This six-CD set is sure to be of interest to fans of Susan Graham, the phenomenally successful American mezzo-soprano. The recordings, with the exception of just a few tracks from the 1990s, were made between 2000 and 2005, and they reveal Graham in her prime. Five of the discs had previously been released, but one is made up of selections from a variety of sources, including complete opera recordings. The set demonstrates Graham's versatility, both stylistically in the many types of music she sings and in the emotional spectrum that the songs and arias encompass. She is better known as a star of the operatic stage than as a recitalist, but only about a quarter of this set is devoted to opera, most of which, except for the arias from Le nozze di Figaro, are from off the beaten path. The songs range from Brahms' Zigeunerlieder through Berg's Seven Early Songs, many French mélodies, and Charles Ives, to a full disc dedicated to Ned Rorem. Throughout, Graham is accompanied by outstanding pianists, conductors, and orchestras, all of whom provide exemplary support. The sound quality is consistently very fine.
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