NAISSANCE D’UNE DIVA
A STAR IS BORN
Cond. Pierre JOURDAN
CD Cascavelle VEL 3105
(recorded live 2004-2005)

Though prize winner of several singing competitions this singer was unknown to me until our collaborator Leslie Mickelson put my attention on this CD release. Surely considering the repertoire alone one needs to have this fascinating repertoire compilation. Where else can one find recorded excerpts from Halévy’s Charles VI  (more than 30 minutes) and Aubert’s Haydee (more than 20 minutes)? Like the Dinorah excerpts (over 20 minutes) all selections were taken from performances at the Théatre Imperial de Compiègne and thus they come straight from the stage.
But is a star born as the CD title wants us to believe? I can safely say ‘not yet’ and Dessay does not have to fear any competition so far. But Isabelle Philippe may develop into one though.
Her assets are reasonably well-enunciated French and a brilliant top register which suits the repertoire she sings very well.


Drawbacks are her use of the French ‘r’ in singing something which is rarely if ever done in opera and doesn’t help the projection and clearness of enunciation either.
According the CD booklet you should be able to find the texts in French and English and more info on the CD by visiting the following site:
www.theatre-imperial.com
When I last visited the link no info was to be found….

Rudi van den Bulck, Opera Nostalgia