The Dutch soprano Gre Brouwenstijn has long been held in the highest esteem within her own country, and within a circle of vocal connoisseurs, for the fearless vibrancy of her approach to the great hochdramatisch soprano roles, without ever compromising the standards and ideals of vocal beauty: hers is a voice of great strength and flexibility, fully able to meet the challenge of projecting both the scale and drama of Wagner’s heroines while also inhabiting their more intimate confessions.
Brouwenstijn made precious few recordings – most of what is left to us now derives from private tapes or radio archives of live performances – but this compilation of two studio sessions (from 1954 and 1956) catches her in her vocal prime. The big numbers from Wagner’s early dramas (Tannhauser, Lohengrin, Der fliegende Hollander) are included, as well as Wagner’s own leaping-off points in Beethoven (‘Ah, perfido!’) and Weber (Der Freischutz). To finish, there’s a selection of mature Verdi, including ‘Tu che la vanita’ (Don Carlo) and ‘Pace, pace, mio Dio!’ (La forza del destino). This is an unmissable release for anyone in love with the art of the soprano voice. Includes appreciation of Brouwenstijn by the writer and opera director Mike Ashman.

“Vibrant in 'Dich teure Halle', with a quick flicker in the voice, she presents an imaginative, inward 'Allmacht'ge Jungfrau'...She is also sensitive in the first part of 'Einsam in truben Tagen'...and then nicely introduces a fuller tone as the aria proceeds. She injects passion into the two arias from La Forza del destino.” International Record Review