A collection of the classic Italian popular songs of Rossini, Tosti, Denza, Leoncavallo and Gastaldon can normally be relied upon to make ideal relaxed listening. They’re especially rewarding material for a lyrical tenor voice, and in Andrea Bocelli we have one of the most natural, relaxed and graceful tenors of today. In Leoncavallo’s Mattinata he soars gloriously to the high notes, and he seems naturally suited to Tosti’s elegantly shaped melodies. Ideale, especially, unfolds with fine expression and gradations of tone.

If only we could simply enjoy his singing! Alas, in this curious collection, Bocelli’s elegant tones are too readily submerged in Lorin Maazel’s obbligato violin and orchestral arrangements. Such wealth of sound is scarcely conducive to enjoyment of these lovely songs. Moreover, it shows ever greater lack of confidence in the repertory to throw in vocal arrangements of Liszt and Rodrigo and the Tales of Hoffmann barcarolle arranged for solo tenor, violin and orchestra.

An explanation of sorts comes in the booklet note and the introductory video track to this enhanced CD, where Maazel describes a long-held wish to recreate a First World War concept in which John McCormack and Fritz Kreisler combined in tenor/violin duets. McCormack and Kreisler, though, had merely a pianist for company, rather than the full might of the London Symphony Orchestra. The CD is licensed to the Decca Music Group by an Italian organisation called Sugar Music, and I’m afraid the resultant mix is altogether too sweet for me.