The Tenor's Passion

Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Francesco Cilea (Composer), Umberto Giordano (Composer), Amilcare Ponchielli (Composer), Friedrich von Flotow (Composer), Richard [1] Strauss (Composer), Vincenzo Bellini (Composer), Giacomo Meyerbeer (Composer), Edouard Lalo (Composer), Georges Bizet (Composer), Marcello Viotti (Conductor, Performer), Dresden Staatskapelle (Orchestra), Marcelo Álvarez (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Marcello Viotti, Marcelo Álvarez
• Orchestra: Dresden Staatskapelle
• Conductor: Marcello Viotti
• Composer: Giacomo Puccini, Francesco Cilea, Umberto Giordano, Amilcare Ponchielli, Friedrich von Flotow, et al.
• Audio CD (October 19, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00064AEDS
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #241,851 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. La bohčme, opera: Che gelida manina

2. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Addio, fiorito asil

3. Tosca, opera: Recondita Armonia

4. Tosca, opera: E lucevan le stelle

5. Manon Lescaut, opera: Donna non vidi mai

6. Turandot, opera: Nessun dorma

7. L'Arlesiana, opera: Lamento di Federico

8. Fedora, opera: Amor ti vieta

9. Andrea Chénier, opera: Come un bel dě maggio

10. La Gioconda, opera in 4 acts: Cielo e mar

11. Martha, opera: M'appari

12. Der Rosenkavalier, opera, Op. 59 (TrV 227): Di rigori armato il seno

13. I Puritani, opera: A te, o cara

14. L' Africaine, grand opera in 5 acts: O Paradis

15. Le Roi d'Ys, opera in 3 acts: Vainement ma bien aimée

16. Carmen, opera: La fleur que tu m'avais jetée

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

After years of wondering whether, after Dom, Pav, and Carr, there would ever be another group of fine tenors available, the question has been answered with a resounding, "Yes!" Alagna and Vargas are realizing their potential, Florez is a spectacular bel cantist, and Villazon and Calleja are up-and-coming. And Marcelo Alvarez proves again on this CD that he has arrived. The voice is a full-grown lyric, his tone is gorgeous, he has brains and sensitivity, absolutely even production, secure, ringing high notes, and a youthful but not callow approach to the music. The Lalo aria is sung sweetly, with light tone; he brings out the heroics for "Cielo e mar," "Nessun dorma," and Chenier's last act aria; "Che gelida manina" suits his voice and temperament ideally and he brings wonderment (and a fine high C) to it; Don José's Flower Song is full of longing, in good French with nicely shaded phrases. In short, there's not a disappointing note on this recital--Alvarez is a smart, feeling tenor in his prime and this CD is highly recommended. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Staying Abreast of the Gifted Young Tenors, November 24, 2004

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Tenor's Passion (Audio CD)

THE TENOR'S PASSION may seem a contrived, Hollywoodesque title for a CD of the warhorse tenor arias from the operatic repertoire, but just wait until you experience the intelligent, understated rendering of these arias by gifted young tenor Marcelo Alvarez and you will discover what 'passion' is here.

Not all of the arias on this CD are overused: excerpts from 'Martha', 'L'Africaine", 'L'Arlesiana, and 'Le Roi d'Ys" pepper the usual suspects from Boheme, Carmen, Butterfly etc. But in many ways this programming is timely as it gives us a recorded view, at least, of just how much this voice has matured. His `Italian Tenor's Aria' from "Der Rosenkavalier" is utterly breathtaking as is De Grieux's aria from "Manon Lescaut". And hearing the sensitive phrasing and control of vocal resources in the ever popular 'Nessun Dorma', 'Che gelida manina" and the Flower Song substantiates the rumor that here is another star on the rise.

A beautiful recording this, and one to include on the shelf with favorite tenors before the public today. Grady Harp, November 2004

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This tenor makes me love opera!!, November 5, 2004

By 

D. M Paul (Mineral Wells, WV USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Tenor's Passion (Audio CD)

I'm a newer fan to the opera world and Marcelo has played a big part in me really falling in love with it. This CD is wonderful. It contains so many beautiful arias and they were never more beautifully sung. To me Marcelo has a voice somewhat like Domingo's but better.Why do I say this? Domingo's voice to me often sounds muddied and his diction isn't as clear as one could hope for. Marcelo's diction is crystal clear and his pronunciation perfect.

This however is not why Marcelo's voice sends me into raptures. The best way I can describe Marcelo's voice is to say that it is like liquid velvet.There is no other voice like it for sheer beauty.

However even more amazing is the amazing combination of both gentleness and incredible passion with which he sings.You always know he is giving 110%.You feel every aria with him.You forget where you are and who you are and just become the hero in the aria with him. No one can match the gentle deftness with which he handles the tenderest lines of a piece,I sometimes find myself holding my breath through some portions just to catch the slightest nuances of his voice.

The most outstanding aria to me is Federico's Lament.It is so outstanding an interpretation of that aria that it is almost beyond words to describe. When my family and I watch it on Duetto (the DVD)where Marcello performs this aria we literally watch in stunned amazement as Marcello "becomes" Federico and sings so beautifully,mornfully and passionately that by the end we are all sitting with our mouths hanging open and then we give him a rousing cheer in absolute awe and admiration of his unbelievable talent and artistry right there in our living room.

I am not pulling your leg when I say that for the last 10 days at our house we have watched this one aria 1-3x per day we are so awed by it.

If you want to hear an exciting,passionate tenor with the most beautiful voice you've ever heard get this CD.I also highly recommend "Duetto" on CD and DVD, and Massenet's Manon with Marcello and Renee Fleming.Marcelo's Chevalier is wonderful in the sweet, vulnerable and passionate way that he portrays him. Your heart really goes out to him .

Marcelo if you ever read this I just want you to know that I am a true fan and am looking forward to every single CD and opera on DVD that you do. Your voice is truly heaven itself.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Next Generation, November 9, 2005

By 

James A. Holland (Las Vegas, NV USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Tenor's Passion (Audio CD)

Alas, the days of Pavarotti and Dmingo have past, and as with all things under the sun, with the dusk of the old comes the dawn of the new.

This CD is an excellent harbinger of the "new" in the world of operatic tenors.

Marcello Alvarez has truly come into his own, and with his voice having reached full maturity, he is now poised to become one of the BIG names in opera.

At the onset of his career, I was not too taken with his then very light lyric voice, but he has taken great care of his instrument, and now I can say that he has become one of my favorite new tenors.

Although I prefer the more heroic tenor voices of the past i.e. Corelli, Del Monaco and Lanza, I am very impressed with each and every selection on this CD.

From "Che gelida.." to the showpiece "Nessun Dorma" there isn't one aria that he either over/or under sings. He nails it all!

This is a great new CD by a great new tenor.