Bel Canto Spectacular, a recital featuring tenor
Juan Diego Flórez, delivers exactly what it promises: a spectacular release of vocal showpieces by one of the rising superstars of the early 21st century, singing scenes and arias by the great bel canto composers,
Rossini, Bellini, and
Donizetti.
Flórez's voice is not particularly large, but he has a terrific, agile technique, a warmly enveloping tone, and a dramatic flair for fully inhabiting these operatic characters. He also has a sure grasp on the stylistic conventions of this repertoire and knows how to exploit them without going overboard. The album opens with "Amici mei," from La figlia del reggimento, an aria that helped secure his reputation because of his confident delivery of its multiple high Cs. He is equally impressive in the more lyrical selections, such as Una furtive lagrima, to which he brings an especially sweet, limpid tone.
Flórez is joined in some of the scenes by artists of the caliber of
Plácido Domingo,
Anna Netrebko, and
Mariusz Kwiecien; mezzo-soprano
Daniela Barcellona is not quite in their league in a rare but delightful duet from Il viaggio a Reims.
Domingo is featured on a bonus track in the duet Ah, vieni, nel tuo sangui, from Otello.
Daniel Oren leads
Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana in sensitive accompaniment. Decca's sound is clean and present with good balance. ~ Stephen Eddins