SAVE $3.99 - Verismo - Renee Fleming (Artist), Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini (Composer), Pietro Mascagni (Composer), Alfredo Catalani (Composer), Ruggero Leoncavallo (Composer), et al. $13.99

Great repertoire, but . . . The repertoire on this disc is special. It includes unusual arias and unusual versions of arias. Ms. Fleming sings quite well, but I have reservations about the album. She indicates that, when listening to older artists for whom this repertoire was either written or else they were the second generation of singers, the artists all employ a creamy, rich, and darker tone. Renee Fleming logically tries to employ a tone to match the originators. BUT those originators were using a brighter voice - their voices were simply dark by nature. Ms. Fleming's voice is not dark by nature. Therefore, when she allows her voice to darken, it sounds as if the core is slightly muted. This makes verbal nuance difficult to get. I wish Ms. Fleming would stick to that repertoire that truly suits her voice. She will not be doing these roles soon - I hope, for her sake. Rating: 4 (Alan Montgomery, 2010-01-25) Product reviewed: Verismo

The Metropolitan Opera Should Revive These Operas For Ms. Fleming Verismo Opera creates a response from your emotions as you listen to the heart-rending arias from such masters as Leoncavallo and Mascagni. There is no doubt that the Metropolitan Opera should mount stagings for Renee Fleming in the near future based on the renditions from Ms. Fleming in this gorgeous recording. Rating: 4 (David H. Blumenthal, 2009-11-22) Product reviewed: Verismo

Stunning Soprano I heard Renee Fleming at the Chicago Symphony Opening Night. Her voice is like an angel. This CD brings the sound and tones of Fleming into my house or car. It is excellent Rating: 5 (Carol Theodorou, 2009-11-17) Product reviewed: Verismo

Fabulous! It would take quite an album to get her "Night Songs" or "Homage" out of my CD player, but this one did it. The world premier of the Manon Lescaut original version is worth the price of the album alone. Miss Fleming's continued scholarship in her art enhances all of us who are entranced by her vocalization. She wore the gown featured on the cover to her Greenvile, SC recital last year and looks as stunning as she sounds. Viva, Renee'! Rating: 5 (Aphrodite K. Konduros, 2009-10-31) Product reviewed: Verismo

Very enjoyable, a treat for the ears! I do not have a great ear nor am I able to identify classical music selections. However, I do enjoy opera & classical music, listening to it often. Renee Fleming is one of my favorite performers and has rarely disappointed me with her work. This CD is not a disappointment! She is in fine voice. The 17 tracks cover a good selection of Italian arias by Puccini and his contemporizes working in the Verismo style. Covering a period from 1892 to 1926, we are treated to some arias that we seldom hear but are pleasing to the ear. Un di from Iris is an excellent track and a new one for me. Make sure to listen to track 11, this is the world premier recording of Sola, perduta, abbandonate. The notes contain full translations and a number of good photographs. Renee Fleming is in fine voice with a series of enjoyable performances with excellent support. Rating: 5 (James W. Durney, 2009-10-19) Product reviewed: Verismo