Ermonela Jaho: Anima Rara

£12.00

1 disc set
Single Track Download

Anima Rara, the debut recital album from Ermonela Jaho, explores music championed by Rosina Storchio, one of the most charismatic lyric sopranos of the verismo era. Jaho sings arias from operas including Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Leoncavallo’s La bohème, Giordano’s Siberia, Mascagni’s Lodoletta and Verdi’s La traviata, accompanied by the  Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana led by young Italian conductor Andrea Battistoni. Known for performances of searing intensity and emotional truth, Jaho has been described as ‘the world’s most acclaimed soprano’ (The Economist) and ‘one of the great verismo interpreters’ (The Guardian).

  • The Sunday Times Album of the Week
  • Presto Classical Recording of the Week
  • Pizzicato Supersonic Award
  • Scherzo recording of the month
  • BBC Music Magazine Opera Choice

  1. Puccini, Madama Butterfly 'Un bel di vedremo' Ermonela Jaho, Andrea Battistoni, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana Buy Track 0:32
  2. Leoncavallo, La boheme 'Musette svaria sulla bocca viva' Ermonela Jaho, Andrea Battistoni, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana Buy Track 00
  3. Mascagni, Iris 'Un di (ero piccina)' Ermonela Jaho, Andrea Battistoni, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana Buy Track 0:32
  4. Massenet, Sapho 'Pendant un an je fus ta femme' Ermonela Jaho, Andrea Battistoni, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana Buy Track 0:32
  5. Boito, Mefistofele 'L altra notte in fondo al mare' Ermonela Jaho, Andrea Battistoni, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana Buy Track 0:32
  6. Mascagni, Lodoletta 'Ah! Il suo nome!... Flammen perdonami...' Ermonela Jaho, Andrea Battistoni, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana Buy Track 0:32
  7. Massenet, Manon 'Allons! Il le faut... Adieu, notre petite table' Ermonela Jaho, Andrea Battistoni, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana Buy Track 0:32
  8. Giordano, Siberia 'Nel suo amore rianimata' Ermonela Jaho, Andrea Battistoni, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana Buy Track 0:32
  9. Verdi, La traviata 'Teneste la promessa... Addio del passato' Ermonela Jaho, Andrea Battistoni, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana Buy Track 0:32
  10. Mascagni, L'amico Fritz 'Son pochi fiori' Ermonela Jaho, Andrea Battistoni, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana Buy Track 0:32
  11. Catalani, La Wally 'Ebben? Ne andro lontana' Ermonela Jaho, Andrea Battistoni, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana Buy Track 0:32
  12. Leoncavallo, La boheme 'Mimi Pinson, la biondinetta' Ermonela Jaho, Andrea Battistoni, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana Buy Track 0:32
  13. Massenet, Sapho Prelude Act V and 'Demain je partirai' Ermonela Jaho, Andrea Battistoni, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana Buy Track 0:32
  14. Puccini, Madama Butterfly 'Con onor muore... Tu? Tu? Piccolo Iddio' Ermonela Jaho, Andrea Battistoni, Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana Buy Track 0:32

Description

“It’s easy to appreciate something well-established and proven before the public, but it requires artistic vision to ask an audience to take a new look at a work of art that has been lost in the mists of time. This is Opera Rara’s vision, and it is one I passionately share. The repertoire we’ve recorded here is diverse, but what brings it together is the emotional truth, the ‘soul’ that we find in the music.” ERMONELA JAHO

Anima Rara, the debut recital album from Ermonela Jaho, explores music championed by Rosina Storchio, one of the most charismatic lyric sopranos of the verismo era. Jaho sings arias from operas including Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, Leoncavallo’s La bohème, Giordano’s Siberia, Mascagni’s Lodoletta and Verdi’s La traviata, accompanied by the  Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana led by young Italian conductor Andrea Battistoni. Known for performances of searing intensity and emotional truth, Jaho has been described as ‘the world’s most acclaimed soprano’ (The Economist) and ‘one of the great verismo interpreters’ (The Guardian).

Released on 25.09.2020

Cast

Ermonela Jaho, soprano
Andrea Battistoni, conductor
Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana

Tracklist

[1] Puccini, Madama Butterfly ‘Un bel dì, vedremo’ 4’29

[2] Leoncavallo, La bohème ‘Musette svaria sulla bocca viva’ 2’03

[3] Mascagni, Iris ‘Un dì (ero piccina)’ 3’43

[4] Massenet, Sapho ‘Ces gens que je connais… Pendant un an je fus ta femme’ 3’26

[5] Boito, Mefistofele ‘L’altra notte in fondo al mare’ 7’01

[6] Mascagni, Lodoletta ‘Ah! Il suo nome!… Flammen perdonami… No, non è la sua casa… Bimbi del mio villaggio’ 12’08

[7] Massenet, Manon ‘Allons! Il le faut… Adieu, notre petite table’ 4’19

[8] Giordano, Siberia ‘No! Se un pensier… Nel suo amore rianimata’ 2’48

[9] Verdi, La traviata ‘Teneste la promessa… Addio, del passato’ 8’18

[10] Mascagni, L’amico Fritz ‘Son pochi fiori’ 3’11

[11] Catalani, La Wally ‘Ebben? Ne andrò lontana’ 4’15

[12] Leoncavallo, La bohème ‘Mimì Pinson, la biondinetta’ 2’13

[13] Massenet, Sapho Prelude Act V and ‘Demain je partirai’ 9’21

[14] Puccini, Madama Butterfly ‘Con onor muore… Tu? Tu? Piccolo Iddio’ 2’49

Press Reviews

“The Jaho effect continues to thrill and startle to a singular degree, as it does throughout all 14 tracks on this spine-tingling album. […] Solid gold”

The Times, October 2020, Geoff Brown

“A soulful exploration of radiant opera rarities. This eagerly-awaited recording will delight all fans of the charismatic Albanian soprano Ermonela Jaho… Jaho turns every aria into a commanding performance, with a fine-spun tone which ranges from being light and translucent to packing luxurious power.” Opera Choice

BBC Music Magazine, October 2020, Michael Church

“Listening to Anima Rara is a joyful voyage of discovery that reflects Opera Rara’s mission to unearth and record forgotten operatic gems. […] Jaho brings a powerful high register and vibrant presence to the roles, and at the same time conveys the fragility of the characters in their troubled lives. ” 5 stars

Sunday Express, Sept 2020, Clare Colvin

Jaho and Battistoni work perfectly together in this recording which has been meticulously curated yet which most definitely comes from the heart.
Opéra magazine, October 2020

Opera Magazine, October 2020, Michel Parouty

This production has everything to make us discover one of the greatest singers of our time, and probably the greatest tragedian since Callas.

Pizzicato, September 2020, Remy Frank

“I love this recital and hope you will too. It practically defines “gorgeous lyric soprano singing” reminiscent of Tebaldi and Freni at their best”.

Classics Today, Sept 2020, Robert Levine

“her [Jaho] first disc of opera arias, and they are cannily chosen to show off what she does the best: apply her bright, steady, focused soprano voice to highly dramatic roles in which she can wring our hearts […] a rare combination of intensity and delicacy […] Speaking of the booklet, it is a model of its kind, with an excellent essay and work-discussions by musicologist Ditlev Rindom and full texts and translations. Plus vivid photos from rehearsals and recording sessions.”

The Arts Fuse, Sept 2020, Ralph P. Locke

“a truly special release”

The Stuart Review, Sept 2020

“Part of “Opera Rara at 50,” (2020 marks the label’s fiftieth anniversary) this is an exemplary example of how an intelligent idea behind a vocal recital results in a listening experience that is both cogent and stimulating.”

Classical Explorer, Sept 2020, Colin Clarke

“Jaho’s gentle timbre, nuanced inflections, and, above all, tonal clarity are enchanting, revealing a compelling portrait of Storchio’s art—and her own.”

New Yorker, Oct 2020, Oussama Zahr

Jaho’s voice is bright and delicate, presenting some truly seductive vocal lines. These arias performed by the Albanian soprano are not only well thought out from a narrative perspective but are full of passion. Her Madama Butterfly has the power to move one to tears. Anima Rara is both a subtle and stirring album in which Jaho proves that opera is not a shiny artefact found in the museum but a living artform which deeply moves its listeners.

 

Read the full review here.

Cooltura

Awards & Accolades

  • The Sunday Times Album of the Week
  • Presto Classical Recording of the Week
  • Pizzicato Supersonic Award
  • Scherzo recording of the month
  • BBC Music Magazine Opera Choice

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