Juan Diego Flórez is THE tenor for bel canto operas, the first choice for any new production at the world's greatest opera houses. Flórez recently performed the first aria encore at La Scala in 74 years. On Voce d'Italia, he pays tribute to an extraordinary predecessor who inspired some of his greatest stage roles and became the first `superstar tenor': Giovanni Battista Rubini. Like Flórez today, Rubini was loved as much for the touching pathos of his slow singing as for the thrilling power of his fast, high roulades. Roles the two singers have shared include the Prince in Rossini's La Cenerentola, Elvino in Bellini's La sonnambula, Arturo in Bellini's I puritani, Uberto in Rossini's La donna del lago, and the title role of Rossini's Otello. Many of the arias by Rossini, Bellini and Donizetti on this new recording with the Orchestra of the Academy of Santa Cecilia, Rome under Roberto Abbado, are unknown gems which show the tremendous range of Flórez's vocal and dramatic art. Flórez thrillingly tosses off those high Cs which have brought him so much fame, and ventures further into the stratosphere with a few high Ds and his first high E-flat on record.
The remarkable young Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez continues his triumphs over the difficulties of the bel canto repertory with this recital devoted to arias sung by Giovanni Battista Rubini (1794-1854). Rubini redefined the role of the tenor, singing heroically, with warmth, sensitivity, an amazing capacity for florid music, and an upper extension that allowed him to sing an F above high C. Florez seems to have it all (although his highest note here is a still-staggering high E-flat). The bright tone, charm, ease of production, comfort with coloratura, superb diction, and sheer love of singing is evident throughout this razzle-dazzle recital. High Ds pop out effortlessly in the heroic aria from Bellini's Il pirata and Rossini's lighter-hearted Il Turco in Italia. More introspective sections are sung with feeling and a long, seamless line. The final piece on the CD--a 12 minute tour de force from Rossini's William Tell that ends with a blazing high C--will have you cheering. Roberto Abbado's leadership is expert, sympathetic, and lively. Thrilling! --Robert Levine
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