New York, NY (Top40 Charts/ Shore Fire Media) At the tender age of 24, international vocal prodigy
Hayley Westenra is celebrating ten years as one of the bestselling sopranos in the world. To commemorate this achievement, Decca will release Westenra's fifth studio album 'Paradiso (October 4),' an impeccable collection of songs produced by the inestimable composer Ennio Morricone.
'Paradiso' features Westenra's crystalline voice singing in English, Italian, French and Portuguese. The album includes an impressive array of new compositions written by Morricone for Westenra ("Lezione Di Musica" and "Per Natale"), as well as some of his best-known film compositions of the last 50 years. Additionally, this is the first time Morricone has allowed - and in Westenra's case encouraged - anyone to write new lyrics for his classic themes such as for "Gabriel's Oboe (Whispers In A Dream)" from the 1986 film The Mission. Westenra also wrote English lyrics for the songs "La Califfa" and "Malena."
Watch the music video for "Gabriel's Oboe (Whispers In A Dream)": https://bcove.me/i1apzdql
Additionally, Morricone's longtime songwriting collaborators Marilyn & Alan Bergman wrote the lyrics for "Deborah's Theme: I Knew I Loved You" and award-winning lyricist Sir Tim Rice wrote lyrics to "The Edge of Love."
Though Westenra has performed for presidents, royalty and fans across the globe, working with the Italian master was a particularly important accomplishment for the New Zealand native. Well known for his iconic film scores including The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and Once Upon a Time in the West, Morricone is regarded as one of the most prolific and influential composers of his era. "He pushed me to my limit and maybe even beyond," she explains. Watch Westenra describe what it was like working with a legend: https://bcove.me/dyh9t0ch
Paradiso Track Listing:
Gabriel's Oboe (Whispers In A Dream)
Cinema Paradiso - Profumo Di Limone
La Califfa
Once Upon A Time In The West
Metti Una Sera A Cena
Cinema Paradiso: Would He Know Me Now
Per Natale
Deborah's Theme - I Knew I Loved You
Mezione Di Musica
Da Quel Sorriso Che Non Ride Piu
The edge Of Love
Amalia Por Amor
Here's To You
Malena
