Mario Del Monaco: Selections of Giordano, Saint-Saëns, Riccardo Zandonai

Album Description

Mario Del Monaco: Selections of Giordano, Saint-Saëns, Riccardo Zandonai is a captivating opera album released on February 7, 2009, under the Urania label. This collection showcases the extraordinary vocal prowess of the renowned Italian tenor Mario Del Monaco, accompanied by the Orchestra della Scala di Milano. The album spans a rich repertoire, featuring excerpts from three iconic operas: Umberto Giordano's "Andrea Chenier," Riccardo Zandonai's "Francesca da Rimini," and Camille Saint-Saëns' "Samson et Delilah." With a total runtime of 2 hours and 16 minutes, this album offers a comprehensive journey through some of the most dramatic and emotionally charged moments in opera.

Del Monaco's powerful and distinctive voice shines throughout the album, delivering performances that are both technically impressive and deeply expressive. Highlights include the intense and passionate arias from "Andrea Chenier," the hauntingly beautiful selections from "Francesca da Rimini," and the dramatic and heroic pieces from "Samson et Delilah." The album captures the essence of Del Monaco's artistry, making it a must-listen for opera enthusiasts and those seeking to explore the rich tradition of Italian and French opera.

7 februari 2009

About Mario del Monaco

Mario Del Monaco, born in 1915, was an Italian operatic tenor renowned for his powerful and dramatic voice, which captivated audiences worldwide during the 1950s and 1960s. Often hailed as a leading tenore di forza, Del Monaco's stentorian tenor was a defining feature of his performances, making him a principal dramatic tenor for Decca Record Company. He recorded numerous complete operas for the label, leaving behind a rich legacy of operatic recordings. Del Monaco's powerful stage presence and vocal prowess made him an international operatic star, performing in prestigious venues such as the Mariinsky Theatre and the Bolshoi Theatre. Despite some critics describing his style as unsubtle, his powerful and commanding performances left an indelible mark on the opera world. Del Monaco passed away in 1982, but his contributions to the operatic genre continue to inspire and influence.