"Bevo al tuo fresco sorriso"

This beautiful chorus number from Puccini's La Rondine is my parent's favorite piece of classical music, probably due to the fact that it's the epitome of Puccini. The rousing melody makes a lasting impression, and stays stuck in your mind for days - but has the magic of staying new every time you hear it. The marriage of the soaring strings and resonant voices create what seems like one of the first examples of a show-stopping chorus number; a predecessor of it's musical theatre cousin.

Puccini pulled out all the stops on this; absolutely every element of opera is involved in this stunning, breath-taking piece. It's like the opera equivalent of a Bruce Springsteen anthem; you've got the 'kitchen sink' effect - EVERYTHING is in there. Chorus, full orchestra, soloists - everyone going hell for leather. And the result is just...well it brings tears to your eyes. Every-time.

The piece comes about halfway through Act 2, after Magda, disguised as 'Paulette', (as it simply wouldn't be classed as an opera without an element of disguise) meets Ruggero for the first time (as Paulette...) and the two fall in love. The piece is without doubt, a wonderful musical painting of their hearts soaring as they find themselves together, as the vocal phrasing suddenly breaks then continues up up and up to glass-shattering vocal heights in both the lead tenor and soprano lines. The video is truly mind boggling due to the fact that both Alagna and Gheorghui achieve this seamlessly...whilst sitting down. That's some real technique right there. Their acting is so brilliant that they seem enclosed in their own little bubble, as the celebration in song happens around them; they are too in love to notice. Though, at the time of recording, I suppose they really were...

The magic really starts to happen as soon as the full company come in. The chorus, though whole in sound, seem again like parallels of Magda and Ruggero - everyone is caught up in their own romance - their participation in the song binding them together by the dizzy state that links them all. They creat such a rich, vibrant and joyous sound - you can't help but be carried away by its romanticism. The melody of people enveloped in love generously crosses the orchestra pit, is given to the audience, and lifts your spirits like nothing before.

"Priveghiati si va rugati"

Before I begin, I don't pretend to know anything about the Romanian Orthodox Church and its music; but a friend recommended this sacred aria to me, and I'm very glad he did. So though I might not have anything worthwhile or insightful to say about it, it's definitely worth a listen.

This recording of "Priveghiati si va rugati" by composer Gheorghe Popescu of course includes the internationally acclaimed Romanian soprano, Angela Gheorghui, singing alongside The Romanian National Chamber Choir. It seems to me that something magical happens when people sing material from their homeland. Angela and her counterparts seem to have such a strong passion and affinity with this music, which is perfectly conveyed to the listener. Of course this is aided by the fact that they are perfectly comfortable in the language, and can focus entirely on its sacred meaning.

The new orchestral introduction, written for this recording, is an odd choice, (as it seems it would have worked just as well as a purely choral piece, as it always has been) however, it's works as a perfect introduction to the peaceful Romanian National Chamber Choir. The choir's sweet, effervescent sound is the perfect contrast to Gheorghui's slightly darker tone. She sounds like an Angel, coming to declare some Divine advice, as she somehow powerfully caresses her first line; 'Priveghiati si va rugati', or 'Watch and Pray'. The two vocal elements blend beautifully, with a superb bass pedal being held almost constantly to create a wonderfully ancient and holy sound.

Listen carefully and close your eyes. I was transported directly to somewhere that looked a little something like this:

I was taken to a specific building, half way across the globe with this stunning music. The power of the voice endlessly fascinates me.

Tomorrow: Either something from La Donna del Lago or Elisabetta, regina d'Inghilterra...haven't quite decided :)