A great voice of Romanian opera in rare archival recordings

With her velvety tone, extraordinary vocal range, and compelling dramatic presence, Zenaida Palla (1919-1997) became one of the most distinguished Romanian mezzo-sopranos of her generation. Supraphon is now bringing her rare archival recordings together in a single album for the first time, presenting the singer in roles that showcase her vocal and dramatic artistry to the fullest. The album's repertoire ranges from the noble serenity of Handel's Xerxes and the sorrow of Gluck's Orfeo through French operatic roles - Thomas's Mignon, Massenet's Charlotte, Saint-Saens's Dalila, and Bizet's Carmen - to her electrifying Verdian portrayals of Azucena and Amneris. The highlight of the album is the extensive trial scene from Act IV of Aida, in which Zenaida Pally fully unleashes her dramatic temperament and expressive intensity. Her partner as Radames is the Romanian tenor Garbis Zobian (1915-2002). The recordings were made between 1953 and 1958 in Prague and Bucharest. Zenaida Pally is accompanied on these recordings by leading Czech and Romanian orchestras conducted by Vaclav Kaslik, Jaroslav Vogel, and Edgar Cosma. The new digital remastering brings out the unique colour of Pally's voice, the richness of her expression, and the dramatic power of these rare recordings.