NADEZHDA OBUKHOVA, the collection
Opera arias and duets, romances and songs
5 CD AQVR 312-2

Nadezhda Obukhova (1886-1961) strangely ignored in John Steane’s The Grand Tradition was one of those many Imperial and Soviet Russia singers I  tried to collect every possible recording. Just now the medium-priced Russian label Acquarius has issued a 5 CD box of her recorded output. It’s one of their releases which should be rewarded with a prize in spite of their Cyrillic only text books, luckily the booklets include several interesting photos. What is so special about this remarkable mezzo voice?  The voice is absolutely unique and instantly recognizable. She uses her voice with consummate skill and with the intelligence and taste of a cultured musician; she is also a charming and vivacious performer. Obukhova is never vulgar and her enunciation of French –she lived for a while in France- or Italian is quasi perfect and even her late recordings never cease to impress whether singing Charlotte in Werther, a Tosti song, Reynaldo Hahn or a Verstovsky tango.
For more biographical info just consult wikepedia.
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