Even if she wasn't game enough to wear a Columbia record in her hair (as pictured on the cover), Bidu Sayao had a voice that could make you forget Kathleen Battle. This Brazilian soubrette of the 1940s was as vocally lusterous and far more versatile, taking on heavier roles such as La Traviata and even an aria from Madame Butterfly with a gracious sense of style, passionate sense of character, well-placed high notes and an endearingly fallable coloratura technique. She's most at home in Marriage of Figaro arias from several different characters, but the sheer force of her personality carries her through the heavier stuff. Great sound for its time.--David Patrick Stearns
Amazon.com
For two decades, Bidu Sayou, the petite Brazilian soprano, won the devotion of Metropolitan Opera audiences for her bright, silvery sound, clear diction, and discreet passion. This well-transferred CD focuses on Italian-language roles, with the Debussy the sole exception. Sayou's Mozart is outstanding; her innately aristocratic style is perfectly suited to music, even in roles like Figaro's Countess, that would have been too heavy for her on stage. She's a heart-breaking Mimi in La Boheme, a convincing Violetta in Traviata, and even a moving Butterfly, just to cite some of the roles included here. And she gets fine support from accompanists that include Bruno Walter, Fausto Cleva, and Erich Leinsdorf. A treasurable CD! --Dan Davis
Bidu Sayao: La Damoiselle elue / Opera Arias Reviews
Bidu Sayao: La Damoiselle elue / Opera Arias Reviews
This review is from: Bidu Sayao: La Damoiselle elue / Opera Arias (Audio CD)
I have loved her voice since 1981 when I destroyed a Bidu Sayoa LP "French Songs and Arias" listening to it repeat for hours (Guess I could make a hat out of that record now). I cannot add anything original to previous comments lauding her silvery tone or elegant. intelligent, brave, sophisticated, subtle, balanced sense of style. Emotion and control! I would not normally have chosen a recording of the Debussy piece with its chorus and orchestration but am won over after several listens. I find her "Un bel di vedremo" refreshing and satisfying. The liner notes insightfully outline her career; translated lyrics, for the Debussy piece at least, would have been welcome. Great sound quality with notes on sound transference technique from LP to CD.
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great singing by a legendary singer, August 5, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Bidu Sayao: La Damoiselle elue / Opera Arias (Audio CD)
This is a great CD by the lengendary Brazilian soprano, Bidu Sayao. A better performance of the Debussy does not exist even though it was recorded about 50 years ago. Sayao has not been surpassed. Also, the Mozart arias are a special treat as are the Bellini, Verdi, and Puccini. Sayao was a wonderful artist and very unique in her interpretations. This CD offers great singing and should be acquired by record collectors who value sensitivity, style, and voice qualities above and beyond the superficial. The tragedy is that Sayao was not recorded as frequently as she deserved -so what we have are limited treasures.
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Great artistry, voice and style--the CD is a treasure, May 14, 1999
By A Customer
This review is from: Bidu Sayao: La Damoiselle elue / Opera Arias (Audio CD)
Sayao --with a multi-colored voice of silver proved to be a great singer of Debussy--too bad they did not record her Melisande or Sayao in the extensive French song literature-or early baroque Italian songs-only 6 beautiful renditions of Mozart--Why not more?The most touching Violetta --not only deeply expressive but with great technique--Her Bellini and Puccini are in the same league--why wasn't she recorded more? Recording executives missed the opportunity to preserve more fully one of most wonderful vocalists of the 20th century-- Her one recorded operatic role was recorded when she was not well --reported to have had a cold
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