National Arts Centre Orchestra
Mario Bernardi
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Andrew Davis
Judith Blegen, Janice Taylor,
Martin Katz and others

Featuring
• Duets with Judith Blegen
• Mahler: Song Cycles
• Italian opera arias from Monteverdi
to Puccini
• Song recital from Dowland to Debussy

Born in 1945, Frederica von Stade – who auditioned for the Met on a $50 bet – is considered
one of the world’s most accomplished mezzo-sopranos. This 4CD set celebrates her unique
voice and spans the incredibly broad spectrum of styles for which she is known.

The compilation includes von Stade’s recording debut, an unusual and eclectic choice of
arias and duets with Judith Blegen, such as Mozart’s chamber-scale arrangement of ‘Non so
più’. With a disc dedicated to Italian opera, in which Monteverdi’s neglected Il ritorno d’Ulisse
in patria of 1639 is accorded equal status alongside Rossini’s better-known bel canto works,
von Stade’s far-reaching programme extends into CD4’s song recital – where her affinity for
French repertoire comes to the fore. Also featuring gems such as Carol Hall’s endearing
Jenny Rebecca, it offers a stark contrast to the disc of Mahler song-cycles, in which the singer
achieves a particularly nostalgic tone.

Von Stade’s honey-coated, light voice was, in its time, a fresh alternative to those of
powerhouse mezzos like Marilyn Horne. Full of dramatic characterisation and detailing a
fascinating assortment of music, this collection demonstrates how skilfully the singer bent
the standard recording format in order to serve the repertoire that she excelled in.