Lena Wu – Echoes of Love and Life

What a surprise! Lena Wu’s album, “Echoes of Love and Life,” is a magnificent journey through diverse musical worlds that captivates from start to finish. As regular concertgoers are accustomed to opera singers who stick to traditional repertoire, Wu dares to do something completely different, and it works fantastically.

The album opens with Debussy’s “Nuit d’étoiles”, and immediately, one knows they’re listening to something special. Wu’s voice has a warmth and naturalness that is rare. She doesn’t just sing the notes, she tells a story. Those first French words already give goosebumps. Then comes “Vanilla Ice Cream” and yes, that’s read correctly. Initially, the question arises: what is this song doing here among all these classics? But Wu makes something magical of it. Her playful approach shows that good music knows no boundaries. It’s proof of her artistic courage.

“L’heure exquise” is truly sublime. Wu masters the French repertoire as if she grew up with it. The way she lets the melody float, how she plays with rhythm and dynamics, this is craftsmanship of the highest order. It became a personal favourite of the album. With Verdi’s “Caro nome”, Wu shows her operatic class. Of course,e this is one of the most difficult arias in the repertoire, but she handles all technical challenges with ease. What was particularly moving was the emotional depth she brings to Gilda’s character. This isn’t a showpiece, this is real theatre.

“Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again” could have easily been a misstep, Andrew Lloyd Webber between Debussy and Verdi? But Wu understands what she’s doing. Her interpretation is so touching that the song fits perfectly into the story she tells about love and loss. It is impossible not to be moved by this performance. Johann Strauss’ “Mein Herr Marquis” brings back the fun. Wu has pleasure in this coquettish operetta aria, and that pleasure is infectious. Her timing is perfect, her coloratura sparkling. One would want to see her on the stage of the Volksoper immediately.

The album ends with “The Light in the Piazza” by Adam Guettel, a modern gem that Wu sings with such tenderness that hearts open. It’s a hopeful conclusion to an album that has touched me emotionally. What makes this album so special is Wu’s authentic connection with each song. One can hear that she truly understands and experiences this music. Her technique is excellent with pure intonation, beautiful breath support and expressive phrasing, but what distinguishes her is her musicality. She knows exactly when to take and when to give.

The production also deserves praise. The recording sounds intimate but not bare, the piano accompaniment is sensitive and supportive. Everything serves Wu’s story. “Echoes of Love and Life” is not an ordinary classical album. It’s a personal statement from an artist who understands that good music connects, regardless of genre or tradition. Wu has proven with this album that she is not only an excellent singer but also a true artist with her voice. This deserves a place in every classical CD collection. (9/10) (6848926 Records DK)