The Independent, 27 February 2009
Andy Gill
CLASSICAL CD OF THE WEEK
Album: Gheorghiu, Kaufmann, Pappano, Puccini: Madama Butterfly (EMI Classics)
*****
Puccini: Madama Butterfly
Angela Gheorghiu (Cio-Cio-San), Jonas Kaufmann (Pinkerton), Orchestra dell'Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia, cond Antonio Pappano
EMI 2 64187 2, 2 CDs
Despite its origins in churlish and charmless occidental responses to the opening up of Japan to American trade and influence, Madama Butterfly contains many of Puccini's most beautiful melodies and arias, enchantingly rendered here by the Romanian diva Angela Gheorghiu.

Continuing the partnership with Gheorgiu that has already resulted in triumphant productions of La Traviata and La Rondine, Jonas Kaufmann's performance establishes him as one of the few young tenors capable of filling Pavarotti's shoes.

 






 
 
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