This is mostly well-planned and executed recital mixes favourites with extracts from operas that have remained rarities, even with the increased interest in late 19th-century repertory. It begins with Rodrigue's great prayer, 'O souverain' from Act 3 of Le Cid. Rolando Villazón sings this with an attractive quiet introspection to start with, but then there is metal and passion in his voice for the climax. Of the other well-known Massenet items, it's good to hear Werther's 'Lorsque l'enfant' as well as the show-stopping 'Pourquoi me réveiller?'. In 'En fermant les yeux' from Manon, Natalie Dessay provides Manon's brief phrases, and Villazón makes a really sensitive dreamer. 'Ah, fuyez' goes well too, but it will be the arias from Roma, Grisélidis and Le Mage that will attract most listeners. In all Massenet's output is there a more seductive tune than the one that forms the centre of the Roma scene, 'Soir admirable'? This is done very well by Warren Mok in the complete recording, but Villazón outshines him.
Of the Gounod arias, Faust's 'Salut demeure' fares the best, but again it will be the extracts from Polyeucte and La Reine de Saba that will please immediately.
Villazón has established himself as one of the most promising among the new generation of tenors. His French has improved recently, butthere is the odd difficulty still with certain vowels.
Accompaniment, recording and presentation are first-rate.