Marcelo Alvarez - Tenorissimo

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His voice is one of the finest in the opera world, his fans rave about one voice, "which is addictive." This is quite a surprising due to the fact that Marcelo started opera vocal training at the age of 30 due to the persistence of his wife who forced him to start taking lessons. the story goes that his teacher told him that within 5 years of her training him he will be singing around the world in some of the biggest opera houses. Her premonition came true and to this day Alvarez is in high demand to sing in the major opera houses around the world in different roles. "Marcelo Álvarez - tenorissimo!" presents the Argentine tenor in the whole range of his abilities. with famous arias from French and Italian operas, and songs with beautiful melodies and tango with "Una furtiva lagrima" (L'elisir d'amore), "Che gelida manina" (La Bohème) "Pourquoi me reveille" (Werther), "E lucevan le imagine" (Tosca), "Tomo y obligo" by Gardel and others. This is a recording for any tenor fans out there who are looking for a new interpretation of some very popular tenor arias.

Tracklist

1. Donizetti: Una Furtiva Lagrima (L'elisir D'amore)
2. Donizetti: Ah, Mes Amis... Pour Mon Âme (La Fille Du Régiment)
3. Puccini: Che Gelida Manina (La Bohème)
4. Donizetti: Inosservato Penetrava... (Il Duca D'alba)
5. Massenet: Pourquoi Me Réveiller? (Werther)
6. Donizetti: La Maîtresse Du Roi?... Ange Si Pur (La Favorite)
7. Meyerbeer: Ah! Quel Spectacle... (Les Huguenots)
8. Puccini: E Lucevan Le Stelle (Tosca)
9. Ponchielli: Cielo E Mar (La Gioconda)
10. Von Flotow: M'appari Tutt'amor (Martha)
11. Cilea: Lamento Di Federico (L'arlesiana)
12. Puccini: Addio, Fiorito Asil (Madame Butterfly)
13. Giordano: Come Un Bel Dì Di Maggio (Andrea Chénier)
14. Puccini: Donna Non Vidi Mai (Manon Lescaut)
15. Massenet: N'est-Ce Plus Ma Main Que Cette Main Presse? (Manon) With Renée Fleming
16. Gardel: Tomo Y Obligo
17. Sartori: Oltre La Tempesta With Salvatore Licitra

Vittorio Grigolo - Arrivederci

The latest recording from Vittorio Grigolo showcases his ability beyond the opera stage. This recording showcases the other side to any Italian tenor and this is the Neapolitan repoitre. Grigolo has the chaismatic personality to sing this popular repoitre and the musicality to pull out all the 'schmutz' that is embedded in Neapolitan songs. The recording showcases Grigolo's ability to cross over to a larger audience as Pavarotti did before him. The voice has the subtlty and ease to it that would appeal to those who are not so interested in the opera scene. however in saying that, this recording still has opera arias for those die hard opera fans. The arias chosen by grigolo are once again typical of a Italian tenor. But once again it is an absoloute pleasure to listen to Grigolo's heartfel interpretation. A must listen is the first track of this recording, the famous and popular Caruso. the arrangement is absolutley beautiful and suits Grigolo to a tee. He extrapulates as much passion and emotion that is possible from this beautiful song that has been popularised by Pavarotti and Bocelli. If you are looking for an alternative to heavy opera and looking for a relaxing afternoon i reccomend this recording. Enjoy


Disc 1:
1.Inosservato. penetrava.Angelo casto e bel - Gaetano Donizetti
2.La donna mobile - Giuseppe Verdi
3.Un aura amorosa - Wolfgang A. Mozart
4.Libiamo ne'lieti calici - Giuseppe Verdi
5.Recondita Armonia - Giacomo Puccini
6.M'appari - Friedrich von Flotow
7.Lamento di Federico - Francesco Cilea
8.Amor ti vieta - Umberto Giordano
9.La Danza - Gioacchino Rossini
10.Torna a Surriento - Ernesto de Curtis
11.Mattinata - Ruggero Leoncavallo
12.Ti voglio tanto bene - Ernesto de Curtis
13.O surdato 'nnamurato - Enrico Cannio
14.Non ti scordar di me - Ernesto de Curtis
15.O paese d'o sole - Vincenzo D'Annibale
16.Chitarra romana - Eldo di Lazzarro
17Core n'grato - Salvatore Cardillo
18.Voglio vivere cosi - Giovanni d'Anzi
19.Arrivederci Roma - Renato Rascel
20.Caruso - Lucio Dalla

This recital showcases from Juan Diego Florez  at the top of his game. I would even go as far as to say that this is probably the finest recording that Florez has put out since he started recording recitals for the Decca label. Florez's voice has matured somewhat and his famous high notes sound even easier than in previous recording such as Arias for Rubini. On this CD one can expect to hear the usual foreworks that Juand Diego is able to pull off eith charm and perfect control. There are only a handful of tenors today that are able to tackle the repoitre that Florex has become an expert in with ease and control that is exhibited here. This recital is not only a CD of arias but also duets. Some of the stars of the opera world can be heard on this album. These include Anna  Netrebko,Mariusz KwiecienPatrizia Ciofi and Placido Domingo. For me the duet that stands out has to be the duet with Placido Domingo. This recital includes the aria from la fille du regiment, Ah mes amis (on this CD it is sung in Italian and is listed as Amici Miei), which made Juan Diego Florez world famous when he was applauded at the Met to the point of an Encore that hasn't happened for decades. This is a CD for any bel canto fans and is truly spectacular.

Tracklist

1. Cavatina: Amici Miei
2. Fini...Me Lassa!...Vieni, Fra Queste Braccia!
3. La Maitresse Du Roi...Ange Si Pur
4. Venti Scudi
5. Una Furtiva Lagrima
6. Linda! Linda!...Da Quel Dì Che T'incontrai
7. Linda Si Ritiro
8. Di Che Son Reo?...Alma Celeste
9. Partir Deggio...T'amo Qual S'ama Un Angelo
10. Ah Vieni, Nel Tuo Sangue

La boheme - Netrebko and Villazon

La boheme is one of the most loved works in opera. The story of a two star gazed lovers combined with some of the most beautiful music and melodies that one can hear, makes for a truely unforgettable experience.  This work has been recorded by so many great artists over the decades. These include the very popular recording with Pavarotti and Freni in the title roles and who can surpass the classic recording with Bjorling and De los angeles, just to name a few. It is for that reason that if one was to ask whether another recording would be necessary, one would respond simply ‘No’.  However after hearing this recording one can see why this recording was made. The title roles of Mimi and Rodolfo are played by two stars in the opera world today, namely Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon. It is also interesting to note that this recording was done from a live performance. These two artists are at their prime at the time of this recording. They inject the much needed youthfulness and joy that is needed for much of this opera. They primarily achieve this through the phrasing and dynamics. One is also able to hear and feel the heartbreak that is needed in the last act of the opera when tragedy befalls these two lovers. Netrebko and Villazon are supported by very capable cast of singers.  All in all if an opera fan is looking for a new edition to their La boheme collection, this one would have to be the pick.


Tracklist

Disc 1

1. "Questo Mar Rosso"
2. Pensier Profondo"
3. "Legna!"
4. "Si Può"
5. "Io Resto"
6. "Chi È Là?"
7. "Si Sente Meglio?"
8. "Che Gelida Manina"
9. "Sì. Mi Chiamano Mimì"
10. "Ehi! Rodolfo!"
11. "O Soave Fanciulla"
12. "Arranci, Datteri!"
13. Chi Guardi?
14. "Viva Parpignol"
15. Ch'io Beva Del Tossico!
16. "Quando M'en Vo"
17. "Chi L'ha Richiesto?...Caro! - Fuori Il Danaro!"

Disc 2

1. "Ohè, Là, Le Guardie!" - "Aprite!"
2. "Sa Dirmi, Scusi"
3. "Mimi!" - "Speravo Di Trovarvi Qui"
4. "Marcello. Finalmente!"
5. "Mimì È Una Civetta"
6. "Mimì È Tanto Malata!"
7. "Donde Lieta Uscì"
8. "Dunque È Propio Finita!"
9. "In Un Coupé?"
10. O Mimì, Tu Più Non Torni
11. Che Ora Sia?
12. "Gavotta"
13. "C'è Mimì..."
14. "Vecchia Zimarra, Senti"
15. "Sono Andati"
16. "Che Avvien?"
17. "Che Ha Detto Il Medico?"

Piotr Beczala - Salut

The Opera world is forever looking out for the next, potentially great tenor that would follow in the steps of Pavarotti, Domingo, Carreras and those that have gone before them. This decade has seen the appearance of some already formidable ang great tenors such as Kaufmann, Villazon, Vargas, Florez, Grigolo and Calleja, and now there is one more to add to the list. Piotr Beczala is a tenor with a distinguishable tone and sings with ease which makes him a delight to listen to. In his debut recording, Salut, Beczazla has chosen a combination of French and Italian arias. These include a selection of well known tenor arias that would be expected to be found on almost all debut albums by tenors such as Una furtive Lagrima by donezetti and Che gelida manina from La boheme by Puccini. The recording also includes some lesser known arias such as Apri la tua from Mascagni’s Iris. Beczala’s voice has a full sound in his mid to lower register and has the ping that is so desired for tenors in his upper register that is somewhat reminiscent of Pavarotti. This is a very impressive debut recording from one of the most promising tenors in the opera world today.

Tracklist

1. Lucia di Lammermoor, opera: Act 3. Tombe degli avi miei – Fra poco a me ricovero

2. Roméo et Juliette, opera: Act 2. L’amour! – Ah! lève-toi, soleil!

3. Jérusalem, opera: Act 2. L’Emir auprés de lui m’appelle – Je veux encore entendre

4. Un ballo in maschera, opera: Act 1. Or tu, Sibilla, che tutto – Di’ tu se fedele

5. Maître Pathelin, opera: Je pense à vous

6. Les Dragons de Villars, opera in 3 acts: Act 1. Me parle pas, Rose, je t’en supplie

7. Faust, opera: Act 3. Quel trouble inconnu – Salut! demeure chaste et pure

8. L’elisir d’amore, opera: Act 2. Una furtiva lagrima

9. Werther, lyric drama in 4 acts: Act 2. Un autre est son époux!

10. Werther, lyric drama in 4 acts: Act 3. Traduire! – Pourquoi me réveiller

11. Iris, opera (melodramma) in 3 acts: Act 1. Apri la tua finestra!

12. La bohème, opera: Act 2. Non parlate così – lo non ho che une povera stanzetta

13. La bohème, opera: Bild 1. Che gelida manina!

14. Manon, opera in 5 acts: Act 3. Je suis seul! – Ah! fuyez, douce image

15. Les contes d’Hoffmann, opera in 4 acts: Act 4. O Dieu! de quelle ivresse embarases-tu mon âme?

16. Rigoletto, opera: Act 3. La donna è mobile

Bryn Terfel - Bad Boys

Bryn Terfel shot to opera fame after his duelling competition with Dmitri Hvorostovsky in the Cardiff world Singer Competition, and he hasn't looked back since. On the announcement that Terfel was going to undertake this project, i was intrigued to see how he would tackle the arias and songs that he has not sung on stage previously. Of course Bryn Terfel being Bryn Terefl can do no wrong. Terfel has this ability to handle anything that is thrown at him whether it be difficult opera arias or a musical song. it's Terfel's dynamic voice and unquestionable musicality which allows him to accomplish this. On this recording we see Terfel undertaking arias from the 'bad boys' of opera and musicals alike. such bad boys include Scarpia from Puccini's Tosca and even Sweeney Todd. Many of the arias found on this recording will probably not be repeated by Terfel in the opera house and should therefore be taken advantage of in this recording. As always Terfel's diction is impecable. However, if one was to compare the voice on this recording to that of his earlier recordings one can hear that the voice is not as subtle and round but still very impressive. This is a definite needed addition to the Terfel collection.

Tracklist

1. Mefistofele - Boïto: Mefistofele "Sono Lo Spirito Che Nega"
2. Scarpia - Puccini: Tosca 'Tre Sbirri, Una Carrozza'
3. Dulcamara - Donizetti: L'elisir D'amore "Udite, Udite, O Rustici"
4. Jago - Verdi: Otello "Vanne - Credo In Un Dio Crudel"
5. Kaspar - Weber: Der Freischütz "Schweig, Schweig, Damit Dich Niemand Warnt"
6. Sporting Life - Gershwin: Porgy And Bess 'It Ain't Necessarily So'
7. Mackie Messer - Weill: Die Dreigroschenoper 'Die Moritat Von Mackie Messer'
8. Sweeney Todd - Sondheim: 'Epiphany'
9. Roderic - Sullivan: Ruddigore 'When The Night Wind Howls'
10. Javert - Schönberg: Les Miserables 'Stars'
11. Barnaba - Ponchielli: La Gioconda 'O Monumento'
12. Don Basilio - Rossini: Il Barbiere Di Siviglia "La Calunnia È Un Venticello"
13. Pizzaro - Beethoven: Fidelio "Ha! Welch Ein Augenblick!"
14. Méphistophélès - Gounod: Faust "Le Veau D'or Est Toujours Debout"
15. Il Commendatore, Don Giovanni, Leporello - Mozart: Don Giovanni "Don Giovanni, A Cenar Teco M'invitasti

Jonas Kaufmann - Verismo Arias

From the moment that I heard the first recording of Jonas Kaufmann i knew that this tenor would be one of the greats of his generations and be counted amongst the best tenors that have gone before him. His warm and dark tonal qualities matched with his ability and ease in which he tackles the tough tesatura and high notes that is required of his choice of repertoire, makes him a stand out in the field. in This third recording from Kaufmann, we see him return to the Italian and French repertoire that is synonamous with Verismo opera. Verismo (meaning realism) is a style that requires pure emotion from the performer and Kaufmann definatley delivers. The listener is drawn in by his musical and textual understanding of these demanding arias. the listener can expect to hear traditional verismo araias such as "Amor ti vieta", "Cileo e mar" and "Mamma quel vino e generoso". A noticeable and stand out aria that is found on this recording is Pagilacci's "Vesti la giubba" which is linked to all the great tenors from Caruso, Corelli and Bjorling and does it complete justice. This is a definate buy for any fans of Kaufmann and any fans of opera in general.

Track List:

1.	Riccardo Zandonai (1883-1944): Giulietta e Romeo - "Giulietta! Son io!" (Romeo)
2.	Umberto Chénier: Andrea Chénier - "Un dì all’azzurro spazio" (Andrea)
3.	"Come un bel dì di maggio" (Andrea)
4.	Francesco Cilea (1866-1950): L’arlesiana - "è la solita storia" (Federico)
5.	Ruggero Leoncavallo (1857-1919): La Bohème - "Testa adorata" (Marcello)
6.	Pagliacci - "Vesti la giubba" (Canio)
7.	Pietro Mascagni: Cavalleria rusticana - "Viva il vino spumeggiante" (Turiddu, Lola)
8.	"Mamma, quel vino è generoso (Turiddu, Lucia)
9.	Arrigo Boito (1842-1918): Mefistofele - "Dai campi, dai prati" (Faust)
10.	"Giunto sul passo estremo" (Faust)
11.	Umberto Giordano (1867-1948): Fedora - "Amor ti vieta" (Loris)
12.	Francesco Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur - "L’anima ho stanca" (Maurizio)
13.	"La dolcissima effigie" (Maurizio)
14.	I Lituani - "Sì. . . questa estrema grazia" (Corrado)
15.	Amilcare Ponchielli (1834-1886): La Gioconda - "Cielo e mar" (Enzo)
16.	Licinio Refice (1883-1954): "Ombra di nube"
17.	"Vicino a te s’acqueta" (Andrea, Maddalena)

Vittorio Grigolo - The Italian Tenor

Vittorrio Grigolo is indeed an Italian tenor. With a charisma that is reminiscent of the most famous Italian tenors, Grigolo makes an impressive début recital recording that is getting a lot of attention. This of course is recognition that is much deserved. This recording showcases Vittorio's fluid and beautiful lyric tenor voice in a variety of arias. Both from those that are more well known to those that are less widely recognised. Grigolo purposely waited to record his first operatic solo album until he had something unique to communicate in the repertoire and has chosen arias representing the culture he come from.THE ITALIAN TENOR presents music from three giants of the lyric stage Gaetano Donizetti, Giuseppe Verdi and Giacomo Puccini and combines famous arias with lesser-known discoveries. All in all this listener was extremely impressed with the colouring of phrases and the  ease in which Grigolo takes on the top notes required for any great tenor. So is Grigolo the next big thing in Opera. This listener thinks that he definitely has the potential, Grigolo will just need to be careful in the coming years as to which operas he sings. We hope that he doesn't take on any heavy roles too soon that will jeopardise his voice and career. This listener would definitely recommend the purchase this recording of this great young singer.

Tracklist:
01. Quando le sere al placido – GIUSEPPE VERDI “Luisa Miller” (5:36)
02. Una furtiva lagrima – GAETANO DONIZETTI “L’elisir d’amore” (4:52)
03. Parmi veder le lagrime – GIUSEPPE VERDI “Rigoletto” (4:57)
04. Possente amor mi chiama – GIUSEPPE VERDI “Rigoletto” (3:27)
05. Spirto gentil – GAETANO DONIZETTI “La favorita” (5:02)
06. Che gelida manina – GIACOMO PUCCINI “La Bohème” (5:00)
07. Firenze e come un albero fiorito – GIACOMO PUCCINI “Gianni Schicchi” (3:15)
08. Torna ai felici di – GIACOMO PUCCINI “Le Villi” (6:10)
09. Tutto parrea sorridere – GIUSEPPE VERDI “Il corsaro” (4:07)
10. Si, de corsari il fulmine – GIUSEPPE VERDI “Il corsaro” (3:44)
11. Ma se me forza perderti – GIUSEPPE VERDI “Un ballo in maschera” (4:54)
12. Donna non vidi mai – GIACOMO PUCCINI “Manon Lescaut” (2:38)
13. E lucevan le stelle – GIACOMO PUCCINI “Tosca” (3:12)
14. Ah! Si, ben mio – GIUSEPPE VERDI “Il trovatore” (3:03)
15. Di quelle pira – GIUSEPPE VERDI “Il trovatore” (4:05)

Joseph Calleja - The Maltese Tenor

I have to admit that the first time that I heard a recording of Joseph Calleja I was not immediately taken aback. The voice is extremely distinctive and if one was to listen to a recording one would be able to tell who the tenor was from the first phrase that he sung. This could be predominately attributed to the quick vibrato that Calleja possess and unique lyrical tone that he has been graced with. In saying this however I was not blown away on first listening by the voice. I found Calleja's quick vibrato would get in the way of the beautiful tone that this tenor possesses. However I continued to listen to recordings and found that the voice grew on me and Callaja's musicality and fantastic vocal control took the listener on a musical and vocal, a journey very different than that of any other tenor of his generation.


The "Maltese Tenor" is the third individual recording of Calleja. The record includes faviourite tenor arias such as "Che gelida manina" from La Boheme, "E lucevan le stelle" from Tosca as well as some more obscure arias from Simon Boccanegra and Mefistofele. An aria that would have stand out would have to be "Salut, demeure chaste et pure!" (Faust), where Calleja shows his musicality and his  vocal control by singing the famous and treacherous top C with an even more trecherous diminuendo. All in all this is a very impressive recording which showcases why many people have taken to this unique lyric tenor. 



Tracklist:

1. La Bohème, Act 1 – Che gelida manina

2. La Bohème, Act 1 – O soave fanciulla

3. Simon Boccanegra, Act 2 – Oh inferno…Sento avvampar

4. Les Contes d’Hoffmann, Act 1 – Il était une fois à la cour d’Eisenach (La légende de Kleinzach)

5. Tosca, Act 1 – Recondita armonía

6. Tosca, Act 3 – E lucevan le stelle

7. Mefistofele, Act 1 – Dai campi, dai prati

8. Mefistofele, Act 4 – Giunto sul passo estremo

9. Faust, Act 3 – Quel trouble inconnu…Salut! Demeure chaste et pure

10. Manon Lescaut, Act 1 – Ma se vi talenta…Tra voi, belle

11. Manon Lescaut, Act 1 – Donna non vidi mai

12. Manon, Act 3 – Je suis seul…Ah, fuyez, douce image

13. Luisa Miller, Act 2 – Oh! fede negar potessi… Quando le sere al placido

14. Un ballo in maschera, Act 3 – Forse la soglia attinse… Ma se m’è forza perderti

15. Les pêcheurs de perles, Act 2 – De mon amie, fleur endormie… Léila! Léila!… Ton coeur n’a pas compris le mien!

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