Customer Reviews

Anna Netrebko & Rolando Villazon: Duets

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Whatever objections one has to the details of this album (yes, their French is not great, and yes, Deutsche Grammophon's marketing of them as the next big thing in opera is a bit over the top), the voices on display here are nothing but impressive.

And the obvious passion of the music comes through clearly. Villazon fairly smolders with intensity throughout. The recording opens with Rodolfo and Mimi, and Villazon is magnificent. The album also benefits from a bit of sonic staging: when the opera calls for one or the other to be offstage, their voice does indeed come from a distance, which adds a nice poignancy to spots like the end of Rodolfo and Mimi's encounter, where the orchestra is playing very softly but the singers are in the wings crying their love in full voice. A nice touch.

And you're not getting Opera Top 40 here, either. These are full-length scenes from works both well trod (Boheme, Lucia, Manon) and less well known (Luisa Fernanda and Iolanta). An appealing mix.

It is worth mentioning that the orchestra is uneven. In most of the recording everything is fine, but because of the conductor or the recording level or what, the orchestra seems too "hot" in a few places, threatening to overwhelm the voices.

All in all, a fine package well worth the attention of opera lovers.

Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon, dubbed the 'Golden Couple' pair up for an album of beautiful operatic duets. Both singers possess glorious voices and each selection/scene captures the listener, with even two unfamilar items alongside the standard repertoire. I urge people to rather purchase the limited edition package that contains a bonus DVD, which shows the making of the album, as well as the music video for the Boheme duet, directed by Vincent Patterson.

The world of opera is beginning to sizzle with breathtaking new talent. Netrebko and Villazon are certainly earning the right to be considered the cellebrated opera singers of their young generation. The combining of their voices appeals to our imagination despite the difference of their backgrounds. Netrebko's bright voice seems reduced enough to distribute the lighting more evenly. However it is still not the voice of a Mimi (lacking in warmth) and not a Lucia (lacking vulnerability). There is however, some wonderful singing produced by Villazon in the phrases from the Lucia duet, matched by his grace and beautiful, lyrical tone. The excerpts in French are appealing in Manon with some fine characterization.
While there are splendid moments, they are not as memorable as their solos. When we think of the early careers of Callas and di Stefano, one thinks of their magnificant collaborations. Yet with Netrebko and Villazon the voices don't really complement one an-other's, they are both just superb artists still in their prime. However, this CD provides considerable pleasure. In the opening duet that closes the first act of Boheme, the singing is lusciously conveyed. Both singers are in rapturous voice, with phrasing that is sensitive and sincere. When the time comes for Mimi to respond, the tempo virtually slows to a crawl, the singers seem to be leading the conductor, Luisotti. However odd it may seem, it is effective and allows the pair to linger awhile on their off-stage high C. There are moments when tiny pitch variations occur when singing on the same note; it seems that Netrebko is slightly sharp. Despite the fact that there is room for improvement, there is something undeniably special about this "golden couple". Netrebko and Villazon deliver enough charisma to justify the overall presentation. It is easy to "spilt hairs", but as a whole, Netrebko and Villazon deliver a magical performance!

Author: Raymond Vacchino M.Mus.(MT) A.Mus. L.R.S.M. Licentiate (honorary)

Anna Netrebko & Rolando Villazon: Duets

This wonderful CD of duets shared by Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon is glorious in its passion and musicality. The real gems are: Lucia Perdona...Sulla Tomba from Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor and Va! Je T'ai Pardonné ... Nuit D'hyménée from Charles Gounod's Romeo and Juliet and No.8 Chanson: 'De Mon Amie, Fleur Endormie' - No.9 Duo 'Léila! Léila! Dieu Puissant' from Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers" (Les Pêcheurs de perles). This last aria and duet is haunting in its presentation from an off-stage setting to full borne passion with impeccable diction by both performers.

Although the deluxe version of the CD includes a bonus DVD of Vincent Patterson's staging of Puccini's 'O Soave Fanciulla', this viewer found this rather contrived. The interview and commentary by Netrebko and Villazon however gives us some insight into these performers as people and the difficulty in singing operatic duets. One gets the impression that Rolando Villazon, discovered by Placido Domingo is a consummate artist with very high personal standards.

Ms. Netrebko has recorded duets with others such as Joseph Calleja and has performed live with Roberta Alagna, Marcello Giordani and Joseph Kaiser. Having witnessed Anna Netrebko sing and perform with Rolando Villazon the listener and viewer quickly realizes that these artists strive for vocal perfection without overshadowing their partner. One can only hope that Rolando Villazon will soon return to the stage with Ms. Netrebko and others as he has great charisma and vocal talent.

This listener would also reccommend: Anna Netrebko sings Opera arias [United Kingdom]as well as Viva Villazón (incl. bonus DVD) as they both serve well to highlight these performers both individually and together.

In this 2007 recording of opera duets Rolando Villazón and Anna Netrebko demonstrate what those who think opera is for 'waiting until the fat lady sings' type singers is a misconception. These two talented singers are the epitome of beautiful voices matching their physical appearances. And for those who have been fortunate enough to have seen the two on the same stage in operas such as the Gounod 'Roméo et Juliette' can appreciate this collection even more, realizing that all of the vocal acting they are capable of producing here is also a gift in their stage presences.

Made before any vocal problems developed before Villazón (problems now thankfully resolved) the tenor produces some very stylish singing. Ditto Netrebko. There voices mesh well and even in the warhorses such as 'La Boheme' and 'Rigoletto' they give the duets added emotional and artistic presence. It is a welcome addition that the CD also contains fairly unknown duets form Tchaikovsky's 'Iolanta' (homage to Netrebko) and Moreno Torroba's 'Luisa Fernanda' (homage to Villazón). In all the singing is top notch and more - artistry that matches the beautiful presence and stage personality of each of these shining stars. Grady Harp, February 11

These two singers are marvelous, and they well deserve all the hype they are getting. This record is also excellent, with my only reservations being that the Manon duet falls a little short, just a mite below the recorded competition, which admittedly is fierce. Also I was disappointed that the Iolanta duet was shorn of its initial portion, which is really beautiful and should have been included.

Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon have made a duets album, which includes famous duets by Puccini,Donizetti, Verdi,Gounod, Bizet and Massenet with less well known duets by Tschaikovsky and Luisa Fernanda.

Each duet is full of passion and the excitement of hearing two singers who are perfectly matched to sing with each other. Their voices are beautiful and blend beautifully with each other.

They may not be perfect, but I didn't notice because I was caught up in the passion and beautiful sound.

I highly recomend this recording.

The dream team are really fantastic.We consider this CD a priceless addition to our collection.Everyone who loves great singing will really enjoy this one.

Many superlatives have been used to describe the artistic partnership of Rolando Villazón and Anna Netrebko - and it is easy to see why. In this CD, opera's "Dream Team" bring their stage magic into the recording studio for a tour-de-force of great opera duets.

With their rich lower registers and clarion high notes, I believe Mr Villazón and Ms Netrebko are an ideal vocal match. Dramatically they convey all the passion and pathos for which they are renowned. It is very hard to single out highlights from this superb recording.

There is an outstanding rendition of one of French opera's most beautiful duets - "Nuit d'Hyménée" from Gounod's "Romeo et Juliette" - which deserves to be savoured with closed eyes and no distractions. Then, in Massenet's St Sulpice scene, Manon's ardent appeal with its delicious floating high notes contrasts sharply with the tense (and ultimately futile) resistance of Des Grieux.

As well as the French and Italian pieces, it was a special delight to find two lesser known duets in the two artists' native languages ... the poignant and introspective "¡Callate Corazon!" from Torroba's wonderful zarzuela "Luisa Fernanda", and the beautiful duet from Tchaikovsky's "Iolanta". This latter piece was previously unknown to me, and I was enchanted by its sweeping melody and poetic lyrics.

As is to be expected with these world class artists, every track on this CD is performed with consummate musicality, heartfelt sincerity - and simply beautiful singing.

For me personally, this was a wonderful introduction to several operas. Netrebko and Villazon outdo each other in singing together and for each other, rendering the content of each duet with the emotional expression only great actors and singers can aspire to.