Aria Fresca

by Quartetto Gelato

Overview

Originally released in 1998 and reissued in 2005 as part of Linus Records' complete career overview of the Toronto-based classical-folk group Quartetto Gelato, Aria Fresca was the quartet's final album with founder and leader Claudio Vena. The album mostly consists of vocal showcases for tenor Peter DeSotto, familiar arias adapted from various operas (mostly Italian) to fit their idiosyncratic and ever-shifting style. All members of Quartetto Gelato double or triple on their instruments (even DeSotto, who plays violin and mandolin in addition to singing), which gives the album a much more varied sound than similar groups can manage. Primary arranger Vena also gets to stretch out a bit, first with a fully orchestral collaboration with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra on Puccini's Prelude and Aria "Nessun' Dorma" from Turandot and next with his composition "Tango Solitario," an homage to Astor Piazzolla that features his own accordion playing against George Meanwell's canny cello counterpoint. A diverse and enjoyable set, Aria Fresca is a worthy capper to the first stage of Quartetto Gelato's career. ~ Stewart Mason

Product Details

Release Date:	11/22/2005
Label:	Linus Entertainment
UPC:	0803057005628
Rank:	229846

Tracks

1. Rigoletto, opera~La Donna ¿¿ mobile
2. Der Rosenkavalier, suite from the opera for orchestra, o.Op. 145 (TrV 227d, AV 145)~Suite, including Di Rigori Armato il Seno
3. Hungaria
4. Turandot, opera~Prelude. Aria. Nessun' Dorma
5. Tango Solitario
6. Faust, opera~Salut! demeure chaste et pure
7. Gran Concerto on themes from Verdi's "I Vespri Siciliani", for oboe & piano
8. La danza. Tarantella Napolitana ("Gi¿¿ la luna ¿¿ in mezzo al mare"), for voice & piano (Soir¿¿es musicales)
9. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera~Butterfly's lament

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Quartetto Gelato   Primary Artist,Ensemble
George Meanwell   Cello,Guitar
Cynthia Steljes   Oboe,Horn (English)
Claudio Vena   Accordion,Viola
Joaquin Valdepenas   Conductor
Toronto Symphony Orchestra   Orchestra
Peter DeSotto   Tenor (Vocal),Mandolin,Violin
Peter de Sotto   Violin,Mandolin,Tenor (Vocal)
Members of the Toronto Symphony Orchestra   Orchestra

Technical Credits

Claudio Vena   Arranger,Composer
Quartetto Gelato   Arranger
Peter DeSotto   Arranger
Michael Sweeney   Arranger
Stephen McNeff   Arranger
Giuseppe Verdi   Composer
Richard Strauss   Composer
Gioachino Rossini   Composer
George Meanwell   Liner Notes
Giacomo Puccini   Composer
Jacques Poirier   Assistant Engineer
Michael Roper   Assistant Engineer
Scott McKowen   Package Design
Ted Carson   Mastering
David Cooper   Photography
Antonio Pasculli   Composer
Mike Hoss   Assistant Engineer
Chad Irschick   Recording,Producer,Engineer,Mixing
Charles Gounod   Composer
Ed Marshall   Assistant Engineer
Jozsef Kossovits   Composer
Mike Roper   Assistant Engineer
Peter de Sotto   Arranger
Hungarian Traditional   Composer
Jacques Poirer   Assistant Engineer