.com Massenet's version of the Cinderella story is one of his most delectable scores, and it has found the perfect interpreter in the young Frederica von Stade, here singing so sweetly and appealingly that you want to reach through the speakers and give her a hug. Ruth Welting's high-flying fairy is another plus. There's only one problem with this set, and that is that some goof decided to cast a tenor as the prince, instead of the sort of lyric mezzo for whom the role was written; even Nicolai Gedda can't pull this one off properly. Buy it anyway, for von Stade and the rest of the cast. --Sarah Bryan Miller
J**G
Pure magic
This is a marvellous recording. Frederica von Stade floats the title role in exquisite detail, passage after passage sounding just right, with a French style and clarity that puts most native French singers to shame. Even the boring bits (and it would not be 19th c. French opera without long boring stretchs where one can catch up on gossip without loss) become exciting when she is involved. The Philharmonia and Ambrosian Chorus under Julius Rudel are also at their best, and since both have a lot of work, this is a real plus. While Nicolai Gedda is not a soprano, I am more sympathetic to the transposition than many listeners, and he does sing very stylishly, though I suppose he was in his 50's when this was recorded. Jules Bastien makes up for lack of beautiful tone by a characterful performance and Jane Barbie is a delight. But it is von Stade that puts this one into orbit. It is now my favorite Massenet recording. And overall it makes a very stong version of the fairy tale.
N**E
High quality recoring
This recording has clear and balanced sound and has very fine musical and vocal quality. As long as you don't mind the prince's role being done by a Tenner instead of it's traditional Soprano it is a good version for Opera lovers and students to listen to.
P**S
Great performance of a gorgeous opera
Great performance of a gorgeous opera. One flaw: the role of the prince charming was written for a soprano,.not a tenor. Nicolai Gedda was a great singer, but wrong for this role.
S**N
Perfect match of voices, von Stade and Welting
von Stade and Weltiny bring such beautiful voices to this project. Brava!
A**D
Quick
Received the product as described.
M**E
FLICKA RULES !!!
Somewhat of a rarity. Hardly ever performed. This is one of the few recordings, and it's richly satisfying.
J**Y
Five Stars
Beautiful music. Good and fast service
D**S
Parfait particulièrement pour cette Cendrillon interprétée par F.
Parfait particulièrement pour cette Cendrillon interprétée par F.V Stade - Je crois que l'on arrivera pas a faire mieux a l'avenir tout comme on arrivera pas a faire mieux que Sutherland dans Esclamonde -
M**X
Forgotten Masterpiece
Unlike the reviewer above, I didn't mind Nicoloi Gedda as the prince, but then I have never heard another recording of this opera. So far as I can make out there has never been another one; in the latter 20th-century it appears to have been produced only once (the production that led to this recording). Apparently it was written in a style that went out of vogue shortly after the first production--in 1902 I think (which, incidentally, was highly successful)--as a result of which this gem has been horribly neglected. If you like the samples that Amazon offers, rest assured that the entire score is just as good, or better, than what you heard here.
