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". 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.
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. On 18 July 2011, Morricone commented, "When I first heard HayleyâÂÂs 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." 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).
Paradiso became the 85th local number 1 album since the inception of the Official New Zealand Music Charts in 1975. It has been certified gold in New Zealand, 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.
Paradiso hit number 1 on the official UK Classical Charts, as well as the Classic FM chart, after its release in the UK.
Japan Release:
Disc 2 [SHM-CD Special Edition]
On 17 July 2011, Westenra talked about working with world-renowned composers on Paradiso when interviewed by Terry Wogan, and performed "Whispers In A Dream" and "Songbird" live for BBC Radio 2. On 1 September, Premier Christian Radio interviewed Westenra about recording Paradiso with Morricone and his orchestra in Rome. On 15 September, Westenra appeared as a guest star on the Italian reality TV show for children Io Canto and sang "Whispers In A Dream" and "Cinema Paradiso: Profumo di Limone" with the show's 2010 winner, Benedetta Caretta. The BBC programme Songs of Praise broadcast "Whispers In A Dream" as performed by Westenra in Salisbury Cathedral. Westenra was also interviewed by several American media outlets, including Fox News, to promote the album's release in the United States. On 17 October, Westenra appeared on CNN for an interview entitled "Prodigy Puts Words to Morricone's Classics".
To promote and spread Paradiso, Westenra announced her plan to embark on the Paradiso Homecoming Tour, a tour of the UK, New Zealand, and east Asia.