Search - Pietro Mascagni, Ruggero Leoncavallo, Giuseppe Verdi :: Sempre Belcanto: The Legendary First Recital Recording

A great early album from a great artist

bellavoce | USA | 01/10/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"First of all, the title for this album is not "Sempre Bel Canto-Legendary Fir" but "Sempre Belcanto -- The Legendary First Recital Recording".Indeed, this is the stuff from which legends are made. Placido Domingo was only 27 years old when he made this recording, the year in which he signed at the Met. His voice is incredibly young and fresh; the same Domingo gold, but with such purity and newness as is only found in a young singer.He sings a number of well-known arias, among them "Nessun Dorma" and the glorious "Cielo e mar" from "La Gioconda". (It is interesting to note that Domingo sang "Cielo e mar" at his Met audition.) His high notes ring with perfect clarity and serene beauty: his "vincero" at the end of "Nessun Dorma" brings shivers of delight to me every time.As for depth and musicality -- well, those who are familiar with Domingo know that he pays great attention to each of his pieces. Domingo interprets as few others can: every note is a jewel.In short, don't hesitate to buy this CD! It is not only a fascinating study of what great voices sound like when their young, it is a masterful performance."