Search - Hadley, Bonynge, English Chamber Orchestra :: Jerry Hadley - The Age of Bel Canto

INTERESTING REPERTOIRE, WELL SUNG

Michael E. Brady | rome, ny United States | 11/13/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While currently out of print BMG might well reissue the album so some comments are in order. The album has a repertoire that is, under any conditions, exceptionally demanding with the arias from Dom Sebastien, La dame blanche, Les Huguenots, etc., being among the most difficult to sing in the tenor literature. For the most part Hadley proves a wealth of beautiful, well posed tone running into trouble only when he must deal with troublesome top notes that have never been his forte. The top c-sharp taken in the aria "Seul sur la terre" from Dom Sebastien in pure head tone( read falsetto )is really stylistically correct but the versions by Marcelo Alvarez, Roberto Alagna, Luciano Pavarotti( as "Deserto in terra" ), and, of course, Alfredo Kraus are much more thrilling with the top note ringing out in full voice. Kraus was well into his 60s but his ageless voice took the top notes with consummate ease.The arias from Lucia di Lammermoor, L'elisir d'Amore, Mignon, Lakme, and The Bohemian Girl are all well done with really beautiful tone and stylistic elan. The arias from Les cloches de Corneville, L'eclair, and The Rose of Castille and Sigismondo are well sung but so new to me as music that a critical evaluation is not possible.The aria from Martha sung in the original German as "Ach, so fromm" is, at the climax, rather stressful and strained.The sound is excellent and the direction of the English Chamber Orchestra by Richard Bonynge is a real plus for both Hadley and the listener.Overall this album is worthy of Hadley's reputation as an outstanding lyric tenor who has proven his worth in any number of difficult, demanding operatic roles. Listen, for example, to his clear runs, etc. While Hadley isn't the ideal tenor for operas like Tosca, Il Trovatore, etc., he can and does provide much pleasure in the type of repertoire recorded here and in modern works."

RIP, JERRY HADLEY 1952-2007

Operaman! | Chicago, IL United States | 07/18/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Among his numerous recordings of opera, concert and lighter works, this one CD best serves the late tenor's art. Arias, both familiar and not, exemplify his clear, clean singing, wonderful diction and musicality. Although it is currently unavailable, I'm hoping RCA will see fit to reissue it soon in memory of a truly fine American-trained artist and singer."