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My Secret Passion

by Michael Bolton

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Of course Michael Bolton--the world's greatest mimic--should not be allowed within 200 yards of an opera house, what with his bluesy rasp instead of the round, pure sound associated with opera. But he's no fool, and he has studied the languages (Italian and French), the idiom, and the texts of all of these well-known, oft-recorded arias. He claims to love this music and I, for one, believe him. He hits all the notes--occasionally too hard and invariably with the wrong gloves--but he nails them all--including a very weird high C at the end of the Act One Boheme duet with Renee Fleming (of all people). What's more (and better) is his emotional involvement in each aria--he sings off the words in a way that makes Bocelli, the other crossover pop star du jour--look like an imposter with a pretty voice, which is what he is. To wrap up: This is a valiant try that can never, because of the equipment, be successful on operatic terms, but as an artistic endeavor--even one that ultimately fails--this is to be praised. --Robert Levine