Vesselina Kasarova - Rossini Arias and Duets / Flórez, Fagan
Once again, Bulgarian mezzo-soprano Vesselina Kasarova proves that one can forget even the fabulous Cecilia Bartoli. With a voice at least twice that of Bartoli's, with the same agility in fast music, and capable of a similar number of shadings fromppptofff(Bartoli can go fromppppptof), Kasarova here tackles some of the same repertory as her Italian counterpart. We discover that herCenerentolais much more easily wounded and far gentler, and maybe even more appealing thanBartoli's. But forget comparisons and just listen to Kasarova's infectious, seductive scene fromL'Italianaand the amazing, breakneck finale toLa Donna del Lago. Marvel at her manly singing in Arsace's big scene fromSemiramide(totally different fromHorne'sand no less riveting), and bask in the charm of her Armida. Enjoy a scene from the almost unknownBianca e Falliero. And just to surprise yourself, listen to Kasarova in a duet from Rossini'sOtelloand be knocked out by her foray up to a high D natural. Kasarova is joined in this and a couple of other scenes by sweet-voiced tenor Juan Diego Florez. Arthur Fagen conducts throughout as if this were Kasarova's show--which it most certainly is.--Robert Levine