Such is Uruguayan pianist Alberto Reyes's ability to produce a singing line on the keyboard that I would rather hear him in Verdi than any of our current sub-par operatic superstars. The pianist's subtle shaping of the long lyric phrases from Verdi's Rigoletto and Aida, his exuberant Coro di Festa from Don Carlos and the somber colors he evokes in the Reminiscences from Simon Boccanegra are all evidence of a major talent blessed with a world-class technique.

Rating: A