Habanera

El na Garanea's supple, seductive mezzo is aflame with the neon hues and rhythmic dash of Romany in excerpts from beguiling Gypsy roles in opera and operetta. Stand alone numbers add to the panache of Habanera. With gorgeous pieces eliciting every gift Elina Garanea boasts as a musician, Habanera's instrumental accompaniments - whether RAI's full orchestra, small ensemble or guitar - add to the sultry atmosphere. Conductor Karel Mark Chichon contributes taut yet elastic leadership that enhances the charm and variety of El na Garanea's selections. On this album, the 'dialects' derived from Gypsy musical language include Bizet's Carmen, Chueca's Tango de la Ermenegilda, Bernstein's Candide, Lehar's H r ich Zymbalklange and unknown gems like Obradors' El vito making for a musically enlightening and delightful program.