Best known for playing Carlotta in The Phantom of the Opera in the West End for six years, Lara Martins has been working hard during lockdown to bring her debut album to the world. 

Martins is an accomplished singer, having performed in some of the world’s most prestigious opera houses from Opera de Marseille to the Royal Opera House in London, in Russia, Portugal and beyond. Her debut album consists of 22 tracks, which encompass Brazilian and Portuguese music with a theatrical flair added in. 

Canção is slightly niche as all of the songs are sung in Brazilian/Portuguese. That does not, however, stop the album from being a beautiful creation.

The album is enriching and Martins uses songs such as ‘Balada Para Un Loco’ and ‘Los Pájaros Perdidos’ to showcase the emotional and dramatic depth in her voice. She also has such a silky tone and shows off the operatic side of her voice she has become known for. 

Martins is joined on her album by Olga Amaro, João Gentil, Filipe Quaresma and Daniel Bernardes who duet with her and compliment her voice in such a gentle and clever way.

The album is an experience for all listeners, whether fluent in the language or not. It makes you feel as if you are going on a journey within yourself, and is beautifully put together. The order of the songs also assists in how it makes you feel.

With a choice of 22 songs, the album makes for excellent listening on a Friday night in or a Sunday afternoon in the kitchen. It is versatile and overall, a great album.

**** Four stars

Reviewed by: Emma Littler

For more information and to purchase the album, please click here.