Antonio Salieri, Adam Fishcer, Cecilia Bartoli - Cecilia Bartoli - The Salieri Album

Antonio Salieri is, unfortunately, best known as Mozart's great Viennese rival. Some of his work has appeared on recordings, and he was clearly an interesting composer of well-crafted, entertaining music. But now that a singer with the stature and prodigious gifts of Cecilia Bartoli has undertaken an entire CD of his opera arias, he may just become a quasi-household name. Here he proves himself a composer who wrote for virtuosos; Bartoli is nothing if not a vituoso. And, indeed, this CD opens with an impressive bang: An aria from La secchia rapita features a wild vocal line complete with wild coloratura, huge leaps, a range from low G to high D flat (Bartoli flirts more and more with the soprano range while using her chest register even more forcefully!), and vast dynamic changes accompanied by a full orchestra augmented with grand, martial trumpets. Other arias--one from Palmira, Regina di Persia, for example--are more introspective and are spun out with a graceful, seamless legato and seemingly endless pianissimo. Everything one loves about Bartoli is here: the intensity, absolute fluidity in execution, breath control, glorious trill, the ability to whisper or holler, and an identification with the character she's portraying which makes the situation credible and involving for the listener. At the same time, we can't overlook a tendency to overstatement and exaggeration and a breathiness to some of the delivery which can be an annoying mannerism. But where else can one get such excitement and commitment coupled with an irresistible charm in a singer so clearly at her peak? Most/all of the arias and operas here are virtually unknown; this CD whets our appetites for more Salieri. The accompaniments are as superbly thought-out and played as one would hope for--the wacky pizzicato strings and solo wind and brass lines in an aria from La Cifra, for instance, will delight. Bartoli fans and fans of great singing should not wait another moment before ordering this. --Robert Levine Amazon.com

Salieri was no Mozart.............

... Wait. They made a pretty good movie on that theme some years back. BUT, Salieri was no schlock. He was a fine composer, and turned out a LOT of good music. Alas, he was no Mozart, and time forgot him until "Amadeus" got him a measure of fame with a new generation.

Cecilia Bartoli has made a career out of the unusual, and, here, she's outdone herself. The great mezzo of our day has given us a beautiful, well presented, album. The book alone is worth the price. When reviewing an opera recital, comparisons are the norm; forget it. All but two of the cuts are receiving their world premiere recording. As to what the great altos [and castrati] who sang Mozart's and Salieri's compositions would have done, we can only guess. Some historians think a girl is a poor substitute for the great castrati of the 18th. century, but I don't see any volunteers for a controlled study to find out.

If you want to hear a gorgeous voice sing music you've never heard before, this album is for you. Highly recommended. August 10, 2008

Excellent music, impractical packaging

This disc comes in a lavish and most excellent booklet, but the disc is jammed tightly in a cardboard sleeve; you have to pinch the disc and pull to get it out (I use a cloth to aid in this), the result being new, faint scratches every time you do so. When the cardboard sleeve wears out, or the booklet begins to fall apart, you can't replace it the way you can a jewel case. June 19, 2008

BRAVA, CECILIA!

I don't understand what all the fuss is about. I think
Cecilia is the best mezzo-soprano of our time. The Salieri album is wonderful. I absolutely love it. Thank you, Cecilia for exposing us to Salieri through this magnificent album. October 4, 2007

Excellent album showcasing Bartoli's talents

Album that does excellent job at showcasing Bartoli's talents. Also one of the few showcasing the works of Salieri, an underated and almost forgotten artist. September 6, 2007

Mostly nice selections sung well

This CD features many delightful selections of Salieri's music, expertly performed by Ms. Bartoli and by the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment. Anyone who likes Bartoli, and most people (non-experts) who like Mozart, would enjoy this album. The slower pieces, such as "Ah sia gia" and "Lungi da te" are especially beautiful.

That said, some of the selections seem to drag on (Salieri's fault). After a while listening, one just gets the feeling that "Vi sono sposa e amante" should have ended already, and the same goes for "Sulle mie tempie." March 7, 2007

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