Here's a most welcome release. Ramón Vargas is a lyric tenor in the line of Alfredo Kraus and Tito Schipa, and he never floods the vocal line with excess tonal energy. While Vargas does produce a rich tone, his singing is always stylish, with a deep and healthy concentration on the meaning of the text. The French arias are sung with sensitivity and a deep insight to the words. Vargas also has the heft and range to tackle the big arias, such as Nessun Dorma and Gabriella's big aria from Simon Boccanegra, "O inferno! Amelia qui" –"Cielo pietoso". He performs with fine tone and detailed vocal colouring, making for a wonderful realisation of this difficult work. This disc will amply reward lovers of fine lyrical singing. capriccio.at

Download: Simon Boccanegra, "O inferno! Amelia qui" –"Cielo pietoso"