The repertoire choices here cover material that may already be familiar to fans of Charlotte Church (i.e., Delibes "Flower Duet") and other crossover acts, but they do include some pleasant surprises, like Offenbach's Barcarolle from The Tales of Hoffmann and "You Live On in My Heart," a reworking of Ennio Morricone's enchanting Cinema Paradiso theme with lyrics by Knight. But in a rush toward the musical middle of the road, it's the productions themselves that sometimes overwhelm the Babes with bathos ("Ave Maria"), hollow thunder ("Aida 2002"), and electro club kitsch (the 'Vibe Tribe' mix of "Flower Duet"). Former Art of Noise mainstay Anne Dudley's tastefully restrained coloring of Tchaikovsky's "1001 Nights" is one of the notable exceptions. They're babes, they sing opera--with fair promise--for the masses, and if they turn one in a hundred from football hooliganism to a well-mannered appreciation of Grieg and Dvorak, won't it all have been worth it? --Jerry McCulley

I just wish they would live up to it more...

I fear I'm repeating myself here but I agree with a lot of the other reviewers and think there's way too much orchestration on this CD, which drowns out the lovely singing. I don't, however, agree with those who say there's too much electronic rhythms present. I am completely enamored by their angelic voices (them being soprano Rebecca Knight and mezzo soprano Karen England) but they haven't yet honed the power to seduce the listener with nothing but their natural singing gifts. Compared to a lot of techno inspired artists such as Opera Trance and Sasha Lazard, the modern beats are minimal and are only used to give them a hipper, edgier sound to direct themselves at many audiences.

For me the best tracks are the ones with subtle pop textures, such as "One Fine Day", where the babes soar the highest on their exhilerating World Cup theme for 2002, "There's A Place" from The New World Symphony, "Beyond Imagination" from A Midsummer Nights Dream, and the gorgeous ballad "Remember Me". But depending on your taste in music, opinions are bound to differ.


Eloquently Enchanting   January 21, 2003
 19 out of 21 found this review helpful

How can something this eloquently beautiful still be brimming over with pure fun? Please know that I am NOT a musician or schooled in music, but I do know what I like - and am absolutely ENCHANTED. 17 tracks - all LOVELY - include Vittoria from Aida, Stranger in Paradise, Ave Maria and Ode II Joy and the Flower Duet. Cheers to the Opera Babes and their angelic voices and their non-traditional take on this breaktaking music.


Fresh, Solid & Intelligent   August 8, 2003
 18 out of 18 found this review helpful

Mezzo Karen England and Soprano Rebecca Knight's debut, supported by perceptive and idiomatic accompaniment, is a solid and impressive recording. The instrumentalists play with great boldness and precision and present the classic works as vibrant music to be taken seriously, not just period pieces.

These compositions pose a range of challenges to the singers. England and Knight respond to the arrangements' disarming freshness and originality with a ready and penetrating intelligence. While they muster ample virtuosic agility of lyric warmth as required, it is their dramatic sense that is most compelling. Knight flings herself passionately into the emotional torrents of "Chanson Boheme," while she delivers her own lyrics in the charming "Ode II Joy" from Beethoven's Symphony No. 9 with a confident fervor. England sings with pure, attractive tone; her voice has maturity, depth and flexibility, and her diction is impeccable.

All of these songs are of interest in giving us another aspect of each composer's work. Many are achingly lovely -- Catalani's "Ebben?..." and the stirring Cohen/Lew arrangement of "Un bel di," are worth the price of this CD alone. This recital provides abundant evidence that opera (and its babes) has much to offer modern audiences. David R. Bannon, Ph.D.; author "Race Against Evil."


Beyond Imagination is Beyond Words   January 19, 2003
 13 out of 13 found this review helpful

WOW!!! These Babes have produced one absolutely gorgeous album. There won't be superlatives enough to justify an adequate description. If you love opera and pop music you won't be disappointed!
The Opera Babes are Karen England (mezzo soprano) and Rebecca Knight (soprano). Together their voices produce one exquisite sound. They have taken several great classics and combined them with pop music for a sound you won't soon forget. Ms. Knight also provided the beautiful lyrics for 'There's a Place', based on Dvorak's 9th symphony, and 'Ode II Joy', based on you know who. I'm confident that both Dvorak and Beethoven would approve. I also must note that the arrangements are equally as gorgeous. THIS IS ONE AMAZING RECORDING!! And at the new artist debut price, this disc is a steal!


The Best Classical Crossover CD...   July 23, 2005
 9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Not typically a fan of classical/crossover music (why listen to charlotte church when you can hear Renee Fleming?), I took a giant leap in buying this CD. I wasn't disappointed one bit! Opera Babes is a powerful CD that will add drama to any day. I especially appreciate the mezzo soprano voice - finally an opera CD I can sing along to! I always take it with me to vocal competitions; somehow this music instills peace and confidence. And although my voice instructor doesn't approve of the arrangements, even she must agree that the vocals have quality. Buy this CD and keep an open mind - you won't be disappointed!