Search - Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti, Riccardo Frizza :: Una furtiva lagrima

Florez Continues to Impress

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 03/23/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Too often singers arrive on the musical scene, make one recording, catch the glamour star, only to recede into the background once the initial flourish is made. Not so with Peruvian bel canto tenor Juan Diego Florez. The resounding success of his first album of ROSSINI ARIAS made us hold our breath; could this wonderful new true bel canto tenor hold his own on the stage and on further recordings? Well, yes, he can and has. Not only does he possess a clear, focused, high tenor voice seemingly capable of overcoming any hurdles of power or agility, Juan Diego Florez is a stunning stage presence of handsome bearing. AND he can act with both his body and his head and his voice. UNA FURTIVA LAGRIMA shows Florez in firm control of a broader spectrum of emotional material. True, this selection remains in the bel canto repertoire, but then that is also to his credit, as he is not trying to "sing it all". He has the intelligence to know where his vocal lines are most secure and does not give in to the tendency of foraging into repertoire that could damage his young voice. On this recording there is less distraction from his rather rapid vibrato and more emphasis on the total music line. This CD documents not only a fine tenor currently before the public: it also is a good indicator that he will be around for a long time. Excellent recording, well worth its place in your library."

A Tenor to Treasure

Todd L. Kosovich | St James, Minnesota United States | 05/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Juan Diego Flores is widely touted as "the Next Pavarotti". In fact, he is in a class all by himself. His Rossini CD is the best CD released in this new century. This recital is number 2. No one sings Rossini like Juan Diego Flores, only Rockwell Blake comes close. In the new CD, he proves to be the equal of the young Pavarotti in Donizetti and his better in Bellini. If you love these early composers, if you treasure true bel canto singing, if you like breath-defying coloratura, buy this CD now. He is truly a tenor for the ages."

A definite advance on his first album

klavierspiel | TX, USA | 06/15/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Juan Diego Florez established himself as the up-and-coming Rossini tenor with his debut album. This second CD shows him displaying more sides of his art, including a traversal of the famous title aria. His rendition of Nemorino's brief, eloquent romanza, as good as it is, won't erase memories of the many great tenors who have recorded this piece--his basic timbre is not as rich and round as, say, Pavarotti, and may not be to everyone's taste in this mainstream music. However, as a totality this album represents a definite advance in expressive range over his first disc, with Florez showing a particular talent for projecting light comedy, as the first track from Donizetti's "Rita" illustrates. Elsewhere the mastery of florid technique and rock-solid high extension that have thrilled live audiences are amply in evidence. The concerted numbers from "Puritani" and "Centerentola" have chorus and supporting singers of somewhat variable quality filling out the other vocal parts. This is a good album that will win yet more fans of this exciting singer."