Latest CD releases reviewed

ANNA NETREBKO: SEMPRE LIBERA
Mahler Chamber Orchestra. Conductor: Claudio Abbado Deutsche Grammophon 00289 474 8812
*****

This Russian soprano sprang to fame in Glinka's A Life for the Tsar in 1995, when she was only 23. Since then she has sung in many of the great opera houses, and with her good looks has also become somewhat of a media personality. Quite recently she was in Covent Garden (with Paolo Gavanelli), and will sing Violetta opposite Rolando Villazon in Salzburg in August. This disc, which contains showpiece arias from Verdi, Bellini and Donizetti, shows a fine lyric soprano voice. Tonally somewhat reminiscent of the young Joan Sutherland, she has a confident sense of line and stellar coloratura. Her singing of Sempre Libera, the name aria on the disc, shows formidable technique and a moving emotional involvement. Very much a rising young singer, and certainly one to watch. www.univeralclasssics.com

Colman Morrissey