Ana Maria Martinez is a young Puerto Rican soprano with a natural Mediterranean warmth to her tone and an easy upper extension that is suitably bright but does not lose the color and texture of the rest of her voice. Hers ... more »is a true lyric which will probably grow darker soon; at the moment, vocally, there's little she has trouble with. Her high pianissimi are lovely, her agility is tested and true in Juliette's Waltz, her sense of rhythm impeccable, as exhibited in both "Les filled de Cadix" and an aria from the Zarzuela "El Nino Judio." Her version of Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras no. 5 is lovely, including the difficult hummed part at the end of the Aria. She lacks both the heft and interpretive subtlety--or interest--for "Un bel di" and Doretta's Dream and lacks charm in "O mio babbino caro," but her "Vilja-Lied" is ravishingly sung. As soon as she begins to delve a bit into the characters she's portraying, she'll be quite something; now, however, Martinez is already a fine singer, with a beautiful voice, and should be heard. Stephen Mercurio is the sympathetic conductor. --Robert Levine« less
Ana Maria Martinez is a young Puerto Rican soprano with a natural Mediterranean warmth to her tone and an easy upper extension that is suitably bright but does not lose the color and texture of the rest of her voice. Hers is a true lyric which will probably grow darker soon; at the moment, vocally, there's little she has trouble with. Her high pianissimi are lovely, her agility is tested and true in Juliette's Waltz, her sense of rhythm impeccable, as exhibited in both "Les filled de Cadix" and an aria from the Zarzuela "El Nino Judio." Her version of Villa-Lobos' Bachianas Brasileiras no. 5 is lovely, including the difficult hummed part at the end of the Aria. She lacks both the heft and interpretive subtlety--or interest--for "Un bel di" and Doretta's Dream and lacks charm in "O mio babbino caro," but her "Vilja-Lied" is ravishingly sung. As soon as she begins to delve a bit into the characters she's portraying, she'll be quite something; now, however, Martinez is already a fine singer, with a beautiful voice, and should be heard. Stephen Mercurio is the sympathetic conductor. --Robert Levine
CD Reviews
A Rising Star
J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 11/18/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Rising fast in the world of opera is the Puerto Rican soprano, Ana María Martínez. Indeed, as I write this she is on the eve of her début as Micaëla in 'Carmen' at the Metropolitan Opera. That will happen tomorrow evening. She has already sung Elvira at Covent Garden, Fiordiligi at Salzburg, Violetta at the Los Angeles Opera (she is rather a protégée of Plácido Domingo). And this CD of a varied program of soprano arias and songs tells us why she is becoming such a hot commodity. The voice is perfectly produced, top to bottom, loud to soft. There is an attractive and distinctive spinning core to the voice that is always present, even at pianissimo. There is also enough squillo to cut through a moderately heavy orchestra to the last row of a large auditorium. Add to that she is a beautiful woman.
The program contains selections varying from a couple of Spanish songs (López's 'Violetas imperiales' and Pablo Luna's 'De España vengo' from 'El Niño Judio') to 'Un bel dì vedremo' from 'Madama Butterfly.' She demonstrates coloratura including trills in 'Les filles de Cadix' by Delibes (with yet more Spanish flavor). An aria she has sung in many of her programs, 'Je veux vivre' from 'Roméo et Juliette,' demonstrates more of the flexibility, as well as the allure, of the voice. We are given a very sexy Hanna Glawari in the 'Vilja-Lied' from 'The Merry Widow.' I'd love to see her in that rôle.
She includes two extraordinarily popular arias - why not? - in Puccini's 'O mio babbino caro' and 'Che il bel sogno di Doretta.' Both are sung simply, believably and with rich tone. One must add, though, that the orchestral accompaniment of the former is a bit soupy for my taste. Otherwise the Prague Philharmonia under American conductor/composer Steven Mercurio.
The high point for me, possibly because I'm immersed in the music of Villa Lobos at the moment, is the most popular of the 'Bachianas Brasileiras,' No. 5, the one for soprano and eight cellos. She sings it operatically and very effectively. And one mustn't forget the most popular of Canteloube's 'Chants d'Auvergne,' 'Baïlèro.' She portrays the young girl singing to her shepherd boy friend across the river with innocence and longing. Wonderful.
This is a marvelous collection and a good demonstration of why young Ms Martínez is drawing such praise in the musical capitals of the world.
Scott Morrison"
Ana Maria Gloria
J. P. Schmitt | Denver, CO | 04/23/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ana Maria Martinez is a young up-and-coming diva, captured here singing familiar but glorious arias and songs. Ms. Martinez combines drama, great range and sweet lyricism. The selections include standards like Delibes' Le Fille de Cadiz, Puccini's Un Bel Di and O Mio Babbino Caro. Her rolling r's in the last piece are delicious embellishments. On the other side she nicely handles two darkly lyrical pieces of Villa Lobos's Bachiana Brasilieras. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys or thinks they might possibly enjoy a soprano who could melt your heart. No kidding!"
Reminds me of Leontyne Price
John A. Mitrushi | 08/03/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A beautiful instrument. The voice has such clarity! The Aria choices superb! I cannot bestow enough accolades!"
Fantastic!
X. Xu | Philadelphia, PA USA | 08/25/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Great voice for a beautiful collection of soprano songs and arias. Heavenly! I believe she is much better than Ana Netrebko, although Netrebko has some visual advantages."
A great singer for a great price!!!
H. Colon-Rivera | Tucson, AZ USA | 07/01/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"In this quality CD, Ana María Martínez demonstrates a palettes of colors that clearly shows her mastery over the voice. Her ability to sing such diverse repertoire and keep an artistic consistency throughout the recording is to be expected of her.
Been myself a double bassist, I didn't quite appreciate the repertoire selections for this recording, although I loved the standards. Otherwise, I have played in the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra while accompanying Ana María, and I have always been astonished by her exquisite musical taste and how it shows through her voice. A great buy!!!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1