Rolando Villazon - Treasures of Bel Canto (2015) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Rolando Villazón, one of the world s favorite tenors, returns to the very roots of the Italian romantic vocal tradition, with a selection of exquisite melodies of simple beauty and passion by the greatest of Italian opera composers.

Following journeys through the music of Mozart and Verdi in recent years, Rolando now brings us a stunning collection of songs from the Romantic bel canto period - miniature gems penned by Bellini, Donizetti, Rossini and Verdi - originally scored for piano accompaniment and presented here for the first time in new arrangements for orchestra.

The album features popular hit tracks such as Rossini s "La danza", Bellini s "Malinconia, ninfa gentile" and "Vaga luna", as well as a delightful Rossini duet (Les Amants de Séville) with none other than 5-time Grammy award-winner Cecilia Bartoli.

Undoubtedly one of the finest, most charismatic and recognisable tenors in the world of opera, Rolando continues to go from strength to strength. His varied and rich recording career has brought rave reviews for performances within all sorts of styles - from traditional opera aria repertoire to Baroque, Mexican and, more recently, noted collections of arias by Verdi and Mozart. All of this whilst holding down a top international opera house career in some of the finest venues of the world.

Into the previously yawning gap in the entertainment industry for an opera singer who can sing arias and clown like Buster Keaton steps Rolando Villazon. (…) (Villazon's) brand of chilled-out entertainment is hard to resist. –The Times

. . . a tenor of extraordinary talent and high intelligence . . . Villazón is a natural communicator as well as a profound musician . . . –The Daily Telegraph

His impassioned delivery and heartfelt demeanor rendered his portrayal of the love-struck young poet entirely convincing. Mr. Villazón s singing was ardent, textured and expressive…. –NY Times

TRACKLIST

VINCENZO BELLINI (1801–1835)
01. Ma rendi pur contento 2:24
02. Malinconia, ninfa gentile 1:36
03. Vaga luna, che inargenti 3:35
04. Torna, vezzosa Fillide 8:16

GIUSEPPE VERDI (1813–1901)
05. Deh, pietoso, o Addolorata 4:41
06. Non t’accostare all’urna 4:03
07. Il poveretto 2:19
08. Il mistero 3:34

GAETANO DONIZETTI (1797–1848)
09. L’amor funesto 5:40
10. Una lagrima (Preghiera) 4:12
11. Il sospiro 3:13
12. La Mere et l’Enfant 5:18

GIOACCHINO ROSSINI (1792–1868)
13. L’esule 3:52
14. La danza 3:13
15. La lontananza 4:01
16. Tirana pour deux voix 4:29 (Rolando Villazon, Cecilia Bartoli)

PERSONNEL
Performer: Rolando Villazón (tenor), Cecilia Bartoli
Conductor: Marco Armiliato
Orchestra/Ensemble: Florence Maggio Musicale Orchestra