For his installment in Chandos' Opera in English series of solo recitals, Gerald Finley has chosen a thoroughly eclectic program that is a testimony to his versatility and artistry. He is at his strongest in the arias that give him the opportunity to spin long lyrical lines (he has remarkable breath control) with ringing, warmly resonant tone. He is also most persuasive in music that is romantically passionate or passionately benevolent. Iago's Credo is perhaps the weakest track because the episodic nature of the music isn ...
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For his installment in Chandos' Opera in English series of solo recitals, Gerald Finley has chosen a thoroughly eclectic program that is a testimony to his versatility and artistry. He is at his strongest in the arias that give him the opportunity to spin long lyrical lines (he has remarkable breath control) with ringing, warmly resonant tone. He is also most persuasive in music that is romantically passionate or passionately benevolent. Iago's Credo is perhaps the weakest track because the episodic nature of the music isn't especially suited to Finley's strengths, and he isn't able to conjure up the requisite malice. The same is true to a lesser extent in the Te Deum from Tosca, even though this music itself falls more naturally for his voice. The singer is not usually associated with Wagner, but the two arias from Tannhauser and the one from Meistersinger are gloriously resonant and finely characterized, leaving the listener wishing he would turn to Wagner more often. He can also play a convincing...
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