Joseph Calleja - Tenor Arias

If I'd originally rated this recording when I first listened to it a few months ago, I would have given it only four stars instead of the current five. The sound itself was gorgeous -- full and rich, with a beautiful legato, and emotionally engaging -- but there were places during rapidly delivered lines where Calleja clipped the last syllables of some of the lines, dropping the consonants, apparently to catch a breath or even change registers. This was especially apparent and annoying during Edgardo's arias from Lucia di Lammermoor, which are ironically the arias that I normally use as my touchstone for a lyric tenor's abilities. So I put the disc aside for the time being. For some reason, though, I pulled the disc out again this week and listened to it again. The clipped syllables were still noticeable and still mildly annoying, but the warmth and beauty of the voice outweighed the difficulties. I've since replayed the disc a few times, and it's becoming one of my favorites, for the sheer beauty of the sound. Unlike a couple of reviewers here, I don't sense any unsureness in the voice; on the contrary, it all seems to flow easily and amply (except for those clipped consonants), surrounding the listener in a cradle -- or maybe a warm spa -- of music. I highly recommend this recording, as well as Calleja's more recent ones.

Joseph Calleja takes on a rich repertoire of music here--From Verdi (La Traviata, Macbeth, Rigoletto) to Donizetti (L'elisir d'amore, Lucia di Lammermoor) to Cilea (Adriana Lecouvreur, L'arlesiana) to Puccini (Madama Butterfly). His voice handles each challenge nicely. All told, Calleja is a polished and quite capable tenor.A few samples of his art. . . From La Traviata, "De miei spiriti. . .O mio remorso!" He displays fine vocal quality. He seems to capture the spirit of the piece nicely. His voice is large enough to make this work. He is a credible Alfredo indeed! He sings smoothly, without annoying mannerisms.Two pieces from Verdi's Rigoletto. . . . "Questa e quella" is taken at a good pace. Calleja makes the wretched Duke's character work. His voice is attractive and he handles this aria nicely. So, too, with "La donna e mobile." Smoothly sung. The repeat is very well done. While he does not have a "big" voice, his vocal strength certainly handles this work--and the others, too--well. He hits the high note in "pensier" very well. Leaves a nice feeling in the listener's ear!All in all, then, Joseph Calleja is a good tenor and a fine artist.

Calleja's voice is pure gold. I wish there were more arias from rare operas and those that slow off this tenor's bel canto abilities. But as an intro to this tenor, the three aria disks show off the easy flow of his handsome and heroic Italian tenor.It's been a long time since I bought one singer's entire output but I couldn't help it. There hasn't been a tenor voice this beautiful, powerful with a ringing upper register in decades.

The high notes are so amazing and smooth. The vibrato in the voice is fast and exciting as it was with Melchior, who had a very different sound suitable to the heroic repertoire. Calleja's talent is so extraordinary that any smart opera house should cast him.There is hardly a role I would not prefer him in.

When I first heard Mr. Calleja on my NPR station a few months ago, I knew immediately that this was a really gifted tenor....he sounded like Pavarotti as a very young man, so his potential was limitless.Highly recommend you 'try him out', either on this CD or another.

I fist heard Mr Calleja's voice on a PBS broadcast and I was amazed by his performance. he will easily be regarded as an equal of Pavarotti or Domingo. This is an excellent CD and I hope Mr. Calleja records many more.

What a voice! The next Pavarotti for sure.

Calleja's "Tenor Arias" are performed with elegance and a great sense of style. His voice quality sounds very much like Pavarottiin 1970. His interpretations suggest a musical maturity far beyond his years. The lengthy Tomb Scene from Lucia is sung with convincing pathos and serves well as a showcase for the pleasing timbre of Calleja's voice.

I came to Joseph Calleja through his Maltese Tenor album which I enjoyed very much. It was not until his newest album in tribute to Mario Lanza, that I came back to listen to him again. At the time of this recording his voice was already of such a high standard and an indication of the great things to come (provided he looks after his voice)Perhaps you recently saw him on the last night of the Proms and are looking for a good album of Calleja's to listen to. You will not be disappointed with this one although I would recommend buying all of his current albums as they all offer an insight into a Tenor who not only compares with the best of today's offerings but also reminds me of the greats of the past, Del Monaco in particular.A great singer with a tremendous talent and a personality to match. I believe he has the potential to be the greatest singer of his generation. Kaufmann is my current favourite but Calleja is so very close and of course Calleja is about 9 or 10 years younger than Kaufmann.

I love this CD which is full of great tenor arias, sung with real feeling and by a tenor with a truly beautiful voice. I could start writing in more detail, but for me the most important question I always ask myself is "does it move me and will I want to listen to it again?" It does both for me, as I believe it will if you enjoy this kind of music.

This man has, quite simply, the most beautiful lyric/dramatic tenor of this or any other generation. The only comparable tenor is the great Jussi Bjorling. A brilliant choice of arias that display his voice wonderfully as an untouchable instrument.

This cd was bought for a gift for my mother who knows her tenors , She says this cd is perfect , A wonderful voice with a good mix of tracks . Enjoy

Joseph Calleja has a beautiful lyrical voice and this CD is full of great songs.