Rossini: Amici E Rivali, Michael Sypres, Lawrence Brownlee -CD

Lawrence Brownlee (tenor), Michael Spyres (tenor), Tara Erraught (mezzo-soprano), Xabier Anduaga (tenor) / I Virtuosi Italiani / Corrado Rovaris Few composers in the history of music have given tenors as many brilliant opportunities to shine in their works as Gioachino Rossini. The performers on this recording are among the current elite in the Rossini repertoire, and although the title "Friends and Rivals" implies a darker side of singing alongside collegiality, this is certainly not the case for them. After all, they meet on stage quite often, and although they operate in similar territory, their voices are distinctly different. While Lawrence Brownlee is a typical "tenore di grazia," Michael Spyres, although he also successfully performs as a "tenore leggero," is closer in character and timbre to a baritone. Therefore, there is no risk of confusion in identifying them on the recording, which adds the necessary musical contrast. Both performers are ably supported in ensemble numbers by mezzo-soprano Tara Erraught and tenor Xabier Anduaga, and the playing of the accompanying orchestra I Virtuosi Italiani under conductor Corrado Rovaris has the right Rossinian brilliance and vigor.