Filippa Giordano
This eponymous album from the Italian singer Filippa Giordano confounds expectations. Released on the classical label Erato, Giordano mixes arias with contemporary songs such as the Ennio Morricone-Roger Waters "Lost Boys Calling" from the 1999 Golden Globe-winning movieThe Legend of 1900. Using a conventional orchestra sometimes supplemented by electronic keyboards and occasional drums, the production achieves a slick and glossy chart-friendly sound that will find favor with fans ofWhitney HoustonandCéline Dion. Key to the album are two versions of "Casta Diva" from Bellini'sNorma, between which arias fromSamson and Dalila,Tosca,Carmen, andLa Traviatasit rather uncomfortably alongside several pop anthems. With the vocal flavor of Broadway and a hint of Andrew Lloyd Webber, the intention seems to be to add contemporary crossover appeal to opera in much the same way thatAndrea Bocellihas done with such conspicuous success. It's doubtful that serious opera aficionados will care much for Filippa Giordano, though music lovers in general may well find the album an attractive entry into the sometimes-forbidding world of the classical diva.--Gary S. Dalkin