November 1996

Something Wonderful - Songs and Scenes from the Broadway musicals of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II - Bryn Terfel (bass-baritone); Chorus of Opera North/English Northern Philharmonia/Paul Daniel - Deutsche Grammophon 449 163-2 - 74:43 DDD

Joining the growing list of classical artists in the crossover market comes Bryn Terfel with a totally engaging and diverse collection of songs and scenes from the great musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Can he banish memories of the evergreen originals, the Howard Keels, the Alfred Drakes? Yes he can, though his American accent comes and goes (sometimes mid-song) and, occasionally, his exuberance is overdone - "The Surrey With the Fringe On Top" is fussily voiced and "There Is Nothing Like A Dame" is toe-curlingly laddish. But what a beautiful voice he has and, while he may be short on gentle persuasion in the many love songs on offer, Mr. Terfel would undoubtedly seduce any fair maiden with his ardor - numbers like "This Nearly Was Mine" and "If I Loved You" are given with spine-tingling fervor.

The orchestra and chorus under Paul Daniel are superbly recorded (I especially liked "What a Lovely Day For A Wedding" from Allegro) and altogether I'm inclined to think this disc lives up to it's title.

- Jeremy Nicholas