{"product_id":"airs-et-melodies-various-airs-et-melodies-various-music-cd-5425008319964","title":"Airs Et Melodies \/ Various - Airs Et Melodies \/ Various - Music CD","description":"Our \"Historiques\" collection is devoted to reissuing historic recordings linked to particular performers. This time the focus is on the mezzo-soprano Livine Mertens (Antwerp 1898 - Brussels 1968). 1923 saw her first appearance on the stage on which her whole career was to take place (until 1945): La Monnaie opera house. Her first appearance as Carmen on 1 August 1929 marked a red-letter day: her vocal and physical presence made her the uncontested mistress of this role, as crucial for her career as for her life; a Carmen of real stature, of an irresistible realism, a dramatic intensity such as we rarely encounter. The quality of her voice is here magnificently restored in a typical operatic repertoire from the early 20th century- Bizet, Gounod, Massenet, Ravel, Thomas and others, in recordings dating from 1930-32. Meticulous remastering work and the restoration of the correct pitches (the speed of 78 rpm was far from consistent) make it hard to believe that all this dates from almost a century ago. The booklet in four languages is lavishly presented and generously illustrated with rare documents.","brand":"AEC","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42313928179787,"sku":"MUWA1996.2","price":27.28,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/7223\/1499\/files\/3847041-2608111_54f64410-669c-4683-89af-1577048a13bb.jpg?v=1775755674","url":"https:\/\/rockbandmerch.com\/products\/airs-et-melodies-various-airs-et-melodies-various-music-cd-5425008319964","provider":"Rock Band Merch","version":"1.0","type":"link"}