一聽音樂網

　　今年是宏偉的美國音樂劇《西區故事》50周年生日。為紀念此，UCJ (Universal Classis & Jazz) 在新世紀重新錄制了《西區故事》，此次50周年誕辰之際重新演繹托尼和瑪麗婭絕不是簡單的翻演。天才的演員們必須年輕，充滿熱情以演好這部倍受喜愛的音樂劇，并配得上曾經擁有的名譽。因此由誰來出演擔當如此的榮譽？當今古典跨界的兩位最年輕的耀眼明星—— Vittorio (飾演 Tony) 和 Hayley Westenra (飾演 Maria)，給你帶來最神秘美妙的音樂。與二位同臺演出的還有 Connie Fisher 飾演西區之星，新興跨界巨星 Will Martin 飾演 Riff。

　　至今為止最受贊譽的音樂劇《西區故事》是以羅密歐與朱麗葉為藍本創作的。是少數幾個永不過時的音樂劇之一，至今仍舊受到大眾喜愛。在其50周年誕生之際，環球公司集結了世界上最著名的古典跨接歌手，全新錄制了這一璀璨耀眼的音樂劇。

　　這一版本里，來自新西蘭的歌手 Hayley Westenra 領銜主演女主角瑪麗亞，其搭檔將由意大利男高音 Vittorio Grigolo 扮演。其他明星包括 Connie Fisher 和 Melanie Marshall（目前正領銜主演歌劇Porgy and Bess）。如此光鮮年輕的演員陣容，能好的表現羅密歐與朱麗葉、瑪麗亞與托尼，永恒的旋律也將注定使之成為新世紀里《西區故事》愛好者的最佳選擇！

A 2007 recording is being released by UCJ (Universal Classics & Jazz) in honor of West Side Story's 50th anniversary. This album stars Hayley Westenra as Maria and Vittorio Grigolo as Tony. The Bernstein Foundation in New York has authorized the recording

ONE of the most popular musicals of all time has had a makeover. This 50th Anniversary recording features Hayley Westenra as Maria, Italian tenor Vittorio Grigolo as her forbidden beau, Tony and our very own Maria from The Sound Of Music, Connie Fisher - as the girl.

Slick and nostalgic, this album stays true to the original version in every other respect. The timeless, classic tunes such as Maria, Tonight and I Feel Pretty all sound very fresh and incredibly moving as the production values are extremely high.

Made with authorisation of the Leonard Bernstein foundation in New York, this is no mere cash in. You are reminded of the epic nature of the original recording.

Westenra

The only problem for me is the inclusion of new stars Westenra and Fisher. They just do not sound experienced enough to take you on the epic journey. Somewhere, for example is a huge, sweeping song, designed to get the tear ducts flowing.

But in Fisher's hands, it sounds very workmanlike and robotic. Technically she is superb, but she fails to move you like she should.

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra more than make up for this lack of emotion as they play beautifully, giving the album the cinematic treatment that it deserves.

Worth a listen if you own no other version.