Seratone, SERA001
Review copy supplied by Abels Music, Canberra ACT
Reviewed by Tony Magee
This is the sort of CD that many guests will inquire about during the course of dining.
Divaria is an intriguing collection of originals and famous operatic arias arranged in a kind of jazz / funk / pop meld by Australian composer Andrew Thomas Wilson.
This CD would suit many different kinds of restaurants I feel, from trendy cafes to funky eateries, certainly alternative establishments and even quite up-market places.
Some purists will say that they prefer the original versions of the opera selections, which is perfectly valid, however Wilson’s treatment of them and the sparkling performances given by him and his chosen players and singers are a treat and certainly not offered as “improvements” – just an alternative approach.
Included are: Massenet’s Le Poeme De La Mer, Caccini’s Ave Maria, Puccini’s Nessum Dorma as well as five Wilson originals, which are all notable and one track by contralto Justine Bradley. Karen Cummings supplies the soaring soprano realisations on many of the tracks.
Do have a listen. Fabulous stuff.
First published in Restaurant and Catering magazine, January 2001
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