Maltese tenor
Joseph Calleja claims that
Mario Lanza's performance in The Great Caruso taught him that there was more to music than
Iron Maiden and
Metallica, inspiring him to take up an operatic career in the process. So there's little wonder why the man widely regarded as one of the greatest tenors of the 21st century sounds so at home on this 18-track tribute to the '40s/'50s legend. Backed by
the BBC Concert Orchestra and their conductor
Steven Mercurio,
Be My Love may remain resolutely faithful to the original arrangements of both Neapolitan classics such as "La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetée" from
Bizet's Carmen, "Vesti la Guibba" from
Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, and "Mamma, Quel Vino è Generoso" from
Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana and romantic musical numbers such as the title track, "The Loveliest Night of the Year," and "Serenade." But whether he's rolling his Rs on the enchanting mandolin-led "Arrivederci Roma" or blasting the roof off with his tour de force tones on Mexican standard "Granada,"
Calleja's obvious passion for the material ensures that
Be My Love never feels like an artist simply going through the motions. The track listing could undoubtedly do with a bit of a shuffle, with the middle section of arias a little heavy going compared to the lighter material surrounding it, while the emotionally stirring renditions of football favorites "Nessun Dorma" and "You'll Never Walk Alone" would have served as a more suitable finale than the elegant balladry of "Because." But nitpicking aside,
Be My Love is an affectionate tribute that justifies
Calleja's rising star status. ~ Jon O'Brien