Richard Leech - From the Heart - Italian Arias and Songs
E. Arias | Long Beach, CA | 12/11/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Excellent Choice! I recall hearing Richard back in the early '80s live at the Hollywood Bowl. He was a local tenor favorite developing his career singing with clarity and passion. He sings directly from the heart, without question. Now he is a Metropolitan Opera favorite! This collection of songs shows the tremendous talent of Mr. Leech quite well. He has taken some of the most famous tenor repertoire and made it his own, singing with honesty, sincerity and genuine warmth which can often be left out in place of bravado. It is a powerful display and an excellent choice."
A very good CD and a talented singer
Concerned Citizen | Austin, TX United States | 12/01/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"While I won't go as high as 5 stars for this one, I would put it right above 4 (at 4.2 or so if Amazon allowed me). Richard Leech has a nice, lyrical tenor sound that matches up well with the repertoire he selected for this CD. As a former student of voice, I must be frank in saying that he has somewhat of a wobble that creeps in occasionally (the other reviewers seemed to miss that); however, it doesn't detract from the overall performance or effect, and most people probably wouldn't even notice it.Mr. Leech has an incredible top and is surely one of the rising stars of our time. He doesn't rise to the quality of Ben Heppner or Roberto Alagna, but he is light years ahead of Andrea Boccelli and the host of pseudo-singers that are now haunting the classical CD sections at most music stores. I would have given Leech 5 stars if he had corrected that wobble I referred to, but even with it, he is an excellent singer, and this CD would make a very nice addition to anyone's classical voice collection. I have a feeling we'll be hearing more from Mr. Leech in the future."
Richard Leech Will Be One Of The Best In Operatic History!
Michael D. Villecco | Fort Lauderdale, Florida United States | 10/09/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The three tenors should not discount Richard Leech as an equal and it would be nice to see him added in as the newest fourth. I sang as a youngster with Richard Leech in Binghamton, New York's Tri-Cities Opera and never realized I would one day see him leading the tenor contingent in opera houses across the world! Mr.Leech sings with both conviction and sincerity, as was taught him by Tri-Cities Opera founders Carmen Savoca and Peyton Hibbitt, whom I'm sure to this day Leech gives due credit. His recording of "From the heart, Italian arias and Neapolitan Songs" is a top notch proof that he should be included with the other great tenors! Binghamton, New York and Tri-Cities Opera has produced some great performers, among them being baritone Jake Gardner and soprano Cynthia Clarey, both peers of Mr. Leech. I recommend that anyone in love with music and opera be sure to purchase one of Leech's recording and see what all the talk is about!"
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1