et al Constantine Orberian Performer - Dmitri Hvorostovsky Passione di Napoli (17 tracks) +Album Reviews

Bravo bravissimo !

Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 11/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"One usually hears these songs sung by tenors, and it's a wonderful change to hear them in Hvorostovsky's dark honey velvet baritone, bringing a new dimension to this well loved and often played music. His Italian is flawless and there's an emotion to his interpretation that's genuine and moving.The booklet insert (which includes all the lyrics and side by side English translations), says: "With a voice of burnished beauty, warm and liquid in tone, and a superb capacity for eloquent phrasing, and stunning, long-spun phrases, Hvorostovsky is a natural for this repertoire". Well said...I think this phenomenal singer is perhaps the finest voice in opera today, and this CD adds another facet to his extraordinary talent.The Philharmonia of Russia led by Constantine Orbelian has just the right light touch and I find the balance between the orchestra and singer well placed. This is a marvelous addition to my Dmitri collection, and one I'm sure I'll be listening to often."

'a voce d'oro...

Lana | San Francisco, CA, USA | 02/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Excellent! You may hear voices for and against this recording. Both sides defend their positions so violently that you may guess, even before hearing, - this is quiet an event! These songs are popular. You may have heard them one too many times... but this recording is nothing like what you have ever had before. You may like it or your may hate it... but this will never leave you indifferent. This is what we call a revolutionary singing! But check out A Marechiare or Canta pe' me - and you may well get addicted to this. I personally can't hear tenors any more doing same things. They all sound to me like lacking power.You may even get surprized: Dicitencello vuie is very passionate and somewhat sad, but it is powerful, too, in Hvorostovsky's best way. But Fenesta ca lucive is very soft and even somewhat pitiful. Not very much like Hvorostovsky, huh? Surprizingly, it has some Lemeshev's tones... Unusual for this singer, but how beautiful!I find the comments about Hvorostovsky's light accent totally absurd. Not to mention that Italian is not his native language, Hvorostovsky's hard "RRRRR" sound indeed makes him sound more audible. It also gives him some unusial foreign charm, which gives the performance an unforgettable exotic tone. This is a winner.The CD is excellent. Period."

Finally A Baritone!

Z. Yang | 03/27/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, I know, lots of people are giving this CD five stars and I would too, ecept I can't get over the recording quality of this album. I love Dimitri and baritones especially! I don't know who this company is, ( Delos* ) Who ever heard of this company before now! I have a very good stereo system and it sounds as if Hvorostovsky is singing behind the orchestra. So now I've got my Stereo volume high just to hear him, then you've got the instruments blaring out! Please don't get me wrong, this CD is well worth the money, And I'am a little tired of hearing these lovely songs sung by tenors only. I have a weakness for baritones since I'm also one myself. And yes, his voice is very warm and suited for these type of songs. The Cd is worth buying for only to hear his voice flowing easily with the luscious music of the Napoli.Buy it! Also check out Thomas Hampson, Night And Day CD"

Different, and yet, Delicious Art

Z. Yang | Hockessin, DE USA | 09/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It gives you entirely different feelings when these Neapolitan songs, conventionally sung by Italian tenors, are sung by Dmitri Hvorostovsky. What makes the difference, apart from the burnished, warm-toned, and simply gorgeous baritone, is the powerful and deeply heartfelt rendering that evokes fresh emotions as well as enriches exuberant lyricism. Although Mr. Hvorostovsky sees this repertoire as a crossover for him, he possesses everything in his department to make memorable interpretations of the songs. The rich voice has an impeccably wide vocal range (up to A-flat as demonstrated in this album) with the consistent superb quality, all well focused, across the entire register. The exceptionally beautiful legatos of his, together with the ability of eloquent phrasing and shaping, make the songs all the more heart-throbbing. The poignant moments in "Passione", "Voce'e notte", "Dicitencello vuie" carried out in various dynamic shadings reach the emotional level that could break your heart. The climax in "Torna a Surriento", "Core 'ngrato", "'O sole mio" are filled with ardent, fully unleashed, passion. These are passionate Neapolitan songs sung with hot blooded passion. I don't understand why some people would nitpick something like Hvorostovsky's Neapolitan diction, when the voice and the singing alone are already powerful enough to give one a heart attack."

Hot blooded Russian Napolitana

Z. Yang | 12/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I feel his passionate expression in this CD. You've got to understand Dmitri's good effort to serenade in Italian, I bet he did this out of love for his brand new Italian wife. And he doesn't care who knew it. It's nice to know he is a hot blooded Russian. His Napolitana sounds heavy, but so were Del Monaco and Corelli. It's hard not to be in love with a sensuous voice like his. Dmitri is incredibly skillful and flexible. He can do almost anything. I look forward to more of his opera and non opera recordings."

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