Elle is Marina Rebeka's new solo album, celebrating the diversity of the female roles in some of the greatest French Opera Arias of the canon. From a sweet recounting of the pleasures of love in Charpentier's Louise, to the steely determination of Juliette in Gounod's last scene, passing through the new-found piety of Tha�s, Carmen's indomitably wild character, Chim�ne's extreme sadness in Le Cid, and Marguerite's transformation from an innocent girl in love into a woman longing for a man who will not return, these and the many more arias that fill this recording explore the emotional spectrum of the female roles in French Opera.
A perfect modern introduction to French Opera for the new listener as well as a valuable addition to the library of the connoisseur, Elle showcases the extraordinary art of Marina Rebeka, one of the most complete sopranos of our times, with not only a unique vocal prowess and range extension but with an unusually deep interpretative emotion, making each aria come to life in a new way.
Elle is a studio recording featuring the Sinfonieorchester St. Gallen (Switzerland) conducted by Michael Balke, marking Marina Rebeka's fourth solo album.
She [Marina Rebeka] brings a formidable dramatic attack, reminiscent of Callas or R�gine Crespin, to Massenet's Salom� and Chim�ne (in Le Cid), and sensual lyricism to his Tha�s. �The Sunday Times, United Kingdom
...close your eyes and listen to Marina Rebeka's gorgeous voice, and you might just find yourself transported away from the confines of your home for an hour of scintillating French music. �Paris Update - France
No need to be in love with French opera to fall swoon before the impressive recital of Marina Rebeka, a soprano from Riga, whose talent never ceases to amaze us. A ductile voice with a timbre both pure and azure, a flawlessly accurate interpretation (the French is perfectly intelligible, which in itself is a feat): Marina Rebeka portrays each role with sovereign attention to words and fluctuations in meaning. - Le Monde
Few singers tackle Bizet's mezzoish Carmen and the high coloratura pyrotechnics of Le�la in his early opera The Pearl Fishers, but the Latvian singer is nothing if not versatile. She brings a formidable dramatic attack, reminiscent of Callas or R�gine Crespin, to Massenet's Salom� and Chim�ne (in Le Cid), and sensual lyricism to his Tha�s. �The Sunday Times
A wonderfully silky and clean sound recording flatters a voice of irresistible charm, as well as a very fin de si�cle interpretation, but without anything languid or evanescent. And then, what a high pitched piano on Ah ! je suis heureuse, one of the most miraculous of the discography! - Op�ra Magazine, France
This is an exceptional recital of sumptuous late 19th century French opera. �Music Web International, United Kingdom. Recommended Recording Distinction
In addition to clarity of timbre, flawless intonation and terrific flexibility, Rebeka's impressive assets include superbly produced pianissimos and mezza voce, which she invariably employs for apt expressive purposes. Opera News, USA. Critic's Choice Distinction
