BBC Concert OrchestraDecca 478 3531 *****

Joseph Calleja, who was named Gramophone magazine's Artist of the Year in 2012, has joined Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras in citing Mario Lanza as a key influence in his decision to pursue an operatic career. This disc contains a potpourri of arias and songs associated with Lanza, which Calleja performs with refinement and sensitivity. A direct comparison with the original Lanza recordings, however, shows Calleja to be more of a pure lyric tenor in the tradition of Gigli and Pavarotti than his idol. His rendition here of these well-loved arias and songs is beguiling and gives clear witness as to why he is considered probably the best lyric tenor before the public today. deccaclassics.com

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