Great Operatic Arias, Vol. 22 - Gerald Finley Opera in English Orchestral & Concertos Opera In English

PYOTR ILYICH TCHAIKOVSKY

(1840-1893)

Robert's Aria from Iolanta

2:14

'My only beloved Mathilde I claim'

CARL MARIA VON WEBER

(1786-1826)

Lysiart's Aria (So weih' ich mich den Rach gewalten) from Euryanthe

8:39

'What refuge here?'

JOHN COOLIDGE ADAMS

(b. 1947)

Oppenheimer's solo from Doctor Atomic

7:40

'Batter my heart'

GIUSEPPE VERDI

(1813-1891)

Iago's Aria (Credo in un Dio crudel) from Otello

5:07

'Take it: take the path to your ruin' -

'Yes, I believe in God who has created me'

RICHARD WAGNER

(1813-1883)

Wolfram's Aria (Blick ich umher) from Tannhäuser

10:46

'Turning my gaze upon this proud assembly'

5:21

Wolfram's Aria

'With dark foreboding twilight casts her shadow' -

5:25

'Look down, oh gentle evening star'

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART

(1756-1791)

Don Giovanni and Zerlina's Duet (Là ci darem la mano) from Don Giovanni

3:46

'Come on, we're wasting time' -

'There will my arms enfold you'

Solo: Gerald Finley (Don Giovanni)

with Lucy Crowe soprano • Gareth Hancock harpsichord

MARK ANTHONY TURNAGE

(b. 1960)

Harry's song from The Silver Tassie

3:37

'Oh bring to me a pint of wine'

GEORGES BIZET

(1838-1875)

Escamillo's Couplets from Carmen

5:02

'You're most kind, and in return I toast you' -

'Toreador, be ready!'

Solo: Gerald Finley (Escamillo)

with Deborah Miles-Johnson mezzo-soprano (Carmen) • Emma Brain-Gabbott soprano (Frasquita) • Kathryn Jenkin soprano (Mercedes) • Geoffrey Mitchell Choir

RICHARD WAGNER

10.

Sach's Aria (Verachtet mir die Meister nicht) from The Mastersingers of Nuremberg

6:48

'Do not disdain our Masters thus'

with Geoffrey Mitchell Choir

GAETANO DONIZETTI

(1797-1848)

11.

Antonio's Aria (Ambo nati in questa valle) from Linda of Chamounix

5:05

'In this valley we shared our childhood'

Solo: Gerald Finley (Antonio)

with Anne Marie Gibbons mezzo-soprano

GIACOMO PUCCINI

(1858-1924)

12.

Te Deum from Tosca

4:47

'Three agents, quick as you can now'

Solo: Gerald Finley (Scarpia)

with Matthew Long tenor • Geoffrey Mitchell Choir

RICHARD RODGERS
(1902-1979)

13.

'Some enchanted evening' from South Pacific

3:40

68:41

Solo: Gerald Finley baritone

Orchestra: London Philharmonic Orchestra

Conductor: Edward Gardner

13-16 April 2009

Winner Classical Vocal Album of the Year

JUNO Awards 2011

“…It would be hard to imagine a more attractive bass-baritone voice than Finley’s, and his vocal gifts combined with his musical and dramatic acumen make these performances a delight…The London Philharmonic Orchestra plays with precision under conductor Edward Gardner, and the Geoffrey Mitchell Choir provides excellent support, particularly in the Meistersingers excerpt. Chandos’s recording captures a myriad of subtle details found in the colourful orchestral textures… Finley’s accomplishment with this album is impressive…”

Derek Greten-Harrison - Opera News (USA) - July 2010

“…Several singers in this series of recordings have recorded multiple volumes, and I hope this will be the case for Finley. He is at the height of his powers and such indelible artistry should be captured on disc to be enjoyed by as many listeners as possible.” *****

David Laviska - MusicalCriticism.com – 7 June 2010

Disc of the Month
“This is a hugely impressive recital from a singer who has gone from strength to strength in recent years in matching an exceptional voice to a powerful stage presence.”

Kenneth Chalmers - Opera magazine - May 2010

“Opera recital discs too often play safe with repertoire. Not here. This intelligent compilation from Chandos Opera in English, with vivid support from Edward Gardner and the LPO, satisfyingly mixes popular with unfamiliar. Finley, a versatile stage presence, brings integrity to every dark, burnished note he sings.”

Fiona Maddocks - The Observer - 2 May 2010

“The Canadian-born lyric baritone Gerald Finley currently ranks as one of the finest male singers in the world. As this recital of operatic arias in English handsomely demonstrates Finley has it all: a rich-toned and smoothly produced voice, crisp diction, sterling technique, immaculate legato, a keen sense of musical style and unfailing sensitivity to drama and character… this disc includes appetite-whetting extracts from several operas that Finley has yet to sing on stage. Vivid accompaniments are provided by the LPO under Edward Gardner.”

Rupert Christiansen - The Telegraph - 10 April 2010

“The range, warmth and expressiveness of Gerald Finley’s singing puts him among the outstanding baritones of today.” “…Finley gives life to the roles on this disc because he has played them on stage. He is fortunate in Edward Gardner’s high-quality conducting of the LPO.” *****

Michael Kennedy - The Sunday Telegraph (Seven Supplement) - 14 March

“…Altogether this is a thoroughly enjoyable recital, which I strongly recommend… Chandos scores points with the clarity of both voice and orchestra. I always find Finley worth hearing, and this disc presents so many positive attributes in his singing and interpretation.Edward Gardner, a fine opera conductor, draws out the relative emotions and dramas in concord with the singer and he and the London Philharmonic play their own part in this top-rank recital….”

John T Hughes - International Record Review - March 2010

“…his [Finley] accounts of the above-named villains are as dramatically powerful as they are gorgeously sung.” ****

Warwick Thompson - Classic FM Magazine - April 2010

Editors Choice
“An award-winning baritone offers a calling-card of his stage work”

Mike Ashman - Gramophone magazine - April 2010

“…He [Finley] not only has a first-class voice; he is also intelligent and versatile, as he demonstrates in these 13 arias, all sung in English…Finley brings individual flair to them all.” *****

Andrew Clark - Financial Times - 27 February 2010

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