COMPOSERS: Rossini
LABELS: Decca
WORKS: Arias
PERFORMER: Juan Diego Flórez (tenor); Giuseppe Verdi Chorus & SO Milan/Riccardo Chailly
CATALOGUE NO: 470 024-2
The young Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez has scored some spectacular triumphs as a Rossini tenor over the last few years and this all-Rossini recital disc will not disappoint anyone who saw his Rodrigo (Otello) or Ramiro (La Cenerentola) in London. It has to be said that a whole disc of tenor fireworks in Rossini’s most demanding florid style will not be to everyone’s taste. Implacably fast runs and abrupt changes of register will always be easier on the ear when sung by the more agile voice of a coloratura soprano or mezzo. However Flórez brings it off with all the bravura and braggadocio of a swaggering Regency dandy. Everything is done with total ease and clarity of articulation. If he occasionally lacks complete roundness of tone in some of the low notes, he is totally fearless at the top of the voice, which rings out in trumpet tones or floats sensuously with equal finesse. There is much fine but rarely heard Rossini here, including arias from Zelmira and La donna del lago as well as the often-omitted Act II aria from Il barbiere. Riccardo Chailly and the young Milanese orchestra match Flórez in gusto and joie de vivre. This is Rossini at his most life-enhancing.
Rossini: Arias
The young Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez has scored some spectacular triumphs as a Rossini tenor over the last few years and this all-Rossini recital disc will not disappoint anyone who saw his Rodrigo (Otello) or Ramiro (La Cenerentola) in London. It has to be said that a whole disc of tenor fireworks in Rossini’s most demanding florid style will not be to everyone’s taste. Implacably fast runs and abrupt changes of register will always be easier on the ear when sung by the more agile voice of a coloratura soprano or mezzo.
Our rating
5
Published: January 20, 2012 at 1:17 pm