Forbidden for a reason
Marguerite Morris | Sacramento, CA | 10/26/2006
(1 out of 5 stars)
"These comments are for Amazon reviewer Robert Levine, as well as all others who will be listening to, and/or reviewing this CD.
I have no quarrel with the basic quality of Salvatore Licitra's voice; within certain parameters, it has a truly lovely sound, reminiscent of some of the earlier tenors recorded during the "Golden Age" of opera.
But that is where the comparison ends.
Re: ".....a solid top and a true range". (As per Mr. Levine's comments).
I must refute the aforementioned remarks entirely. Far from having a solid top, Mr. Licitra's technique lacks the turn that guides every secure tenor voice through the tricky male passage that virtually all of the great tenor arias make consistent use of. His vocal problems are evident every time he approaches and moves past the passage, and the strained, raw, effortful results are an all-too-betraying indicator of where his voice is heading. One is reminded of another tenor, who some years back was hailed as another incredible sensation: Giuseppe di Stefano. One of the most beautiful tenor voices ever to be heard, but the unturned top proved to be his undoing, as his later recordings painfully remind us.
So......lacking a solid top, and, by extension, a true range, it is difficult to predict how much longer he will be able to keep singing. Not even the illusions spun in the recording studio can disguise what is happening......unless, of course, one is content to listen without hearing.
The fault is not entirely Mr. Licitra's, of course. It is evident, from most of the recordings issued by contemporary classical singers, that the artistry and technique that once made opera so sublime is no longer being taught.
If this is the voice of the century, then we are hearing opera in its death throes.
End of subject."
Forbidden Secret Is Discovered
L. Stillwater | Florida | 12/10/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Let me first say that I own "The Debut" album by Salvatore Licitra and have seen him perform at The Metropolitan Opera in New York, and while I cannot deny that he is good, there was still something that I felt was missing from this tenor. That "something" was lack of dynamics and expression. For that reason I hesitated buying the new cd "Forbidden Love", but I am glad I did! This album is definately better than his first album in many ways after listening to it a couple of times. First, this new recording perfectly captured the essence of his voice, and the production is ladened with choirs and rich strings. The common repetoire on this album are enjoyable and perfectly suited for his voice. Dynamics on his voice are more appearent than ever. This dramatic voice has a nice top in my opinion, and you can hear that he is a verdian tenor. His interpretations are a bit to dogmatic for my taste, but to his defense he does not over embellish, but does exactly what is needed. I will go out in a limb by saying the more I have listened to his new album the more I am getting convinced that the new kid on the block is a strong candidate for the future of opera. He has that retro tenor sound that is reminicient of Del Monaco. He has grown vocally since the last time I have seen him, and I believe that he is here to stay."
Forbidden Love
Charmaine J. Simmons | 01/03/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Where has this professional been hiding? What a voice and what a way to appreicate the true sound of music. Bravo!"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1
