Experience the enchanting debut solo album of the renowned lyric soprano, Kathleen Battle, released in 1984 under the Sony Classical label. "Classic Kathleen Battle" is a timeless collection of operatic and choral masterpieces, showcasing Battle's unparalleled vocal beauty and musical prowess. The album spans a diverse range of compositions, from beloved arias like "O mìo babbino caro" from Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi" and Handel's "Let the Bright Seraphim" to sacred works such as Mozart's "Vesperae solennes de confessore" and the iconic "Pie Jesu" from Fauré's Requiem. Accompanied by the Vienna Philharmonic under the baton of Lorin Maazel, Battle delivers a performance that is as captivating as it is technically brilliant. The album also features works by Vivaldi, Dvořák, and traditional Catalan carols, highlighting Battle's versatility and the breadth of her repertoire. With a total duration of 68 minutes, "Classic Kathleen Battle" is an essential addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection, offering a glimpse into the early career of one of the most celebrated sopranos of our time.
(P) 1984, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2002 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT / (P) 1992 Sony Classical, a division of Sony Entertainment Holdings Gmbh
Tracks
O mìo babbino caro from Gianni SchicchiGiacomo Puccini, Kathleen Battle, Ken Noda
Let the Bright Seraphim (From "Samson, HWV 57")George Frideric Handel, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Anthony Newman, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald
Dormi, JesusTraditional, Kathleen Battle, Christopher Parkening
Canción de cuna - VoiceTraditional, Kathleen Battle, Romero Lubambo, Cyro Baptista, Ira Coleman, Grover Washington, Jr.
Movement 9 from Mythodea - Music for the NASA Mission: 2001 Mars Odyssey - ExcerptVangelis, London Metropolitan Orchestra, Blake Neely, Athens Opera Choir, The National Opera of Greece Choir, Palamidi and Percussion Ensemble, Kathleen Battle
Vesperae solennes de confessore, K. 339: Laudate DominumWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Kathleen Battle, The American Boychoir, Anthony Newman, Nancy Allen, Charles Curtis, Donald Palma, Stephen Taylor, Robert Sadin
Messiah, HWV 56: Rejoice GreatlyGeorge Frideric Handel, Kathleen Battle, Robert Sadin, Anthony Newman, Erica Kiesewetter, Richard Rood, Curtis Macomber, Timothy Baker, Eric Wyrick, Julie Rosenfeld, Anna Rabinova, Robin Bushman, Joel Pitchon, Sharon H. Yamada, Donald Palma, Andre Emelianoff, Charles Curtis
Fix Me JesusTraditional, Kathleen Battle
Requiem, Op. 48: Pie JesuGabriel Fauré, Kathleen Battle, Robert Sadin, Anthony Newman, Donald Palma, Rebecca Young, Karen Dreyfus, Maureen Gallagher, Charles Curtis, Andre Emilianoff, Nancy Allen, Elizabeth Mann, David Singer, David Carroll
El Noi de la Mare (The Son of the Virgin)Traditional, Kathleen Battle, Christopher Parkening
El desembre congelat (December's cold winds were stilled)Traditional, Kathleen Battle, Christopher Parkening
Prelude to a KissDuke Ellington, Kathleen Battle, Kenny Barron
Eternal Source of Light Divine (From "Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne, HWV 74")George Frideric Handel, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Exsultate, jubilate, K. 158a: AllelujaWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, André Previn, Kathleen Battle, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Angels Watching Over MeTraditional, Kathleen Battle
IV. Sehr behaglich. "Wir geniessen die himmlischen Freuden" from Symphony No. 4 in G Major - ExcerptGustav Mahler, Kathleen Battle, Lorin Maazel, Wiener Philharmoniker
1. Aria from Cantata No. 51 "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen", BWV 51Johann Sebastian Bach, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Going Home from "Largo" of Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 " From the New World" - VoiceAntonín Dvořák, Kathleen Battle, Marlon Graves, Christian McBride, Cyrus Chestnut, James Carter
Kathleen Battle, the acclaimed American operatic soprano, is renowned for her distinctive vocal range and tone, captivating audiences worldwide with her unique artistry. Born in Portsmouth, Ohio, Battle's journey began with concert performances in the 1970s, leading to her opera debut in 1975. Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, she expanded her repertoire to include both lyric and coloratura soprano roles, earning five Grammy Awards and becoming one of the finest coloratura sopranos of her time. Known for her enchanting performances of sweet, serene, and ecstatic music, Battle's voice is often described as light, high, and airy, with a childlike readiness that mesmerizes audiences. Despite her dismissal from the Metropolitan Opera in 1994, Battle has continued to inspire and mentor young singers, returning to the Met stage in 2016 and 2024 for memorable performances. Her discography spans opera, choral, and classical genres, showcasing her remarkable talent and enduring legacy.
Vinylscout
Kathleen Battle
