Romanza
Song by Igor Krutoy et al
Anna Netrebko s, Yusif Eyvazov t, Session Orchestra London/Ben Foster
DG 4797679

Russian diva Anna Netrebko’s first crossover album Romanza, featuring hubby Yusif Eyvazov on songs written for them by Ukranian composer Igor Krutoy, has all the subtlety of a May Day parade in Red Square. The diva is at the top of her lungs for much of the 70-plus minutes, backed by a lush orchestral and choral haze. It’s a bit like sitting in a bath eating Russian honey cake and being drizzled with treacle. By contrast Eyvazov sounds lightweight on his few solos.

I found it impossible...