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JONATHAN LEMALU Opera Airs EMI Classics 5 57605 2 *****

This is the second disc from this fine young Samoan bass-baritone, and his first devoted solely to operatic arias. It confirms the promise of his earlier release, and while he may require some more time to get fully into the complexities of the characters he portrays he is still in his twenties and has plenty of time to gain psychological insight. Meantime, his voice is continuing to mature, and he has that essential mark of a potentially great singer, a distinctive vocal timbre that makes him instantly recognisable - on the evidence of this disc, it is a deep rich bass-baritone not unlike Bryn Terfel. His recital here (a cross section of popular arias for bass and baritone) showcases his voice effectively. In conclusion? A young singer who should go on to great things. www.emiclassics.com Colman Morrissey