Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - Arias I (Regula Mühlemann)

Information

Composer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

1. Schon lacht der holde Frühling, K. 580
2. La finta giardiniera, K. 196: Geme la Tortorella
3. Der Schauspieldirektor, K. 486: Da schlägt die Abschiedsstunde
4. Voi avete un cor fedele, K. 217
5. La clemenza di Tito, K. 621: S'altro che lacrime
6. Die Entführung aus dem Serail, K. 384: Durch Zärtlichkeit und Schmeicheln
7. Lucio Silla, K. 135: Strider sento la procella
8. Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio... Ah, conte, partite, K. 418
9. Exsultate, jubilate, K.165 (158a): I. Exsultate, jubilate
10. Exsultate, jubilate, K.165 (158a): II. Fuget amica dies
11. Exsultate, jubilate, K.165 (158a): III. Tu virginum corona
12. Exsultate, jubilate, K.165 (158a): IV. Alleluia

Regula Mühlemann, soprano

Basel Chamber Orchestra

Umberto Benedetti Michelangeli, conductor

Date: 2016

Label: Sony Classical

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Review

For the near future Regula Mühlemann’s diary looks to be dominated by Bach and Mozart. The forthcoming concert performances of La clemenza di Tito, next in Nézet-Séguin’s Mozart opera cycle with an all-star cast including Sonya Yoncheva and Joyce DiDonato, should certainly put the young Swiss soprano on the map.

A foretaste of that is included here. Servilia’s ‘S’altro che lacrime’, sung with gleaming classical poise, is one of the better-known Mozart tracks in her programme, which focuses mostly on his early operas and concert arias. Mühlemann’s soprano suits this repertoire well enough, though its clear, brilliant sound does turn hard at times, chiselling slow, lyrical lines as if with the edge of a diamond. An affectionate aria such as the lovely ‘Geme la torterella’ from La finta giardiniera asks for softer colours, though her Blonde in Die Entführung aus dem Serail has an attractive spirit, and her coloratura is punched out clearly. Vorrei spiegarvi, oh Dio!, surely the most beautiful Mozart showpiece, is too over-bright to admit any grieving tenderness, though Mühlemann goes fearlessly for its vocal extremes, both high and low.

The recital ends with Exsultate, jubilate, sung with zest and accompanied attentively by the Kammerorchester Basel conducted by Umberto Benedetti Michelangeli (nephew of the pianist). For a debut solo disc this makes an attractive proposition, though a playing time of 54 minutes is on the short side. The competition is also intense: among recent releases the Gramophone award-winning Mozart disc from Sabine Devieilhe (Erato, 11/15) has all Mühlemann’s virtues plus a lightness of touch, a loveable grace and a sense of fun – a winner on all counts.

-- Richard Fairman, Gramophone

More reviews:
http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2017/Feb/Mozart_Muhlemann_88985337582.htm

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2017/Mar/Mozart_Muhlemann_88985337582.htm

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2016/nov/24/regula-muhlemann-mozart-cd-review-kammerorchester-basel-michelangeli-sony

https://www.allmusic.com/album/mozart-arias-mw0002986161

https://www.amazon.com/Mozart-Arias-Regula-Muhlemann/dp/B01IWW1R86/

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Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (27 January 1756 in Salzburg – 5 December 1791 in Vienna) was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. Mozart showed prodigious ability from his earliest childhood. Already competent on keyboard and violin, he composed from the age of five and performed before European royalty. Till his death in Vienna, he composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, operatic, and choral music. Mozart is among the most enduringly popular of classical composers, and his influence is profound on subsequent Western art music.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wolfgang_Amadeus_Mozart

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Regula Mühlemann (born 7 January 1986 in Adligenswil) is a Swiss operatic soprano. She studied with Barbara Locher at the Academy of Music in Lucerne where she graduated with honors with a Master of Arts. Mühlemann has received numerous awards and prizes; in 2015, she was Finalist of the "Cardiff Singer of the World Competition". She has performed many opera roles on the stage and in concert, as well as in several films. She regularly performs in Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Poland and Italy, and is a regular guest at Lucerne Festival. Mühlemann is an exclusive recording artist of Sony Classical.

https://www.bach-cantatas.com/Bio/Muhlemann-Regula.htm

https://regulamuehlemann.com/

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