Special offer. Mozart: Opera Arias and Overtures
Elizabeth Watts (soprano)
Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Christian Baldini
This disc shows, and in supremely vivid sound, that a delightful light lyric soprano is on the cusp of becoming something greater…her discreet ornamentation, unforced tone and careful vocal...
Special offer. Mozart: Opera Arias and Overtures
Elizabeth Watts (soprano)
Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Christian Baldini
Purchase product
This disc shows, and in supremely vivid sound, that a delightful light lyric soprano is on the cusp of becoming something greater…her discreet ornamentation, unforced tone and careful vocal...
About
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra has established impeccable Mozartian credentials with its award-winning discography, to which Mozart: Opera Arias and Overtures is the latest addition.
The SCO’s previous forays into operatic repertoire (Handel with soprano Emma Bell and Mozart, Haydn & Cimarosa with baritone William Berger) have been highly critically acclaimed.
This recording features a hand-picked selection of arias from six of Mozart’s much-loved operas, alongside their respective overtures.
The SCO’s affinity with Mozart’s music is demonstrated with perfect eighteenth-century style in the overtures; whilst the arias see the orchestra lend characterful support.
Award-winning soprano Elizabeth Watts has performed in Don Giovanni at Covent Garden, Così fan tutte for Glyndebourne on Tour and Le nozze di Figaro for Santa Fe Opera and Welsh National Opera; she utilises her experience to create memorable performances.
A love of Mozart inspired conductor Christian Baldini to make music his career so it is fitting that his recording debut with the SCO features repertoire that is so close to his heart.
With a voice described as ‘one of the most beautiful Britain has produced in a generation’ (IRR), Elizabeth Watts has established herself as ‘one of the brightest new talents’ (The Independent).
Watts won the 2006 Kathleen Ferrier Prize and the Rosenblatt Recital Song Prize at the 2007 BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition.
In 2014 Watts performed in London’s most prestigious venues including the Royal Opera, Covent Garden; the Festival Hall and at the Last Night of the Proms in the Royal Albert Hall.
Christian Baldini is a dynamic artist with a ‘keen ear for detail' (The Scotsman). He regularly conducts several international orchestras including the SCO, and opera for the Aldeburgh Festival.
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra is a world-renowned orchestra with an outstanding reputation for Mozart.
The SCO’s extensive series of Linn recordings feature Robin Ticciati, Sir Charles Mackerras, Ingrid Fliter, Emma Bell, William Berger, Karen Cargill, Artur Pizarro, Alexander Janiczek and Joseph Swensen.
Contents and tracklist
- Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Christian Baldini, Elizabeth Watts
- Recorded: 3-6 June 2013
- Recording Venue: Usher Hall, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Christian Baldini, Elizabeth Watts
- Recorded: 3-6 June 2013
- Recording Venue: Usher Hall, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Christian Baldini, Elizabeth Watts
- Recorded: 3-6 June 2013
- Recording Venue: Usher Hall, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
- Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Christian Baldini, Elizabeth Watts
- Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Christian Baldini, Elizabeth Watts
- Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Christian Baldini, Elizabeth Watts
Awards and reviews
September 2015
This disc shows, and in supremely vivid sound, that a delightful light lyric soprano is on the cusp of becoming something greater…her discreet ornamentation, unforced tone and careful vocal emphasis all seem nigh on perfect.
July 2015
Watts's lyric soprano has gradually ripened and deepened without losing its purity. With its admixture of mezzo warmth allied to secure, shining high notes, hers is now an ideal Fiordiligi voice. In 'Per pieta' her technical mastery (immaculate runs, precipituous leaps taken with poise) and urgency of feeling make one eager to hear her in the role on stage.
November 2015
Watts creates a warm, womanly characterization, and both recitative and aria abound in expressive detail. Phrasing is as elegant as one could wish, the frequent deployment of appoggiaturas unfailingly apt. For each opera excerpted with an aria, that work’s overture is also included. The SCO plays all six of them splendidly, offering consistently clean tone and terrifically precise articulation at any speed.
14th June 2015
Watts is a rising British talent in this repertoire, but her Susanna and Ilia occasionally sound fierce. Her Zerlina is sweeter, and she hits form with Fiordiligi’s Per pieta, from Così fan tutte.
28th June 2015
The glorious voice of Elizabeth Watts – now established as one Britain’s leading sopranos – more than justifies the purchase price...Christian Baldini makes an impressive recording debut with the SCO, bringing real drive and focus to overtures.
Early Music Today September – November 2015
Watts has put together a cracker of a programme … the aria ‘Cara tomba’ is one of several hear-stoppingly beautiful moments on the disc. Watts, Cummings and the English Consort make an ideal partnership in what is one of the most thrilling albums of its kind I’ve heard in recent years; I can’t recommend this recording highly enough.