AMG Review of Aria

Tom Schulte
All Music Guide

Ambient composers Paul Schwartz and Mario Grigorov add their electronic melodies to selected opera arias on this album. Popular melodies from #Carmen, #Madame Butterfly, #The Magic Flute, #Dido, #Aeneas, and more are used here. The final effect is striking, though these classic themes may be enhancing the Schwartz- Grigonoz creations more than they are helping the arias. A product of renowned Abbey Road Studio #1, all the operatic vocals were recorded live in this acoustically superb environment. This shows the creator's respect for the time-tested gems they are setting. It comes as no surprise that Schwartz was Andre Previn's assistant conductor with the Pittsburgh Symphony and musical director for Andrew Lloyd Webber's #Phanton of the Opera. Grigorov is a pianist and composer who is as comfortable in jazz and classical music as is in rock and electronica. Aria is sublime and rewarding.