Roberto Alagna ~ Serenades

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Like many operatic crossover efforts, this one has its ups and downs, but at least Robert Alagna is at home with this mixture of popular songs and more song-like arias, such as Mozart's Serenade from Don Giovanni and works by Bizet and Rossini. At times, he stretches his voice to the limits of his lower range, but the high notes are healthy and beautiful, and his manner consistently committed and passionate. The modesty and hominess of the acoustic guitar accompaniments have surprising charm, however limited the tonal palette may be. --David Patrick Stearns

Tracks:

Maria Mar
Passione
Carretierre
Arietta di Posillipo - 'A vucchella
Don Giovanni; Act 2: Conzonetta 'Deh vieni alla fenestra'
Torna a Surriento
Pecch
Snade franse - Au clair de la lune, mon gentil Pierrot
Snade 'Elle est la... A la voix d'un amant fidele'
'Na sera 'e maggio
Dicitencello vuie
Senza nisciuno
Les Pecheurs de perles; Act 2: Chanson 'De mon ami'
Il barbiere de Siviglia; Act 1: Canzone 'Se il mio nome saper voi bramate'
Canta pe' me
'O sole mio
Fenesta che lucive
Pagliacci; Act 2: Serenata 'O Colombina, il tenero fido Arlechin'
Tu, ca nun chiagne!
Core ngrato
Serenata Spagnola - Lolita

Amazon.com

Like many operatic crossover efforts, this one has its ups and downs, but at least Robert Alagna is at home with this mixture of popular songs and more song-like arias, such as Mozart's Serenade from Don Giovanni and works by Bizet and Rossini. At times, he stretches his voice to the limits of his lower range, but the high notes are healthy and beautiful, and his manner consistently committed and passionate. The modesty and hominess of the acoustic guitar accompaniments have surprising charm, however limited the tonal palette may be. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

Roberto di Bella Napoli!.......2002-02-18

Exquisite collection of serenades and Neapolitan songs, beautifully accompanied by Roberto's brothers. Far more intimate than you might expect, but none the worse for that, and it makes you hope that Roberto might consider an entire album of Neapolitan songs. This one is worth buying just to hear how moving "Core 'Ngrato" can be when it's sung properly! There is also a very good CD booklet with pleasing photography, proving not only can they sing and play beautifully, but that they're a handsome family, the Alagnas!

Beautiful performances by Alagna.......2000-10-28

Roberto Alagna give impassioned interpretations of popular Italian songs and Italian and French operatic serenades by Bizet, Mozart, Leoncavallo and Rossini. The tenor is accompanied by his brothers David and Frederico on the guitars. Even when the accompagniment have sometimes the tendency to a have limited color(compared to the original orchestral arrangements of many of these pieces) it is for the most part charming and give the atmosphere of intimacy that is related to these serenades. Among the best numbers are Maria Mari, A vuchella, Serenade Française, De mon âme from Les pécheurs de perles by Bizet (with a beautiful cameo appearance by soprano Angela Gheorghiu, Mr. Alagna's wife), Il mio nome from The Barber of Seville, and Lolita. Alagna's command of both Italian and French and the beauty of his lyric tenor make this recording a treat.

Excelente Adquisición.......2000-08-20

En este excelente disco en el que se contiene una muy buena variedad de canciones consideradas como "tradicionales" dentro de la canción napolitana, Roberto Alagna hace gala de una gran calidad vocal además de hacerse acompañar por la guitarra con sus hermanos, lo cual crea una atmosfera muy intima y nos presenta una interesante alternativa al clasico acompañamiento de orquesta. Sin duda alguna una excelente compra para todos aquellos que deseen contar en su colecciòn con una verdadera compilaciòn de clásicos interpretados con gran pasión y diferente propuesta musical.

beautiful vocal, background music weak.......1998-10-05

Every song is done extremely well except for the accompaniment. For the most part the accompaniment is very weak and non-supportive of this dynamic artist. It is alomst like he is doing it acapella.