NEW RELEASES: Didyk's new CD, "Misha" (10/27/02)

NEW RELEASES

Didyk's new CD, "Misha"

by Bohdan Markiw

NEW HAVEN, Conn. - The recently released CD recording, "Misha" was launched by the successful and professionally very busy young Ukrainian tenor and opera star Mykhailo (Misha) Didyk on the Discovery label. On the strength of acclaimed operatic performances in Rigoletto and "La Bohème" at the New York City Opera, "La Traviata" in Michigan and "Madama Butterfly" and "The Capulets and Montagues" with the Opera Company of Philadelphia, together with appearances in Israel, Kyiv and France, Mr. Didyk's vocal gifts are by now well-known internationally. Now, with this new CD, one can continue to marvel and enjoy his vocal opulence. His virile ringing tenor is full of passion and love, and penetrates sublimely into the listener's soul.

The Symphony Orchestra of the Ukrainian Radio Company provides an excellent instrumental accompaniment for tenor Didyk. Included on this recording are works from such famous operas as La Bohème, "Tosca," "Madama Butterfly" and "Turandot," all by Puccini. Here Mr. Didyk has ample opportunity to display the eloquence of his refined musicianship which, at its finest, has an uncanny ability to illuminate the emotional core of a musical work. Especially noteworthy are the "Che gelida manina" from "La Bohème," and "E Lucevan Le Stelle," the final aria from Tosca, as well as "Nessun Dorma," (Luciano Pavarotti's signature aria from Turandot). These vocal renditions of familiar Italian opera arias are beautifully rendered as a result of the singer's thorough comprehension of the lyrics and his excellent diction.

Mr. Didyk performs three arias from Verdi operas in true verissimo fashion. These are "Lunge da Lei" from La Traviata and two arias from Rigoletto, "Parmi Veder Le Lagrime" and the ever popular "La Donna e Mobile."

For a contrast in singing style, there is a thoroughly dazzling rendition of "Una furtiva lagrima" from Donizetti's opera buffa "L'Elisir d'Amore." In this aria, Mr. Didyk took a unique approach - he saved his exquisite pianissimo for the very end, following an elaborate bel canto run. There is also one aria sung in French, "L'Amour, I'Amour!... Ah Lève-toi, Soleil" from Gounod's opera Romeo and Juliet. Here his voice takes on a richer, darker tone with more body. He sings with lyrical ardor, yet stylistic refinement. To conclude, there are two arias by Tchaikovsky: "Prosty Nebesnoie Sozdanie" from Pique-Dame and "Kuda, Kuda," Lensky's aria from Eugene Onegin. In these pieces Mr. Didyk has no equal - this is his turf, and no foreigner can outdo him.

Mr. Didyk favors the listener with an encore - an interesting rarity, the Ukrainian folk song, "Chornii Brovy, Karii Ochi." The music is skillfully orchestrated to give the soloist a sympathetic accompaniment. He sings every note with deep feeling and in a tone that is gloriously rich from top to bottom. He ends the number with a ravishing, shimmering, ethereal, sustained pianissimo.

On the whole, this is an excellent disc of classical opera arias, and certainly one that fans of opera and fans of Mr. Didyk alike will treasure for many years.

The current disc is available at leading Ukrainian sources such as Yevshan and Kolos, as well at www.mishadidyk.com.

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