Pops potpourri Eccentric recording of diva Joan Sutherland places her in settings probabi Dame Joan Sutherland: An Evening to Remember: WEA CD 9031-72815-2; joan Sutherland soprano, Australian Pops Orchestra, Ashton-Smith Singers, Douglas Gamley con- ductor and arranger HERE AIN’T nuthin’ like a dame. True enough, and if you happen to feel that same way you might well want this recording. ht features highlights from Dame joan Sutherland’s tarewell perfor- mance in July 1989 as suitably ex- ecuted in her home town of Melbourne, Australia, folowing several announcements of impen- ding retirement through the 1980s. To think of Sutherland hanging up her larynx after such an il- lustrious operatic career spanning four decades strikes a somewhat sad note for many opera fans — though we've all learned, via lat- ter-day Crosby and Sinatra con- certs, that a voice can’t jast forev- er. Fortunately, Sutherland hasn't deteriorated into the imbecility manifested by those festering pop stars. She delivers her charac- teristically strong soprano in ex- cellent fashion although by means of a highly incongruous repertoire. It is in this, the choice of seiec- tions, that any doubts about the recording come into focus. Definitively a period piece, the overall effect is more like having spent an hour on the set of My Fair Lady than an evening at the opera. Better known in the context of Lucia di Lammermoor, Aida or Lakme, here we have Sutherland singing what we might loosely ac- cept as a potpourri of pops taken from the soprano’s expressed coi- lection of persona! favorites. Conducter Richard Bonynge, in his tribute to Sutherland, expiains that she first learned these songs as a young gir! in Australia. So it would seem fitting this farewell concert be a salute to her sen- timental sensibilities. Unfortunately, however, the ef- . fect of heaving such a solidly op- -eratic soprano tackle this lightweight material is too easily construed as laughable when taken out of the concert hall con- text. We're all familiar with the lounge-singing steer who sells steak sauce on TV and we can appreciate the humor in both con- text and text. Likewise, as Sutherland trills her way through 1‘! Follow My Heart, At the Balalaika or Falling in Love With Love — making no effort to mitigate or moderate a singing style more suited to Lucy's “mad-scene” than an evening of popsamania — the result is likely \3 strike a similar funmybone for & Ross MacDonald CLASSICAL MUSIC similar reasons. Which is net, of course, to denigrate the great Dame. This recording will definitely appeal to those whose tastes run slightly this side of hard opera but not quite to Madonna. Sutherland has retained her consistency of tone but hasn’t managed to minimize that oft- annoying vibrato characteristic of so many aging opera stars. As a Dame of the British Empire, Commander of the Order of Arts y best forgotten 46 The overall effect is more like having spent an hour on the set of My Fair Lady. 99 dost during this recording cam- paign. The sound quality is good but suspiciously “live,” while the balance between orchestra sec- tions is in constant flux creating an Edwardian gazebo-band effect. And it is that specific idiosyncra- sy that is going to make or break "Free Crab’ Ba Ronak Bil ag- 7, Choose any 4 dishes on our LUNCH or DINNER menu and receive a FREE CRAB! RRP Peking Duck 36 HK MH = BK Reg, $29.95 this recording tn terms of popu- larity. I'm sure there are many out there who flock to the nearest gazebo at the slightest hint of a concert-in-the-park, but, equally, there are those who fling themselves as far as possible in the opposite direction. But even if you're a fan, trans- porting such an event into your living room is an entirely different matter. and Letters of the Republic of France and Cummander of the Order of Australia, this highly decorated artist soldiers forth into retirement in fine form and with boots on. Would that the same could be said for the Australian Pops O:- chestra and Gamley’s musical ar- rangements. Though both are highly ac- claimed in many circles, someone must have abandoned his or her bé A Ew’? JAPANESE RESTAURANT ZEN JAPANESE RESTAURANT Gorgeous Waterfront View — West Vancouver Plenty of free underground parking at rear Excellent Sushi Chef (20 years experience} Fresh, high quality and reasonable prices ROBATA / TERIYAKI SUSHI / SASHIMI / TEMPURA BUSINESS HOURS: Sun. 5-10:30pm, Tuee.Sat. 544pm CLOSED MONDAY : | eg eo) OFF OURO