Notes and Editorial Reviews
MICHAEL SPYRES: A Fool for Love
•
Michael Spryes (ten); Constantine Orbelian, cond; Moscow CO
•
DELOS DE3414 (63:04
Text and Translation)
Selections by
DONIZETTI, STRAVINSKY, ROSSINI, MOZART, BIZET, MASSENET, R. STRAUSS, PUCCIN, VERDI, TCHAIKOVSKY, CILEA, LEHÁR
Michael Spyres, a young American lyric tenor, in his first recorded recital demonstrates his versatility and his ability to characterize different
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musical heroes with different vocal coloration. His nine high Cs in the
Fille du Régiment
aria are well sung. In the
Rake’s Progress
aria his English diction is excellent. He pleasingly handles the coloratura with all of the small notes in place in what was the often-cut “Cessa di più ristere” aria from
Il Barbiere di Siviglia.
He sings “Una furtiva lagrima” with a delicate lyric line, and he shows classical artistry in his rendition of “Il mio tesoro.” His rendition of “Je crois entendre encore” is sung beautifully with a lyrical head voice, and it alone is worth the price of the disc. The rest of the arias demonstrate his versatility, and each is expressive and faithful to the intentions of the composers.
The conductor, Constantine Orbelian, who was born in San Francisco, is an experienced musician and supports the singer excellently. It is interesting that he conducts a Russian orchestra. In the early 20th century two Russian tenors behind the Iron Curtain, Sergey Lemeshev and Ivan Kozlovsky, sang in the old traditional
bel canto
style, while in the Western world tenors no longer sang high notes in the head voice, but blasted them in the chest voice. Spyres sings beautifully in the
bel canto
style.
The booklet contains an essay story of
A Fool For Love
as well as notes about the singer and conductor. The arias are listed in their native language and English translation. I strongly recommend this recital!
FANFARE: Bob Rose
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Works on This Recording
4.
L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima by Gaetano Donizetti
Performer:
Michael Spyres (Tenor)
Conductor:
Constantine Orbelian
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Moscow Chamber Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1832; Italy
5.
Don Giovanni, K 527: Il mio tesoro intanto by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performer:
Michael Spyres (Tenor)
Conductor:
Constantine Orbelian
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Moscow Chamber Orchestra
Period: Classical
Written: 1787; Prague, Czech Republ
7.
Werther: Pourquoi me réveiller? by Jules Massenet
Performer:
Michael Spyres (Tenor)
Conductor:
Constantine Orbelian
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Moscow Chamber Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1892; France
9.
La Bohčme: Che gelida manina by Giacomo Puccini
Performer:
Michael Spyres (Tenor)
Conductor:
Constantine Orbelian
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Moscow Chamber Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1896; Italy
10.
Rigoletto: La donna č mobile by Giuseppe Verdi
Performer:
Michael Spyres (Tenor)
Conductor:
Constantine Orbelian
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Moscow Chamber Orchestra
Period: Romantic
Written: 1851; Italy
12.
Eugene Onegin, Op. 24: Lensky's aria by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky
Performer:
Michael Spyres (Tenor)
Conductor:
Constantine Orbelian
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Moscow Chamber Orchestra
Written: 1879
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