Stephen Costello is currently performing the role of Don José with The Dallas Opera, and North Texas arts outlet TheaterJones has a new review for his Delos debut recording, A Te, O Cara.
“[Stephen Costello] has the ability to take the familiar and put his stamp on it. For example, at the album’s center is the familiar “Una
—Andrew Anderson, TheaterJones.comfurtiva lagrima ,” Nemorino’s aria from Act II of L’elisird’amore . I don’t think I have ever had my breath taken away by the initial “una ” the way I have with this performance. … I especially appreciate Mr. Costello’s inclusion of the Donizetti numbers which are the least familiar to me: “Spirtogentil ” from Lafavorita , and “Deserto in terra” from Don Sebastiano; these two–along with the aria from Rigoletto, which I always forget is from Rigoletto until some tenor starts singing it—are, for me, like Donizetti’s unjustly neglected B-sides,lesser known gems which are here performed to perfection. … Mr. Costello’s accompaniment … is ably provided by the Kaunas City Symphony Orchestra conducted by Constantine Orbelian…[on] this auspicious and touching debut album.”
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