eyes, a dark voice that is not particularly powerful, a clearly focused tone, and a terrific sense of pitch. While the foregoing may be counted as Garanca's assets, among her... Read Less