Various composers: Im Chambre Séparée (The Operetta Album)

I never grow weary of Barbara Bonney’s beautiful singing. Not only is she blessed with a prodigious natural talent (which, in my churlish youth, made me green with envy), but her musicianship brings fresh delights with every new recording. As she approaches her half-century her vocal technique grows ever more brilliant. On this disc she sings as though born and bred in Vienna at the end of the 19th century; glamorous, flirtatious, languid, devoted to giving and receiving pleasure. There are just a few old favourites such as Mein Herr Marquis from Die Fledermaus which she performs with minx-like guile and a charming rendition of Lehár’s Vilja-Lied. Less familiar is music by Carl Zeller (whose day job was as a civil servant in the Ministry of Culture), including the lovely little waltz Sei nicht bös (Don’t be cross) from Der Obersteiger. As the eponymous heroine in Lehár’s Giuditta (the Viennese Carmen) Miss Bonney glows with desire as she sings Meine Lippen, die küssen so heiss. She has chosen to sing with piano accompaniment throughout, provided by Ronald Schneider in true Viennese style. Her 1998 album of Strauss lieder also featured piano rather than orchestral accompaniment, and this approach works well here, there is a lovely feeling of intimacy. I found this disc a very entertaining and warming musical experience, and after repeated listening, I am still chuckling with pleasure and humming the tunes on the way home. Bravo!

About the singer

Barbara Bonney is an American soprano who built much of her international career in Europe, particularly through close associations with Viennese and German repertoire, Strauss lieder, Mozart, and, as here, the lighter world of Viennese operetta. She studied in Salzburg and made her stage debut in Germany before establishing herself on major opera and concert stages worldwide. Operetta recital discs like this one sit somewhat outside the core lieder and opera repertoire she’s best known for, making it a genuine change of register within a wide-ranging discography.