Ruth Ann Swenson: Con Amore

Read About This Recording

Have you noticed that American divas are becoming less diva-like? Those who've made their debuts in the past 15 years or so seem less prone to tantrums (the aptly named Kathleen Battle seems to have been the last to be led by her temper and her career is now a wreck). They're less monumental of physique, too — we can finally look at these women on stage and believe that they are consumptive courtesans or seamstresses.

The personalities and bodies may no longer be larger than life, but the new voices can be glorious nonetheless. One American soprano who has had a deservedly wonderful career is Ruth Ann Swenson. She was launched by a San Francisco Opera performance in 1983 and if you do the math you can figure she's technically just a bit past the point of being called "young." You wouldn't know it from her voice, though, which has remained as fresh as her looks, despite years of belting out coloratura arias into the cavernous Metropolitan Opera House.

"Belting" isn't the best word, for she has wisely avoided the heaviest roles, sticking to operas that benefit from her light, lyrical approach. Con Amore is a collection of Italian arias that show her in her element, from her effortless coloratura in "Sempre libera" from Verdi's La Traviata to her artless innocence in "O mio babbino caro" from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi.

She's backed by the London Symphony Orchestra under veteran opera conductor Julius Rudel, who spent 22 years as general director of New York City Opera and boasts a repertoire of 150 operas spanning four centuries.

—James Reel

Contents

Puccini: Turandot: Signore, ascolta!; La Bohème: Si. Mi chiamano Mimì; Manon Lescaut: In quelle trine morbide; Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro; Verdi: La Traviata: E strano!...e strano!; Sempre libera; Rigoletto: Gualtier Maldè!; Caro nome che il mio cor; Otello: Ave Maria; Bellini: La Sonnambula: Ah!...Se una volta sola; Ah! non giunge; I Capuleti ed i Montecchi: Oh! Quante volte; Donizetti: L’Elisir d’Amore: Prendi, prendi, per me sei libero; Il mio rigor dimentica.

Ruth Ann Swenson, Soprano; London Symphony Orchestra; Julius Rudel, Conductor.