Soprano (Aria Recital)

"For pure singing she is full-fledged already. Indeed it is a remarkable voice and I am already longing to hear more from her – why not a complete opera?"
(Recording of the Month MusicWeb April 2007)

"An impressive debut recital by this young American prize-winner. It will be fascinating to hear in which direction this undoubtedly major voice develops. The reigning Cardiff Singer of the World's debut recital is a hotch-potch of styles, from French to Italian. She brings a sense of artistry to each. But fascinatingly the soprano itself seems in two minds – warm and Strauss-like in the centre, suddenly bright and Verdian at the top."
(Gramophone Editor's Choice May 2007)

'Liquid gold; the real thing' The Times, London

Stunning Winner of the 'BBC Cardiff Singer Of The World' Competition

'Faultlessly gleaming...Whatever this soprano choses to sing her voice makes wonderful music with it' The Financial Times, London

28 year old American soprano Nicole Cabell came to the attention of the opera world overnight when, in June 2005, she won what has become the most important competition for young opera singers and was crowned BBC Cardiff Singer Of The World. The competition jury included legendary singers Dame Joan Sutherland and Marilyn Horne and the win placed Nicole Cabell in a distinguished line of Cardiff prize-winners that includes Karita Mattila, Dmitri Hvorostovsky and Bryn Terfel.

'Nicole's voice is luscious and round with terrific ring in the top register...It's a voice that wraps itself around you...I personally look forward to hearing that special sound many, many times.'
Marilyn Horne, legendary American mezzo-soprano

Nicole Cabell's debut album with the London Philharmonic Orchestra includes arias and songs in Italian, French and English; operatic favourites as well as less well-known music (such as the arias by Menotti and Tippet) which she made her own in the BBC competition.

The flirtatious Musetta in Puccini's La Bohème has become a 'calling card' role and her much loved 'Walz Song' 'Quando me'n vo' was a natural choice to start the album. In April 2007 Nicole Cabell will sing the role alongside Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon in concert performances in Munich (which will be recorded for CD release by Deutsche Grammophon). Puccini is also represented on her debut album by the sublime 'O mio babbino caro' from Gianni Schicchi and Doretta's heavenly aria of young love from La Rondine 'Chi bel sogno...'.

Nicole's thrilling performance of the coloratura showpiece aria from Berlioz' Benvenuto Cellini was one of the highlights of the Cardiff competition and it's included on the album along with other French favourites from Gounod's Roméo et Juliette, Charpentier's Louise and Delibes' French vision of Spain in his popular song 'Les Filles de Cadix'.

The bel canto operas of Donizetti and Bellini reveal another facet of this hugely gifted young singer - an ability to sculpt lines of aching lyrical beauty. The album includes the capricious aria from Donizetti's Don Pasquale as well as Bellini's ravishing entrance aria for the heroine of his 'Romeo & Juliet' opera I Capuletti e I Montecchi.

Nicole Cabell regards singing in English as an important aspect of her artistic identity so the album includes her gorgeous performance of Gershwin's 'Summertime' from Porgy & Bess (which she also sings on the recent Decca complete recording) as well as the rapturous aria from Gian Carlo Menotti's The Old Maid & The Thief and the deep humanity of the selection from Sir Michael Tippett's oratorio A Child Of Our Time.

Since her competition victory Nicole Cabell has made a successful debut at the BBC Proms, followed by 'auspicious' (The Times) debut for London's Royal Opera, Covent Garden. High profile engagements are now coming from the world's leading opera houses, making it clear that the overnight success in Cardiff was built on solid talent which promises to take Nicole Cabell to the top of the operatic world - on stage and on record.