Customer Reviews

Roberto Alagna - Opera Arias

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

 

 

This record is one of the finest I have heard in recent times. The sound recording, the orchestra, everything is terrific. Roberto Alagna's interpretations are perfectly executed and carefully delivered in each and every aria. The program is really enjoyable and projects a wide range of Alagna's artistry, the melancholic sentiments of "Tombe degl'avi miei", "E la solita storia (Lamento di Federico")and "Pourquoi me rèveiller", the beatiful romantic arias from Carmen and La Bohème, and between others, the heroic lines from act IV of Guillaume Tell, with really powerful and solid high C's. His is a lyric tenor that expresses dramatism without exceses, a beautiful and clean voice which shows perfect technique. It also comes with a liric booklet with translations of the arias, very useful for the listener so he (she)can catch the very essence of each aria. This record is a jewel!!!

This recording, the first recital disc by Roberto Alagna, presents a talented and musical tenor in a beautiful program of Italian and French operatic arias. The program is a delight from start to finish: Alagna's lyric tenor is very well suited for bel canto and French opera. The tenor is also an expressive artist. Among the highlights of the recording are Alagna's impassioned rendition of Edgardo's aria and the moving interpretation of Ela solita storia del pastore from L'Arlesiana. Alagna is also very much in his element, both idiomatically and vocally, in the French repertoire. If Alagna survives all the hype, he can be the succesor of Alfredo Kraus in the French tenor roles, specially Werther.

I bought this 6yrs ago,and still adore it,true its studio enhanced,what hits you is the perfect silvery timbre,that freshness,after so many dark italian voices.What astonishes you,is he has all their insticts,the one gripe,he seems to have a problem with making what is his, his own,if he finds that,THEN,THEN,THEN.

While Alagna naturally sings with little musical integrity (due to his lack of formal training), here in this album, with the help of Richard Armstrong, he pulls off an excellent performance.

Take for example his smooth "Fra poco a me recovero", or his heartfelt "Salut! tombeau sombre et silencieux" from "Romeo et Juliette". Alagna is definitely a tenor worth listening to, and while he may not always please a thinking audience with a subtle and unique performance, he at least makes a valid musical statement, and sings beautifully.