Joseph Calleja, the acclaimed Maltese tenor, presents a captivating collection of operatic arias in his 2011 album "The Maltese Tenor." This album showcases Calleja's remarkable vocal prowess and artistic maturity, featuring a diverse range of pieces from some of the most beloved operas in the classical repertoire.
The album opens with a selection from Puccini's "La Bohème," including the tender "Che gelida manina" and the romantic duet "O soave fanciulla." Calleja's voice shines in these pieces, demonstrating his ability to convey deep emotion and nuance. The album also includes a standout aria from Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra," showcasing Calleja's powerful and dramatic singing.
Other highlights include arias from Offenbach's "Les Contes d'Hoffmann," Puccini's "Tosca," Boito's "Mefistofele," Gounod's "Faust," Puccini's "Manon Lescaut," Massenet's "Manon," Verdi's "Luisa Miller," and Verdi's "Un ballo in maschera." Each piece is performed with Calleja's signature elegance and technical precision, making this album a true testament to his artistry.
The album is accompanied by the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, conducted by Marco Armiliato, providing a rich and lush orchestral backdrop for Calleja's vocals. The recording quality is exceptional, allowing every note and nuance to be heard clearly.
Joseph Calleja has performed in some of the world's most prestigious opera houses and was the featured soloist at the 2011 Nobel Prize Concert in Stockholm. This album is a wonderful introduction to his talent and a delightful listen for opera enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
La Bohème / Act 1: "Che gelida manina"Giacomo Puccini, Joseph Calleja, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato
La Bohème / Act 1: "O soave fanciulla"Giacomo Puccini, Joseph Calleja, Aleksandra Kurzak, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato
Simon Boccanegra / Act 2: "Oh inferno...Sento avvampar"Giuseppe Verdi, Joseph Calleja, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato
Les Contes d'Hoffmann / Act 1: "Il était une fois à la cour d'Eisenach" (La légende de Kleinzach)Jacques Offenbach, Joseph Calleja, Choeur Du Grand Theatre De Geneve, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato
Tosca / Act 1: "Recondita armonia"Giacomo Puccini, Joseph Calleja, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato
Tosca / Act 3: "E lucevan le stelle"Giacomo Puccini, Joseph Calleja, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato
Mefistofele / Act 1: "Dai campi, dai prati"Arrigo Boito, Joseph Calleja, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato
Mefistofele / Act 4: "Giunto sul passo estremo"Arrigo Boito, Joseph Calleja, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato
Faust / Act 3: "Quel trouble inconnu...Salut! Demeure chaste et pure"Charles Gounod, Joseph Calleja, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato
Manon Lescaut / Act 1: "Ma se vi talenta...Tra voi, belle, brune e bionde"Giacomo Puccini, Joseph Calleja, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato
Manon Lescaut / Act 1: "Donna non vidi mai"Giacomo Puccini, Joseph Calleja, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato
Manon / Act 3: "Je suis seul!...Ah! fuyez, douce image"Jules Massenet, Joseph Calleja, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato
Luisa Miller / Act 2: "Oh! fede negar potessi...Quando le sere al placido"Giuseppe Verdi, Joseph Calleja, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato
Un ballo in maschera / Act 3: "Forse la soglia attinse...Ma se m'è forza perderti"Giuseppe Verdi, Joseph Calleja, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato
Les pêcheurs de perles / Act 2: "De mon amie, fleur endormie...Léila! Léila!...Ton coeur n'a pas compris le mien!"Georges Bizet, Joseph Calleja, Aleksandra Kurzak, Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Marco Armiliato