Diana Montague is a lyric–in contrast to dramatic–mezzo with a keen musical intelligence and a fine way of making a character come alive. This collection, all sung in English (most of which is remarkably understandable), contains some surprises and in general is better balanced and keeps the interest longer than many mezzo recital CDs. After an airy “Non so piu” there is a dignified, articulate, and fluid “Parto, parto”. Two austere, grave selections from Gluck’s Iphigenia in Tauris convince us of Montague’s gifts as a tragedienne. “Verdi prati” from Alcina is gorgeous, but others have sung “Care selve” more meltingly; indeed “melting” is not one of the qualities in Montague’s voice, which has a bit of an edge to it.
From Cosi we get the trio (with the good Alan Opie and Orla Boylan), beautifully handled, a sharp and melodramatic “Smanie implacabili”, “Il core vi dono” (Opie aqain), and “Prendero quell brunettino” (Boylan again), right on the money. Two Mozart concert arias are fresh and pointed, “Chacun a son gout” from Fledermaus is funny and flavorful, and a lovely scene from Borodin’s Prince Igor makes you want to hear more of the opera. Bruce Ford helps out in a Merry Widow duet, and a couple of other selections round out the recital. Where needed there’s a chorus–this is a very classy release–and Water Weller is a fine conductor. In short, this CD is a pleasure.
