“Giulio Cesare: A Baroque Hero” is the latest CD from the highly talented Italian countertenor Raffaele Pè, who over recent years has been building up a considerable international reputation as an interpreter of the baroque repertoire. This recording is a compilation of arias from 18th-century operas, written by a number of different composers, for the character of Giulio Cesare. Certainly, {…}
Throughout the years Edita Gruberova has been recognized as one of the leading Bel canto interpreters of her generation and in the opera world. Her interpretations are considered definitive versions and in the case of “Lucia di Lammermoor,” it is one of the quintessential interpretations of her generation. Throughout the years three commercial recordings have been released documenting her evolution in the {…}
During the 2015-16 season, the Teatro alla Scala revived Verdi’s rarely performed opera “Giovanna d’Arco.” The opera, while never a standard piece of the repertoire, had a slight resurgence thanks to Renata Tebaldi and Monserrat Caballe in the mid 1900s. Other performers like Anna Moffo, Katia Ricciarelli, and Mariella Devia recorded the opening aria “Sempre all’alba.” But it was still {…}
The Italian soprano Francesca Aspromonte has already attracted significant attention, within the field of Early Music, for her stunning performances on the opera stage and in the concert hall. With the release, earlier this month, of her first solo CD entitled “Prologue,” she takes the next step in cementing her already blossoming reputation. From opera’s very beginnings, and lasting around {…}
Three years ago when Sonya Yoncheva recorded her first album “Paris Mon Amour,” it was a triumph. It was an album filled with a variety of interesting repertoire and a voice with great color and flexibility. It captured a rising star that was on the path to stardom and gave an incredible vibrancy to each reading on the album. Fast {…}
Is it possible to create something risqué yet non-controversial at the same time? Something that tackles sexually-charged topics such as the LGBTQ community, dominatrices, couple swapping and the role of artificial intelligence in relationships? Can all of this be depicted in a way that isn’t preachy or pejorative in these polarizing times? Nobody probably asked themselves these questions but if {…}
For years Dmitri Hvorostovsky was one of the leading interpreters of “Rigoletto” around the world. And while there are many baritones in the modern era that have successfully realized one of the most complex characters of the Verdi canon, few navigated the emotional turmoil quite the way the great Russian baritone did. He brought crudeness and ugliness to his vocal {…}
As he moves into heavier repertoire, one composer has been rather absent from the repertoire of Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez – Mozart. Listening to him dominate the bel canto repertoire, it has always been of great interest to hear this brilliant and polished singing actor take a stab at a composer equally noted for his polish and finesse. The {…}
Pretty Yende has become one of the world’s most sought-after singers for her energetic and positive stage presence. Her Cinderella story is widely recognized and her performances have become must-see events. Having dominated the world’s greatest stages and released her first album “A Journey,” Yende now brings audiences a taste of what is to come in her second album “Dreams.” Like her first {…}