Recorded in 1923 and 1928 when the English-born, American-bred, European-trained, Austria-and-Germany-appreciated tenor was in his prime, this selection of arias introduces us to a sweet-sounding, well-produced voice housed in a musically astute singer. His style transfers well from Italian to German (with a bow to French, in a German-language duet from Faust), and throughout his honeyed tone falls pleasantly on the ear. If he misses just the last ounce (actually more) of spontaneity and passion, he makes up for it in class and sincerity. His Lohengrin is finely ringing in both solos and in the Wedding Duet (with Margit Angerer); his “Vesti la giubba” and “E lucevan le stelle” are well-mannered and sob-free. He seems to care more about tone and exquisite legato than either words or oomph–think a male, non-virtuosic Joan Sutherland–and as a result he’s just a bit boring. More to be appreciated than adored, Piccaver’s certainly worth getting to know, but don’t expect fireworks.
