Search - Regine Crespin Sings Berlioz, Schumann, Schubert, and Poulenc on DVD

A Miracle of an Artist

Impostazione | New York City Area | 08/20/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Regine Crespin is a true Pisces. Her innate humanness, vulnerability and dreamy presence create artful (not artistic) miracles that simply do not exist anymore. She is utter joy!It is widely known that Regine Crespin is the awesome interpreter of Berlioz and this video gives firm proof of that. "Le Spectre de la Rose" is taken into her very private world; alone, sad, bitter, yet sweet. I was moved most deeply by the German for I have never heard it sung by a more human interpreter. It lacks the stiffness I usually associate with lieder. It is free and expressive, and still inward. Schumann's "Mondnacht" is simply superb musically, liguistically, and dramatically. Crespin gives glances to the camera that are so charming and cute, you want reach out and kiss her with a big hug. The bonus with Poulenc and Duval is so important that it should be a separate video in and of itself. What Art! What Heart! I don't suspect we shall see another "happy in her own skin" interpreter like Crespin; a real artist is a rare thing opera and recital these days. It is stunning, artful, individual, creative, light hearted, meaningful, fun and very French!"

Ecstatic singing

Jerry Floyd | Washington, D.C. USA | 07/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this DVD after I learned of Regine Crespin's death and am completely bowled over by these magnificent performances.

The soprano's interpretation of Didon's "Ah! Ah! Je vais mourier... Adieu fiere cite" (from Berlioz's "Les Troyens") is so intense and sung so beautifully and plaintively, especially the very last words, "ma carriere est finie".

There is another song about death on this DVD, "Tod und das Madchen". Never have I heard this work performed so voluptuously and it too is a haunting reminder of Mdme. Crespin's extraordinary gifts.

There are "bonus" selections of Denise Duval singing Poulenc arias and songs, accompanied by the composer, who speaks the role of Le Mari in "Non, Monsieur mon mari!" from "Les Mamelles de Tiresias".

Certainly Mdme. Crespin's magnificent performances are the DVD's raison d'etre (Berlioz's "La spectre de la rose" and "D'amour l'ardente flamme" are two other selections Crespin performs so memorably). But the Duval performances are delightful bonbons!

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