Lise Davidsen and James Baillieu: Live at the Met album review electrifying renditions make the momentous intimate

"Davidsen's soprano sounds fresh, gleaming and direct, her top-most notes silvery. She knows how to ensure nothing gets overblown and how to get so close to the edge that the effect is thrilling, especially in her four Strauss songs. In Schubert, she fills out long lines into phrases full of sincere expression; four Sibelius songs unleash a passionate way with the text."

"Baillieu's piano can't replicate the orchestral explosion at the start but his playing is electric nonetheless, and in the slower arias he mirrors Davidsen's every nuance, making for a singular sense of focus. The two encores frame the recording: first an intimate, ultimately searing Vissi d'Arte from Tosca, and finally Grieg's song Varen, sounding as if Davidsen were singing to a roomful of friends."

Lise Davidsen performed a solo recital at the Metropolitan Opera in September 2023, accompanied by pianist James Baillieu. Her soprano is characterized by its fresh, gleaming quality and silvery top notes, demonstrating masterful control and expressive depth. The program includes four Strauss songs, Schubert selections, four Sibelius songs showcasing passionate text interpretation, and Wagner's Dich, Teure Halle as her calling card. She also performs lighter pieces including I Could Have Danced All Night with cockney inflection and encores featuring Vissi d'Arte and Grieg's Varen. Baillieu's piano accompaniment is electric and nuanced, mirroring Davidsen's every expression and creating singular focus throughout the performance.

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