Customer Reviews

Jose Cura - Puccini Arias / Domingo

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This is a very impressive and promising debut recital of Puccini operatic arias by the young (born 1962) Argentinean tenor. Cura has a virile, dark, baritonal spinto voice with good heft and some real metal/squillo in it, and at their best (e.g., Nessun dorma) his high notes are vibrant and compelling. While it's difficult to judge the size of a voice solely from recordings, he may be a true tenore di forza, that rarest breed of tenors, and if so that is good news, because there hasn't been a decent one since Del Monaco and Corelli. Like Del Monaco and Corelli, his voice is better described as exciting than as beautiful.

Indeed, Cura's voice reminds some listeners of Del Monaco's, although he sounds to me like he might prove to be a more interesting and imaginative singer than Del Monaco (to me Del Monaco usually sang like a bull in a china shop, and I never found his occasional big moments enough to offset the frequently crude, insensitive phrasing and inability to sing at any dynamic level but loud or louder). Cura's singing here is gutsy and full-blooded, but he is also capable of sensitive phrasing and soft singing. His breath control is admirable and he is able to sustain some long phrases. His recording of Nessun dorma is stunning, one of the best I've heard, and the best performance on this CD. Unfortunately his high notes are not always this good; sometimes they are not cleanly attacked or well placed, and sound somewhat strained. The CD is well recorded (in 1997) and contains 21 Puccini arias, an unusually generous (71 minutes) and comprehensive collection that includes, besides all the standard ones you'd expect (and no less than five from Manon Lescaut), Gianni Schicchi, Il Tabarro (2), Edgar, and an extended scena from Le Villi.

On the strength of this CD I bought Cura's next two operatic recitals, Verismo Arias (1999) and Verdi Arias (2000), and I regret to report that I am less impressed with either of them than with this Puccini recital. But this disc can be confidently recommended.

Tenor Jose Cura is not a newcomer to the world of opera, just to opera on record, so his treatment of these arias attests to large experience and great care for Puccini's music. So does Placido Domingo's thoughtful supportive conducting. These qualities separate this remarkable album from those of amateurs like Bocelli. Cura's voice is reminiscent of Del Monaco's, a ringing lirico-spinto with slightly "metallic" upper notes and strong expansive lower register. This makes it ideal for most of the dramatic/heroic tenor repertoire, although it would be difficult to imagine such voice in Donizetti roles. However, I would love to hear Cura's rendition of Verdi, I've always been fascinated with "darker coloring" of Verdi's characters, for example Domingo's Otello or Carreras' Stiffelio. Such voices bring out hidden connotations in familiar pieces. Cura's attention for detail in every one of virtually all of Puccini's arias is endearing; it's as if he invites the listener to enjoy Puccini as much as he does. His phrasing is clear and polished, breath control is excellent and not forced, as though to say "there's more where that came from." Among the midst of various "new " tenors, this one is to watch for. A word of caution, let's hope he sticks to classical repertoire for now since this is what he does best. Anhelo was okay, but I wait for "Verismo Arias"!

rarely within the past 20 years has a tenor made an impact on the entire opera scene like the young argentinian jose cura.

for now (regrettably) there's only a puccini collection available with cura, but what a CD! it's one of the most comprehensive collections of puccini tenor arias in years, and includes (apart from the famous pieces from tosca, la boheme, manon lescaut, and yes, even nessun dorma :) ...) lesser known but gorgeous gems from gianni scicchi, il tabarro and others. incidentally, placido domingo is the conductor.

jose cura's voice ... ah, the voice. remember mario del monaco? cura reminds one of the young del monaco. it's a big voice, with immense power yet exceptional control. it's not as flexible and ringing as pavarotti's, not as sweet as domingo's, not romantic like carreras'. but it has qualities none of those guys have: the depth (yes, depth...for a tenor anyway), the passion, the delivery, the control. it's a huge voice,too.

there are elements of del monaco but also of franco corelli's delivery technique, bergonzi's control, tuckers's attack. staccati are remarkable for a dramatic / heroic tenor, legati flow with ease, power and musicality. no problems with the high c, either. rodolfo, kalaf, cavaradossi, des grieux: the top notes are safe and immensely powerful, almost triumphantly so.

this voice will be heard a lot in the future. as radames, vasco da gama, don jose, manrico, kalaf, samson, cura will be matchless for a long time.

maybe i'm a bit biased (not being a great fan of any of the three tenors in their present state of aging), but jose cura would have been a truly sensational newcomer even 10 or 20 years ago. by today's standards, he's outstanding and, at 36, destined to be the world's greatest tenor within a year or two (in my opinion, he already is - alagna, heppner, domingo notwithstanding).

watch out for new opera recordings with jose cura; they will be phenomenal.

At last we have a tenor who can make the very hairs rise on the back of your neck.My God what a voice! Of course we are all aware of the Puccini favourites such as Nessun Dorma and Stelle ,but this wonderful disc has introduced me to the composers other operas such as Manon Lescaut and Gianni Schicci which have become favourites of mine. I had the pleasure of seeing Cura in concert and meeting him afterwards,and he sounds as amazing live as he does from the recording studio. My favourite Puccini aria is Che Gelida Mannina and this was the first track I played.I was awestruck.Not since Domingo had I heard such a beautiful interpretation of this aria.Curas robust ,baritonal tenor soars magnificently to a ringing high C. His mezzo-voce opening to Stelle is heart breaking and is not only one of the most beautiful I have ever heard but THE most beautiful. People have accused him of not having the ringing top of Pavarotti in Nessun Dorma.Rubbish.Pavarotti is Pavarotti and Cura is Cura.Two completely different artists and equally as credible. A word about Domingos conducting.Wonderful.The tempos are always perfect , and who else knows this repetoire better than Maestro Domingo? I am a tenor in training myself and I hold these two great artists as my role models.If we continue to produce artists such as Cura ,opera has a bright future.Bravo. P.S. A note to Signor Cura .Please record Carmen soon!!!!!!!!!!

Handsome young tenor, Puccini, Domingo conducting-I figured I was safe. When the first notes came out of his mouth I was startled! I actually jumped! Instead of the sweet, sparkley sounds of all my other favorite tenors here was this dark, muscular, mysterious voice. It was like hoisting your glass expecting spumante and someone put kahlua. It took me a while to get used to him and I am not enthralled with the way he "steps" up to the notes but this is a voice that can slay dragons, rescue damsels and banish bad guys. Even better is his Argintine folk songs album. His voice sounds warmer and more comfortable and the arrangements give a broader taste of his musicianship. Plus he used some of Pablo Neruda's work...but that's another day!

A talented artist, a potent and polished voice emerges to satisfy the Opera lovers all over the world.

Jose Cura is nowadays, one the most prominent figures of the Bel Canto. His charismatic presence and his timber have deserved him the best praises all over the world.

In this opportunity we may listen him singing a selection of Puccini's Arias, accompanied by Placido Domingo with the Philharmonia orchestra, a magnificent occasion to enjoy his art and impeccable timber.

I am SO happy that there is finally a tenor out there with the vocal power to sing over a Puccini orchestra but still keep the lyricism for the upper register! If your preference is for a sweeter, lighter sound, check out recordings of Carlo Bergonzi and Roberto Alagna. This is a voice meant for singing over large orchestras with some "muscle" in the low register and the ability to make high notes soar. (It also doesn't hurt that Sr. Cura is as gorgeous as his voice! :) )

I buy about 200 CDs a year and every once and awhile one stands out so clearly as the work of an extraordinary artist--Cura's Puccini Arias is one of them. Not only is his voice truly full and luxurious, but the selection of some of the lesser known Puccini arias makes this disc inviting even to the die-hard opera lover. Even those Puccini favorites are supplemented by small excerpts from the operas--parts where the tenor shines, and Cura himself is brilliant. I would recommend this disc with a huge amount of enthusiasm.

A tenor that sounds like a real man and is a living person,

at last!Operatic fans have too much fondness to the past.I

admit,great singers are forever but I heard great performances

in this CD,TOO!I feel some problems with the conductor (Domingo)

but,-Whoa!Great Des Grieux!The recording opens spectacular;

a vibrant "Nessun Dorma",then the Cura feature-Dick Johnson

(I just can't stop to hear "Ch'ella mi creda" and cry!),and so

on,so on,so on.Sometimes I read bad rewiews about Cura.Come on

guys!Are you music fans or palaeontologists????Five big stars to

Cura but not for the conductor.

It's very interesting to read all the reviews smashing Jose Cura for his "baritone-like" voice and supposed stiff and unvaried interpretation. The first opera I ever saw was The Washington Opera's 1997 production of Samson et Dalila (I was 13) with Jose Cura and Denyce Graves. Immediately I was converted into an opera lover! (specifically an opera-goer-lover) I don't necessarily like listening to all opera, and a lot of singer's voices still annoy me, but Jose Cura's voice is different (the source of much of the controversy...). The richness and deep quality of his voice that so contrasts with most tenor's voices (which can be rather squeaky at times) is what attracts me. And you should see this man act! A refreshing experience against the stereotypical stiff opera singer standing in the middle of the stage bellowing his/her lungs out. So please, try to actually see the man before you form an unshakeable opinion. I think his voice alone is gorgeous (especially with Puccini's incomparable work!), but pared with his charisma and ability on stage, it's irresistable.