This album certainly captures the spirit of a circus through its repertoire of whimsical pieces by French composers, including Erik Satie and Darius Milhaud. Performed by Céline Ricci with pianist Daniel Lockert, they are a unique introduction to late 19th and 20th century art songs that are more accessible than, say, German lieder, as they have a more popular feel. However, for much of this album, something does not seem to work quite right. Perhaps it is the fact that Ricci, who bills herself on her website as a "soprano, ...
Read More
This album certainly captures the spirit of a circus through its repertoire of whimsical pieces by French composers, including Erik Satie and Darius Milhaud. Performed by Céline Ricci with pianist Daniel Lockert, they are a unique introduction to late 19th and 20th century art songs that are more accessible than, say, German lieder, as they have a more popular feel. However, for much of this album, something does not seem to work quite right. Perhaps it is the fact that Ricci, who bills herself on her website as a "soprano, lyric coloratura," is singing material that does not seem to fit her voice and style of singing. To her credit, her voice is solid and does not break; at times there is good power and clear diction, for the rapid delivery of words does not faze her. Yet Ricci makes a number of questionable choices, such as scooping or sliding up to pitches, which often renders them off-key and affects the technique, as happens more than once in Cirque. This is not to say that there should be no...
Read Less
