The Vocal Masterworks series: Solo recital albums from the rich Sony Classical past

60527 - Available on CD

Sony Classical is proud to present the first four titles in the new Vocal Masterworks series. This mid-price line features critically acclaimed recordings from vocal powerhouses and opera stars from the rich Sony Classical past. Remastered from original sources for optimal sound quality, the series includes contemporary stylish cover design featuring photos of the artist at the time the recording was made, and song and aria texts in the original language with English translations. Many selections are making their first compact disc release!

In the late 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, CBS Masterworks recorded solo recital albums with a number of opera stars, many at the height of their careers, that are both important recorded documents and regularly requested for reissue. Fans of Frederica von Stade will be thrilled with this recording of favorite opera arias of Berlioz, Massenet, and more from the celebrated mezzo-soprano.

"This very early recording was a big step for my career. I wanted to get acquainted with a wide range of French opera, so my manager and the great conductor Sir John Pritchard came up with the idea for recording this program. It provided important discoveries for me and got my feet wet in a pool that I've been happily swimming in ever since."

--Frederica von Stade (from the CD booklet notes)