Il Tenero Momento: Mozart and Gluck Arias

1	Paride ed Elena, opera in
2	Le nozze di Figaro (The M
3	La Clemenza di Tito, oper
4	Iphigénie en Tauride, ope
5	Iphigénie en Tauride, ope
6	Iphigénie en Tauride, ope
7	Le nozze di Figaro (The M
8	La Clemenza di Tito, oper
9	Orphée et Eurydice (Frenc
10	Idomeneo, rè di Creta, op
11	Orphée et Eurydice (Frenc
12	Lucio Silla, opera, K. 13
Il Tenero Momento: Mozart and Gluck Arias
1.	Paride ed Elena, opera in 5 acts, Wq. 39: Oh, del mio dolce ardor 3:29
	Composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck
	Conducted by Harry Bicket
	Performed by Susan Graham and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
2.	Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492: Non so più cosa son, cosa faccio 2:50
	Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
	Conducted by Harry Bicket
	Performed by Susan Graham and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
3.	La Clemenza di Tito, opera, K. 621: Parto, ma tu, ben mio 6:40
	Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
	Conducted by Harry Bicket
	Performed by Susan Graham, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment and Antony Pay
4.	Iphigénie en Tauride, opera in 4 acts, Wq. 46: Non, je n'espère plus...Ô toi qui prolongeas mes j 3:23
	Composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck
	Conducted by Harry Bicket
	Performed by Susan Graham and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
5.	Iphigénie en Tauride, opera in 4 acts, Wq. 46: Ô malheureuse Iphigénie! 4:06
	Composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck
	Conducted by Harry Bicket
	Performed by Susan Graham and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
6.	Iphigénie en Tauride, opera in 4 acts, Wq. 46: Non, cet affreux devoir...Je t'implore et je tremb 3:57
	Composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck
	Conducted by Harry Bicket
	Performed by Susan Graham and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
7.	Le nozze di Figaro (The Marriage of Figaro), opera, K. 492: Voi che sapete 2:56
	Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
	Conducted by Harry Bicket
	Performed by Susan Graham and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
8.	La Clemenza di Tito, opera, K. 621: Deh, per questo istante solo 6:46
	Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
	Conducted by Harry Bicket
	Performed by Susan Graham and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
9.	Orphée et Eurydice (French version), opera in 3 acts, Wq. 41: Qu'entends-je? Qu'a-t-il dit?...Amour, viens rendr 7:22
	Composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck
	Conducted by Harry Bicket
	Performed by Susan Graham and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
10.	Idomeneo, rè di Creta, opera, K. 366: Non ho colpa 6:29
	Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
	Conducted by Harry Bicket
	Performed by Susan Graham and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
11.	Orphée et Eurydice (French version), opera in 3 acts, Wq. 41: J'ai perdu mon Eurydice 4:21
	Composed by Christoph Willibald Gluck
	Conducted by Harry Bicket
	Performed by Susan Graham and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment
12.	Lucio Silla, opera, K. 135: Dunque sperar poss'io...Il tenero momento 10:18
	Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
	Conducted by Harry Bicket
	Performed by Susan Graham and Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Barnes & Noble

Susan Graham just keeps getting better. Her 1997 debut album of Berlioz songs unveiled a beautiful voice backed by a rare musical sensibility. A wondrous album of Ned Rorem songs, released in 2000, was a revelation -- not only for its vocal riches but for the intelligent and lovely choice of repertory, as well. This recording of Mozart and Gluck arias is perhaps even finer still. Graham's voice is a marvel, enveloping in its warmth, perfectly even throughout its entire range, and amazingly supple in the music's often elaborate ornamentation. The idea of pairing Mozart and Gluck is inspired; these two men were the operatic giants of the late 18th century, and they greatly admired one another. The contrast is instructive, too, with Gluck's emotional restraint underscoring the romantic passion of Mozart's style. "Oh, del mio dolce ardor" from Gluck's Paride ed Elena, the disc's opening selection, floats an expansive, melancholy melody; by comparison, the breathless, impetuous character portrait of the ensuing "Non so più" from Mozart's Le nozze di Figaro suddenly seems revolutionary in its dramatic acuity. Best of all, Graham understands the differences, imbuing the Gluck arias with affecting, aristocratic poise while setting off sparks in the Mozart selections. There are some favorites by both composers here -- including another well-known aria from Mozart's Figaro and "J'ai perdu mon Eurydice," the heartrending showstopper from Gluck's Orphée et Eurydice -- as well as some lesser-known gems from Mozart's La clemenza di Tito and Lucio Silla, and Gluck's Iphigénie en Tauride, that make this disc a real voyage of discovery. Under the direction of Harry Bicket, the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment makes a superb accompanist, with some particularly spectacular solo clarinet playing by Anthony Pay in "Parto, ma tu ben mio" from La clemenza di Tito. Not to be missed! Andrew Farach-Colton

Gramophone

Graham sounds entirely inside all her music and dispenses it with a confidence and attack that is truly amazing, but the refulgent, vibrant voice and faultless technique...are wholly at the service of the music, the mezzo showing a sensitive empathy with the emotions of every character she portrays. Alan Blyth