The only authentic version!
The charming version of Bachiana Brasileria No. 5 and Brazilian folk songs are the reason to buy this recording. I interviewed Mme Sayao and she described recording the piece with Villa-Lobos--one take, just as the composer wanted it. Her light soprano brings a special quality to the arias, but the authenticity of the Brazilian side--the first side of the original record--is what makes this truly unique.

mesmerising
I first heard her voice on a Met compilation and became intrigued enough to buy this CD.
I love her voice...its so simple, unfussy and pure and yet so very unique. you know its her from the first few notes on.
I love her Manon, probably more so than Sills or Fleming. Her voice reminds me of De Los Angeles, but is different.
I'm glad I was introduced to this great, stylish and classy singer.

great stuff
I'm not even close to an afficianado when it comes to opera. But I'm a musician, and I'd like to think I know good music when I hear it.

This is extremely good music!

I've only recently become aquainted with Bidu Sayao. I have to say that all the accolades I've read from the experts are obviously well deserved. There is a character of this singer that shines through time right to us. The recordings themselves are warm and pleasant, considering they were transfered from mono shellac sides from a bigone era.

There's something special about vintage recordings like this that it seems can never really be replicated in our time. They have an ethereal quality that seems to emanate from the soul of the age from whence they came. We are truly enriched when such musical treasures are this nicely restored and made available to us.

Brazilian's Soprano
Excellent, amazing, recommend.

(excelente para conhecermos melhor uma das mais importantes e conhecidas sopramos de todo o mundo)

The most charming voice you will ever hear!
Bidu Sayão is considered the best Brazilian soprano ever and certainly one of the most taltented singers of the 20th century. Do you want to know why? This disc contains some important selections of Sayão's wonderful artistry. It includes arias and songs from French repertoire, in which Sayão is even in our days considered the most perfect example of French singing and style, some lovely Brazilian folksongs and her legendary recording of the Cantilena of Bachianas Brasileiras no. 5. It's a very good selection for every listener, since it shows Sayão's perfect vocal technique and sincere and moving interpretation. We have a joyful "Je veux vivre" as well as a heartbreaking "Adieu, notre petite table". Ah, but the true show here is her Bachianas Brasileiras. I'm absolutely sure you will never hear a better interpretation of this song! Sayão could sing from the most lyric parts and the most wonderful pianissimi to the most incredible coloraturas with no difficulty. Actually, she had exactly what I would call "perfect vocal technique", since it never, I mean, never fails. Her voice was small, but so carefully trained that it amazes me more than many big voices I heard. It's always pure, sweet and charming.

Dont' miss this singer who was maybe the best lyric soprano of the first half of the 20th century. If you are interested in listening to good music sung by a legendary voice, you really need to buy it!