About this Artist

• Biography
• Interview

Editorial Reviews

This compilation of performances by mezzo-soprano Susan Graham, taken from a number of previously released recordings, demonstrates the breadth of her interests and talents in repertoire that ranges from the Baroque to the twenty-first century, with something from every period in between. Although Graham shows exquisite sensitivity to the variety of stylistic requirements of the diverse selections, her characteristic radiance, tonal warmth, and creamy legato are always in evidence. Her emotional range is also on display, from the gentleness of Brahms' "Kommt dir manchmal in den Sinn" to the youthful exuberance of two of Cherubino's arias to the sly humor of the Ives songs to the anguished intensity of scenes from Jake Heggie's "Dead Man Walking." It's hard to pick out exceptional tracks since the quality of all of her performances is so high, but the arias from Handel's "Alcina," Berlioz's "La Damnation de Faust," and the Debussy songs are especially fine. The accompanying ensembles and pianists are all first rate, and for a compilation, the sound quality from track to track is surprisingly consistent. The album makes an excellent introduction to Susan Graham, but fans of the singer should be warned that over half of the selections here are also included on a 2003 Warner release, the similarly named Artist Portrait: Susan Graham. Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

• Listener Rating: