Munchner Rundfunkorchester. Conductor: Dan Ettinger Virgin Classics: 591313 ***

This German-born soprano has a fine lyric soprano voice that lies quite high, reminding one of Amelita Galli Curci, Toti Dal Monte and Lily Pons. Damrau has made a name for herself in recent years in Mozart and Richard Strauss, and here in this recital essays the romantic coloratura repertoire, thus inviting comparison with those great singers. On stage Damrau has considerable charisma and charm, but here, where characterisation must be established by vocal means alone, her performance is somewhat variable. Her technique is impressive and the technical challenges in these pieces present no terrors to her. Damrau is less at home in characterisation by vocal means alone, as her voice appears to lack colour. However, this may come from having limited exposure to these roles on stage at this point in her career, which may change with time. See virginclassics.com