The British bass John Tomlinson is a very impressive singing actor with a big resonant voice, and it and his art are beautifully captured here in this new addition to Chandos’ Opera in English Series. Seventy-seven minutes of one voice can tire the ear and soul a bit, but Tomlinson’s choice of music–from Mussorgsky to Gilbert and Sullivan to Verdi–coupled with his ability to color his tone, makes this recital a series of treats rather than a chore. Opening with a wicked, agile “Ruddier than the Cherry” and following with three vivid excerpts from Mozart’s Abduction (aided by soprano Helen Williams and tenor Barry Banks) lends validity to his abilities as a classical singer. His mellow legato and deep-felt word-painting similarly bring Verdi’s Fiesco and Silva to life.
From Borodin’s Prince Igor he sings the arias of three different characters, differentiating each with a slight nasality here, a bit rounder tone there. His Mikado and Policeman (from Pirates) are tangy, his Boris soulful. The CD includes none of the Wagner he is so well known and respected for, but we can get it elsewhere. The English versions are all fine and almost every word can be understood–an extra bonus of the bass voice. David Parry and the Philharmonia Orchestra give this a sense of occasion. Presuming opera-in-English is your cup of tea (and almost a quarter of the works here were written in that language anyway), you’ll love this CD.
