Kismet (1991 Studio Cast)

Listening to this high-powered 1991 studio recording may forever spoil your enjoyment of the mostly tepid voices in the 1955 movie version of Kismet. Producer Thomas Shepard and music director Paul Gemignani enlisted some of opera's best voices to record this quite operatic musical, called "a musical Arabian night" and based on the themes of 19th-century Russian composer Alexander Borodin. Samuel Ramey is a bit turgid as the Poet. Luckily, Julia Migenes as Lalume is sensational and Jerry Hadley as the Caliph and Ruth Ann Swenson as Marsinah are simply glorious. Less successful are a hysterical Mandy Patinkin (in only one number) and a braying Dom Deluise (in a vocally undemanding role as the Wazir). Thankfully, the singers are at their best in the most challenging numbers, which include some all-time favorites: "Stranger in Paradise," "Not Since Nineveh," "Baubles, Bangles, and Beads," "And This Is My Beloved," and "Night of My Nights." This CD clocks in at a generous 68 minutes, but you'll probably find yourself listening to the "hits" over and over. The same cast also recorded Man of La Mancha with Placido Domingo. Full lyrics are included. --David Horiuchi