Ella mi fu rapita!... Parmi veder le lagrime... Possen [Rigoletto]
La donna è mobile [Rigoletto]
L' Una furtiva lagrima [L'Elisir d'Amore]
Le Inosservato penetrava... Angelo cast [Il Duca d'Alba]
Act 3, Opening Scene [I Puritani]
Tombe degli avi miei... Fra poco a me ricove [Lucia di Lammermoor]
Linda! si ritirò... Se tanto in ira agli uom [Linda di Chomounix]
La Lunge da lei... De' miei bollenti spiriti... o mio rimo [la Traviata]
La Favorita del Re!... Spirto gentil [LA Favorita]
Though he came to professional singing comparatively late and began to attract the attention of the operatic world only fairly recently, Argentinian tenor Marcelo Alvarez already seems launched on a successful career. On t... more »his debut recording of Italian arias, he displays a light, sweet voice; a ringing, easy top; a basically lyrical temperament; and honestly felt, natural expressiveness--only the three familiar arias from Verdi's Rigoletto are a bit fussy and exaggerated. Though the mixed program does not give him much opportunity for sustained characterization, he does match the color and intensity of his voice to the situation. Among the highlights are a beautiful extended scene from Bellini's I puritani with soprano Ying Huang; arias from Donizetti's Linda di Chamonix and La favorita, the latter culminating in a splendid high C; and a lively cabaletta from Verdi's La traviata. The orchestra tends to be too discreet. --Edith Eisler« less
Though he came to professional singing comparatively late and began to attract the attention of the operatic world only fairly recently, Argentinian tenor Marcelo Alvarez already seems launched on a successful career. On this debut recording of Italian arias, he displays a light, sweet voice; a ringing, easy top; a basically lyrical temperament; and honestly felt, natural expressiveness--only the three familiar arias from Verdi's Rigoletto are a bit fussy and exaggerated. Though the mixed program does not give him much opportunity for sustained characterization, he does match the color and intensity of his voice to the situation. Among the highlights are a beautiful extended scene from Bellini's I puritani with soprano Ying Huang; arias from Donizetti's Linda di Chamonix and La favorita, the latter culminating in a splendid high C; and a lively cabaletta from Verdi's La traviata. The orchestra tends to be too discreet. --Edith Eisler
"I refuse to call this guy the 4th tenor because there are lots of good tenors, always have been. But I do think Marcelo Alvarez is in line to inherit the mantle. Here he puts his agile voice through all the paces. It is a sweet voice, with power-like a velvet glove over a hammer! Never does it sound harsh or forced. I also like that he used "longer cuts" from scenes including duets and ensembles instead of the usual "Greatest Hits" (altho i like those too) But for me the most attractive and appealing element is the absolute joyful quality of his voice, like he is singing for the sheer pleasure of it. Thank you, Marcello, the pleasure is all mine!"
A VERY POWERFUL VOICE; A NEW STAR IS ON THE RISE
RODNEY TRIPP | 09/26/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This review is a great departure from the norm of my regular book reviews here, but I will give it a go and share my thoughts.I am not an opera lover, but I do share the enjoyment of the music. I have purchased, in the past the 3 tenors. I have no idea what the music is about or what they are saying in the music, but there is something about it I can not describe; most people say its the passion in their voices. I purchase this CD on a whim and I was very surprise at the crispness of the voice and the range Marcelo has. I listened to this CD for 3 hours on a business trip that I was drivng too. I will tell you, I am not a lover of this art, but maybe soon; and I would truly not recommend something I do not like. So trust me on this, for the lovers of the art, get this one, and for those who are not opera lovers listen to Alvarez for the first time. I plan to get Marcelo Alvarez sings Gardel next. I expect this star to rise in stardom.Now that enough. Check out my book reviews next.See Ya !Tripp"
Early Marcelo Alvarez Revisited
Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 12/22/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Now and then it is a pleasant excursion to return to early recordings made by singers who are reaching a heady level of importance just to see how voices mature. In the case of Marcelo Alvarez, who is enjoying great success with his recordings (Massenet's 'Manon' with Renee Fleming, and his own solo CD 'The Tenor's Passion' for example), listening to this remarkable disc of bel canto arias is of particular interest.
This recording features the younger (1998), lighter voice in the appropriately lighter repertoire and the intelligence coupled with sheer beauty of sound is here. Though his voice has darkened and is much more full now, these bel canto arias are still splendid. The technique is sound, the line is pure, and the bloom at the top promises that he would become the lyric tenor he has become in 2004.
Marcelo Alvarez started here with the right works at the right time in his career. They are here to savour - sort of a hint of what he has become - a treasureable, exciting and intelligent singer. Grady Harp, December 2004"
Bravo, Bravo, Bravissimo!
Anna | 04/17/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"These arias from La Traviata, Lucia di Lammermoor, Linda di Chamounix, I Puritani and Rigoletto have been recorded often (Too often) but among recent recordings I like Marcelo Alvarez's recordings of them the most. He has a most velvety and gorgeous timbre, wonderful high notes and he phrases sensitively, he uses vocal colours to shade and illuminate every phrase making him a great successor of lyric tenors like Giuseppe di Stefano and José Carreras. Of course he is individual but just as amazing as these guys! Bravo Monsieur Alvarez!"