Track Listing

1. Lia's Aria ('The Prodigal Son')
2. The Maids Of Cadiz (Spanish Song)
3. Bailero
4. Unhappy He Who Has a Wife
5. The Forsaken Girl
6. Vocalise En Forme De Habanera
7. Anne Trulove's Aria: No Word From Tom
8. Anne Trulove's Aria: My Father! Can I Desert Him
9. Anne Trulove's Aria: I Go, I Go To Him
10. In Trutina
11. Lullaby
12. I Wanted To Make a Bouquet
13. Tomorrow
14. Laments, Or the Maiden And the Nightingale
15. I: What Can I Use To Wash My Face With?
16. II: You Killed Me
17. III: Where Have You Been, My Love?
18. IV: I've Come From the Poplars, Mother
19. The Sprig Of Thyme

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35985 in Music
• Released on: 2007-09-03
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds
• Running time: 65 minutes

Customer Reviews

A wonderful CD!!
I am not one for 'recital' discs, as so often they are mere bleeding chunks of larger works, which encourage lazy listening: Also, there are too many compilation discs by so-called opera singers who have neither the voices nor the stamina for actual opera or classical works. This however is the real thing.

I cannot even begin to think how our one star wonder came to his conclusions about Kate Royal's voice, as they are bizarrely off-beam. There are no problems with vibrato, her pitch is firm and secure: This is a rich, full, creamy voice with bags of character and a superb musical and interpretative control. I think it is fair to say that Ms Royal has true star quality.

This is a generous and imaginative programme which presents both well-known and more obscure items: it is a tribute to the singer that she brings the same integrity to every piece on the album. Rodrigo's 'Cuatro madrigales amatorios' are an absolute delight, whilst the 'Chanson espagnole' from Delibes' Les Filles de Cadix is a showstopper.

The three songs from Canteloube's 'Chants d'Auvergne' are all the obvious choices from that collection, but entirely justified given the sensuous characterisation she brings to them- especially the smouldering 'Bailero': more- much more- of this please!

Similarly, the Richard Strauss songs are those (other than the ubiquitous Four Last) most regularly heard: with precision and clarity of line, she makes them very much her own.

Orchestral playing by the Academy of St Martin in the Fields under Edward Gardner is exemplary, and the recording as near perfect as one would wish.
Oh... and I think I've fallen in love.....(!)

Exceptionnal
The most beautiful CD I have heard in years! Am moved to tears by her singing! Not to mention the technical mastery and beauty of sound.

And also am so grateful she has chosen to stay away from the old usuals - her choice of songs shows a lot of taste and a very interesting personality.

Here's a new fan!

Wow!!
I saw Ms Royal on the proms TV show on the BBC and was amazed by her performance and just had to buy the CD. I have to say the person who gave one star must have been listening to someone else as her voice is exquisite and I find it almost meditative to sit back and enjoy her soaring vocals.
Very soothing and uplifting at the same time! a must buy!!