Michael Spyres, the renowned American operatic baritenor, presents an extraordinary collection of arias with his album "Baritenor." This captivating album, released on September 24, 2021, under the Warner Classics label, showcases Spyres' remarkable vocal range and versatility, spanning three centuries of opera in Italian, French, and German. The album features 18 arias by 15 composers, performed with the Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg and the male chorus of Opera du Rhin, under the direction of Maestro Marko Letonja.
"Baritenor" is a testament to Michael Spyres' unique ability to sing repertoire typically designated for both tenors and baritones. The album opens with Mozart's "Fuor del mar" from "Idomeneo" and closes with Korngold's "Glück, das mir verblieb" from "Die tote Stadt," offering a journey through the evolution of opera. Highlights include Rossini's "Largo al factotum" from "Il Barbiere di Siviglia," Verdi's "Tutto è deserto" from "Il trovatore," and Offenbach's "Va! pour Kleinzach" from "Les Contes d'Hoffmann." Each aria is performed with Spyres' signature clarity, power, and expressive depth, accompanied by the rich orchestration and choral support.
With a duration of 1 hour and 24 minutes, "Baritenor" is an impressive display of Michael Spyres' artistry and the enduring appeal of opera. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or new to the genre, this album offers a compelling introduction to the bel canto repertoire and the extraordinary talent of Michael Spyres.
Mozart: Idomeneo, K. 366, Act II: "Fuor del mar" (Idomeneo)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Michael Spyres, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro, K. 492, Act III: "Hai gia vinto la causa?" (Il Conte d'Almaviva)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Michael Spyres, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Mozart: Don Giovanni, K. 527, Act II: "Deh, vieni al la finestra" (Don Giovanni)Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Michael Spyres, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Méhul: Ariodant, Act III: "Oh, Dieux! Ecoutez ma prière" (Edgard)Étienne Nicolas Méhul, Michael Spyres, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Spontini: La Vestale, Act III: "Qu’ai-je vu! Quels apprêts" (Licinius)Gaspare Spontini, Michael Spyres, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Act I: "Largo al factotum" (Figaro)Gioachino Rossini, Michael Spyres, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Rossini: Otello, Act I: "Ah si, per voi già sento" - "Premio maggior di questo" - "Amor, dirada il nembo" (Otello, Iago, Chorus)Gioachino Rossini, Michael Spyres, Choeur de l'Opéra national du Rhin, Sangbae Choï, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Adam: Le Postillon de Lonjumeau, Act I: "Mes amis, écoutez l'histoire" (Chapelou, Chorus)Adolphe Adam, Michael Spyres, Choeur de l'Opéra national du Rhin, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Donizetti: La fille du régiment, Act 1: "Ah ! Mes amis, quel jour de fête!" - "Pour mon âme" (Tonio, Chœur)Gaetano Donizetti, Michael Spyres, Choeur de l'Opéra national du Rhin, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Verdi: Il trovatore, Act II: "Tutto è deserto" - "Il balen del suo sorriso" (Il Conte di Luna)Giuseppe Verdi, Michael Spyres, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Thomas: Hamlet, Act II: "C'est en croyant revoir" - "Oh, vin! Dissipe la tristesse" (Hamlet, Marcellus, Horatio, Chorus)Ambroise Thomas, Michael Spyres, Choeur de l'Opéra national du Rhin, Fabien Gaschy, Nicolas Kuhn, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Offenbach: Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Act I: "Va! pour Kleinzach" (Hoffmann, Nathanaël, Chorus)Jacques Offenbach, Michael Spyres, Choeur de l'Opéra national du Rhin, Mario Montalbano, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Wagner: Lohengrin, Act III: "Aux bords lointains" (Lohengrin)Richard Wagner, Michael Spyres, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Leoncavallo: Pagliacci, Prologue: "Si può? Signore! Signori!" (Tonio)Ruggero Leoncavallo, Michael Spyres, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Lehar: Die lustige Witwe, Act I: "O Vaterland du machst bei Tag" - "Da geh ich zu Maxim" (Danilo)Franz Lehár, Michael Spyres, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Ravel: L'heure espagnole, M. 52: "Voilà, ce que j'appelle une femme charmante" (Ramiro)Maurice Ravel, Michael Spyres, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Orff: Carmina Burana, Pt. 4 “Cour d'amours”: Dies nox et omniaCarl Orff, Michael Spyres, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg
Korngold: Die tote Stadt, Op. 12, Act I: Lied. "Glück, das mir verblieb" (Marietta)Erich Wolfgang Korngold, Michael Spyres, Marko Letonja, Orchestre Philharmonique De Strasbourg