A passed experiment
Salvini Maria Cristina | 05/24/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Steve Nieve and Muriel Teodori spent 10 years on this project. Very well spent time! They had a lot of hard times, obviously it wasn't a simple project. Bringing together great classical and jazz-pop artists to record an "Opera" isn't a thing you can easily do. But for their and our luck they finally succeded. I had to check twice who was singing the first track, 'cause I couldn't believe it was Sting. And notice I love Sting from 1980. The most moving track is number 3, Grand Grand Freedom. It is sung by Robert Wyatt plus Sting and others. I found myself almost in tears from commotion. His fragile voice is so poignant, so evocative you can't remain insensible. And Sting singing "and Mozart" during the Workers song is simply sublime. The story is simple but multi-layed. I strongly recommend it. Just don't expect a simple song's collection, but don't be scared by the idea of a modern Opera. Chapeau to Steve Nieve and Muriel Teodori and all the great singers and musicians that realized the recording. I wished there will be a teatrical representation sooner or later!"
A thoroughly fascinating piece of work
J. John Foyle | Dublin, Ireland | 06/12/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"In the few weeks I've had the disc I've only heard it in part ; in the background as I worked , reading etc. This evening, for the first time, I played it through in full, no distractions except for occasional glances at the sun setting over the distant Wicklow mountains and trees behind Foyle mansions. Such undivided attention brought in to focus a thoroughly fascinating piece of work. A collection of voices blend with the subtlest of instrumentation to tell a simple story. Once it's accepted that no hugely groundbreaking piece of social commentary is part of the package ( I mean that as a compliment) it is possible to get totally lost in it.
Earlier 'distracted' listening had me thinking Elvis Costello's contribution was too loud and just not right. However it's with his abrasive introduction from track 10 - 'Troublemaker' ( such an apt title!) - onwards that the show really kicks into gear. He is the 'grit' that contrasts so tellingly with the artfulness of the other contributors. It leads into a six track sequence that, in it's build up of emotion, is stunning.
Robert Wyatt is the star of the show. All the others are excellent but it's contribution that keeps popping up in my memories , especially 'Happiness'.
In short this is a album that has to be listened to in full to get it's proper effect. None of your in-ear , train/car journey etc. background listening ; in a room , on speakers , loud. It's a circumstance that can be a bit of luxury in the frantic pace of life but , in this case, well worth the effort. Sympathetically produced, it would make a great stage-show. Well done, one and all."
Indeed a great "Welcome to the Voice"
Bruno L. Garzon | Chicago,IL | 01/07/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Well first before I tell you what I thought of the Cd and piece in general I want to tell you how it came about that I was to listen to it. Well I am a huge Opera fan (16yrs old) and my father is a huge Elvis Costello fan (54yrs old). Well it came to pass that I saw this and I had to show it to my dad. At first we were a bit dumbfounded. Where else could you find Barbara Bonney/Amanda Roocroft (2 of my favorite Opera singers by the way) and Elvis Costello in the same piece!!! Well suffice it to say we bought it right away and we have been incredibly happy with the purchase. Now on to the actual piece.
"Welcome to the Voice" is a fusion of rock and opera into one piece. It is in both English and French and every now and then the language will change abruptly. The singing is amazingly good. Neither my dad nor I are fans of Sting but we both HAD to agree that his performance here was exceptionally acted and sung. Barbara Bonney make a wonderful sweet-voiced counterpart as the young Opera singer Sting (a construction worker in the piece)has fallen in love with. Their "unlikely duet" is one of the most touching duets I have ever heard. Robert Wyatt's rather weak tone took a while to get used to (becuase I listen to a lot of Opera, I am not used to the weaker more delicate voices like his) but overall I was very happy with how he sang. My (personal) favorite part of this whole piece was Amanda Roocroft as The Ghost of Norma. Her singing is both haunting and beautiful and her invocation to the other deceased Opera singers-"stop to play with this man"- was a thrilling spectacle of how great her voices and how great the writers and composers of this piece are. My Dad's personal favorite was (of course) Elvis Costello and his brilliant singing as the police officer.
Steve Nieve and Muriel Teodori are some of the most brilliant composers today. They really have a feel for how modern music can be cooerced with Opera to make a thrilling yet subtle piece with brilliant singer and thrilling music. I hope there is more to come from this power team. My Verdict: Buy this CD. There is nothing else like it out there. Rock and Opera fans alike can finally rejoice in finding a common groundwork to stand on together!!"
Track Listings (15) - Disc #1