Verdi: Il Trovatore (2004)

performed by Andrea Bocelli (tenor), Barbaro Sciuto (tenor), Carlo Colombara (basso profundo), Carlo Guelfi (baritone), Elena Zaremba (mezzo-soprano), Maria Grazia Calderone (soprano), Salvatore Bonaffini (tenor), Salvatore Todaro (bass), Veronica Villarroel (soprano)
composed by Giuseppe Verdi

Il Trovatore marks Andrea Bocelli's third complete opera recording for Decca -- a move signaling that both parties are serious about his operatic singing. One of Verdi's most vocally demanding scores, calling for a stand-and-deliver quartet of lead singers, Trovatore is a puzzling choice for the light-voiced Bocelli -- a bit like sending your place kicker in to play linebacker. But, like his two previous efforts, Puccini evergreens Tosca and La bohéme, this recording is not an embarrassment. It's musically solid, decently ... Read More

Il Trovatore marks Andrea Bocelli's third complete opera recording for Decca -- a move signaling that both parties are serious about his operatic singing. One of Verdi's most vocally demanding scores, calling for a stand-and-deliver quartet of lead singers, Trovatore is a puzzling choice for the light-voiced Bocelli -- a bit like sending your place kicker in to play linebacker. But, like his two previous efforts, Puccini evergreens Tosca and La bohéme, this recording is not an embarrassment. It's musically solid, decently sung, well engineered, and nicely packaged. And because of Bocelli's star power it will probably reach a broad audience. However, also like his previous efforts, it cannot compare with the many fine versions already on the market, and won't satisfy the expectations of those with the sound of Luciano Pavarotti, Jussi Björling, and Franco Corelli in their ears. The talented young conductor Steven Mercurio leads this performance with confidence and authority, making the best overall... Read Less