Last June the new Broadway cast
recording of EVITA became a reality. After a massive letter writing
campaign for a complete recording of the score, the powers that be said
"yes" and a new recording came to be. Along with Elaine Paige,
Patti Lupone, Paloma San Basilo, Michelle Breeze, Claudia, and others a new
Evita joins the list, Elena Roger, a native Argentinian. She played the
role in London back in 2006 and a highlights recording was released. The
orchestrations are a tad more Latin and an enhancement to the original orchestrations
of the late 1970s.
Ricky Martin is "Che"
the Argentine Everyman who narrates the proceedings. No longer the
"Che Guevara" of the original production. Michael Cereveris is
"Juan Peron." Michael was the title role in The Who's Broadway
version of TOMMY.
The orchestra includes an
accordion, and not the more tango sounding bandoneon that is wonderfully used
in the Madrid recording. But it does the trick. The song
"Buenos Aires" really got a makeover and gets you going. The
percussion is electrifying to say the least. "Dangerous Jade"
no longer has the drum riffs during the song, but it is saved for the last
section.
The song "You Must Love
Me" from the 1996 movie/Madonna version is included right after the
"Waltz for Eva and Che." The "Montage" is very
dissonant and haunting, a major improvement from the original.
There have been criticisms about
Elena's voice being shrill or not Broadway worthy. I ask the listener to
listen to the voice of the real Eva Peron...shrill and penetrating...a voice
trying to make a point. Elena even looks like her when she is in costume.
I think she is an amazing singer/actress.
So listen to the new recording
and don't cry for Elena. You will come to discover how surprisingly good it is!
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