Rolando Villazón, the celebrated Mexican tenor, presents a captivating collection of Italian opera arias in his album "Italian Opera Arias," released on February 10, 2004, under Warner Classics. This album is a testament to Villazón's remarkable vocal prowess and his deep connection with the Italian operatic tradition. Spanning a little over an hour, the album features a diverse selection of arias from some of the most beloved operas by composers such as Cilèa, Donizetti, Verdi, Puccini, and Mascagni. Villazón's performance is marked by his expressive delivery and technical brilliance, making each aria a unique and memorable experience. From the tender and lyrical "Una furtiva lagrima" from Donizetti's "L'elisir d'amore" to the dramatic intensity of Verdi's "Io l'ho perduta ... Io la vidi" from "Don Carlo," Villazón's interpretations are both emotionally resonant and musically nuanced. This album is a must-listen for opera enthusiasts and anyone looking to explore the rich tapestry of Italian opera.
Cilèa: L'Arlesiana, Act 2: "È la solita storia del pastore" (Federico)Francesco Cilea, Rolando Villazón, Marcello Viotti, Munich Radio Orchestra, Muenchner Rundfunkorchester
Donizetti: Il duca d'Alba, Act 4 Scene 1: "Inosservato penetrava in questo … Angelo casto e bel" (Marcello)Gaetano Donizetti, Rolando Villazón, Marcello Viotti, Munich Radio Orchestra, Muenchner Rundfunkorchester
Donizetti: L'elisir d'amore, Act 1 Scene 1: No. 1b, Cavatina, "Quanto è bella, quanto è cara!" (Nemorino)Gaetano Donizetti, Rolando Villazón, Marcello Viotti, Munich Radio Orchestra, Muenchner Rundfunkorchester
Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor, Act 3 Scene 7: No. 9, Aria cantabile, "Tombe degli avi miei … Fra poco a me ricovero" (Edgardo)Gaetano Donizetti, Rolando Villazón, Marcello Viotti, Munich Radio Orchestra, Muenchner Rundfunkorchester
Verdi: I Lombardi alla prima crociata, Act 2 Scene 2: No. 7, Cavatina, "La mia letizia infondere" (Oronte)Giuseppe Verdi, Rolando Villazón, Marcello Viotti, Munich Radio Orchestra, Muenchner Rundfunkorchester
Verdi: Don Carlo: "Io l'ho perduta lo la vidi" (Don Carlo)Giuseppe Verdi, Rolando Villazón, Marcello Viotti, Munich Radio Orchestra, Muenchner Rundfunkorchester
Verdi: Macbeth, Act 4 Scene 1: No. 18, Scena ed Aria, "O figli, o figli miei! … Ah, la paterna mano" (MacDuff)Giuseppe Verdi, Rolando Villazón, Marcello Viotti, Munich Radio Orchestra, Muenchner Rundfunkorchester
Verdi: Rigoletto, Act 2 Scene 1: No. 8, Scena ed Aria, "Ella mi fu rapita … Parmi veder le lagrime" (Duca)Giuseppe Verdi, Rolando Villazón, Marcello Viotti, Munich Radio Orchestra, Muenchner Rundfunkorchester
Verdi: Rigoletto, Act III Scene 2: La donna è mobileGiuseppe Verdi, Rolando Villazón, Marcello Viotti, Munich Radio Orchestra
Verdi: La traviata, Act 2 Scene 1: No. 4, Scena ed Aria, "Lunge da lei per me … De' miei bollenti spiriti … O mio rimorso!" (Alfredo)Giuseppe Verdi, Rolando Villazón, Marcello Viotti, Munich Radio Orchestra
Puccini: La Bohème, Act I: Che gelida maninaGiacomo Puccini, Rolando Villazón, Marcello Viotti, Munich Radio Orchestra
Puccini: Tosca, Act 3 Scene 2: "E lucevan le stelle" (Cavaradossi)Giacomo Puccini, Marcello Viotti, Muenchner Rundfunkorchester
Mascagni: L'amico Fritz, Act 3 Scene 2: "Anche tu, Beppe, giungi a torturarmi … O amore, o bella luce del core" (Fritz)Pietro Mascagni, Rolando Villazón, Marcello Viotti, Munich Radio Orchestra, Muenchner Rundfunkorchester
Mascagni: Nerone, Act 3 Scene 1: "Vergini Muse … Quando al soave anelito" (Nerone)Pietro Mascagni, Rolando Villazón, Marcello Viotti, Munich Radio Orchestra, Muenchner Rundfunkorchester
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