FOR THE RECORD: "Barbara Cook at The Met"
Playbill.com
June 9, 2006
By Andrew Gans
On Jan. 20 Barbara Cook once again made history. That evening the Tony Award-winning singer-actress became the first female non-classical singer to perform a solo concert at the Metropolitan Opera. That sold-out performance, which was recorded live, has just been released on CD by DRG Records.

At 78 Cook's voice remains in astoundingly fine form, her lovely soprano a perfect fit for some of the greatest musical theatre tunes. Although Cook has previously recorded most of the disc's 22 tracks, "Barbara Cook at The Met" is a recording Cook fans will want to add to their library because her interpretations only continue to grow in dramatic depth. Just listen to the emotion that fills "In Buddy's Eyes," the Stephen Sondheim tune Cook first performed two decades earlier in a star-studded version of Follies. Cook also scores with several other Sondheim songs: wonderful pairings of "Another Hundred People and "So Many People" and "Not a Day Goes By" and "Losing My Mind." Other highlights include a triumphant version of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "A Wonderful Guy" and two newer works: John Bucchino's haunting "Sweet Dreams" and the touching Amanda McBroom ballad "Errol Flynn." Cook also has some fun with "Them There Eyes," swings with "Nashville Nightingale" and moves the listener with South Pacific's "This Nearly Was Mine."

The new CD, which boasts several photos from the Met concert as well as a note from the singer herself, also features tracks from Cook's two guest artists that evening, four-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald and the young, world-renowned singer Josh Groban. McDonald soars on Bock and Harnick's "When Did I Fall in Love?" and then joins Cook for a thrilling duet of "Blue Skies." Groban lends his lush baritone to Sondheim's "Not While I'm Around" and also has the chance to duet with Cook on the Sunday in the Park with George anthem "Move On."

Cook’s simple, direct delivery of her encore, an unamplified "We'll Be Together Again," is completely touching.


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