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Amazon.co.uk Review
Tenor Arias is the debut recital of Calleja, a 26-year-old Maltese tenor. His voice is as bright as a new penny, with a quick vibrato and a sweetness--plangent at times--that is very appealing. He sings favourites here but imbues each of them with a really individual stamp: Alfredo's Act II aria from Traviata has rarely sounded so urgently youthful (here, and throughout, the leadership of Riccardo Chailly is wonderfully sensitive and alert); Macduff's aria is filled with sadness and sung with a long, heartfelt line; "Questo e quella" has swagger and so does "La donna è mobile", but neither is marred by giggles or outbursts of any kind, and the latter's cadenza encompasses every note, clearly articulated. His high notes tend to be a bit wiry (a D flat at the end of "Possente amor" is a dud) but they're still exciting. Edgardo's big scene from the end of Lucia rarely works on CD; here Calleja gives us the desperation, the shock and the tragedy in a vivid portrayal. All through the recital he's musically and textually attentive; he's scrupulous about the composer's markings and has thought about each character's situation. This is a very impressive introduction to a fine young tenor, and the presentation, with chorus where required and second verses included, is equally good. Bravo! --Robert Levine, Amazon.com
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Calleja has a beautiful voice and his singing is full of energy and passion. His notes are unified throughout the register though it can be said that his lower-middle register is already at its best (in spite of the tenor's young age) and can reach a gritty finish when on the top notes (but anyway high C's and D's are always welcome in whatever shade they come in). The warmth of Calleja's tone is admirable and unique when compared to the number of contemporary tenors, though musically correct, lack any feeling and just sing the notes. Having said that Joseph Calleja may have a surplus of feeling at times reminding the keen listener of the 'old age tenor' style (with all the long notes, higher interpoltions and exagerated histrionics). I'm excited to hear more of Joseph Calleja but would also like him to continue in his italinated verve but showing more fidelity to the composers.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
This CD, which I have played repeatedly, more than confirms that here we have a voice that echoes from an age that one thought had passed for ever. Although one is reminded of the younger Pavarotti here and there, the sheer elegance of his voice is more reminiscent of Gigli and Ferruccio Tagliavini, whom I am sure he has also studied, although one senses a strong individuality throughout.
His fast vibrato may sound a little old fashioned on first hearing but he uses it to perfection in the Macbeth and Lucia arias, where it serves to communicate a profound sense of loss and inner grief, nor does it disturb the legato line, for instance in the superb "Quanto e Bella". He can also be extremely nimble, carelessly throwing off his phrases in "Questa o quella" as if to the manner born. Elsewhere one notices a rock steady middle register coupled with a seemingly effortless control of dynamics and skill in phrasing, with a baritonal quality which should develop as he progresses. And all this from a man of only 26, who actually sang Macduff at the tender age of 19!
One can only hope that he will provide us with more recordings over the coming months, perhaps drawing on the operas of Bellini, Donizetti and Massanet, where his voice truly belongs. Dare one hope also for the songs of Tosti, Bellini and Donizetti?
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The sheer power and beauty of Calleja's voice is astonishing. In each number,the young tenor demonstrates his versatility as a lyric tenor - a virile Italiante tone. My favourite track is 'Quanto e` bella' from L'Elisir d'amore , where Nemorino declares his love for Adina. Riccardo Chailly conducts the Orchestra Sinfonica with great sensitivity.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Excellent
Heard one track on the radio and had to have this album, have enjoyed it so much I have already ordered a second of his albums!
Published 2 months ago by Ebor1
Divine voice
My husband was totally delighted with this in his stocking on Christmas morning. What a wonderful voice Joseph has; truly a gift to cherish.
Published 4 months ago by Carole A. Atkinson
Tenor Arias
Joseph Calleja has been a real find. The CD is excellent and displays the range of his voice fully. The selection on the CD has been chosen well. Read more
Published 20 months ago by S Healy
Beautiful voice
Joseph Calleja is one of the most beautiful tenor voices of today. We had the chance to listen to him live in Covent Garden's Traviata with Fleming and Hampson. Read more
Published on 1 Aug 2009 by Dr. Diogo Pais
A developing talent with huge potential
I brought this CD following a Rosenblatt recital that I attended in Feruary 2005. Joseph was very ably accompanied by Vincenzo Scalera on the night. Read more
Published on 17 Dec 2006 by Ian
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