"In a sense, every type of music is sacred," says Plácido Domingo, "because it seems to come to us from a divine source." The tenor's philosophy is powerfully realized on this recital disc, for the 16 tracks cover a very wide range, both historically and emotionally, including openhearted, operatic-style selections by Mascagni, Rossini, and Franck, beautiful Baroque melodies by Bach and Handel, the Broadway classic "Climb Ev'ry Mountain" (from The Sound of Music), and more contemporary expressions of faith. Yet there is a consistency of mood here that may best be described as inspirational, even in pop-flavored selections -- like Rustichelli's "Kyrie," with its restrained use of guitar and synthesizer. The Orchestra Sinfonico di Milano Giuseppe Verdi under Marcello Viotti provides elegant support, while Sissel, the pure-toned, Norwegian-born crossover sensation, joins Domingo on two tracks, and the tenor's son, Plácido Jr., contributes as a composer with a stirring "Ave Maria." Even opera lovers who normally shy away from crossover albums may warm to this one, especially as the now-60-year-old Domingo is in magnificent voice throughout. Indeed, for many aficionados, it will be worth the price of the disc just to hear the tenor sing Wagner's beautiful song "Der Engel" (The Angel)

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