Cheryl Barker sings Great Operatic Arias (2009)

by Cheryl Barker (soprano), Gillian Keith (soprano), William Dazeley (baritone), London Philharmonic Orchestra, David Parry (conductor)

Australian soprano Cheryl Barker has been featured on a number of recordings in Chandos' Opera in English Series, and on her first solo release for the label she continues that tradition with familiar arias translated into English (plus two originally written in English). It's almost always revelatory to hear familiar vocal music sung in one's native language. "Almost" because the experience can depend on the quality of the translations, which in the past have sometimes been embarrassingly awkward, but Chandos is notable ... Read More

Australian soprano Cheryl Barker has been featured on a number of recordings in Chandos' Opera in English Series, and on her first solo release for the label she continues that tradition with familiar arias translated into English (plus two originally written in English). It's almost always revelatory to hear familiar vocal music sung in one's native language. "Almost" because the experience can depend on the quality of the translations, which in the past have sometimes been embarrassingly awkward, but Chandos is notable for the excellence of its translations, many newly commissioned for its recordings. Barker has made an especially strong impression in repertoire from off the beaten track, such as Rusalka, Katya Kabanova, and The Makropulos Case, and she brings a solid technique and strong commitment to these more familiar selections. Her warmth and easy handling of composers as diverse as Boito, Tchaikovsky, Leoncavallo, and Richard Strauss are especially appealing, and she can soar over the... Read Less