Rolando Villazón and Ildar Abdrazakov have recorded a selection of duets from Italian and French operas, including works by Bizet, Verdi, Gounod, Boito, and Donizetti. This production, marking Abdrazakov's debut on the prestigious yellow label, features the Orchestre Métropolitain of Montreal, conducted by Yannick Nézet-Séguin.
The program combines famous numbers such as the duet from "The Pearl Fishers" with rarely heard scenes from operas like Boito's "Mefistofele" and Verdi's "Simon Boccanegra." The operatic duets are complemented by two popular pieces from Mexico and Russia. This fall, Villazón, the Mexican-French star tenor, and the Russian bass Abdrazakov will also perform this repertoire live. The album stands out because it focuses on rare duets for tenor and bass, rather than the usual arias for tenor and soprano. The musical accompaniment is provided by the internationally acclaimed conductor Yannick Nézet-Séguin, considered one of the leading conductors of our time.
The album is distinguished by its focus on rare duets for tenor and bass, rather than the usual arias for tenor and soprano.