OPERA

Latest releases reviewed

VERDI: IL TROVATORE
Soloists: Andrea Bocelli, Veronica Villaroel, Elena Zaremba, Carlo Guelfi, Carlo Colombara. Orchestra e coro del Teatro Massimo Bellini di Catania. Conductor: Steven Mercurio Decca
***

While all the major soloists on this recording are well known, the main market justification for yet another recording of Il Trovatore is presumably to showcase Bocelli in this role for his legion of fans. At first impression the lyric tenor voice of Bocelli would not be an obvious choice for the heroic role of Manrico, and while he does not do everything right he does some things very well. He conveys the intensity of the part without losing his sensitivity for stylish phrasing - though there are times when he has to push his tone too hard. The other main soloists - Villaroel, Zaremba and Colombara - are well into their parts, especially Carlo Guelfi as Luna. Overall, this is a reasonably good performance of Il Trovatore, apart entirely from the special attraction of Bocelli. www.universalclassics.com Colman Morrissey