The November 2021 issue of Opera News names Lawrence Brownlee, Sarah Coburn, and Constantine Orbelian’s I Puritani as a Critic’s Choice!
“This new Puritani is made memorable by its leading man, Lawrence Brownlee, whose singing sets a new standard. The glorious, consistently golden-toned ease of the American tenor’s vocalism is already obvious in his first ascent to the high A in ‘A te, o cara.’ Throughout the role, his negotiation of the most treacherously high passages proves impressing, surpassing even the legendary artists preceeding him in studio Puritanis. His musicality enables him to integreate the topmost notes into the line rather than having them draw undue attention. … It’s also gratifying to hear how gallantly Brownlee partners Sarah Coburn’s Elvira in the Act III duet, sung in its original key and reaching its climax in a secure high D from both singers. Coburn’s pearly sound is instantly attractive. Fuller in tone than most leggero sopranos, it admirably suits her character’s vulnerability and predominantly melancholy frame of mind. … Late in Act I, Coburn’s touching contribution to the “Vieni al tempio” concertato is exquisitely vocalized, and she concludes the act with a sustained high F. The mad scene’s cavatina sits ideally for this voice and is affectingly sung, with the cabaletta’s cascading scales more cleanly articulated than one usually hears. … Zheltyrguzov offers a younger, lighter voice than his predecessors on disc as Riccardo. It’s mellifluous, flexible, wide-ranging and employed with apt style… The Lithuanian choral and orchestral forces perform more than presentably… The audio quality is excellent thorughout. … for Coburn, Zheltyrguzov and above all, Brownlee, this release is warmly welcomed.”
—Roger Pines, Opera News
See the full review in the November 2021 issue of Opera News