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Product Description
2CD Rolando Villazon/Sophie Koch/Pappano/Covent Garden
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By A K Howe
Format:Audio CD
There is no doubt that Rolando Villazon has suffered significant vocal difficulties in recent times, but no-one should hesitate if they are considering buying this superb new set. True, his voice may not have the youthful beauty of his earlier career, but it is still a magnificent instrument and he has always been a tenor who takes risks in the cause of his art. Add to his stunning performance the experienced and deeply-felt Charlotte of Sophie Koch and the unmatchable conducting of Antonio Pappano (the set was recorded live) and this is overall an essential purchase - even if you already have a recording of the opera.
6 of 8 people found the following review helpful
By Adalgisa1969
Format:Audio CD
Werther is one of my favourite operas so I'm thrilled DG have seen fit to release this very special live set, recorded at Covent Garden last May. If you love this work - or are unfamiliar with it and looking to experience it for the first time - I'd urge you to invest in this version for two reasons.
Firstly, Massenet's intricately constructed and lushly orchestrated score is magnificently realised by Antonio Pappano and the orchestra of the Royal Opera House. For all its swirling romanticism, it's a tautly structured piece, with neither a wasted word nor a wasted note, and Pappano paces it all to perfection, handling the dramatic ebb and flow, the psychological twists and turns, to spellbinding effect.
Secondly, Villazon's performance is simply outstanding - quite possibly the finest singing I have ever heard from him. Vocally and temperamentally, the role fits him like a glove, playing to all his strengths: beauty of tone; an intensity that simmers dangerously and then erupts, but without ever compromising the Gallic elegance of the vocal line; and a seemingly limitless capacity for expressivity. With masterfully controlled dynamics and kaleidoscopic changes of tone, he colours and shapes not just the big arias, but also the tiniest phrases, delivering both with the naturalness of speech.
Sophie Koch sings with ravishing warmth and fullness of tone as Charlotte, a perfect foil to the complexity of Villazon's charismatic, tormented poet as he gradually wears down her defences with his ruthlessly seductive, self-absorbed persistence.
Firstly, Massenet's intricately constructed and lushly orchestrated score is magnificently realised by Antonio Pappano and the orchestra of the Royal Opera House. For all its swirling romanticism, it's a tautly structured piece, with neither a wasted word nor a wasted note, and Pappano paces it all to perfection, handling the dramatic ebb and flow, the psychological twists and turns, to spellbinding effect.
Secondly, Villazon's performance is simply outstanding - quite possibly the finest singing I have ever heard from him. Vocally and temperamentally, the role fits him like a glove, playing to all his strengths: beauty of tone; an intensity that simmers dangerously and then erupts, but without ever compromising the Gallic elegance of the vocal line; and a seemingly limitless capacity for expressivity. With masterfully controlled dynamics and kaleidoscopic changes of tone, he colours and shapes not just the big arias, but also the tiniest phrases, delivering both with the naturalness of speech.
Sophie Koch sings with ravishing warmth and fullness of tone as Charlotte, a perfect foil to the complexity of Villazon's charismatic, tormented poet as he gradually wears down her defences with his ruthlessly seductive, self-absorbed persistence.
8 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Adina
Format:Audio CD
I was fortunate enough to attend this production live at ROH last year. Both Rolando Villazon and Sophie Koch were magnificent - Villazon in particular was stunning. I am delighted therefore to have this live recording which brings back wonderful memories,though unfortunately I cannot hear the sniffs and see the tears that were all around me when Villazon's voice moved many to tears in the last act. Perhaps his voice has altered, but it is a very special voice, incredibly moving and managed by a true artist. Tony Pappano's reading of Massenet's passionate score makes this a perfect to anyone's recording collection.
10 of 17 people found the following review helpful
By Trev-R
TOP 500 REVIEWER
Format:Audio CD
I'm sorry to say that Rolando Villason's voice has lost the X Factor since his throat troubles. He now has a somewhat gravelly character and undertone to what was a beautiful clear voice. This is his major comeback on CD, recorded live at the Royal Opera House last May. I think I have all of his CD's and Opera sets and I suppose we have to be grateful he was able to record a reasonable selection before the throat troubles.
Sophie Koch's Charlotte, is sung with tenderness and clarity and matches Villazon quite well. Unfortunately her performance isn't enough to save this recording for me.
Antonio Pappano is the real star of this recording. His conducting is first rate, lifting Massenet's work with a dynamism and excitement while at the same time not damaging the essential French qualities of the score.
I would suggest listening to the sample tracks Amazon have supplied us with, you may find that Villason's 'new' voice is OK and perhaps if this is your first time buying one of his recordings you may not notice anything wrong at all. Sorry my review has been mostly about Villazon but I think this was meant as a vehicle for his comeback.
Updated 30 April 2012 - May edition of Opera Now only gives a 2 Star Review to this recording. I would caution against believing everything the 5 star reviewers have written as every professional review I have read about this set seems to agree with the Opera Now review.
Sophie Koch's Charlotte, is sung with tenderness and clarity and matches Villazon quite well. Unfortunately her performance isn't enough to save this recording for me.
Antonio Pappano is the real star of this recording. His conducting is first rate, lifting Massenet's work with a dynamism and excitement while at the same time not damaging the essential French qualities of the score.
I would suggest listening to the sample tracks Amazon have supplied us with, you may find that Villason's 'new' voice is OK and perhaps if this is your first time buying one of his recordings you may not notice anything wrong at all. Sorry my review has been mostly about Villazon but I think this was meant as a vehicle for his comeback.
Updated 30 April 2012 - May edition of Opera Now only gives a 2 Star Review to this recording. I would caution against believing everything the 5 star reviewers have written as every professional review I have read about this set seems to agree with the Opera Now review.
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