How novel! Here we have a native Italian singer accompanying himself on various period guitars in a recital of mostly 19th-century Neapolitan songs. No, tenor Stefano Albarello is not in the vocal league of Pavarotti, Corelli, or Di Stefano (or even Alva or Lanza for that matter), but these lovely songs never were intended as lighter fodder for opera singers. It’s so refreshing to hear Napoleone Coste’s familiar “Santa Lucia” sung without the exaggerated sentimentality it usually receives. In Raffaele Sacco’s equally popular “Te voglio bene assaje”, Albarello likewise restores to the song its elemental rhythmic and melodic simplicity. The tenor certainly is expressive enough, yet his delivery never undermines the idiomatic, folkish charm so critical to these songs’ purity and authenticity.
Tactus’ sound is audiophile quality. Rarely has the subtle richness and warmth of an acoustic setting been so convincingly captured, especially on CD. The accompanying booklet includes a concise yet vivid overview of the period and a brief discussion by Albarello of most of the selections, though sadly it offers no translations of the Italian texts. Don’t let this deter you: this is a very satisfying recital, urgently recommended to all fans of traditional Italian songs. Beautiful, just beautiful!
