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The Real Alagna?

Robert D. Forst | Arlington, Texas | 09/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Roberto Alagna has made many recordings over the last ten or more years. Some of his recitals, especially those in French, have pleased us; little, if any, of his Verdi has brought us any pleasure. His total output then is a mixed bag with some recordings scoring high marks and others, well, these are best forgotten.

Then in 2006 along comes what one would have every reason to consider a trifle - "C'est Magnifique!, Roberto Alagna sings Luis Mariano. Apparently Alagna, as a boy, heard Mariano sing many of these songs, so the album is Alagna's tribute to his great predecessor.

The album is a mix of songs in English and French, mostly the latter. And here's where it gets interesting. Alagna is fantastic in every one of them - touching, tender, flamboyant, rousing, enthusiastic. He's wonderfully inventive, giving us beautiful renditions of old favorites and a reason to listen again to more recent discoveries. His voice is in splendid shape and the top is thrilling.

I thoroughly recommend this CD to anyone who wants to take an upscale break from more serious music or to someone who just wants to hear a splendid opera singer making us have a really good time.

Robert Forst"

A worthy tribute to a great singer

Robert Petersen | Durban, South Africa | 04/15/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Alagna scores big time with this fantastic tribute album to a great French tenor Luis Mariano. I was unfamiliar with Mariano's music until I listened to this album. Alagna's voice is in great shape, showing us that he can pull off French operetta just as well as the great Mariano himself!"