"ROSSINIANA" Arias and duets from La gazza ladra, Le Comte
ory, Il barbiere di Siviglia,
L'Italiana in Algeri, Il Signor Bruschino, Il viaggio a Reims and La
Cenerentola. (THIS CD IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE)
This new issue on the Italian Agorá label features an all-Rossini
concert, recorded (in excellent sound) at the Teatro Lirico in Milan
November 14, 1997. While all three of the young singers are accomplished
Rossinians, American mezzo Vivica Genaux and Peruvian tenor Juan Diego
Flórez prove to be the outstanding performers on this concert.
Vivica Genaux, who made her Met debut last December in Rossini's
"Barber," dispatches the composer's florid writing with considerable ease
and ample personality. Juan Diego Flórez, in only his 25th year,
is already a Rossini tenor of the first rank. He is currently enjoying
great success in Europe, and will make his Met debut in "Barber" in
2002. Mr. Flórez's leggiero tenor voice is quite beautiful
(somewhat reminiscent of his compatriot, Luigi Alva), and again, Rossini's
fiendish technical requirements pose no difficulty for him. In fact,
Flórez radiates a joy for singing that is boldly apparent in each
and every measure. Juan Diego Flórez is surely a talent to savor
for years to come. |