It's hard not to consider this disc of aria selections as an introductory sample of Chandos's whole Opera in English project and to judge it according to one's feelings about the series. But these performances by the charismatic young American soprano Elizabeth Futral deserve to be evaluated on their own merits, insofar as they contribute to the aims of the enterprise as a whole. This singer has a hard core of admirers in the U.S., and Great Operatic Arias seems likely to bring her new ones. She acquits herself beatifully ...
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It's hard not to consider this disc of aria selections as an introductory sample of Chandos's whole Opera in English project and to judge it according to one's feelings about the series. But these performances by the charismatic young American soprano Elizabeth Futral deserve to be evaluated on their own merits, insofar as they contribute to the aims of the enterprise as a whole. This singer has a hard core of admirers in the U.S., and Great Operatic Arias seems likely to bring her new ones. She acquits herself beatifully in quite a range of material, running from Handel to Carlisle Floyd (the "Ain't it a pretty night" section from Susannah), and she passes a critical test here -- if you listen to the disc without help from the printed texts, you'll still understand most of what she's singing. The accompaniment by the Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Steven White, is likewise noteworthy for its versatility. The arias included certainly qualify as great but aren't chestnuts; Mozart is represented by...
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