The Norwegian soprano Lise Davidsen, who has just cut her first CD on Decca, is being whisked to Berlin to replace Krassimira Stoyanova in a season-closing pair of recitals this weekend with the Staatskapelle.
Zubin Mehta conducts.
Go, Lise.
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Unfortunately, the much anticipated record does not soar and is a disappointment overall. It strikes me as premature and unnecessary, given other finer, better sung and well regarded readings of the 4 Last Songs.
I agree. The voice is sharp and cutting and unpleasant to the ear and recorded too close which emphasizes these qualities. That is of course a personal taste. The worst thing is that she sings deliberately non vibrato that becomes an irritating mannerism after 2 minutes as if Emma Kirkby sings Strauss. Here and there she produces a beautiful lines but these are too little too late. Salonen conducts magnificently.
It ain’t that Emma Kirkby sings Strauss. Rather, it is that the lady is under pressure to be “the new Nilsson” or “the new Flagstad”. Imagine the impossibility of the order. But none of this is her fault and that of fans and their fantasies. That said, to these ears, her straight tone is more reminiscent of Nilsson’s, if less formed or consistent or technically sound than Old Shoes’. The question remains: Will Davidsen find her own voice? Only time will tell.
I heard her live in concert in the first act of “Die Walkure” and she was sensational.
Of course, one always worries about too much, too soon. Will the voice last, or will she come and go ” come una stella”. If she manages her career wisely she may develop into one of the most exciting singers to come along in many years. But she must learn the most difficult word in any language “NO”. All the best to this beautiful, talented lady.
It will also help if she keeps her feet on the ground. Good management essential. The demands on this young woman will be tremendous.