Alfie's Linn debut featured on BBC Radio 3

Alfie Boe's ‘Love was a Dream' was featured on BBC Radio 3's CD Review on Saturday 28th November. In the ‘New Releases' section of the programme presented Andrew McGregor was joined by reviewer Warwick Thompson to discuss the latest opera releases, including Alfie's debut on Linn Records.

The reviewer stated: "this is his first disc I thought ‘this makes sense to me, this is what he's about'". Warwick further commented: "this disc of Lehar suits him to a tee it's got a really lovely palm court flavour".

They then treated listeners to an excerpt of the disc's opening track, ‘Just believe it's true' from Schön ist die Welt. Following this excerpt the reviewers further discussed the disc. "There's a seriousness of purpose - it's very light stuff, it's all bittersweet - but he treats it seriously...his diction is ideal."  Warwick and Andrew praise the conductor and orchestra, Michael Rosewell and The Orchestra of Scottish Opera, for delivering a nostalgic yet controlled delivery, this helping to create an authentic and modern performance.

As the reviewers mention, the songs performed on ‘Love was a Dream' are very much Richard Tauber "calling cards", songs very closely associated with the singer, who, incidentally was a great inspiration to Alfie. "Tauber brought middle-European sensibility, to what he was doing. Here it's something else. This is British restraint - something lighter and friendlier."

To round off the review Andrew McGregor plays an excerpt of ‘You are my heart's delight' from The Land of Smiles, whilst Warwick Thompson concludes: "I think he did it beautifully. I think it's lovely".

The programme will be available to listen again online until the 4th December - for more information please click here.

To find out more about ‘Love was a Dream' and to catch up on Alfie's review, news and tour dates, please click here.