Though this is the Polish tenor’s first recital disc (hence the greeting, “Salut!”), his name, voice and, probably, appearance will already be familiar to many. He has appeared, with success (as he does not fail to point out in his introductory notes), in most of the world’s leading opera houses, and his dashing stage presence will have been noted on several recent DVDs. It was clear from the first that, in the normal course of nature, we would be hearing more of him, and now comes the opportunity to give him undivided attention in a selection of arias drawn from the Italian and French repertories – which leaves the rest (of which there is plenty) for another day.

The voice has body, especially in the upper middle register, and an exciting ring on top. In pieces such as the solos from Iris and Les contes d’Hoffmann, where the tessitura can be something of a trial, he appears untroubled and secure, though the focus is not, I think, quite precise at the start of the latter. His production is even and he has no use for the intrusive “h”. The graceful song from Bazin’s Maître Pathelin is not as intimate and idiomatic as in Roberto Alagna’s recording (EMI, 4/01), but generally he emerges from comparisons with credit. I found the expressive range somewhat limited and wondered whether there is any particular item or moment that will establish itself in the memory. Maybe not, and maybe the gift to provide that will develop over the coming years. Meanwhile we can return his greeting, with interest.