CD Review: Juan Diego Florez’s “Bel Canto Spectacular”
You know I’ve been unsuccessfully trying to get my hands on this CD since it was first released (though avoiding ordering from Amazon due to the cost factor), and now its available for FREE at the Esplanade Library, just when I’ve moved out of the country. Figures…
CD reviewer ST offers his take on what must be a fantastic CD. Do check it out at the library and see if you agree with him.
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BEL CANTO SPECTACULAR
Juan Diego Florez, tenor
Ochestra de la Comunitat Valenciana
Conducted by Daniel Oren
1. Donizetti: La Figlia del reggimento
Amici mile, che allegro giormo
2. Bellini: I Puritani
Fini….me lassa!….Vieni fra queste braccia
With Anna Netrebko (Elvira)
3. Donizetti: La Favorite
La maitressse du roi? …… Ange si pur
4. Donizetti: L’elisir d’amore
Venti scudi!
With Mariusz Kwiecien (Belcore)
5. Donizetti: L’elisir d’amore
Una furtive lagrima
6. Donizetti: Linda di Chamounix
Linda! Linda! ….. Da quel di che t’incontrai
With Patrizia Ciofi (Linda)
7. Linda! Si ritiro ….. Se tanto in ira agl’uomini
8. Rossini: Il viaggio a Reims
Di che son reo! …… D’alma celeste
With Daniela Barcellona (Marchesa Melibea)
9. Donizetti: Lucrezia Borgia
Partir degg’lo ….. Tamo qual s’ama un angelo
10. Rossini: Otello (Bonus Track)
Ah vieni, nel tuor sangue vendichero le offese
With Placido Domingo (Otello)
We are all familiar with the art of the Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez by now. He has a clear voice, even through a wide range and ability to spin a fine legato. He has been very successful in works by Rossini, Bellini & Donizetti. However, I have found his previous recital recordings somewhat monotonous because of his relative lack of tone colours and slightly limited repertoire. The current album got around that by introducing 5 duets strategically spaced out among the solo pieces. This added much variety to the programme and made it much more interesting to sit through at one go. Furthermore, the guest artists were a starry line-up that included such names like Placido Domingo, Anna Netrebko, Patrizia Ciofi, Daniella Barcellona and Mariusz Kwiecien.
Among the solo items, the aria from “La figlia del reggimento” that opened the programme did not require any further introduction. Here it was sung in Italian. I prefer the French version. But not many will complain when it was sung with such panache with the 9 high Cs delivered with such ease and confidence. The famous “Una furtive lagrima” was also recorded before but here it was given a different set of ornamentations and cadenza. The other famous aria from La Favorite and the rarely heard aria from Linda di Chamounix were both sung with lovely tone and great breath control. Gennaro’s aria from Lucrezia Borgia again featured his immaculate legato and phrasing.
The long duet from Act 3 of I Puritani paired him with the most famous Elvira at the moment, Anna Netrebko. The high Cs and Ds held no terror for either of them. Patrizia Ciofi was also in good form partnering him in the duet from Linda di Chamonix, made famous by the recording by Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavarotti in their recording from 1977. Daniella Barcellona demonstrated power and flexibility in the Rossini item and Mariusz Kwiecien was a virile and confident Belcore.
The bonus track from Rossini’s Otello featured the great Placido Domingo as Otello. The CD booklet did not introduce where and when this track was recorded. It featured both tenors in fine voice. The florid divisions were tackled with no problem at all by both tenors (most remarkable for Domingo who has been the greatest Verdi Otello for decades). This must indeed be a valuable documentation for Domingo’s Rossini Otello which I believe is not otherwise available on any commercial recording.
Throughout the programme, the conductor and orchestra offered spirited and sympathetic support. The CD was also blessed with superlative recording quality, a trademark of Decca studio. It was a CD that truly lived up to its title: Bel Canto Spectacular!