December 01, 2008.

Florez sings arias.

Rating: 1
I have been thrilled seeing Florez in operas, his voice is powerful and pure; his acting ability is unmatchable. But his CD's are produced very purely. He sings too loud, it is not pleasing to the ear. I have seen audiences move Florez to tears with ovations; he is amazing. But the people who produced this CD apparently did not listen to it before selling it to the public. I found it offensive.

December 31, 2008.

Florez sings Arias written for Rubini.

Rating: 4
I like this CD a lot. These are not all very familiar arias, but they are all from Bellini, Donizetti and Rossini operas.
Florez has a magnificent voice, although I'm not always sure about his intonation or that of the backup chorus. Overall it's a treat.

December 27, 2008.

Pavoratti's Replacement.

Rating: 5
This tenor is really exciting to listen to. He makes it sound so easy and effortless. He flows up to the top notes and doesn't slam them. The CD is a fitting tribute to Rubini. Worth the purchase. Mark

December 14, 2008.

Good voice.

Rating: 4
The Tenor from Peru is one of the best tenors in the world at this time;I feel that the selection of arias, could have been a lot better.I do recommend that when you see the name Juan Diego Flores, you pay a lot of attention.

December 12, 2008.

By now, a known quantity.

Rating: 5
After flirting with other repertoire and recording a crossover disc or two, the reigning Rossini tenor Juan Diego Florez returns to what he does best on this album: the florid, high-lying music of early nineteenth-century bel canto opera. The concept here is to evoke comparison with Giovanni Rubini, the tenor for whom this music was written, and it's hard to believe that Florez' predecessor was more facile or could negotiate the numerous coloratura runs with greater accuracy and ease. Florez doesn't actually go as high as Rubini was reputed to have done (high F)--he touches one E-flat above high C, but otherwise reaches "only" high D. On the other hand, he sings his high notes in full voice, something Rubini would not have done.

For fans who know what Florez is all about and have enjoyed his live performances (and I certainly am one) this album will certainly confirm their high opinion. The tenor's voice seems to have grown in size, and occasionally there is a hint of unsteadiness in sustained notes--perhaps fatigue due to his frantic international career? As I have noted before, with vocal gifts of such magnitude it seems almost churlish to wish occasionally for more differentiation of character or vocal color, since all of the music is so much of a piece. Did contemporary audiences demand the vocal acting abilities of a Callas from Rubini? My guess is not. Let's wish Florez a long career and continued vocal health--he's certainly become an indispensable fixture on the international operatic scene.

FOOTNOTE: As is the case so often with the bel canto composers, a listener can amuse him/herself by identifying music in the more obscure operas that was later re-used to greater fame. There's a big chunk of "Norma" in one of the tracks, for example.