Top 10 Vocal Selections from 2015 Montreal International Music Competition

I had the privilege to take part in the 2015 Montreal International Music Competition as a phantom jury for the CBC. Being as this year was the vocal competition, I was immediately taken back to my days as a choir signer and operatic performer.

We have touched upon the voice before (article link), but this post is mainly about interpretation and sheer beauty of composition; which, in a competition, go hand-in-hand. I was touched on many occasion by the beauty of the interpretation from the competitors, yet their program selection proved to be the key aspect to a successful run. Here are my top ten songs that I (re)discovered throughout the competition as well as the best vinyl version for your home listening pleasure.

Audio Clips Below

Dvorak- “Mesicku na nebi hlubokem” – Rusalka

J.S Bach “Aus liebe will mein Heiland sterben” – Matthaus Passion

Rachmaninov – Ne Poy Krasavitsa, pri mne

Verdi “Ela mi fu rapite …Parmi veder le lagrime” – Rigoletto

Schubert -“Wer nie sein Brot mit Tränen”

Verdi ” Per me giunto…O Carlo, ascolta” – Don Carlo

Mahler “Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen” – Ruckert Lieder

Rossini- “Principe piu non sei..si, tirovarla lo giuro” – La Cenrentola

Donizetti ” Il dolce suono..Spargi d’amaro pianto” – Lucia di Lammermoor

Gounod – “Je veux vivre dans ce reve” – Romeo & Juliette

Audio Clips