RAMIREZ: Misa Criolla, Navidad en Verano, Navidad Nuestra José Carreras, tenor; Coral Salvé de Laredo & Sociedad Coral de Bilbao choruses; José Luis Ocejo, Damian Sanchez, conductors Philips 420 955-2 (CD only). John Newton, eng.; Job Maarse, prod. DDD. TT: 40:17

A superb sense of openness, spaciousness, and three-dimensional soundstage here is flawed only by occasional overloading on Carreras's crescendos. The work is moving, and the performance could hardly be bettered. The forces involve small instrumental group, chorus, and soloist. The generally restrained vocal dynamics demonstrate Carreras's strengths far better than his recent participation in the "big three" tenor shootout. For operaphobes, this is not an "operatic" work in the usual sense. It is, incidentally, also a fine Christmas album, while its lack of familiarity makes it listenable year-round.

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