Felicia Weathers – Verdi & Puccini Arias (1966)

01. Tu che le vanità
02. Non pianger, mia compagna
03. Piangea cantando
04. In quelle trine morbide
05. Sola, perduta, abbandonata
06. Tu che di gel sei cinta
07. Un bel dì vedremo
08. Senza mamma, o bimbo, tu sei morto
09. O mio babbino caro

Felicia Weathers - soprano
Wiener Opernorchester
Argeo Quadri - conductor

This is simply a glorious recital album featuring one of the greatest recordings of the lirico-spinto voice in existence. This album is a triumph.

Sadly, it does not appear as if Felicia Weathers enjoyed a long career. It seems she made a name for herself in Germany, then had major premieres with US companies (Met, San Francisco, Chicago) in the late 60's/early 70's only to tackle inappropriate roles for her voice and suffer the consequences (when you hear her voice you'll wonder why she ever took on Salome or Aida).

But here she is captured in ravishing vocal health. Her sound is creamy, rich, and laser-accurate. Her readings are warm and nuanced but passionate and fiery when called for. The Verdi selections fare particularly well, especially a potent "Tu che le vanita": as accurate and forthright an interpretation as you'll ever hear. The Willow Song is perfectly suited to Ms Weather's lyric soprano. What is refreshing is that her interpretation is not simpering or feeble; her Desdemona is a passionate young woman.

The Puccini selections also fare well, with a thunderous reading of "Un bel di" and equally strong arias from "Manon Lescaut." In these the voice is strong and healthy, with lots of "oomph." Included is the best reading of that beautiful warhorse "O mio babbino caro" you will ever hear, period! This vibrant disk is a must for any opera collector or one intersted in an excellent voice. Superb! ---Matteo, amazon.com

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