MOZART, W.A.: Opera Arias (Castrato Arias) [Sabadus, Recreation - Graz Grosses Orchester, Hofstetter]

Four castrati in Mozart's time are being represented here: Rauzzini, Consoli,dal Prato and Bedini, respectively as Cecilio, Ramiro, Idamante and Sesto. Countertenor Valer Sabadus once again demonstrates how adept he is at the classical genre after showing his unprecedented prowess in a Gluck programme not too ago. This is a real sopranist, with full range of vocal colour, agility and most importantly, abundant musicality and intelligence. Such sort of talent is hard to come by in any musician, let alone a vocalist, and even more so in the genre of singers called countertenor, and in male sopranists. If you wish to pick ANY fault at this absolutely stunning recital recorded live in concert hall rZther than studio, it is the comparative brevity and the inclusion of a Cherubino (though many would NOT have objected one jot) which was not a castrati role. I for one am dying to hear the castrati motet Exultate Jubilate to come out of Valer's mouth. As it is, no cause for complaint, really. We are all too fortunate to have this young singer with us.