Search - Adolphe Adam, Georges Bizet, Gaetano Donizetti :: Opera Heroes Series / Nicolai Gedda 18 Works (EMI Classics)

Gedda, a Truly Great Tenor!

Ivan Jorgensen | Rio de Janeiro | 07/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD is wonderful! How can a tenor encompass with equal success so varied a repertoire? The first two arias, by Mozart, are exemplarily done, as are the two arias form "L'Elisir d'amore", especially "Una furtiva lacrima", with wonderful soft singing. He could give a pianissimo high C in "Je crois entendre encore" (no falsetto), from "The Pearl Fishers", and boast a powerful high D in the aria from "Le Postillon Longjumeau". His singing in the French arias is outstanding, with plenty of style, elegance, refinament, character and a perfect voice. Surprinsingly, his "Che gelida manina" is extremely succesful, impassioned and extrovert, as is his "Ecco ridente in cielo", from "The Barber of Seville", in which he displays outstanding agility (no softening of the tone in the fioriture). "Asile hereditaire" is outstanding (clear, powerful, perfectly focussed high C and awesome soft singing). His operetta renditions are extremely well done, showing his love for the style, and his Verdi (at least in this CD) is exemplary, with (again) wonderful soft singing in "Di' tu se fedele" (as well as powerfull sounds when they are called for) and much exuberance in "La donna è mobile". The Tchaikovsky item is a delight, too. No sign of strain throughout the CD. A real treat!"