Grace Bumbry, the renowned American mezzo-soprano, showcases her extraordinary vocal prowess in this comprehensive collection of oratorios, opera arias, and lieder. Released on January 1, 2004, under the Deutsche Grammophon label, this album spans a generous duration of 3 hours and 21 minutes, offering a rich tapestry of musical masterpieces.
The album features a diverse range of compositions, from Handel's powerful oratorios like "Judas Maccabaeus" and "Messiah" to iconic opera arias from works such as Bizet's "Carmen," Verdi's "Don Carlo" and "Aida," and Wagner's "Tannhäuser." Bumbry's versatility is further highlighted through her renditions of lieder by Schubert and other notable composers, providing a deep dive into her artistic range.
Born in 1937, Grace Bumbry is celebrated not only for her operatic debut but also for her prolific contributions to the world of oratorio and lieder. This album is a testament to her collaboration with some of the finest artists in the musical world, capturing the essence of her performances with unparalleled clarity and depth. Whether you are a fan of classical opera, oratorio, or lieder, this collection offers a treasure trove of musical excellence that will captivate and inspire.
Judas Maccabaeus HWV 63 / Part 3: 53. Aria: "Father of Heav'n! from Thy eternal throne"George Frideric Handel, Grace Bumbry, Utah Symphony Orchestra, Maurice Abravanel
Israel In Egypt, HWV 54 / Part 1: Exodus: No. 5 Air: "Their land brought forth frogs"George Frideric Handel, Grace Bumbry, Utah Symphony Orchestra, Maurice Abravanel
Israel In Egypt, HWV 54 / Part 2: Moses' Song: No. 26 Air: "Thou shalt bring them in"George Frideric Handel, Grace Bumbry, Utah Symphony Orchestra, Maurice Abravanel
Messiah, HWV 56 / Pt. 1: 7. Recit: Behold, A Virgin Shall Conceive - 8. Aria: O Thou That Tellest Good Tidings To Zion - 9. CoroGeorge Frideric Handel, Grace Bumbry, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult
Messiah, HWV 56 / Pt. 2: 21. Air: He Was DespisedGeorge Frideric Handel, Grace Bumbry, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Adrian Boult
Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30 / Act 3: Aria: "Che farò senza Euridice?"Christoph Willibald Gluck, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Kulka János
Orfeo ed Euridice, Wq. 30 / Act 2: Arioso: "Che puro ciel, che chiaro sol"Christoph Willibald Gluck, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Kulka János
Cavalleria rusticana: "Voi lo sapete, o mama" (Romanza)Pietro Mascagni, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Kulka János
Carmen, WD 31 / Act 1: "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle" (Havanaise)Georges Bizet, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Kulka János
Carmen, WD 31 / Act 1: "Près des remparts de Séville"Georges Bizet, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Kulka János
Carmen, WD 31 / Act 3: En vain pour éviter les réponses amèresGeorges Bizet, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Kulka János
Sapho, CG 1 / Act 3: O ma lyre immortelleCharles Gounod, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Kulka János
Samson et Dalila, Op. 47, R. 288 / Act 2: "Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix"Camille Saint-Saëns, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Kulka János
The Maid Of Orléans, TH 6 / Act 1: Adieu, fôrets (Joan's Aria)Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Kulka János
El Amor Brujo: Canción del amor dolidoManuel de Falla, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lorin Maazel
El Amor Brujo: Canción del fuego fátuoManuel de Falla, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lorin Maazel
El Amor Brujo: Danza del juego de amorManuel de Falla, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lorin Maazel
El Amor Brujo: Final. Las campanas del amanecerManuel de Falla, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Lorin Maazel
Un ballo in maschera / Act 1: Re dell'abisso affrettatiGiuseppe Verdi, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Kulka János
Don Carlo / Act 4: O don fataleGiuseppe Verdi, Grace Bumbry, Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Kulka János
Don Carlo / Act 5: "Tu che le vanità"Giuseppe Verdi, Grace Bumbry, Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Hans Löwlein
Il Trovatore / Act 2: "Stride la vampa!"Giuseppe Verdi, Grace Bumbry, Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Hans Löwlein
Il Trovatore / Act 2: "Condotta ell'era in ceppi"Giuseppe Verdi, Grace Bumbry, Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Hans Löwlein
Aida / Act 1: Ritorna vincitor!Giuseppe Verdi, Grace Bumbry, Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Hans Löwlein
Macbeth / Act 1: Scena e Cavatina: "Nel dì della vittoria io le incontrai"Giuseppe Verdi, Grace Bumbry, Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Hans Löwlein
Macbeth / Act 2: Aria: "La luce langue"Giuseppe Verdi, Grace Bumbry, Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Hans Löwlein
Macbeth / Act 3: Una macchia è qui tutt'oraGiuseppe Verdi, Grace Bumbry, Orchester der Deutschen Oper Berlin, Hans Löwlein
Tannhäuser, WWV 70 / Act 1: "Geliebter, komm! Sieh dort die Grotte!"Richard Wagner, Grace Bumbry, Bayreuth Festival Chorus, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch
Tannhäuser, WWV 70 / Act 1: "Stets soll nur dir mein Lied ertönen!"Richard Wagner, Wolfgang Windgassen, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch
Tannhäuser / Act 1: "Zieh hin, Wahnsinniger, zieh hin!"Richard Wagner, Wolfgang Windgassen, Grace Bumbry, Bayreuth Festival Orchestra, Wolfgang Sawallisch
5 Lieder, Op. 105: 1. Wie Melodien zieht es mirJohannes Brahms, Grace Bumbry, Erik Werba
Fünf Lieder Op. 94: 4. Sapphische OdeJohannes Brahms, Grace Bumbry, Erik Werba
Fünf Gedichte Op. 19: 5. An eine ÄolsharfeJohannes Brahms, Grace Bumbry, Sebastien Peschko
Fünf Gesänge Op. 72: 3. O kühler WaldJohannes Brahms, Grace Bumbry, Sebastien Peschko
Fünf Gesänge Op. 72: 1. Alte LiebeJohannes Brahms, Grace Bumbry, Sebastien Peschko
Acht Lieder und Romanzen op.14: 5. TrennungJohannes Brahms, Grace Bumbry, Sebastien Peschko
An die Musik, Op. 88 No. 4, D.547: Du holde KunstFranz Schubert, Grace Bumbry, Erik Werba
Die junge Nonne, Op. 43/1, D.828Franz Schubert, Grace Bumbry, Erik Werba
Litanei auf das Fest Allerseelen, D. 343Franz Schubert, Grace Bumbry, Erik Werba
Rastlose Liebe, Op. 5/1, D.138Franz Schubert, Grace Bumbry, Erik Werba
Schwanengesang, D. 957: Der Doppelgänger (Heine)Franz Schubert, Grace Bumbry, Erik Werba
Fahrt zum Hades, D. 526Franz Schubert, Grace Bumbry, Sebastien Peschko
Der Wanderer, D. 493 (Op. 4/1)Franz Schubert, Grace Bumbry, Sebastien Peschko
Grace Bumbry was an acclaimed American opera singer, renowned for her powerful and versatile voice that spanned both mezzo-soprano and soprano roles. Born Grace Melzia Bumbry, she was part of a groundbreaking generation of African-American classical singers, following in the footsteps of Marian Anderson. Bumbry's career took a monumental turn in 1961 when she became the first black singer to perform at the prestigious Bayreuth Festival in Germany, starring as Venus in Wagner's 'Tannhäuser'. This historic achievement catapulted her to international fame and solidified her status as one of the leading vocalists of her time. Throughout her illustrious career, which spanned over three decades, Bumbry captivated audiences with her extraordinary talent and artistry, leaving an indelible mark on the world of opera.