January 21–28, 1999

disc quicks|classical

Berlin Philharmonic

Claudio Abbado, conductor; Angela Gheorghiu, soprano; Roberto Alagna, tenor

Verdi per due

(EMI Classics)

What could more appropriate than for two beautiful singers portraying famous operatic couples to be lovers in real life? Indeed, there is a wonderful blending of voices and warm emotions in this recital of great Verdi love duets by these hot young vocalists. The problem is, a lot of operatic couples are not matches made in heaven. In every Verdi pairing, for example, there is some underlying tension, a crucial emotional dissonance that drives the drama. Think of the scene where Alfredo hurls a fistful of bills in the face of his former lover Violetta, in front of a room full of partygoers, "paying" her back for her services. This is not exactly a wholesome relationship, but it is the stuff of opera. For those seeking merely "the beautiful voice," a concept very much in vogue in the opera world these days (and especially among its promoters), look no further than the aural honey of this superstar couple. But if the incisiveness, tragic import and range of emotion that, say, the Callas-Di Stefano team brought to this music is more to your liking, then keep exploring.

-Peter Burwassser