William Matteuzzi, the renowned Italian tenor, presents a captivating collection of operatic arias in his album "Ferme tes yeux," released on January 1, 2001, under the Opera Rara label. This album is a testament to Matteuzzi's extraordinary vocal prowess and his ability to bring depth and nuance to each piece.
The album spans a variety of compositions from the 19th-century opera repertoire, featuring works by renowned composers such as Rossini, Auber, Carafa, Donizetti, Pacini, Adam, and Offenbach. Each track showcases Matteuzzi's versatility and mastery over different styles and periods of opera. From the playful and energetic "Mes amis, ecoutez l'histoire" from Adam's "Le postillon de Lonjumeau" to the dramatic intensity of "Traditor! Paventa al campo" from Carafa's "Gabriella di Vergy," Matteuzzi's performances are nothing short of breathtaking.
Accompanied by the esteemed Academy of St. Martin in the Fields, conducted by David Parry, the orchestral arrangements are rich and evocative, providing a perfect backdrop for Matteuzzi's soaring vocals. The album's duration of 1 hour and 12 minutes offers a comprehensive journey through some of the most beloved and lesser-known arias of the operatic canon.
"Ferme tes yeux" is not just an album; it's a celebration of the operatic art form, highlighting the technical brilliance and emotional range of William Matteuzzi. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises to be a rewarding and enriching listening experience.
Rossini: Le Comte Ory, Act 2: "A la faveur de cette nuit obscure"Gioachino Rossini, Elisabetta Scano, Enkelejda Shkosa, William Matteuzzi, David Parry, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Rossini: Il viaggio a Reims, Act 1: "D'alma celeste, oh Dio!"Gioachino Rossini, Enkelejda Shkosa, William Matteuzzi, David Parry, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Auber: La muette de Portici, Act 3: "Que vois-je? Fenella!"Daniel Auber, David Parry, William Matteuzzi, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Auber: La muette de Portici, Act 4: "Ferme tes yeux"Daniel Auber, David Parry, William Matteuzzi, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Carafa: Gabriella di Vergy, Act 1: "Traditor! Paventa al campo"Gioacchino Carafa, Bruce Ford, William Matteuzzi, David Parry, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Carafa: Gabriella di Vergy, Act 3: "Quell'aspetto ? quegl accenti!"Gioacchino Carafa, Bruce Ford, William Matteuzzi, David Parry, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Donizetti: La Fille du régiment, Act 2: "Pour me rapprocher de Marie"Gaetano Donizetti, Elisabetta Scano, Enkelejda Shkosa, Roland Wood, William Matteuzzi, David Parry, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Pacini: Alessandro nelle Indie: "Che fai, fellon! ? Ciel! D'una misera"Giovanni Pacini, Enkelejda Shkosa, Majella Cullagh, William Matteuzzi, David Parry, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Adam: Le postillon de Lonjumeau, Act 1: "Mes amis, ecoutez l'histoire"Apolphe Adam, Roland Wood, William Matteuzzi, David Parry, Geoffrey Mitchell Choir, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Donizetti: Elisabetta al castello di Kenilworth: "Perche t'affanni, e piangi?"Gaetano Donizetti, Bruce Ford, Elisabetta Scano, Majella Cullagh, William Matteuzzi, David Parry, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Donizetti: Elisabetta al castello di Kenilworth: "Freme! Ondeggia irresoluto!"Gaetano Donizetti, Bruce Ford, Elisabetta Scano, Majella Cullagh, William Matteuzzi, David Parry, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Donizetti: Elisabetta al castello di Kenilworth: "Che da te la sua sorte dipenda"Gaetano Donizetti, Bruce Ford, Elisabetta Scano, Majella Cullagh, William Matteuzzi, David Parry, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields
Offenbach: Le pont des soupirs: "Ah! qu'il etait doux mon beau reve!"Jacques Offenbach, David Parry, William Matteuzzi, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields