Canadian tenor
Marc Hervieux has pursued careers both in opera and pop repertoire, and this is his first solo album exclusively devoted to opera. His instrument is essentially attractive, full and warm if a little weak at the bottom, and he sings with passion. This collection of verismo arias, plus a selection from La Traviata, is well suited to his strengths. The performance of
Orchestre Métropolitain of Montreal can be recommended without reservation. Under the confident and lively leadership of
Yannick Nézet-Séguin the group plays with the assurance and polish of a major international orchestra.
Nézet-Séguin coaxes a creamy, rich sound from the strings in particular, and when appropriate, the group plays with refreshing briskness and attention to nuances in articulation that can tend to get glossed over in albums like this, where the accompaniment is often treated as an afterthought. The orchestra shines in the three tracks in which it's featured, the Intermezzos from Cavalleria rusticana and Manon Lescaut and
Puccini's Preludio sinfonico. Atma Classique's sound is clean, present, and nicely ambient.