Customer Reviews

Max Emanuel Cencic - Rossini Opera Arias & Overtures

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

 

 

This disc was my first introduction to the countertenor Max Emanuel Cencic. Since purchasing this album, I have invested in much of his other work, and I'm admittedly a huge fan now. As for this disc itself, I think it's a wonderful concept album: to have a countertenor turning the table on mezzo-sopranos and taking on the trouser roles of Rossini. Further, I think Rossini's writing for the solo from 'Aureliano in Palmira," written for a castrato, is less interesting than that found for mezzo-sopranos in "Tancredi," "La donna del lago," and "Semiramde," but Max Emanuel handles all of it marvelously. I'm quite in agreement with Michael Hoffstetter, the conductor, in that Max Emanuel has a wonderful ability to perform Rossini's most difficult music. Personal favorites from the disc include the selection from Tancredi and "in si barbara sciagura" from Semiramide; however, all of the singing is divine.

My only quibble with this disc is that it becomes just as much Michael Hoffstetter's show. I enjoy his conducting, and I like his use of period instruments; however, I don't see the point in including the overtures to Tancredi, Semiramide, and Aureliano - especially when the last overture is the well-known overture used in Elisabetta, regina d'Inghilterra and Il barbiere di Siviglia. I would have loved to hear more singing from Max Emanuel rather than using more than 20 minutes of orchestral music.

On the whole, I would absolutely recommend this disc to someone who wants to an introduction to a wonderful countertenor or someone looking for a good Rossini recital. Not to be missed.

Max Emanuel Cencic is indeed an exceptional singer. He's come a long sucessful way since his years as a top soprano boy for the Vienna Boys' Choir from 1987 to 1992, then as solo soprano performer to 1997, and reappeared in 2000 as a countertenor. It is always a pleasure to listen to any of his CDs no matter what period in his singing career.
In this particular recording Max sings with great virtuosity some of the most difficult Rossini's arias. Although the overtures are a little bit long, I enjoy them very much as well. They are so beautiful and well performed by the Orchestre de Chambre de Geneve and his director Michael Hofstetter.

Rossini and Max Emanuel Cencic are a wonderful combination of virtuosity. Max presents arias that he has not recorded before. He himself mentions in the program notes that he stretched himself more than he ever has before. One can hear the maturing of his voice and technique as he brings the characters to life. Track eight in particular is very demanding -- my students and I immediately sensed the dramatic tension present in the singing. If you have never heard this countertenor sing before, you are in for a wonderful treat.

I absolutely agree with the track listings of this disc.
Yea, Cencic sang immaculately. Those florid Rossinian passages roll like pearls from his vocal cords.
And he is able to sing arias in mezzo-soprano fach that are for male protagonists, which is quite miraculous (like Malcolm's aria in the Lady of the Lake).
Alternating with Cencic's arias are the overtures of the operas from which the excerpts are taken.
I don't understand why people want to wail over this - if you don't like the operas, why should you listen to this disc in the first place? Operatic singing is NOT pyrotechnique display. The attitude of going after pyrotechniques in classical music is a very very bad turn, and no right-minded classical music producer or performer should encourage this highly unhealthy development.
Back to Cencic. He is one of the best alto countertenors to emerge, and singing in the rein of Jochen Kowalski and Andreas Scholl, though admittedly, Mr. Cencic has even better coloratura technique than the other two, and hence his proficiency in Rossini on top of the baroque repertoire.

Cencic is a great singer. It would be nice if there were more arias but the overtures are very well conducted. What singing there is (about 75% of the disk) is truly exceptional.

I feel good is that I first listenned Cencic's performance, and think he is a really good contretenor, and have a broad range of voice. Besides. his soft but not strained expression is very nature and beautiful.
You must feel strange why I just post 3 star. In fact, I think Cencic is a 5 star performer, but I don't prefer virgin's arrangement. In this set, there are much parts for overtures, it will let listenners confuse.
Yes, I like Cencic's show and Rossini's music, but I want to pay to get more these association.

Amazing tonal quality to the voice .Truely beautiful in it's richness.Only gripe is the inclusion of overtures- I would have liked more Cencic but it is a very good orchestra.