Search - Vincenzo Bellini, Charles Gounod, Jules Massenet :: Operatic Arias

Balistic over a Basso

Paul J. Abrams | new york city | 05/26/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Having listened a few times to my new CD of Mr. Tian's recital

of arias I almost can't believe a debut recording can be of such

a high caliber.

Beyond the use of Italian, French and Russian very well, to me

it was more impressive that he caught the nature of each of

the characters he was bringing to life from the composers score.

From the lagato lines in LA SONNAMBBULA to the furious husband in LA GIOCONDA alone are worth the price of the CD! BRAVO!"

Incredible musicality for a basso!

StephieJo | Northern Virginia | 08/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Actually, I was given this album as a gift and I love it so much I bought two more to give to friends. His emotion in each of the arias is right on and his pronunciation in Italian, French, and Russian is really impressive--I was expecting his Chinese native language to encroach but it doesn't at all. A really amazing voice."

Probably the best current basso cantante

Abel | Hong Kong | 05/31/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I got this disc right after its release, but hesitated to review it owing to many reasons beyond the singer's credentials.

I must say that I have not heard a bass cantante so good since Cesare Siepi.

And I have been very critical of this recording, comparing the pieces track by track with Siepi's own album. The reason being that Mr. Tian's album is my first commentary of recordings by Chinese operatic singers (these recordings are SO few), and I want to do real justice to his recording.

The tracks are really very well chosen. Not merely impressive in the range of repertoire, but each representative of a branch of the different operatic styles. Each single piece is impeccably sung, interpreted, articulated. The voice is deep, with a full dark hue, but the singing never boring. I particularly love the "Il Barbiere di Seville" aria of Basilo. I think Mr. Tian should perform this role on stage more. His bel canto is likewise very convincing in the " La Sonnambula" track. I've heard other Italian basses singing this aria, but few could match Mr. Tian in this recording.

The famous aria of Philip II in 'Don Carlo' is movingly sung in rich tone. If other basses performing this role some times fall short of the 'crown', Hao-jiang Tian's performance rightfully deserves it.

I think Mr. Tian must have waited almost his whole life to make this recording. And I would say that it represents his artistic achievement well.

I must thank NAXOS, the Hong Kong home brand, for making this disc available to listeners."