Paradiso is a studio album by New Zealand soprano Hayley Westenra, in collaboration with Italian maestro Ennio Morricone. It was released worldwide beginning 18 April 2011 in New Zealand.
Paradiso | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 18 April 2011 | |||
Recorded | 2010 | |||
Genre | Classical, traditional music | |||
Length | 58:23 | |||
Label | Decca, Universal | |||
Producer | Ennio Morricone | |||
Hayley Westenra chronology | ||||
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Ennio Morricone chronology | ||||
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Paradiso features new compositions written by Morricone for Westenra, as well as Westenra performing some of his best-known film compositions in vocalese. Westenra also contributed new English lyrics for some of Morricone's most well-known pieces, such as "Gabriel's Oboe", "La Califfa", and "Malena".[1][2][3] Westenra said she not only was inspired by "Gabriel's Oboe" (the theme from the 1986 film classic The Mission), but also contributed lyrics to "Whispers In A Dream" (music: "Gabriel's Oboe") in the spirit of world peace.[4]
Morricone produced all of Westenra's vocal performances and created new arrangements for each track, conducting instrumental sessions with his own 120-piece orchestra, Sinfonietta di Roma.[5][6][7][8] On 18 July 2011, Morricone commented, "When I first heard Hayley’s voice I was impressed and fascinated. I was very pleased when I was asked to compose and arrange the pieces that Hayley sings on her CD and am delighted with the results. I want to mention that this is not just a small anthology but also includes new songs performed and recorded for the first time... I wish our CD great fortune and many listeners and to this beautiful performer, a great career."[9][10][11][12] Oscar-winning lyricist Don Black, Sir Tim Rice, and Marilyn and Alan Bergman also contributed lyrics to the multi-language album (including some English and Italian songs, a French and a Portuguese song).[2][13][14]
Paradiso became the 85th local number 1 album since the inception of the Official New Zealand Music Charts in 1975.[15] It has been certified gold in New Zealand,[16] and became Westenra's fifth number one album in New Zealand, breaking the record for the New Zealand artist with the most number 1 albums.[17]
Paradiso hit number 1 on the official UK Classical Charts, as well as the Classic FM chart, after its release in the UK.[18][19]
Japan Release:
Disc 2 [SHM-CD Special Edition]
On 17 July 2011, Westenra talked about working with world-renowned composers on Paradiso when interviewed by Terry Wogan, and performed "Whispers In A Dream" and "Songbird" live for BBC Radio 2.[20][21] On 1 September, Premier Christian Radio interviewed Westenra about recording Paradiso with Morricone and his orchestra in Rome.[22] On 15 September, Westenra appeared as a guest star on the Italian reality TV show for children Io Canto and sang "Whispers In A Dream" and "Cinema Paradiso: Profumo di Limone" with the show's 2010 winner, Benedetta Caretta.[23][24] The BBC programme Songs of Praise broadcast "Whispers In A Dream" as performed by Westenra in Salisbury Cathedral.[25][26] Westenra was also interviewed by several American media outlets, including Fox News, to promote the album's release in the United States.[27][28][29][30][31][32][33] On 17 October, Westenra appeared on CNN for an interview entitled "Prodigy Puts Words to Morricone's Classics".[34]
To promote and spread Paradiso, Westenra announced her plan to embark on the Paradiso Homecoming Tour, a tour of the UK, New Zealand, and east Asia.[35][36]
Charts
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Certifications
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Region | Date | Label | Format | Source |
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New Zealand | 18 April 2011 | Decca | CD | [42] |
Japan | 8 June 2011 | Universal Music Japan | CD/DVD | [43][44][45] |
Australia | 10 June 2011 | Universal | CD | [46] |
Portugal | 28 August 2011 | Decca | [47] | |
United Kingdom | 29 August 2011 | [1][48] | ||
Canada | Universal | [49] | ||
Russia | Decca | [50] | ||
Spain | [51] | |||
Germany | 30 August 2011 | CD/MP3-Downloads | [52][53] | |
France | [54] | |||
TaiWan | 31 August 2011 | CD | [55] | |
Italy | 20 September 2011 | [56] | ||
United States | 29 August (for DD) /4 October 2011 (for CD) | CD/Digital Download | [10][57] | |
China | October 2011 | Decca | CD | [58][59] |
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New Zealand albums |
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International albums | |
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Soundtracks | |
Compilations and tribute albums | |
Pieces | |
Related articles |
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