Florencia en el Amazonas

Despite RLW01's sour commentary (I do believe Count Pococurante has reincarnated.), I have to say that Daniel Catan's gorgeous music is filled with passion, tension, lyricism and emotion. The libretto by Marcela Fuentes-Berain, a student of the magical realist Gabriel Garcia Marquez, is intended as an homage to that great writer. I cannot imagine that this text could possibly disappoint the master. Ms Fuentes-Berain is a talented writer of magical realism in her own right. I have taught literature and written poetry and drama for many years, and this libretto is one of the most poetic I have ever heard. The imagery is vivid and evocative, the drama edgy and tight. The language, like the music, is multi-layered and fabulous (in all the definitions of that word). Catan's imaginative and lush score and the rich libretto complement each other perfectly in an operatic work of great power.

Ten minutes after I had started listening to it, I spent an inordinate amount of money on two front row tickets for its premiere in NYC by City Opera, which has miraculously (and expensively) resurrected. A stellar cast interprets lush neo-romantic, caressing music which will not rape your ear drums. The story, for film buffs, is a direct allusion to "Fitzcarraldo" . I feel desvasted by Catán's death--he left so few recordings, and no DVD's except "Il Postino". An added bonus: the presence of Ana Maria Martinez, a rising Puerto Rican soprano who just made a big splash at the met as Butterfly. Unfortunately, no libretto (lucky Spanish is my native language). Listen to it, and be transported into a world of magic realism.

This is a good performance -- the artists are all strong and both they and the conductor have the feel of Catan's lush music and powerful emotions. I felt that the sound was a bit thin, so that some of the ensemble passages and, especially, Florencia's magnificent closing aria did not come through as strongly as they should have. If you have seen any of it sung live you will feel a little remote from this recording. All in all, however, I liked it.

I tend all too to often to find contemporary opera "interesting" intellectually but disappointing on the musical and emotional level. Florencia en al Amazonas is an exception, powerfully reaching one all on these levels. The interplay of realism and fantasy, of emotion and philosophical exploration, gives tremendous cumulative force to the flat-out gorgeous music. The CD is sonically rich and, while it is a live performance, I only heard one intrusive cough. Highly recommended!

Daniel Catan is a composer who should have had the support of the Met or the old New York City opera before many of the composers who did get supported. Among the newer operas out there, Florencia is the finest. Beautiful, mysterious, passionate and ravishing. It's the Ravel opera Ravel couldn't write. There's also the feeling of Dukas' Ariane. I would love to see it produced in New York.

Beautiful music. I highly recommend hearing this wonderful opera, and rush out to see it at your local opera company, if you can. The music is lush and romantic, and the libretto is very beautiful and sometimes funny! A beautiful piece all around.

Not only enjoyed this but in listening to it before attending the Washington National Opera production of this Opera last fall, it enhanced my entire operatic experience in the theatre.Great music, great libretto and all around great operatic experience.

Fabulous music. Daniel Catan died way too soon.

シュレーカー+プッチーニな音楽で描かれるガルシア・マルケス的世界