About this Artist

• Biography

Editorial Reviews

José Cura is one of a number of tenors who have been making waves since the late '90s. He cuts an unusually athletic figure on-stage, he brings a strong, masculine sound to everything he sings, and -- and this is where he really stands out -- he is known for simultaneously singing and conducting some of his own concerts and recordings. Artist Portrait is a sampler drawn from a number of his recordings; it offers the opportunity to hear the entire spectrum of his career to this point.

Cura has a dark, distinctive timbre with shades of baritone and a prominent nasality. In the right repertory, especially the highly emotional verismo operas, that tone quality, and his musical approach, are highly effective. But as he covers a variety of composers and styles on this recording, they begin to sound like limitations. There aren't many colors in his palette. Heard back-to-back, his "Vesti la giubba" ("Pagliacci") and "Celeste Aida" ("Aida") illustrate this point. The emotionally hyperbolic Leoncavallo hits the nail on the head, while the Verdi requires a legato and expansive phrasing (and an easier top register) that seem slightly out of reach. The same is true of "Amor ti vieta" from Giordano's "Fedora"; the long lines sound static and directionless. But there are just as many tracks that capture Cura at his best. His "Ah! Sì ben mio...Di quella pira" ("Il Trovatore"), and "Nessun dorma" ("Turandot"), for instance, are very effective. His Guastavino and Ginastera songs are also excellent, benefiting from his fluid Spanish and his willingness to sing in a semi-popular style. Matched with the right music, Cura is an exciting artist who should enjoy continued success. Allen Schrott, All Music Guide

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