Immerse yourself in the timeless artistry of Dame Janet Baker with "Plaisir d'amour - A Celebration of the Art of Dame Janet Baker." This exquisite compilation, released on January 1, 2008, under Decca Music Group Ltd., showcases the unparalleled vocal prowess and emotional depth of one of classical music's most revered mezzo-sopranos. Spanning a diverse repertoire of opera, classical, and requiem genres, the album offers a rich tapestry of 27 tracks that highlight Baker's extraordinary range and interpretive brilliance.
From the tender melancholy of "Plaisir d'amour" to the dramatic intensity of Handel's "Rodelinda" and the ethereal beauty of Gluck's "Che farò senza Euridice," each piece is a testament to Baker's ability to convey profound emotion and technical mastery. The album also features iconic works by Mozart, such as "Deh se piacer mi vuol" from "La clemenza di Tito," and the hauntingly beautiful "Vergnügte Ruh" from Bach's Cantata BWV 170.
Recorded with the Hallé Orchestra under the baton of Sir John Barbirolli, this collection captures the essence of Baker's live performances, offering a glimpse into her legendary collaborations. The album's duration of 2 hours and 28 minutes provides a comprehensive journey through her illustrious career, making it an essential addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection. Whether you are a longtime admirer of Janet Baker or a newcomer to her artistry, this album is a celebration of her enduring legacy and a treasure trove of musical excellence.
Plaisir d'amourJean-Paul-Égide Martini, Janet Baker, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Amarilli mia bellaGiulio Caccini, Janet Baker, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Pur dicesti, o bocca bellaAntonio Lotti, Janet Baker, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
O notte o dea del misteroNiccolò Piccinni, Janet Baker, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Nel cor più non mi sentoGiovanni Paisiello, Janet Baker, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Intorno all'idol mioAntonio Cesti, Janet Baker, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Sen corre l'agnellettaDomenico Sarro, Janet Baker, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Ogni pena più spietataGiovanni Battista Pergolesi, Janet Baker, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Caro mio benTommaso Giordani, Janet Baker, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Rodelinda, HWV 34 / Act 1: "Pompe vane de morte!...Dove sei, amato bene?"George Frideric Handel, Janet Baker, English Chamber Orchestra, Raymond Leppard
Atalanta, HWV 35 / Act 1: Care selveGeorge Frideric Handel, Janet Baker, English Chamber Orchestra, Raymond Leppard
Serse, HWV 40 / Act 1: "Frondi tenere e belle...Ombra mai fù"George Frideric Handel, Janet Baker, English Chamber Orchestra, Raymond Leppard
Ariodante, HWV 33 / Act 3: "Dopo notte, atra e funesta"George Frideric Handel, Janet Baker, English Chamber Orchestra, Raymond Leppard
Hercules, HWV 60 / Act 3: "Where shall I fly"George Frideric Handel, Janet Baker, English Chamber Orchestra, Raymond Leppard
Dido and Aeneas / Act 3: But death...When I am laid...With drooping wings...Henry Purcell, Janet Baker, The St. Anthony Singers, English Chamber Orchestra, Anthony Lewis
"Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust" Cantata, BWV 170: 1. "Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust"Johann Sebastian Bach, Janet Baker, Philip Ledger, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, Sir Neville Marriner
Scena di Berenice 'Berenice, che fai?' (Hob XXIVa:10)Joseph Haydn, Janet Baker, English Chamber Orchestra, Raymond Leppard
Ständchen, D. 920Franz Schubert, Janet Baker, Raymond Leppard
La clemenza di Tito, K.621 / Act 1: "Deh se piacer mi vuol" - "Chi ciecamente crede"Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Janet Baker, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Sir Colin Davis
La clemenza di Tito, K.621 / Act 2: "Non più di fiori" - "Infelice! qual orrore!"Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Janet Baker, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Sir Colin Davis
Alceste, Wq. 37 / Act 1: "Divinités du Styx"Christoph Willibald Gluck, Janet Baker, English Chamber Orchestra, Raymond Leppard
Orfeo ed Euridice (Orphée et Euridice), Wq. 30 / Act 3: "Che farò senza Euridice?"Christoph Willibald Gluck, Janet Baker, English Chamber Orchestra, Raymond Leppard
Orfeo ed Euridice (Orphée et Euridice) - Sung in Italian/Vienna version (1762) / Act 2: "Che puro ciel, che chiaro sol"Christoph Willibald Gluck, Janet Baker, English Chamber Orchestra, Raymond Leppard
Béatrice et Bénédict / Act 2: "Non! Que viens-je d'entendre?" - "Il m'en souvient" - "Je l'aime donc?"Hector Berlioz, Janet Baker, London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis
Phaedra, Op. 93: In May, In Brilliant AthensBenjamin Britten, Janet Baker, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Phaedra, Op. 93: Oh Gods Of WrathBenjamin Britten, Janet Baker, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
Phaedra, Op. 93: My Time's Too Short, Your HighnessBenjamin Britten, Janet Baker, English Chamber Orchestra, Steuart Bedford
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