Gounod / Massenet: Arias ~ Villazon

Rolando Villazon (Artist), Natalie Dessay (Artist), Gounod (Composer), Massenet (Composer), Evelino Pido (Conductor), France Radio Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: France Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Evelino Pido
• Composer: Gounod, Massenet
• Audio CD (January 25, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B0006IQM5I
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #178,441 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, He IS the One!, October 27, 2005

By 

J Scott Morrison (Middlebury VT, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gounod / Massenet: Arias ~ Villazon (Audio CD)

In March 2004 I entitled my Amazon review of Rolando Villazón's CD of Italian arias, 'Is he the one?', meaning is he the Italianate tenor we've been waiting for, the one to fill the shoes of Domingo and Pavarotti? I was tentatively positive that he was. Well, boys and girls, this CD of arias by Massenet and Gounod confirms it as far as I'm concerned. Indeed, he sounds better here than he did in the earlier recording. Further, although I have not heard him in person I have been assured by several operaphiles who have heard him -- some of them traveling some distance to have the opportunity -- that he is indeed the genuine article. I only hope that I can catch a live performance of Villazón's soon. I think he's that good.

As to the material he sings here, it is splendid for another reason, and that is that it isn't the hackneyed and trite tunes we all have heard a jillion times. Here we have some rare but lovely arias by two of the greatest French opera composers. Just listen to the heroic glint in Villazón's voice as he winds up 'Voix qui me remplissez d'une ineffable ivresse' from Massenet's 'Le roi de Lahore.' I found myself harking back to the glorious singing of Georges Thill, the fabled tenor vraiment français. Villazón is not yet another in the seemingly endless chain of tenorinos we've had foisted upon us in the post-Domingo/Pavarotti era. He's got heft, metal, gleam in the voice. The higher he sings the brighter the sound, precisely the sort of the thing that makes for exciting tenorial frisson.

Making it all the more worthwhile is Villazón's obvious intelligence and taste. He seems to be living the words, not merely singing them. His phrasing is subtle and stylistically apt. He even uses a credible voix mixte, as any tenor singing French opera should.

Any operaphiles interested in grand singing by a tenor with an innnately beautiful voice handled with style and excitement should treat themselves to this disc. And investigate when Villazón might be singing anywhere near them. As I said before, he's that good.

Scott Morrison

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I wish him all the best. Opera fans: you must have this CD, July 28, 2005

By 

Alejandro J. Moreno Hd (Mexico City, Mexico) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gounod / Massenet: Arias ~ Villazon (Audio CD)

I have the pleasure to know Rolando Villazón in person, we used to take singing lessons together back in Mexico with Maestro Enrique Jaso some years ago and have always liked his approach to music.
I like better this one rather than his italian arias recital cd, I think he did a good work selecting the repertoire in this french opera recital. He is improving as time goes by and I think passion would describe fairly what he is doing and this album is an evidence of it.
I think Rolando has always shown this gift of easily connecting with the public plus he is a very talented and smart person as well. He learns fast and moreover he knows music and that is noticeable in his phrasing and overall musicality.
Marcello Vioti does a good conducting work for Rolando in this french album too, they really make music together... energy and sinergy!
He is so young and he has already sang in the best opera houses around the world, and as I said he is improving everyday so THIS IS THE NEW OPERA STAR to follow in the coming years.
I wish him all the best in his career and certainly hope the fame doesn't elevate his ego too much, as it happens many times.
Finally, his diction and pronunciation is very good... I would only have an issue with his letter "i", which sometimes seem to be out of place and they tend to go to the throat.
Thx for taking the time to read this words.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Bean sings?, January 5, 2006

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D. Macdonald (Johannesburg - South Africa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Gounod / Massenet: Arias ~ Villazon (Audio CD)

A friend lent me Villazon's debut album as an introduction to the man. I loved it - but this is the one I have bought. If, like me, you have tired of the comparisons between Villazon and others (esp Domingo) fear not, this artist is an original. I must confess that on seeing the cover I wondered if Brit comedian Rowan Atkinson (Mr. Bean / Black Adder - now there's a new comarison!) had strayed into the wrong studio, but a few tracks into either disc and you'll know you're listening to the real thing. True, he has baritonish notes in the lower register, and an easy reach for the upper notes but I honestly have not heard anyone quite like him before. His is a warm voice with an early maturity that should ensure he has a long career ahead of him. His diction is excellent, without the staccato enunciation or lack of French interpretation abilities that mar lesser singers' performances. Such vocal ease makes the sung word seem as natural as the spoken word is to us lesser mortals. That his song selection moves away from the 'usual suspects' of the tenor repertoire is to his great advantage; he knows what suits him and he brings each piece to new life. The overly familiar tracks of which there are thankfully few serve only to highlight through comparison to those we know Villazon's unique timbre and interpretation. This collection includes inspired music choices, incomparable renditions, marvellous orchestration and leaves the listener keenly anticipating his next release. The recording and production are impeccable (worth ***** in their category). It does not get much better than that. Atkinson may make you laugh (or not) - Villazon will make you smile and keep you feeling that way.