Brownlee is an impressive Arturo, light of tone and with an easy ascent into the upper register...However, it ’s Brownlee’s fellow American, soprano Sarah Coburn as Elvira, who steals this recording. Her tone is exquisite in ‘O rendetemi la speme’, the legato perfectly judged with arching top notes that steal your breath.

Brownlee and Coburn turn in enjoyable, technically superb performances. The tenor, his skills honed in the stratospheric realms of the earlier bel canto repertoire, is probably the most effortless Arturo on disc since Pavarotti.

Coburn’s light soprano not only conveys youth and inexperience but also combines technical accomplishment (including decent trills) with sensitive bel canto singing...Brownlee’s free emission and tonal vitality are prime assets among his credentials for an eager, dynamic Arturo also notable for keen attention to text...Orbelian proves a fine advocate for the score.