“One of the most anticipated opera albums of the year,” Verismo heralded as a “landmark” recording
In the week following its release, Verismo has been heralded as “One of the most anticipated opera albums of the year” by the Associated Press. The AP goes on to note that the album “justifies the excitement… Besides the pure vocal pleasure it brings, this album serves as a landmark in the remarkable growth of a singer who began more than two decades ago as a light lyric soprano, moved into bel canto, then Verdi and Puccini and recently even ventured into Wagner.”
“It’s been a long while since a classical recording inspired the kind of speculation and anticipation that has attended soprano Anna Netrebko’s new recital disc dedicated to verismo arias — and even longer since a release made good on its promise in so thrilling a fashion,” adds the San Francisco Chronicle. “The results are nothing short of magnificent. … a powerful artistic statement from a great and still growing singer.”
“[Netrebko’s] new CD, Verismo, reveals she is more than just a star; her performances of arias and scenes from Italian opera highlight an artistry that is both subtle and thrilling,” writes The Observer, which reserved special acclaim for Anna’s interpretation of “In questa reggia” from Puccini’s Turandot: “Netrebko works the many phrases pounding at the higher passaggio like an expert warrior wielding a sword. It’s hard to imagine this killer aria sung more beautifully.”
Adding further aria-specific praise for “La mamma morta” from Andrea Chénier, NPR notes: “When Netrebko sings, “I was alone and surrounded by nothingness!” (Così fui sola! E intorno il nulla!), her velvety, aubergine-colored voice smolders in genuine verismo emotion.”
Verismo Enters Pop Charts
Verismo has also entered the Pop charts in Austria (No. 3), Germany (No. 11), and Switzerland (No. 16) while occupying No. 1 on the Classical charts in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States.