THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, December 18, 1994              TAG: 9412170048
SECTION: DAILY BREAK              PAGE: E6   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: ALBUM REVIEWS
SOURCE: Paul Sayegh
                                             LENGTH: Short :   37 lines

A HIT AND A MISS AS OPERA STARS STEP OUT

Marilyn Horne, ``The Men in My Life'' (RCA); Jerry Hadley, ``Golden Days'' (RCA) - These releases showcase two of America's most prominent opera stars in material not usually associated with them. Veteran mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne offers a collection of pop standards, while tenor Jerry Hadley presents operetta excerpts by Victor Herbert, Sigmund Romberg and Rudolf Friml. Both discs feature the American Theater Orchestra under Paul Gemignani, an experienced conductor of musical theater.

The Horne recording is a disappointment despite excellent arrangements; the participation of Hadley, baritone Thomas Hampson and bass Samuel Ramey; and Horne's mostly excellent instincts about singing pop music. She seems in less than her best voice, and she sings consistently under pitch with a labored quality that robs the songs of their appeal.

Hadley's disc is more successful. The music is worth reviving, especially as the tenor shows a real affinity for it. Occasionally, he sounds strained, as if pushing for a bigger sound. But he is in fine voice and sings stylishly. He is joined by Tony Randall, the Harvard Glee Club and, in one selection, the voice of Mario Lanza. Some gimmicky, over-reverberant production notwithstanding, ``Golden Days'' is worthwhile listening. ILLUSTRATION: Photos

Mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne is in less than good voice on her new

release. Tenor Jerry Hadley's operetta exerpts are more successful.

by CNB