WITH CECILIA BARTOLI

Friends in OPERA

Bartoli & Thibaudet
Jean-Yves the superstar frequently performs in recital with opera singers. On these occasions, he of course does not get the top star billing, which is usually reserved for the diva (or the diva-in-waiting as the case may be) - but there is never a feeling of diminishment here, only joy in making music together. And especially if the singer is a friend like CECILIA BARTOLI, shown here with Jean-Yves after their first “official recital ever”- a Benefit Recital held at Rice University in Houston in November 1995, the month she performed La Cenerentola at the Houston Grand Opera.

Of opera singers, Jean-Yves has this to say: I learn more from opera and from singers than any piano or violin teacher can teach you in a lifetime. Things that should come up in piano lessons but often don’t - breathing, phrasing, legato, making a connected line.

Bartoli & Thibaudet in Live in Italy And of Cecilia Bartoli and her singing: Cecilia is so easy to follow because her singing is totally logical, as natural as breathing. Playing for her is like having a conversation. I give her a phrase, she answers back. Is there another who sings like her? She’s phenomenal in the most literal sense of the word.

Cecilia of course needs no introduction. The winsome Italian mezzo-soprano is, among opera singers of her generation, the one who enjoys rock star popularity. Need it be added that her celebrity status is deserved? There is magic in the voice, the personality and the stage presence.

Jean-Yves and Cecilia perform together most often in Europe. They made their first recording together in June 1998. The album, “Live in Italy“, released in October 1998, was recorded from a live performance that was also telecast and later made available on DVD [see video clips below]. There can be no doubt that they are building tomorrow’s audiences today. -GC © FanFaire 1998

View some video clips from “Live in Italy”:

Cecilia Bartoli sings high E flat - Riedi al soglio - Rossini

“Riedi al soglio” from Zelmira
composed by Rossini