Lucia Popp began her career as a high coloratura–her Queen of the Night under Otto Klemperer (EMI) was a tour de force with pinpoint delivery and fine exclamation. As she aged, the voice’s center dropped and her tone became richer, but she retained a silvery beauty throughout the entire, still very lyrical range. This CD, recorded in 1982, contains repertoire for which she was ideal–Pamina, Manon, Rusalka, Gilda, Lauretta, Marie in The Bartered Bride–and some for which her voice remained a bit light–Mozart’s Countess, Agatha in Freischütz, and Louise. But listeners will find very little to complain about in this 55-minute recital. “Depuis le jour” should be sung by a somewhat larger voice so that the ascents to the pianissimos are better highlighted, and “Leise, leise” actually needs more heft as well, but Popp shades her tone, sings off the text, and uses portamento so skillfully that even these arias are ravishing. Yes, the tone is always bright, but it’s never anything other than appealing. This is a beautiful recital by a much-missed soprano. [9/30/2005]
