Soprano Mary Garden ~ Il est doux, il est bon (1911)

[MrFalconford]

I believe she knew exactly what she was doing.

[inter215]

A fascinating singer. Perfectly at ease in this music including an excellent b flat. Some things about Mary Garden will always remain a mystery but her records prove her artistry and overall technique were as great as her reputation inferred.

[vstasov]

Absolutely beautiful! Thank you.

[joanabanyeres]

Interesting, we don't know about her voice ,she sang Melisande and we don't know really if she could with his dramatic aria. Musicality is perfect and the voice sounds with a big row register. She hits the high notes with ease. Strange about her singing is the fact she uses chest voice, French school always criticizes much the chest register, l say again interesting.

[Bivolari]

An utterly person and beautiful account of this aria. Too bad singers singers aren't encouraged to sing like this anymore.

[AulicExclusiva]

She knows exactly how to let longing spill into passion, without ever losing her singing line, floating the high notes beautifully, then contrasting her registers very effectively. An intense, perfectly controlled performance. This is an essential example of the Massenet style.

Thanks, DOUG, for yielding to my entreaties.

[meltzerboy]

I fully agree. Garden's vocal technique, for which she has not been given enough credit, matches and enhances her interpretive skill; she reveals herself as a complete artist. Thanks for sending this my way, AulicExclusiva, and thanks to Doug for posting.

[cantorandopera]

I, too, had heard that her technique was sub standard - obviously, those saying that didn't hear these recordings, so lovingly posted by our dear Doug.

[paulostroff99]

Wonderful as was all that she sung! TY Doug