Marcelo Álvarez - Bel Canto / Y. Huang, WNO, Rizzi

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Though he came to professional singing comparatively late and began to attract the attention of the operatic world only fairly recently, Argentinian tenor Marcelo Alvarez already seems launched on a successful career. On this debut recording of Italian arias, he displays a light, sweet voice; a ringing, easy top; a basically lyrical temperament; and honestly felt, natural expressiveness--only the three familiar arias from Verdi's Rigoletto are a bit fussy and exaggerated. Though the mixed program does not give him much opportunity for sustained characterization, he does match the color and intensity of his voice to the situation. Among the highlights are a beautiful extended scene from Bellini's I puritani with soprano Ying Huang; arias from Donizetti's Linda di Chamonix and La favorita, the latter culminating in a splendid high C; and a lively cabaletta from Verdi's La traviata. The orchestra tends to be too discreet. --Edith Eisler

USA Today
[Alvarez's] voice is rich, flexible and unforced, with a keen relationship to the words and flashes of genuine temperament that one rarely hears in such young artists.

Marcelo Álvarez - Bel Canto / Y. Huang, WNO, Rizzi

Tracks:

Rigoletto: Questa O Quella
Rigoletto: Ella mi fu rapita!...Parmi veder le lagrime...Possente amor me chiama
Rigoletto: La danna e mobile
L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima
Il Duca d'Alba: Inosservato penetrava...Angelo casto e bel
I Puritani: Opening Scene From Act III
Lucia di Lammermoor: Tombe degli avi miei...Fra poco a me ricovero
Linda di Chamounix: Linda! si retiro...Se tanto in ira agli unomini
La Traviata: Lunge da lei... De' miei bollenti spiriti...o mio rimorso
La Favorita: Favorita de Re!...Spirto gentil

Amazon.com

Though he came to professional singing comparatively late and began to attract the attention of the operatic world only fairly recently, Argentinian tenor Marcelo Alvarez already seems launched on a successful career. On this debut recording of Italian arias, he displays a light, sweet voice; a ringing, easy top; a basically lyrical temperament; and honestly felt, natural expressiveness--only the three familiar arias from Verdi's Rigoletto are a bit fussy and exaggerated. Though the mixed program does not give him much opportunity for sustained characterization, he does match the color and intensity of his voice to the situation. Among the highlights are a beautiful extended scene from Bellini's I puritani with soprano Ying Huang; arias from Donizetti's Linda di Chamonix and La favorita, the latter culminating in a splendid high C; and a lively cabaletta from Verdi's La traviata. The orchestra tends to be too discreet. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Good voice for his repertoire.......2007-07-22

Marcelo Alvarez began his singing career later than most tenors. As the booklet coming with the CD notes, "After years of nearly everyone he knew wondering if he was crazy to want to be a singer, all the doors are opening." This CD appears to be a solid introduction to his work. His repertoire here runs from Verdi ("Rigoletto" and "La Traviata"), to Donizetti ("L'elisir d'amore," "Il Duca d'Alba," "Lucia di Lammermoor," Linda di Chamounix"), to Bellini ("I Puritani").

Some reflections on some of the "cuts" on this CD:

From "Rigoletto," "Questa o quella." This is smoothly sung; Alvarez demonstrates an attractive voice. There are some annoying affectations, but these are not critical. A nicely paced version of this work. Then, "La donna e Mobile." This is a spirited version of this well known piece. His voice appears a bit on the light side; he does not have the instrument of Tucker or Corelli (although that is hardly a criticism). The final high note is done well.

He does a nice turn on "Una furtive lagrima" from Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amore."

His turn at the opening of Act III of Bellini's "I Puritani" is quite musical. He shares the stage (albeit briefly) with soprano Ying Huang and a chorus. Again, an attractive voice is on display. For someone on stage for so long, his voice wears well on the listener.

"La Traviata": "Lunge da lei. . .De' miei bollenti spiriti. . .o mio rimorso!" is well done. The first part is sung nicely. He shows much spirit and captures the character in "De' miei bollenti spiriti." The final part of this scene, "O mio rimorso" is dramatically done. He does not quite have the agility that would be ideal here, but, nonetheless, a good version.

So, all in all, a good CD from one of the finer tenors around today. He does not have a large voice, but it is attractive. A good introduction to his art.

Bravo, Bravo, Bravissimo!.......2005-04-18

These arias from La Traviata, Lucia di Lammermoor, Linda di Chamounix, I Puritani and Rigoletto have been recorded often (Too often) but among recent recordings I like Marcelo Alvarez's recordings of them the most. He has a most velvety and gorgeous timbre, wonderful high notes and he phrases sensitively, he uses vocal colours to shade and illuminate every phrase making him a great successor of lyric tenors like Giuseppe di Stefano and José Carreras. Of course he is individual but just as amazing as these guys! Bravo Monsieur Alvarez!

Early Marcelo Alvarez Revisited.......2004-12-22

Now and then it is a pleasant excursion to return to early recordings made by singers who are reaching a heady level of importance just to see how voices mature. In the case of Marcelo Alvarez, who is enjoying great success with his recordings (Massenet's 'Manon' with Renee Fleming, and his own solo CD 'The Tenor's Passion' for example), listening to this remarkable disc of bel canto arias is of particular interest.

This recording features the younger (1998), lighter voice in the appropriately lighter repertoire and the intelligence coupled with sheer beauty of sound is here. Though his voice has darkened and is much more full now, these bel canto arias are still splendid. The technique is sound, the line is pure, and the bloom at the top promises that he would become the lyric tenor he has become in 2004.

Marcelo Alvarez started here with the right works at the right time in his career. They are here to savour - sort of a hint of what he has become - a treasureable, exciting and intelligent singer. Grady Harp, December 2004

A great voice used well........2002-08-28

Mr. Alvarez has a wonderful vocal instrument, and his technique is marvellous. He is true bel canto. Nothing is ever forced or lacking in beauty. Fine diction and flawless Italian pronunction. Even when the voice rises in intensity, the sound remains lustrous and golden. The liner notes indicate that he is a wise steward of his voice as well, choosing his repetoire carefully and planning ahead as to when he will attempt certain things. I look forward to hearing him sing Cavaridossi in a few years. In the meantime, you will not be disappointed by this collection. It is simply great singing.

What is it with the numbers?.......2002-01-23

I refuse to call this guy the 4th tenor because there are lots of good tenors, always have been. But I do think Marcelo Alvarez is in line to inherit the mantle. Here he puts his agile voice through all the paces. It is a sweet voice, with power-like a velvet glove over a hammer! Never does it sound harsh or forced. I also like that he used "longer cuts" from scenes including duets and ensembles instead of the usual "Greatest Hits" (altho i like those too) But for me the most attractive and appealing element is the absolute joyful quality of his voice, like he is singing for the sheer pleasure of it. Thank you, Marcello, the pleasure is all mine!

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