Search - Soler, Crescentini, Shi-Chiao :: Castrati in Romanticism

A true masterpiece

Alexander Kviting | Southern Norway | 11/27/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this recording to hear compositions of a real castrato.Girolamo Crescentini (1762-1846) was the most succesfull castrato singer of his time.His voice was described as purely angelic,and he had lots of pupils and admirers.He was the only singer ever who mooved Napoleon to tears.But he was also a composer.And his 13 songs represented here is a true evidence on that he actually was succesfull.His songs are short and simple, yet they speak to the heart of the listener.The songs are truly romantic, and are superior to other romantic guitar songs I`ve heard, including Martin y Soler.I especially liked tracks 13#,15#,16#,20#,21#.Crescentini did probably composed these songs for the castrato voice.
To the end, a little bit more about the performer:Tu Shi Chiao is counter-tenor, and not a castrato.His voice is, in my opinion, not particulary impressive and a bit weak, but he is doing quite well in the middle-range.He froces his voice in the upper range with some register-breaks in his lowest notes, like most other counter-tenors.So, this reduces the overall score a bit.However, the music itself is so beatiful and romantic that I decieded to give this CD 5 stars.This recording is a must for all lovers of beautiful and classical music.Alex."

A true masterpiece!

Alexander Kviting | Southern Norway | 11/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I`am interested in the castrato subject, and purchased this
recording to hear compositions of a real castrato.And what I found, was amazing:His guitar-songs appeared to be so beatiful and romantic that I listen to them almost every day.I use to draw, and I often use this CD as inspiration, a sort of background music.Though I listen to all compositions, both by
Martin and Crescentini, I believe the latter ones compositions is superior, both in quality and variability.I don`t understand why these songs are not so popular that they are performed occasionally?The songs are, in my opinion, a masterpieces.
They bring up the idea of love and romance, and they reflect the style of 19`th century in such a way that makes you travell back in time.This is a true classic, a must for all who loves classic and beatiful music.A few words about the performer:
Tu Shi Chiao is a countertenor, and not a castrato.He sings quite
impressive, but forces his voice at the upper range, with some register-breaks at the lower, therefore I cannot say that his singing feels natural and conviencing.However, he still does better then some other counter-tenors,and the music is so beautiful that this recording deserves its 5 stars.I would like to hear a real castrato perform these pieces!Greetings"