GRE BROUWENSTIJN: Opera [CD de audio] Gré Brouwenstijn, The Hague Philarmonic Orchestra, Vienna Symphony Orchestra, Beethoven,

Dutch soprano Gré Brouwenstijn has always been highly respected in her own country and among voice connoisseurs, for the fearless vibration of her approach to great hochdramatisch soprano roles, without ever compromising the standards and ideals of vocal beauty: her voice it is of great strength and flexibility, fully capable of meeting the challenge of projecting both the scale and drama of Wagner's heroines, while also inhabiting their most intimate confessions. Brouwenstijn made very few recordings, most of what we have left now comes from private tapes or radio archives of live performances, but this compilation of two studio sessions (from 1954 and 1956) captures her in her vocal voice. The large numbers of Wagner's early dramas (Tannhäuser, Lohengrin, Der Fliegende Holländer) are included, as well as Wagner's starting points in Beethoven (Ah, Perfido!) and Weber (Der Freischütz). To finish, there is a selection of mature Verdi, including Tu che la vanità (Don Carlo) and Pace, pace, mio dio! (The force of Destiny). This is a must-have edition for anyone in love with the art of the soprano voice. With a quick flicker in his voice, he presents an imaginative, internal Allmacht ge Jungfrau (both Tannhauser). One of the greatest vocal artists of the 1950s and 1960s. Brouwenstein did not have a great voice, but she was passionate, intense and equally convincing in Wagner and Verdi. Performance * * * * * Recording * * * *