American Record Guide Praise for Crescendo

“I had never heard of Stefano Secco before getting this. But I see that, at age 34, he already has had a substantial career, singing major roles at important houses in Europe. … Here he performs 15 of the world’s most beloved tenor arias—most of them Italian— with solid tone, perfect intonation, and very clear diction. Though his family name means “dry”, the singing here has lots of juice, under splendid control. In short, he offers just what one wants from an Edgardo (in Lucia di Lammermoor) or a Rodolfo (in La Boheme). The release is titled Crescendo, and Secco has indeed mastered the art of making individual notes get louder; but he can also make them grow softer and more tender. There is much to admire and enjoy here. … [Constantine] Orbelian and his forces supply atmospheric and sensitive backups to what is one of the most enjoyable recitals of tenor singing that I have encountered in a while. Robert Moore (S/O 2015) reviewed a complete recording, likewise on Delos, of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra, where Secco sings, along with Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Barbara Frittoli, and Ildar Abdrazakov. He called Secco “a commanding tenor with a gorgeous voice in the style of Bergonzi” —Ralph Locke, American Record Guide