About this Artist

• Biography

Editorial Reviews

Mirella Freni was one of the most consistently excellent presences on the operatic stage and on recording for more than 30 years; she sang Mozart, Puccini, and everything in between as if she were tailor made for it. That ability to lend herself to the specific requirements of different composers and styles, and the distinctive beauty of her voice, are captured very nicely here. Taken alone, her "Qui la voce...vien diletto" from Bellini's "I Puritani," "Jewel Song" from Gounod's "Faust," "Ave Maria" from Verdi's "Otello," and "Son pochi fiori" from Mascagni's "L'amico Fritz" -- all of which contend for the best performances of those arias on record -- would be enough to establish the incredible range of her singing (and make the purchase worth the money); but those few excerpts are dispersed among 20 other selections that are equally good. Only her early efforts at Puccini's Mimi ("La bohème") leave you wanting more, specifically her later recording of that role with von Karajan, which was released on London; in comparison, these sound self-conscious in style and delivery. But taken as a whole, this is a very recommendable album, and a worthy commemoration of a great singer. Allen Schrott, All Music Guide

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