Janet Baker started her singing studies with Helen Isepp in 1953. She won second prize in the Kathleen Ferrier awards only three years later making her debut in the same year. She quickly established herself as a regular of the Glyndebourne Festival and a member of Benjamin Britten’s English Opera Group also making her mark as a singer of songs and oratorio. Her career was international and she became a particular favourite with audiences in the UK and the USA (where she toured every year from 1966 until she retired).
This recording of Gluck Opera Arias was made in London in April 1975. Part of it was reissued on the Original Masters tribute to this singer and now the whole recording is once again made available – at budget price!
CHRISTOPH WILLIBALD GLUCK
Armide: Le perfide Renaud me fuit
Iphigénie en Aulide: Vous essayez en vain – Par la crainte
Iphigénie en Tauride: Non, cet affreux devoir
Iphigénie en Aulide: Adieu, conservez dans votre âme
Alceste: Divinités du Styx
La Recontre Imprévue: Bel inconnu
La Recontre Imprévue: Je cherche à vous faire
Paride ed Elena: Spiagge amate
Paride ed Elena: Oh, del mio dolce ardour
Paride ed Elena: Le belle immagini
Paride ed Elena: Di te scordarmi
Orfeo ed Euridice: Che puro ciel
Orfeo ed Euridice: Che faro senza Euridice
Janet Baker, mezzo-soprano
English Chamber Orchestra
Raymond Leppard
Recorded: London, April 1975
‘In general a thrillingly sung recital of music which, apart the two famous arias, is not particularly well-known… Bargain of the Month’ Musicweb