Customer Reviews

Opera Recital [Includes Bonus DVD]

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

On his third solo CD, Rolando Villazon shows again the wonderful qualities that make him stand apart from other tenors of his generation. The sheer sound of his voice - dark and virile in the lower and middle registers, bright and glowing on top - immediately seizes the listener's attention. But beyond that, Villazon impresses by his musical sensitivity and intelligence and, above all, by his remarkable focus on expressing his texts.The energy and subtle nuances of his singing all seem to come from his response to the words. And here he engages creatively with texts in four languages, rather than a single language as in his previous disks. The two arias that especially make this disk a keeper are Bizet's "Je crois entrendre encore" ("The Pearl Fishers") and Tchaikovksky's "Kuda, kuda" ("Eugene Onegin"). The Bizet is a superb example of soft singing spun out on long breaths with gorgeous high notes, some sung in an ethereal head voice. Beautifully sung and expressed, "Kuda, kuda" is full of passion and regret - mesmerizing! Here Villazón shows with his voice alone the great actor that he is live on the stage! I highly recommend the accompanying DVD made from the recording sessions. It's absolutely delightful and shows the humor, charm, and high energy that make Villazón such an appealing performer and personality. But be warned: Rolando Villazón is absolutely habit-forming! After hearing him, all other current young tenors, with the exception of Floréz, pale by comparison.

Wow! Villazon, in his 3rd recital for EMI/Virgin manages to deliver the goods yet again. Try and get this version as it comes with a 40 minute bonus DVD of the recording sessions. After watching this documentary, you will realise why Villazon is so highly sought-after

This is another stunning recital by the ever more exciting Rolando Villazon and the key to its success is his amazing versatility not only in the musical styles it emcompasses but in the elegance and directness he brings to his words. The bonus DVD shows what a charming and hard-working artist he is and allows one to see why he is so thrilling in the theatre: without exaggerating he clearly throws his whole self into the character and situation of each aria. For me, perhaps the most exciting number on the disc is `Je crois entendre encore` which perfectly illustrates his mastery of the French style; I tingle with pleasure at the seeming effortlessness and sweetness of tone when, at the climactic note, he moves up into a head-voice and seamlessly descends from it.

I was beginning to fear that there wouldn't be anyone to take over the throne from my favourite tenor - José Carreras, as all up-and-coming tenors I've heard lately has failed to impress me. That is, until now. I watched the concert with Domingo, Netrebko and Villazón from this years' football world championship and I immediately fell in love with Villazón. His charm as well as his extraordinary singing capabilities won me over. His tone is golden, warm and dark and - thank God - he's much less nasal than Domingo. His breath control is also outstanding and his singing seems effortless. I bet he can hold a note longer than even Pavarotti back in his heydays could......

Anyway, I bought this album which includes a bonus dvd and I haven't been able to tear myself away from the television set ever since. It's really fun watching Villazón in the studio making the cd. He's very dedicated to his singing, but the overall tone in the recording studio is jovial and he's joking and having fun with everyone while still managing to deliver some seriously wonderful singing. And the way he interrupts himself at the beginning of "La fleur" is just charming. I couldn't help but laugh when he slaps himself in the back of his head because he was interrupted and corrected when he sang something wrong in Russian. What more can I say? I'm hooked. I love all the arias on the cd, but the ones that really stand out are the Russian "Kuda.... Kuda..." and "Je crois entendre encore". They make my spine tingle - and my knees go woobly....... Really, there's only one thing to say about this cd/dvd - BUY IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE!

As musicians ourselves, we are of the opinion than Rolando Villazon is one of the greatest, if not the greatest tenor of this time. His voice reminds of great ones of the past like Gigli and Frits Wunderlich.

When world-class musicians work together in a spirit of mutual respect, humility and commitment to musical excellence, the result has to be an enriching experience for the appreciative listener. Such is the case with this Opera Recital CD by Rolando Villazón, with Michel Plasson conducting the Müncher Rundfunkorchester.

Let me start with the bonus DVD which comes with the Deluxe Version, which I heartily recommend. I learned so much from this "behind the scenes" film of the recording sessions - watching the fascinating process of bringing a studio recording together, along with insightful interviews with Messrs Villazón and Plasson. It really enhanced my enjoyment of the CD.

Rolando Villazón gives us a spicy selection of opera arias in four languages - Italian, French, German and Russian - across several genres, reaching out to us with the myriad of emotions we have come to expect from him. The sweetly lyrical bel canto of Donizetti's "Com'e Gentil" (Don Pasquale) contrasts sharply with the confronting realism of Mascagni's "Mamma Quel Vino" (Cavalleria Rusticana); while Richard Strauss' showpiece "Di Rigori Armato" (Der Rosenkavalier) sits beside the intensely sad "Kuda, Kuda" (Eugene Onegin) by Tchaikovsky.

This latter aria of Lensky from "Eugene Onegin" was never a particular favourite of mine, but that has completely changed now. Mr Villazón sings it with such aching regret that my heart goes out to the young poet, compelled to fight a futile and senseless duel, afraid yet accepting that his beloved Olga will be left alone to mourn. Full marks to Mr Villazón for this outstanding interpretation in the fiendishly difficult Russian language. I find myself listening to it again and again.

There is such variety on this disc - we hear Ernani in battle mode, Alessandro Stradella singing for his life, and Hoffmann's tipsy tavern tale of the dwarf Kleinzach. Mr Villazón's gloriously floating rendition of Nadir's "Je Crois Entendre Encore" (The Pearl Fishers) stands in marked contrast to the passionate anxiety of Bizet's other leading man, the ill-fated Don José (Carmen), in the Flower Song.

This recording is simply beautiful, heartfelt singing of some of the greatest opera arias ever written for the tenor voice. My advice ... buy it and be enriched!

Opera Recital [Includes Bonus DVD] is a 2006 Virgin Classics recording starring tenor Rolando Villazon. Here we get to hear Offenbach, Verdi and Flotow to mention a few. Michel Plasson leads the Munchener Rundfunkorchester and the Bayerischer Rundfunkchor. We also get to hear tenor Florian Laconi and mezzo-soprano Theresa Blank. Andrew Huth has written the music notes. The sound quality is perfect. Rollando Villazon's performance is flawless. Highly recommended indeed. 5/5.