Piotr Beczala: The French Collection

One of the world's top tenors tackles the romantic French repertoire. Classic FM Album of the Week, 2 February 2015.

In the past decade, the Polish lyrical tenor Piotr Beczala has become one of the most sought-after artists in opera houses all around the world.

French music is a major part of his repertoire and for this, Beczala's first solo operatic album on the Deutsche Grammophon label, he has collected well-loved arias, by Berlioz, Gounod, Massenet, Verdi and others - all performed in French.

Among the favourites are the 'Flower Song' from Carmen, the Act 1 'Foret immense et solitaire' from Verdi's French version of Don Carlos, and some heartrendingly romantic tunes from Massenet. On the Act 5 duet from Manon, Beczala is ably supported by soprano Diana Damrau.

The tenor sings French with great authenticity, elegance and lyricism, as if the language were his native tongue. Sympathetic and full-bodied support is given by the genuinely French Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Lyon, conducted by Alain Altinoglu.