Kathleen Battle " No word from Tom" from The Rake's Progress

[sunie4001]

There are a ton of mistakes here...I wonder what the circumstances were under which she made this recording. It's difficult music, but I'd expect a bit more accuracy from someone like her. Although, the more I hear about her, the more it seems her fame is all thanks to Levine.

Additionally, I think this rep is a bit heavy for her...you can barely hear her over this rather small orchestra. She's a very strong Mozart soubrette, and personally, I think she should have stuck to that kind of rep.

[AshleyTAdamsOnline]

Wonderful! Thank you. I'm disappointed that the 2nd verse of "Quietly" is missing.

[Gamma11]

I have waited for YEARS to hear this!!! What a shame she never recorded this commericialyy or performed the entire role. I can only imagine how "Gently, little boat" would have sounded. : (

[nectenorboi09]

Wow, this is freaking unbelievable - she sings the HELL out of it! Really shows how beautifully Battle's voice was developing into a true lyric soprano at the time of her dismissal from the Met. This just fits so much more perfectly into her voice than all of that lyric coloratura rep.

[kathleenbattlefan]

I agree.

[TheAleph74]

I agree... she was developing into a Juliette, a Manon (Masanet), maybe a Liu.... Unfortunately we will all have to just daydream about that :(

[pedrofribeiro]

@TheAleph74 I disagree. Her voice was getting bigger, indeed it was, but her higher register was getting stronger as well. Her high D's and E's were huge and in some concerts she even did high F's. I believe she was developing into Amina, Konstanze, Cunegonde, Aspasia, and maybe Giunia.

[BrentAudi]

@nectenorboi09 He voice was so young and fresh here.

I am sure she looks back on these day's and wished she would have toned down her prima donna attitude a little bit during this time.