Amore Dolore - Countertenor Arias

Interpretation ***     Sound Quality ****     Repertoire Value ***      Booklet ****

“… the highlights are the 'Sol da te' from Vivaldi's 'Orlando furioso', which also becomes a magical moment, and the final 'Sento in seno' from Vivaldi's 'Tieteberga', in which Balducci uses elegance, clarity and beauty of tone wins the hearts of the listeners. You look forward to more.”

“… He [Balducci] is exceptionally fine. His technique is impressive and his tonal color appealing. He is especially impressive in the more dramatic and agitated arias, particularly in his splendid coloratura singing of ‘Crude Furie degl’ Orridi Abissi’ from Serse and ‘Nel Profondo Ciesco Mondo’ from Orlando Furioso… Dan Laurin and the players supply a wonderfully rich instrumental sound both in accompanying Bakducci…”

“… Balducci is on fine form. His crystalline timbre is satisfyingly shaped into unrippled streams of vibrato-less legato, Balducci conjures delightful contrasts, and the athleticism of his coloratura is enviable…”

Performance ****      Recording ****

“…The flexibility and assertiveness of his singing is best heard in excitable arias featuring storms or revenge…That said one of the best tracks here is Handel's superb aria for Cleopatra, 'Se pietà di me non senti'…this is Balducci at his most fluent, expressive and compelling…”