Renee Fleming - The Beautiful Voice

I seem to spend most of my time listening to music without voice accompaniment. Mainly classical and jazz. I'm getting old? Anyway...

I have noticed that, with time, this tendency sometimes causes me to find sung lyrics to be an unwelcome distraction, and unless well crafted, a downright pain in the ass.

I am not trying to create controversy, nor come across as arrogant here.

Don't get me wrong, I love to listen to 60's and 70's rock, blues. etc., but not as often as I once did. Not even close.

So today was one of those days when I wanted to hear voice, and I went and found "The Beautiful Voice" with Renee Fleming and the ECO under Tate.

I had spent the day preparing taxes...so...

I hit play and fell into a state of bliss, her voice washing over me, undoing the knots in my shoulder blades (taxes, no doubt), and taking me into her world to sooth me.

I don't understand even one word she is singing. Not one. And it doesn't matter. Just listening to that voice soar, then modulate, only to soar again, does things to my senses that makes even the best written lyrics fall far, far short. Am I alone here?

I have a meagre cd collection of mainly female Arias.

Can you give me some recommendations for recordings of female Arias, that you find to be special? 

I also like Montserrat Caballe' and Kiri Te Kanawa.

Best,

BB