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The Tenor's Passion
Giacomo Puccini, Francesco Cilea, Umberto Giordano
The Tenor's Passion
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (16) - Disc #1

After years of wondering whether, after Dom, Pav, and Carr, there would ever be another group of fine tenors available, the question has been answered with a resounding, "Yes!" Alagna and Vargas are realizing their potenti...  more »

     
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After years of wondering whether, after Dom, Pav, and Carr, there would ever be another group of fine tenors available, the question has been answered with a resounding, "Yes!" Alagna and Vargas are realizing their potential, Florez is a spectacular bel cantist, and Villazon and Calleja are up-and-coming. And Marcelo Alvarez proves again on this CD that he has arrived. The voice is a full-grown lyric, his tone is gorgeous, he has brains and sensitivity, absolutely even production, secure, ringing high notes, and a youthful but not callow approach to the music. The Lalo aria is sung sweetly, with light tone; he brings out the heroics for "Cielo e mar," "Nessun dorma," and Chenier's last act aria; "Che gelida manina" suits his voice and temperament ideally and he brings wonderment (and a fine high C) to it; Don José's Flower Song is full of longing, in good French with nicely shaded phrases. In short, there's not a disappointing note on this recital--Alvarez is a smart, feeling tenor in his prime and this CD is highly recommended. --Robert Levine

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CD Reviews

This tenor makes me love opera!!
D. M Paul | Mineral Wells, WV USA | 11/06/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a newer fan to the opera world and Marcelo has played a big part in me really falling in love with it. This CD is wonderful. It contains so many beautiful arias and they were never more beautifully sung. To me Marcelo has a voice somewhat like Domingo's but better.Why do I say this? Domingo's voice to me often sounds muddied and his diction isn't as clear as one could hope for. Marcelo's diction is crystal clear and his pronunciation perfect.



This however is not why Marcelo's voice sends me into raptures. The best way I can describe Marcelo's voice is to say that it is like liquid velvet.There is no other voice like it for sheer beauty.



However even more amazing is the amazing combination of both gentleness and incredible passion with which he sings.You always know he is giving 110%.You feel every aria with him.You forget where you are and who you are and just become the hero in the aria with him. No one can match the gentle deftness with which he handles the tenderest lines of a piece,I sometimes find myself holding my breath through some portions just to catch the slightest nuances of his voice.



The most outstanding aria to me is Federico's Lament.It is so outstanding an interpretation of that aria that it is almost beyond words to describe. When my family and I watch it on Duetto (the DVD)where Marcello performs this aria we literally watch in stunned amazement as Marcello "becomes" Federico and sings so beautifully,mornfully and passionately that by the end we are all sitting with our mouths hanging open and then we give him a rousing cheer in absolute awe and admiration of his unbelievable talent and artistry right there in our living room.



I am not pulling your leg when I say that for the last 10 days at our house we have watched this one aria 1-3x per day we are so awed by it.



If you want to hear an exciting,passionate tenor with the most beautiful voice you've ever heard get this CD.I also highly recommend "Duetto" on CD and DVD, and Massenet's Manon with Marcello and Renee Fleming.Marcelo's Chevalier is wonderful in the sweet, vulnerable and passionate way that he portrays him. Your heart really goes out to him .



Marcelo if you ever read this I just want you to know that I am a true fan and am looking forward to every single CD and opera on DVD that you do. Your voice is truly heaven itself.



"
Staying Abreast of the Gifted Young Tenors
Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 11/24/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"THE TENOR'S PASSION may seem a contrived, Hollywoodesque title for a CD of the warhorse tenor arias from the operatic repertoire, but just wait until you experience the intelligent, understated rendering of these arias by gifted young tenor Marcelo Alvarez and you will discover what 'passion' is here.



Not all of the arias on this CD are overused: excerpts from 'Martha', 'L'Africaine", 'L'Arlesiana, and 'Le Roi d'Ys" pepper the usual suspects from Boheme, Carmen, Butterfly etc. But in many ways this programming is timely as it gives us a recorded view, at least, of just how much this voice has matured. His `Italian Tenor's Aria' from "Der Rosenkavalier" is utterly breathtaking as is De Grieux's aria from "Manon Lescaut". And hearing the sensitive phrasing and control of vocal resources in the ever popular 'Nessun Dorma', 'Che gelida manina" and the Flower Song substantiates the rumor that here is another star on the rise.



A beautiful recording this, and one to include on the shelf with favorite tenors before the public today. Grady Harp, November 2004"
Another Alvarez Hit!!
D. Faylor | Washington State, USA | 11/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Marcelo has done it again. I eagerly await every disc release since I bought his debut album "Bel Canto" a few years ago, and with "Tenor's Passion" Alvarez continues his string of brilliant recordings. Alvarez has taken a large leap forward in a well-nurtured career. Leaving behind the lyrical Italian and French roles he has relied upon so strongly since his Met debut in 1998, Alvarez lets all his dramatic passion pour forth in one great recording. Marcelo's fans have anxiously waited for years to hear his interpretations of Cavaradossi, Pinkerton, Rodolfo, Calaf, and Don Jose in particular. Those of us who have followed his career closely know all about how patiently he has waited until his voice matured to take on some of the weightier tenor roles. All I can really say is it was definitely worth the wait. Now all I need to be happy is to see him perform in person."