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Decca4.5
Puccini
Freddie De Tommaso, tenor; London Philharmonic Orchestra; Edward Gardner, conductor
Decca, 2024
At the improbably young age of 31, British-Italian tenor Freddie De Tommaso has taken the opera world by storm. His big, beautiful clarion tenor with its heroic timbre, not to mention his warm stage persona, has earned him worldwide recognition. His recent Met Live in HD Tosca, partnering the great Norwegian soprano, Lise Davidsen, was a huge success. For those wanting a De Tommaso fix, check out the seemingly endless supply of his live performances on YouTube. Without a doubt, he is the best young tenor around today.
His spinto tenor is warm, expansive and Italianate in timbre, with solid technique and in possession of the all-important “money notes.” Listening to his recordings, there are moments when his sound recalls the young Plácido Domingo, but with more freedom at the top. In this Decca EP release of five Puccini arias from La bohème, Manon Lescaut, La fanciulla del West, and Le villi, De Tommaso is in great form. In addition to his typical ringing tone, there’s a sense of ardour in his delivery that is most endearing.
If one were to nitpick, De Tommaso does tend to floor the vocal gas pedal, giving his all at every moment, the typically stentorian delivery quite common in Italian verismo. When mezza voce or a diminuendo is called for, he does reduce his volume a bit, but only if it’s scored in the middle voice. Anything above the stave, he belts out big time. In some arias, a bit more chiaroscuro would be more appropriate. But since his sound is undeniably thrilling, his fans likely won’t complain. Highly recommended for fans of the full-throated, no-holds-barred school of Italian verismo vocalism.
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