Dame Gwyneth didn't get to perform Berlioz' music a lot; I don't know whether or not she ever sang this dramatic cantata again. She would've been a splendid Cassandre in Les Troyens. Berlioz apparently didn't think much of this piece, but I'm glad History thinks otherwise. It is a vivid, splendid work and Jones sings it with passion and skill. Her French is also excellent. Schippers and the orchestra provide first-rate accompaniment.Since the cantata only lasts 22 minutes or so the disc is filled up with some arias that prove again what an artist Jones was. Her school recital singing of Carmen's Habanera shows some of the mezzo colors that led her to begin her career as a mezzo. The other four arias are all from works she would return to many times in the next decade. I especially enjoyed her account of Senta's ballad with the difficult intervals precisely tuned and Aïda's treacherous "O patria mia", the ascent to the top C beautifully taken, the floated top A at the end yet another demonstration of Jones' skill as a singer.The sound on all selections is very good. Most of the filler arias are taken from complete recordings, all available from Opera Depot.

I was drawn to this CD because of my love for Berlioz. I had never heard "La mort de Cléopatre" before and was eager to hear this performance. However, I found the sound a bit dim and Jones' voice a bit harsh. I later looked "La mort" up on YouTube and found that there is a video of this very performance (because it was televised?) and, to my surprise, I found it more appealing. I am usually more than satisfied with an audio recording of a performance; I don't need to "see" opera and am perfectly happy with concert (instead of fully staged) performances. But I have to admit that Jones' voice sounded better when I could see her. However, I also found other performances of "La mort" on YouTube, including one with Jessye Norman that is ravishing. I would go with that.

This was quite a find -a favourite work performed by a favourite singer. I had no idea this was ever in her repertory, and I don't think I have ever heard her singing in French before. As Jeffrey says, the mezzo quality in her voice comes through very strongly here. She is in complete command of her voice and of the role. The sound quality is pretty good too. This goes into my collection of Gwyneth rarities, along with the studio recording of Luonnotar that she made with Antal Dorati conducting.

great to hear gwyneth jones in this early performance

“La Mort de Cleopatre” stands with Dido’s Lament and Isolde’s Liebestod in all of its aching beauty and enveloping splendor. Jones’ early days as a mezzo prove as asset, as she displays a richness that encompasses the low ranging tessitura. On high, she shines. Schippers is masterful; gone far too soon. Sound excellent.CD includes excerpts of young Jones: “Habanera” (1958; student recital in English! A+), Senta’s “Ballad” (1965; good), “Salce & Ave” (1966; Extraordinary! even in veiled recording), “Tu che le vanita” (1967; very good), “O patria mia” (1968; very good).