Experience the enchanting vocals of Kiri Te Kanawa, one of the most celebrated sopranos of our time, with "The Essential Kiri." Released in 1992, this album is a testament to her extraordinary range and versatility, featuring 15 of her most beloved recordings. Spanning a duration of 1 hour and 16 minutes, this collection showcases Kiri Te Kanawa's ability to captivate with her rich, creamy voice across a diverse repertoire of opera and classical pieces.
From the soaring aria "Let The Bright Seraphim" from Handel's "Samson" to the iconic "You'll Never Walk Alone" from "Carousel," this album offers a journey through some of the most memorable moments in operatic history. Kiri Te Kanawa's performances are marked by their technical precision and profound emotional depth, making each track a standout in its own right.
Highlights include her rendition of "Dove sono i bei momenti" from Mozart's "Le nozze di Figaro," the hauntingly beautiful "Vissi d'arte" from Puccini's "Tosca," and the stirring "Pie Jesu" from Fauré's "Requiem." The album also features lesser-known gems such as the "Nuns' Chorus" from Casanova and the evocative "In quelle trine morbide" from Puccini's "Manon Lescaut."
Whether you are a longtime fan of Kiri Te Kanawa or a newcomer to her work, "The Essential Kiri" is a must-listen. This album is a celebration of her artistry and a showcase of her unparalleled talent, making it an essential addition to any classical music collection.
Samson HWV 57 / Act 3: Let The Bright SeraphimGeorge Frideric Handel, Kiri Te Kanawa, Crispian Steele-Perkins, English Chamber Orchestra, Barry Rose
Ave MariaCharles Gounod, Kiri Te Kanawa, Utah Symphony Orchestra, Julius Rudel
Bachianas brasileiras No. 5 for Soprano and Cellos, W.389: Aria (Cantilena)Heitor Villa-Lobos, Kiri Te Kanawa, Lynn Harrell, Instrumentalensemble
Casanova: Nuns' ChorusJohann Strauss II, Kiri Te Kanawa, The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Utah Symphony Orchestra, Julius Rudel
Le nozze di Figaro, K.492 / Act 3: "Dove sono i bei momenti"Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Kiri Te Kanawa, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Vier letzte Lieder, TrV 296: 3. Beim SchlafengehenRichard Strauss, Kiri Te Kanawa, Wiener Philharmoniker, Sir Georg Solti
Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14Sergei Rachmaninoff, Kiri Te Kanawa, Roger Vignoles
Carousel: You'll Never Walk AloneRichard Rodgers, Kiri Te Kanawa, The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Utah Symphony Orchestra, Julius Rudel
Messiah, HWV 56, Pt. 3: No. 45, Aria. I Know That My Redeemer Liveth (Soprano)George Frideric Handel, Kiri Te Kanawa, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492, Act II: Porgi amorWolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Kiri Te Kanawa, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Tosca / Act 2: "Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore"Giacomo Puccini, Kiri Te Kanawa, National Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Requiem, Op. 48: IV. Pie JesuGabriel Fauré, Kiri Te Kanawa, Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal, Charles Dutoit
Carmen, WD 31 / Act 3: "Je dis que rien ne m'épouvante"Georges Bizet, Kiri Te Kanawa, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti
Manon Lescaut / Act 2: In quelle trine morbideGiacomo Puccini, Kiri Te Kanawa, Orchestra del Teatro Comunale di Bologna, Riccardo Chailly
Otello / Act 4: "Mia madre aveva" - "Piangea cantando" - "Ave Maria"Giuseppe Verdi, Kiri Te Kanawa, Elzbieta Ardam, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Sir Georg Solti