The first solo recital disc from Bryan Hymel explores the French operatic repertoire in which this Louisiana-born tenor has been making his name, an area not over-populated with convincing champions. And Hymel certainly is convincing: his is a vibrant voice with a steely cutting edge, easy-sounding high notes and intense tone.
His programme covers just more than a century: Arnold’s grand scene from Rossini’s Guillaume Tell, complete with chorus, is quite a statement as an opener, justifying the disc’s title on its own. He closes with one of several rarities, an ardent number from Henri Rabaud’s 1934 opera Rolande. Highlights in between include two arias from Verdi’s French operas, Héroïque’s Inutiles regrets from Les Troyens, and collectors’ items from operas by Bruneau and Reyer. With Emmanuel Villaume conducting, the Prague Philharmonia sounds dynamic in support. Confirmed French–opera fans should love it, but there is enough variety to grab the uninitiated listener, too.
