Puccini: Arias / Cura, Domingo, Philharmonia Orchestra

Since José Cura first appeared on the international stage, many extravagant claims have been made for his voice, but this disc confirms that his exciting tenor is indeed the real thing.

Here is almost every tenor aria Puccini composed, with all but one of his operas – the exception being the all-female Suor Angelica – represented. If that sounds like too much of a good thing, then you need to hear the young Argentinian José Cura sing this music. In the short time since he first appeared on the international stage, many extravagant claims have been made for his voice, but this disc confirms that his exciting tenor is indeed the real thing.

Cura is possessed of a true lirico spinto voice, with Read more a hefty, ringing top. But it is what he does with it that makes this recital so compelling: he colours the voice differently for each character in Puccini’s gallery of heroes and anti-heroes. Opening with a thrilling account of ‘Nessun dorma’ – for some strange reason the programme runs in anti-chronological order – he finds high spirits for Rinuccio’s paean to Florence (Gianni Schicchi) and Ruggero’s sentimental outpouring from La rondine. He finds Dick Johnson’s dark desperation in Act III of La fanciulla del West, and captures the ardent sincerity of the writing in Puccini’s earlier operas. With his instinctive knowledge of this repertoire, Plácido Domingo makes a sensitive accompanist.

Performance: 5 (out of 5), Sound: 5 (out of 5)

-- John Allison, BBC Music Magazine
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1. Turandot: Nessun dorma! by Giacomo Puccini

Performer: José Cura (Tenor)
Conductor: Placido Domingo
Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1926; Italy
Language: Italian

2. Turandot: Non piangere, Liù by Giacomo Puccini

Performer: José Cura (Tenor)
Conductor: Placido Domingo
Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1926; Italy
Language: Italian

3. Gianni Schicchi: Firenze è come un albero fiorito by Giacomo Puccini

Performer: José Cura (Tenor)
Conductor: Placido Domingo
Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1918; Italy
Language: Italian
Notes: This selection begins "Avete torto...".

4. Il Tabarro: Hai ben ragione by Giacomo Puccini

Performer: José Cura (Tenor)
Conductor: Placido Domingo
Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1918; Italy
Language: Italian

5. La Rondine: Dimmi che vuoi seguirmi by Giacomo Puccini

Performer: José Cura (Tenor)
Conductor: Placido Domingo
Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1917; Italy
Language: Italian

6. La Fanciulla del West: Or son sei mesi by Giacomo Puccini

Performer: José Cura (Tenor)
Conductor: Placido Domingo
Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1910; Italy
Language: Italian
Notes: This selection begins with "Una parola sola".

7. La Fanciulla del West: Ch'ella mi creda libero e lontano by Giacomo Puccini

Performer: José Cura (Tenor)
Conductor: Placido Domingo
Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1910; Italy
Language: Italian

8. Madama Butterfly: Addio, fiorito asil by Giacomo Puccini

Performer: José Cura (Tenor)
Conductor: Placido Domingo
Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1904; Italy
Language: Italian

9. Tosca: Recondita armonia by Giacomo Puccini

Performer: José Cura (Tenor)
Conductor: Placido Domingo
Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1900; Italy
Language: Italian

10. Tosca: E lucevan le stelle by Giacomo Puccini

Performer: José Cura (Tenor)
Conductor: Placido Domingo
Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1900; Italy
Language: Italian

11. La Bohème: Che gelida manina by Giacomo Puccini

Performer: José Cura (Tenor)
Conductor: Placido Domingo
Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1896; Italy
Language: Italian

12. Manon Lescaut: Tra voi, belle, brune, bionde by Giacomo Puccini

Performer: José Cura (Tenor)
Conductor: Placido Domingo
Orchestra/Ensemble: Philharmonia Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1893; Italy
Language: Italian
Notes: This selection begins with "Mà se vi talenta...".

13. Manon Lescaut: Donna non vidi mai by Giacomo Puccini