ARIAS BY DONIZETTI, BELLINI, MOZART, VERDI, WEBER....

ARIAS BY DONIZETTI, BELLINI, MOZART, VERDI, WEBER. Edita Gruberova, soprano; Munich Radio Orchestra conducted by Kurt Eichhorn. Angel CDC 7 47434 2 (compact disc). The Czech soprano here proves she’s something more than a soubrette and something less than a full-fledged dramatic soprano. The problem is that, despite the admirable vocalism, Gruberova punches out all the material with the same unrestrained gusto, belting top notes and disclosing some fogginess in the midrange. The tragic grandeur of “Casta diva” and the melancholy of “Dove sono” defeat the soprano; she finds the line of “Der Freischuetz” more congenial to her skills. Eichhorn provides vigorous, all-purpose accompaniments.