My Secret Passion: The Arias

Personnel: Michael Bolton, Renee Fleming (vocals); Steven Mercurio (conductor); The Philharmonia Orchestra.
Producers: Grace Row, Michael Bolton, Dave Reitzas.
Principally recorded at Abbey Road Studio No. 1, London, England between February 20 & 24, 1997. Includes liner notes by Michael Bolton.
There's a long line of pop stars-turned-classicists that includes Elvis Costello, Paul McCartney, Joe Jackson and Billy Joel. The latest name to enter those ranks is Adult Contemporary hearthrob Michael Bolton, who makes the move from Otis Redding to Puccini on MY SECRET PASSION. Unlike the aforementioned rockers, though, Bolton doesn't attempt to reinvent himself as a classical composer. Instead, he relies solely on the instrument that has garnered him so much acclaim over the years; his keening, dramatic tenor.
Bolton applies his larger-than-life voice to classic arias from "La Boheme," "Tosca" and other operas. The reverb levels with which Bolton's voice is recorded may be unusually high by operatic standards, but this is no crossover disc. Backed by the Philharmonia Orchestra, Bolton plays it straight throughout, making no concessions to his pop audience, concerned only with documenting his SECRET PASSION.