Paradiso (Hayley Westenra album)

Paradiso
Studio album by
Hayley Westenra and Ennio Morricone
Released18 April 2011
Recorded2010
GenreClassical, traditional music
Length58:23
LabelDecca, Universal
ProducerEnnio Morricone
Hayley Westenra chronology
Winter Magic
(2009) 		Paradiso
(2011) 		Hushabye
(2013)
Ennio Morricone chronology
Come Un Delfino
(2011) 		Paradiso
(2011)

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 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]

  1. ^ "Hayley Westenra albums Paradiso on amazon.co.uk". Amazon UK. April 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  2. ^ a b "In the studio with Morricone". classicfm.co.uk. 24 August 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  3. ^ Gill, Andy (26 August 2011). "Paradiso review". The Independent. London. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  4. ^ "海莉.韦斯特拉《天堂美声》（Paradiso）_中国经济网——国家经济门户". Archived from the original on 5 April 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2011.
  5. ^ "Hayley Westenra albums Paradiso on marbecks.co.nz". April 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  6. ^ "Success came early". BBC Breakfast. 26 August 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  7. ^ "Marty Recommends Paradiso". Raidió Teilifís Éireann. August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  8. ^ "Hayley Westenra & Ennio Morricone, Paradiso (Decca)". 26 August 2011. Archived from the original on 11 October 2012. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  9. ^ "Message from Ennio Morricone". 18 July 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  10. ^ "Hayley Westenra album on iTunes". iTunes. 29 August 2011. Retrieved 12 August 2011.
  11. ^ "Westenra: così strego Morricone". famigliacristiana.it. 21 September 2011. Archived from the original on 29 March 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  12. ^ "Paradiso on QVC from HWI archives". 30 August 2011. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
  13. ^ "HAYLEY WESTENRA'S PRESENTS 'PARADISO'". 20 May 2011. Archived from the original on 30 December 2012. Retrieved 6 August 2011.
  14. ^ "Paradiso review". AllMusic. August 2011. Retrieved 27 August 2011.
  15. ^ "Hayley Westenra Cracks Record #1s". scoop.co.nz. 16 May 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  16. ^ "Latest Gold / Platinum Albums". RadioScope New Zealand. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011. Retrieved 17 May 2011.
  17. ^ "Looking back at a musical mixed bag". The Recording Industry Association of New Zealand. 2 January 2012. Retrieved 22 January 2012.
  18. ^ "Classical Artist Albums Archive". Official Charts Company. 10 September 2011. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  19. ^ "Classic FM Chart with 'Paradiso'". classicfm.co.uk. September 2011. Retrieved 22 January 2012.