Opera Rara’s recording of Le Willis gives listeners the chance to hear Puccini’s first opera as it has not been heard for more than 120 years. Making use of the new Ricordi edition, Sir Mark Elder conducts a star cast that brings the acclaimed soprano Ermonela Jaho back for her second recording with Opera Rara and introduces the thrilling Armenian tenor Arsen Soghomonyan. This recording includes the two celebrated arias that were added to the revised two-act version of Le Villi and showcases the young and prodigiously talented composer in his first exploration of operatic drama.
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REVIEWS:
Even at the age of 25 Puccini was already a composer of considerable skill, able to come up with musical ideas of exceptional quality. As the abandoned Anna, Ermonela Jaho is right inside the role dramatically. Armenian tenor Arsen Soghomonyan gives an intelligent and idiomatic interpretation, delivered in generous, exciting tone…The chorus and orchestra are both impressive, while conductor Mark Elder delivers a lively and loving account of the score.
— BBC Music Magazine
Jaho shines with her unique combination of transparent fragility in the middle register and strength of passaggio which has made of her one of the best Puccinian singers of today. Brian Mulligan sings with a warm baritone, and Arsen Soghomonyan projects an impressive density at the core of his rich spinto—almost Wagnerian—tenor. Le Willis is more than a historical curiosity: not to hear it would mean missing out on some of Puccini’s best music.
