Zingara [Import]

Product Description
Remastered mid-price reissue of 1981 album for L.A. soul quartet who were heavily involved with Motown legend Lamont Dozier, who produced this album which includes their hit 'Love's Calling'. Featuring James Ingram on lead vocals. Nine tracks. 2001.

Zingara,Lamont Dozier,Castle,Dance,Soul/R & B

Average customer rating: Mostly good Look at the List of Performers First this "masterworks" series is available much more cheaply from Amazon France You heard guy below: Beethoven needs the royality checks! Buy my box Set!

Beethoven: The Masterworks (Box Set) Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sonatinas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: Complete Works (170 CD Box Set) Bach: Complete Works - 155 CD Box Set Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set) Brahms: The Masterworks (Box Set) Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set] ASIN: B00062FLHE Release Date: 2004-11-30

Customer Reviews:

Mostly good.......2007-05-26

A bit of a mixed bag. The symphonies are superb. This is one of the great symphony cycles. The piano sonatas are good, very good (analog) sound. The quartets are well recorded indeed, but there are better cycles out there. The rest is OK, and the sound is genrally good.

Look at the List of Performers First.......2006-11-17

If you want most of Beethoven sitting on one bookshelf, this is a great bargain (especially if you shop for it on amazon.de). But few if any of the performances represent the pinnacles of interpretation that most listeners demand when Beethoven is the composer. The symphonies for instance: can Blomstedt be compared to Furtwangler or (if you lean toward historically informed instrumentation) Gardiner? Most amazingly, the artists who perform the quartets -- the heart of Beethoven's music -- are not even named in the listing.
On the other hand: Vivaldi: The Masterworks is a collection including the very best interpreters, such as Fabio Biondi! Bach Edition (complete Bach) is a fabulous selection of recordings made over 20 years, and almost the same praise can be given the Complete Mozart.

this "masterworks" series is available much more cheaply from Amazon France.......2006-05-28

there are several sets in this series and it's much cheaper to buy these from Amazon France.

included are bach, beethoven, vivaldi, brahms, dvorak, schubert, handel, hayden, and mendelssohn.

they're even cheaper than the list price once u go through the checkout (VAT is removed for overseas (out-of-france) purchases).

**also, the 'complete works of mozart' set is much cheaper there (or at Amazon Germany), too. the 'complete works of bach' is due out later this year.

You heard guy below: Beethoven needs the royality checks! .......2006-04-07

There is quality beyond the Austrian green cardboard (which is lovely to look at, to say the least). In fact, the performance of the symphonies (Dresden Staatskapelle and Herbert Blomstedt) is alone worth the price. The Staatskapelle is a solid group, and Blomstedt, although less wellknown, holds his own. It should be mentioned that Blomstedt recorded many of the most celebrated 20th composition CDs on the market, and definitely knows his stuff. Peter Wohlert recorded mostly for compiliation lables, but to be selected by the Berlin Phil shows that he is a formdiable conductor in rank as well.

Should you buy this collection then? Given the fact that each CD cost $1.75, there is definitely the bargin factor. However, Beethoven's music desveres the top interpreters and musicians of our time - and this applies for all of his music, not just the symphonic. If you are into bargins, then proceed to buy this collection. However, if you save up a bit more, you can buy Karajan's 1963 Beethovens symphonies along with Kempff's 1956 sonata cycles for just a bit more than 70 bucks. Shop around for the string quartets, and the complete overtures should range anywhere from 15 to 30 bucks depending on the conductor/ensemble.

Overall, this is certainly an exceptional bargin. However, quality matter more than money. Besides, chicks dig people with sophisticated tastes.

Buy my box Set!.......2006-03-21

Awesome deal, 40 CD box set of me, Beethoven! There are 3 principle reasons you should buy this box set:

This box is QUALITY my friend, made of the finest, Austrian cardboard with a lovely green finish, it is made to last! You can just set it on your dresser and whenever you need a Beethoven fix you can just pull a CD out. But don't you hate getting your CDs out of order so you can't find what the hell you're looking for?! Not with this set! They are well organized into symphonies, concerti, sonatas and such, so you can find EXACTLY what your looking for, and they have big numbers on them so you can put them right back where they belong.

And the music! Need we go into this, composed through the inspiration of God himself and penned by the greatest composer who ever walked the streets of Vienna, me, Beethoven! Top notch, all done by top performers and recorded at high, clear, digital quality, stick one in your stereo and rock out man! All of my great and mighty works are here, absolutely sublime!

Lastly, you'll be supporting me, I need those royalty checks to keep rolling in!

Buy it if you love me or just buy it if you want people to think that you're sophisticated (the chicks also dig it, I should know: Antonie Brentano, giggity!), you can't go wrong!

Average customer rating: A great tribute for a truly great artist Pleased to find this CD.

The Very Best of Tito Gobbi Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolf-Ferrari | Wolf-Ferrari, Ermanno | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli The Very Best of Franco Corelli Tito Gobbi: Opera and Song The Very Best of Giuseppe di Stefano Very Best of ASIN: B0000A5BXS Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

1. Si Puo?
2. Non Piu Andrai
3. Largo Al Factotum
4. All'idea Di Quel Metallo - Luigi Alva
5. Resta Immobile
6. Come Paride Vezzoso
7. La Donna E Originale... Venti Scudi
8. Cruda, Funesta Smania
9. La Pietade In Suo Favore
10. Buona Zaza
11. Zaza, Piccola Zingara
12. Come Due Tizzi Accesi
13. Ecco Il Monologo
14. La Donna Russa
15. Nemico Della Patria
16. Aprile O Bella
17. Tosca E Un Buon Falco!
18. Minnie, Dalla Mia Casa
19. Tre Sbirri, Una Carrozza

Tracks:

1. Di Provenza Il Mar
2. Pari Siamo
3. Povero Rigoletto...Cortigiani, Vil Razza Dannata
4. Ah, Prigioniero Io Sonno...Dio Di Giuda!
5. Perfidi!...Pieta, Rispetto, Amore
6. Alla Vita Che T'arride
7. Alzati!...Eri Tu
8. Urna Fatale Del Mio Destino
9. Era La Notte
10. Dinne...Figlia! A Tal Nome Palpito
11. Plebe! Patriz!
12. Questo Arcano...Dio, Che Nell'alma Infondere
13. Per Me Giunto E Il Di Supremo
14. O Carlo, Ascolta
15. Vanne!...Credo In Un Dio Crudel
16. Quand'ero Paggio
17. L'Onore! Ladri!

Customer Reviews:

A great tribute for a truly great artist.......2007-04-22

If you want to know about Tito Gobbi, this is the set for you. Truly the very best of this phenomenal baritone, one of those rara avis in opera (both a great singer and a great actor).
On both CDs, is Gobbi in his finest: from comedy (All'idea di quel metallo/Come Paride vezzoso) to tragedy (Nemico della Patria), from grand opera (Cruda, funesta smania) to verismo (Si puo?).
The first CD includes some selections of less known operas (such as Zazà, Fedora, I gioielli della Madonna or L'arlesiana) that adds value thanks to Gobbi's artistry.
But it is truly on the second CD where Gobbi shines as the powerful artist he was. Devoted entirely to Giuseppe Verdi's incredible rols for baritone, track after track Gobbi reveals himself as one of the milestones in opera; his deeply emotional approach of Di Provenza il mar (La Traviata) and A tal nome palpito (Simon Boccanegra) matches perfectly with the grandeur of Eri tu (Un ballo in maschera) or Dio che nell'alma infondere (Don Carlo), and chilling Pietà rispetto amore (Macbeth) and Iago's Credo (Otello).
Cherry over the cake: his portrait of Falstaff...

Do not miss this album. Not only a excellent tribute to Gobbi, but also one of the best double sets of The Very Best series of EMI.

Pleased to find this CD........2006-11-10

A wonderful collection of the roles sung by this superb and multi-talented
baritone of days long gone. In 65 years as an opera lover, I never heard a
better Figaro or a more bone-chilling Scarpia.

Average customer rating: Was there ever a more exciting night at Salzburg? Must We Forget Leontyne Price? An old friend returns, yet again A minority opinion on this famous Trovatore A riveting live performance

Verdi: Il Trovatore Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Mascagni - Cavalleria rusticana / de Los Angeles · Corelli · Santini ~ Leoncavallo - Pagliacci / Corelli · Gobbi · Amara · von Matacic Guiseppe Verdi: Aida Puccini: Turandot La Tebaldi Puccini: Tosca ASIN: B0000012WQ Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. Part I, Scene 1: 1. Intro: 'All' Erta! All' Erta!' - Nicola Zaccaria/Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper/Roberto Benaglio
2. Part I, Scene 1: Racconto: 'Di Due Figli Vivea Padre Beato...Abbietta Zingara'/'Sull'orlo Dei Tetti' - Nicola Zaccaria/Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper/Roberto Benaglio
3. Part I, Scene 2: 2. Scena E Cavatina: 'Che Piu T'arresti?' - Laurence Dutoit/Leontyne Price
4. Part I, Scene 2: 2. Scene E Cavatina: 'Tacea La Notte Placida...Di Tale Amor' - Leontyne Price/Laurence Dutoit
5. Part I, Scene 2: 3. Scena, Romanza E Terzetto: 'Tace La Notte!' - Ettore Bastianini
6. Part I, Scene 2: 3. Scena, Romanza E Terzetto: 'Deserto Sulla Terra' - Franco Corelli/Ettore Bastianini/Leontyne Price
7. Part II, Scene 1: 4. Chor Di Zingari E Canzone: 'Vedi! Le Fosche Notturne Spoglie' - Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper/Roberto Benaglio
8. Part II, Scene 1: 4. Chor Di Zingari E Canzone: 'Stride La Vampa!' - Giulietta Simionato/Chor Der Weiner Staatsoper/Roberto Benaglio/Franco Corelli/Rudolf Zimmer
9. Part II, Scene 1: 5. Scena E Racconto: 'Soli Or Siam!'/'Condotta Ell'era In Ceppi' - Franco Corelli/Giulietta Simionato
10. Part II, Scene 1: 6. Scena E Duetto: 'Non Son Tuo Figlio?...Mal Reggendo All'aspro Assalto' - Franco Corelli/Giulietta Simionato
11. Part II, Scene 1: 6. Scena E Duetto: 'L'usato Messo Ruiz M'invia!' - Franco Corelli/Giulietta Simionato/Kurt Equiluz
12. Part II, Scene 2: 7. Scena Ed Aria: 'Tutto E Deserto' - Ettore Bastianini/Nicola Zaccaria
13. Part II, Scene 2: 7. Scena Ed Aria: 'Il Balen Del Suo Sorriso' - Ettore Bastianini
14. Part II, Scene 2: 7. Scena Ed Aria: 'Qual Suono! Oh Ciel!' - Ettore Bastianini/Nicola Zaccaria/Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper/Roberto Benaglio
15. Part II, Scene 2: 8. Finale II: 'Ah! Se L'error T'ingombra'/'Perche Piangete?' - Leontyne Price/Laurence Dutoit/Ettore Bastianini/Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper/Roberto Benaglio
16. Part II, Scene 2: 8. Finale II: 'E Deggio, E Posso Crederlo?' - Leontyne Price/Ettore Bastianini/Franco Corelli/Nicola Zaccaria/Laurence Dutoit...

Tracks:

1. Part III, Scene 1: 9. Chor D'Introduzione: 'Or Co' Dadi...Squilli, Echeggi La Tromba Guerriera' - Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper/Roberto Benaglio/Nicola Zaccaria
2. Part III, Scene 1: 10. Scena E Terzetto: 'In Braccio Al Mio Rival!' - Ettore Bastianini/Nicola Zaccaria/Giulietta Simionato/Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper/Roberto Benaglio
3. Part III, Scene 1: 10. Scena E Terzetto: 'Giorni Poveri Vivea' - Giulietta Simioinato/Nicola Zaccaria/Ettore Bastianini/Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper/Roberto Benaglio
4. Part III, Scene 2: 11. Scene Ed Aria: 'Quale D'armi Fragor Poc'anzi Intesi?' - Leontyne Price/Franco Corelli
5. Part III, Scene 2: 11. Scene Ed Aria: 'Ah! Si, Ben Mio' - Franco Corelli
6. Part III, Scene 2: 11. Scene Ed Aria: 'L'onda De' Suoni Mistici' - Leontyne Price/Franco Corelli/Siegfried Rudolf Frese
7. Part III, Scene 2: 11. Scene Ed Aria: 'Di Quella Pira' - Franco Corelli/Siegfried Rudolf Frese/Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper/Roberto Benaglio
8. Part IV, Scene 1: 12. Scena, Aria E Miserere: 'Siam Giunti; Ecco La Torre' - Siegfried Rudolf Frese/Leontyne Price
9. Part IV, Scene 1: 12. Scena, Aria E Miserere: 'D'amor Sull'ali Rosee' - Leontyne Price
10. Part IV, Scene 1: 12. Scena, Aria E Miserere: 'Miserere'/'Ah! Che La Morte Ognora' - Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper/Roberto Benaglio/Leontyne Price/Franco Corelli
11. Part IV, Scene 1: 13. Scena A Duetto: 'Udiste? Come Albeggi' - Ettore Bastianini/Leontyne Price
12. Part IV, Scene 1: 13. Scena A Duetto: 'Vivra! Contende Il Giubilo' - Leontyne Price/Ettore Bastianini
13. Part IV, Scene 2: 14. Finale Ultimo: 'Madre, Non Dormi?' - Franco Corelli/Giulietta Simionato
14. Part IV, Scene 2: 14. Finale Ultimo: 'Si, La Stanchezza M'opprime, O Figlio'/'Ai Nostri Monti' - Giulietta Simionato/Franco Corelli
15. Part IV, Scene 2: 14. Finale Ultimo: 'Che! Non M'inganna Quel Fioco Lume?...Ha Quest'infame L'amor.. - Franco Corelli/Leontyne Price/Giulietta Simionato
16. Part IV, Scene 2: 14. Finale Ultimo: 'Ti Scosta!'/'Non Respingermi' - Franco Corelli/Leontyne Price/Ettore Bastianini/Giulietta Simionato

Customer Reviews:

Was there ever a more exciting night at Salzburg?.......2006-11-26

Herbert von Karajan was a conductor who made a specialty out of Il Trovatore, and that influence can be seen directly in his handling of the score with De Sabata's orchestra six years earlier. Here, with six years trailing that magnificent recording, we find Karajan in demented form, carressing Verdi's score with passion, pathos, lyricism, and beauty, and driving the Vienna forces with that unique verve which made his Verdi so unique. I believe this is the best recording of Il Trovatore, despite the recording flaws, and with the magnificent cast, it is not easy to see why Deutsche Grammophon coerced the Austrian Broadcasting company to give them the master tapes of this performance. Everything in this performance--the cast, conductor, chorus, and the orchestra--all worked to make this broadcast special, albeit the less-than-ideal sound.

This recording brought Leontyne Price's Leonora to the Salzburg stage, a contribution that was in many ways the ideal combination of vocal beauty, drama, and Verdian sensitivity. Although Price is a lesser Leonora than Maria Callas, she performs very well on this recording, revealing much of Leonora's distress and pathos over Manrico's predicaments. I have never heard a more beautiful Tacea la notte or D'Amor sull'Rosee sung in all the Trovatores I've heard, and she adds a few high notes of her own in bits of the score. A wonderful performance. It was no doubt that Karajan would say that he got goosebumps when he heard her sing.

Corelli is Manrico. He may not have the beautiful legato of Carlo Bergonzi or the smooth discipline of Placido Domingo, but what a Manrico! You could hear a true gyspy in this performer, and he sings with such macho verve that it would be no doubt that Leonora would fall in love with this one tenor. A performance to keep for the ages!

Simionato is Azucena. With Stignani, Cossotto, and Barbieri, Simionato joined these great mezzos in the tier of Azucenas who make this role the center of the opera. She is perhaps the most insightful and powerful mezzo to take the role, and the runs simply pose no problems for her. She is the definitive Azucena, along with today's Dolora Zajick.

Ettore Bastianini is di Luna. Need I say more about this Verdian baritone except that he is excellent in every sense of the word? Bravo!

With Karajan on the podium in demented form, and a cast that matches his pacing word for word, this is probably my Trovatore of choice.

Must We Forget Leontyne Price?.......2006-01-08

I can appreciate all of the reviews given. I wish not so much to review the album of which I have 5 different recordings, but rather to sing the praises of the reviewers that at least acknowledged Leontyne Price. To those who took the time to focus on her performance, justice is finally meted out.

I cannot believe the reviewers who went on and on about Corelli, and the Azucena, and conveiently mentioned Miss Price only in passing or in many cases not at all.

But so much for reviews and reviewers. I can never forget what a teacher of organ, Zubin Mehta's brother, once said to me. Those who can, do. Those who cannot teach, and those with even lesser gifts review those to which they cannot hold a candle.

Thanks to all those reviewers who gave Miss Price the dignity that she deserves. I think history will eventually bear witness to the exceptional gifts of this artist. And to those in question, please read the reviews of Paul Hume circa 1960 from a Washington, DC newspaper, regarding Leontyne Price. He was a reviewer that was the exception.

An old friend returns, yet again.......2005-10-05

This is an old and familiar live performance which has been kicking around in sundry Lp and CD versions for quite awhile. The cast list tells virtually all that anyone needs to know about the thing: Price, Corelli, Bastianini, Simionato, not to mention the Wiener Philharmoniker conducted by Karajan.

I gather this version is in considerably improved sound. Well and good, for some versions have sounded--with the best of good will--pretty awful.

I am giving this only four stars because of Price. Yes, I know that at the time this recording was made she was still a keen and willing performer, not yet immobilized in her diva-hood. Nevertheless, I am simply not willing to give her the benefit of a doubt because I had the misfortune to see her in two live performances, once in "Ballo in maschera" and once in "Il trovatore." One of those two performances was the worst I have ever seen on stage and the other was the second worst--only I am not quite sure which was which. In both cases, she mooched around the stage, ignoring all others, softly crooning to herself until her big solo numbers, then she marched down to the footlights at center stage, faced forward and sang like an angel. That done, and having exhausted the cheers of the audience, she mooched back into the opera, loftily ignoring all others until the final curtain. But forget all that as sour grapes on my part, the fact remains that I can name a half-dozen sopranos easily available on CD who offer Leonoras equal to or better than this one from Price, starting with Bianca Scacciati, way back in 1930.

The previous Amazon reviewer downgraded this recording because of the presence of Corelli, calling him "a ludicrously vulgar Manrico." I do not object to that. Everyone has a right to his or her opinion. I must point out, however, that Manrico is a ludicrously vulgar part in a gloriously, marvelously, ludicrously vulgar opera. (And also this: computers have a wonderful thing called a spell-checker. Use it!)

A minority opinion on this famous Trovatore.......2005-10-05

This must have been a great night at the opera, and thanks to the official Radio Austria tapes, one can hear it in easonable mono sound. the glory of the evening was Leontyne Price, who had already earned herself a half-hour ovation as Leonora when she debuted at the Met. Thanks to the close mike placement, you can hear her quite clearly without distortion, and Karajan does an exemplary job from the pit. Simiantato is also a excellent Azucena, avoiding the out-of-control histrionics usually inflicted on this part and actually singing the notes.

But the good news stops there. The Conte di Luna of Bastianini, well past his vocal prime, is full of hollow tones and hokey overplaying. Corelli was a shameless primo tenore who had no patience for phrasing and no intelligence for much else besides singing as loud as he could and turning his handsome profile to best advantage. He is a ludicrously vulgar Manrico, second only to Tucker, who unfortunately paired with Price on her first Trovatore in 1959 for RCA.

Given all that, I think it's worthwhile to buy the cheapest version of this Trovatore that you can find--I have the super-bargain set from Opera d'Oro--so that you can revel in Price's singing and skip very quickly past Corelli's. The recent reawakening of enthusiasm for this crude singer is beyond me.

A riveting live performance.......2005-04-04

Corelli is quite overwhelming. He is in truly brilliant voice, and sings with great feeling and brio. The duos are all dead-on, and the aria Ah si, ben mio is sung with a longing and melancholia that are quite memorable. Reminds me of Pertile at his best, though Franco, of course, had basically a much finer voice.

As usual, rhythm is the weakest element in Corelli's performance, but Herbert von Karajan, master of rubato, stays with him almost preternaturally, providing a cushion of musical continuity that is like a masterclass in opera conducting. The aria thus becomes an unusual marriage of Italian feeling and Austrian grandeur: quite a performance! (And how the Vienna Philharmonic breathe with von K !!)

The Pira is the one instance when HvK decides not to accomodate: he wants to go very fast, martial style. Franco wants to go considerably slower, and the two are never once together, except in the first High C, which seems to last forever. In the choral/orchestral coda, Karajan forges ahead, as if to say: "I'll show you!". But, at such speed, chorus and orchestra fall apart (the very loud trumpets and percussion end up in different counties!) and then Franco comes in for the kill with a second High C that has to be heard to be believed!! It does last forever! Live!

Part of Corelli's rhythmic issues have to do with von Karajan's love for many different and contrasting speeds. This is absolutely idiomatic in an opera like Trovatore, but not every singer can keep up with that.

One who sure can is Giulietta Simionato, the Azucena. Whatever von K throws her way, she can handle: she is like a mad dog. Every syllable, every word, every phrase is "burnt in" with a volcanic power and a supreme self-assurance that I have not heard in any other Azucena. No matter how slow a waltz-rhythm, she never runs out of breath or steam. If fast, she eats it up. Loud? She is like Vesuvius. Soft? Just listen to the ending of the Condotta ell' era in ceppi, when she seems to be humming from inside her skull, as in a vision.

My favourite moment is the finale of the first scene of act III. Giorni poveri vivea. K sets a slow, weary movement to the initial arioso for Azucena, which Simionato handles with a dark, mournful colour and seemingly endless supplies of breath. Then K goes as fast as the wind into the stretta, and old Giulietta digs into it like a starved greyhound, taking, but of course, all the high options. Brava, diva! Karajan had found his match.

Average customer rating: Much more than "South Pacific"

Pinza Manufacturer: Nimbus Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: The God-Given Sound of Ezio Pinza Ezio Pinza III 3 Lebendige Vergangenheit An Enchanting Evening With Ezio Pinza From Broadway to Hollywood John Charles Thomas in Opera & Song ASIN: B0000037KV Release Date: 1996-02-02

Tracks:

1. Il Trovatore: Di Due Figli...Abbietta Zingara
2. Lucia Di Lammermoor: Dalle Stanze Ove Lucia
3. La Juive: Si La Rigeur
4. La Juive: Vous Qui Du Dieu Vivant
5. I Puritani: Cinta Di Fiori
6. Faust: Eh Bien! Que T' Ensemble...A Moi Les Plaisirs - Ezio Pinza/Aristodemo Giorgini
7. I Vespri Siciliani: O Patria...O Tu Palermo
8. La Boheme: Vecchia Zimarra
9. Don Carlo: Dormiro Sol Nel Manto Mio Regal
10. Die Zauberflote: O Isis Und Osiris
11. Robert Le Diable: Voici Donc Les Debris...Nonnes, Qui Reposez
12. Mignon: De Son Coeur J' ai Calme (Berceuse)
13. Le Caid: Enfant Cheri...Le Tambour-Major
14. Aida: Possente Ftha - Ezio Pinza/Grace Anthony
15. Aida: Nume Custode E Vindice - Ezio Pinza/Giovanni Martinelli
16. Norma: Ite Sul Colle, O Druidi!
17. Faust: Le Veau D'Or
18. Don Giovanni: Fin Ch' han Dal Vino
19. Don Giovanni: Deh Vieni Alla Finestra
20. Attila: Te Sol Quest' Anima - Ezio Pinza/Elisabeth Rethberg/Beniamino Gigli

Customer Reviews:

Much more than "South Pacific".......2007-07-21

Such is the nature of pop culture that beloved italian opera singer who sang classical music all his life,was upon his death remember chifely for his later Broadway succes,when in fact Broadway was just a short chapter in oterwise dignified and serious career.There is nothing wrong in "South Pacific" of course,but there is so much more to Pinza and this is why "Prima Voce" is important to represent how this thundering bass worked his way from Italy to Metroploitan.Lots of goodies here,my favourite arias from "Don Giovanni" and "Aida",also nice to cmpare his later recordings with very first ones done in Italy with conductor Carlo Sabajno (acoustic! before they started making elctric recordings) apparently his talent was there from the very start.Excellent.

Average customer rating: Wonderful baritone Magnificent tribute to a truly great artist! Magnificent tribute to a truly great artist! Excellent performances

Robert Merrill Manufacturer: Pearl ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Merrill, Robert | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Similar Items: Robert Merrill: Arias from Otello, Un Ballo in Maschera, Il Trovatore Four American Baritones of the Past Ettore Bastianini in Recital The "Pearl Fishers" Duet Lebendige Vergangenheit: Leonard Warren ASIN: B00000JWM3 Release Date: 1999-08-17

Tracks:

1. Hamlet: O Vin Dissipe la Tristesse
2. Herodiade: Vision Fugitive
3. L'Africana: Adamastor, Re Dell'onde Profonde
4. Carmen: Votre Toast
5. Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo al Factorum
6. La Traviata: Di Provenza il Mar
7. Zaza: Zaza, Piccola Zingara
8. Andrea Chenier: Nemico della Patria
9. Invictus
10. The Blind Ploughman
11. Drink to Me Only With Thine Eyes
12. In the Gloaming
13. The Three Musketeers: Ma Belle
14. Brooklyn Baseball Cantata
15. Juanita
16. Jonah and the Whale
17. Down to the Rivah
18. Shadrach

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful baritone.......2004-01-01

A very special singer. I second the other reviewers' comments, and add that I have been singing along, as best I can, all morning, to this wonderful CD. An exceptional Largo, by the way, even given the aria's warhorse status.

Magnificent tribute to a truly great artist!.......2000-05-04

This album is an absolute prize. Merrill, to me, was the finest of the American Baritone crop, possessing a rich timbre that is unmatched by todays standards. This CD finds Merrill offering some of his best and most famous renditions, some of which have been regrettably out of print for decades. That being said, this issue is an extremely welcome one indeed. One standout is the rare "Zazà, piccola zingara" from the seldom performed opera Zaza, by Pagliacci composer Ruggiero Leoncavallo. This aria, in this reviewer's opinion, uses that rich sonorous Merrill sound to its best advantage. Merrill once stated in a Met broadcast interview that this one recording (Zaza) was his all time favorite and the best recording of his voice. Other standout arias are, of course, "Largo al Factotum", "O vin dissipe la tristesse" from Hamlet, and the ethereal sounding "Vision Fugitive" from Herodiade. The non-operatice fare that stands out are "The Blind Ploughman" (what a truly heartfelt this performance is), "Drink to Me only with Thine Eyes", and the three spirituals. The recording quality is good overall and acceptable in places. Merrill was truly a great Baritone and this recording is a must for anybody's collection.

Magnificent tribute to a truly great artist!.......2000-05-04

This album is an absolute prize. Merrill, to me, was the finest of the American Baritone crop, possessing a rich timbre that is unmatched by todays standards. This CD finds Merrill offering some of his best and most famous renditions, some of which have been regrettably out of print for decades. That being said, this issue is an extremely welcome one indeed. One standout is the rare "Zazà, piccola zingara" from the seldom performed opera Zaza, by Pagliacci composer Ruggiero Leoncavallo. This aria, in this reviewer's opinion, uses that rich sonorous Merrill sound to its best advantage. Merrill once stated in a Met broadcast interview that this one recording (Zaza) was his all time favorite and the best recording of his voice. Other standout arias are, of course, "Largo al Factotum", "O vin dissipe la tristesse" from Hamlet, and the ethereal sounding "Vision Fugitive" from Herodiade. The non-operatice fare that stands out are "The Blind Ploughman" (what a truly heartfelt this performance is), "Drink to Me only with Thine Eyes", and the three spirituals. The recording quality is good overall and acceptable in places. Merrill was truly a great Baritone and this recording is a must for anybody's collection.

Excellent performances.......1999-12-13

Robert Merrill has for too long been written off as a bad actor with a good voice. What he really was was a bad actor with an EXCEPTIONALLY good voice, and these arias and songs prove it. And not only do these selections show off his wonderful, rich baritone, they also include some great songs and arias which aren't usually recorded. In particular, the "Invictus" of Bruno Huhn, the Toreador Song from Carmen, and the three spirituals are all either unknown or under-recorded, and all receive their due on this album. And, of course, Merrill's signature aria, "Largo al factotum," is wonderful. The only problem I have is with the sound quality of the album, but even that isn't as bad as it could be, and becomes less noticeable after listening to a couple tracks.

Average customer rating: a source of consumer surplus. A Leonora For All Time The greatest Leonora! Brilliant! The best Leonora forever

Verdi: Il Trovatore (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Herbert von Karajan, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Verdi: Rigoletto (Complete Opera); Maria Callas; Tito Gobbi; Giuseppe di Stefano Puccini: La Boheme (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Anna Moffo, Antonino Votto, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Verdi: Un Ballo In Maschera (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Antonino Votto, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana & Leoncavallo: Pagliacci (2 complete operas) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Puccini: Manon Lescaut (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan ASIN: B000002RY8 Release Date: 1997-08-19

Tracks:

1. Act One, Scene One: All'erta! All'erta! - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
2. Act One, Scene One: Di Due Figli Vivea Padre Beato - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
3. Act One, Scene One: Abbietta Zingara, Fosca Vegliarda! - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
4. Act One, Scene One: Brevi E Tristi Giorni Visse - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
5. Act One, Scene One: Sull'orlo Dei Tetti - Nicola Zaccaria
6. Act One, Scene One: Che Piu T'arresti? - Maria Callas
7. Act One, Scene One: Tacea La Notte Placida - Maria Callas
8. Act One, Scene One: Quanto Narrasti Di Turbamento M'ha Piena L'alma! - Maria Callas
9. Act One, Scene One: Di Tale Amor - Maria Callas
10. Act One, Scene One: Tace La Notte! - Rolando Panerai
11. Act One, Scene One: Il Trovator! Lo Tremo!...Deserto Sulla Terra - Rolando Panerai
12. Act One, Scene One: Anima Mia!...Piu Dell'usato - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
13. Act One, Scene One: Di Geloso Amor Sprezzato - Maria Callas
14. Act Two, Scene One: Vedi! Le Fosche Notturne - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
15. Act Two, Scene One: Stride La Vampa! - Fedora Barbieri
16. Act Two, Scene One: Mesta E La Tua Canzon! - Giuseppe Di Stefano
17. Act Two, Scene One: Soli Or Siami - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
18. Act Two, Scene One: Condotta Ell'era In Ceppi - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
19. Act Two, Scene One: Non Son Tuo Figlio! - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
20. Act Two, Scene One: Mal Reggendo All'aspro Assalto - Giuseppe Di Stefano
21. Act Two, Scene One: L'usato Messo Ruiz Invia!...Mi Vendica! - Renato Ercolani
22. Act Two, Scene One: Perigliarti Ancor Languente - Giuseppe Di Stefano
23. Act Two, Scene Two: Tutto E Deserto - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
24. Act Two, Scene Two: Il Balen Dei Suo Sorriso - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
25. Act Two, Scene Two: Qual Suono! Oh Ciel! - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
26. Act Two, Scene Two: Per Me Ora Fatale - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
27. Act Two, Scene Two: Ah! Se L'error T'ingombra - Rolando Panerai
28. Act Two, Scene Two: Perche Piangete? ... O Dolci Amiche (Leonora, Ines, Conte, Coro) - Maria Callas
29. Act Two, Scene Two: E Deggio Posso Crederlo? - Maria Callas

Tracks:

1. Act Three, Scene One: Or Co' Dadi, Ma Fra Poco - Nicola Zaccaria
2. Act Three, Scene One: In Braccio Al Mio Rival! - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
3. Act Three, Scene One: Giorni Poveri Vivea - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
4. Act Three, Scene One: Deh! Rallentate, O Barbari - Rolando Panerai
5. Act Three, Scene Two: Quale D'armi Fragor - Maria Callas
6. Act Three, Scene Two: Ah Si, Ben Mio, Coll'essere Io Tuo - Giuseppe Di Stefano
7. Act Three, Scene Two: L'onda De Suoni Mistici Pura Discenda Al Cor! - Maria Callas
8. Act Three, Scene Two: Di Quella Pira, L'orrendo Foco - Renato Ercolani
9. Act Four, Scene One: Siam Giunti, Ecco La Torre - Maria Callas
10. Act Four, Scene One: D'amor Sull'ali Rosee - Maria Callas
11. Act Four, Scene One: Miserere... Quel Suon, Quelle Preci - Maria Callas
12. Act Four, Scene One: Di Te, Di Te Scordami Di Te - Maria Callas
13. Act Four, Scene One: Udiste? - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
14. Act Four, Scene One: Mira, D'acerbe Lagrime - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
15. Act Four, Scene One: Conte! ... Ne Basti! - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
16. Act Four, Scene One: Colui Vivra...Vivra! Contende Il Giubilo - Maria Callas
17. Act Four, Scene Two: Madre, Non Dormi? - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
18. Act Four, Scene Two: Si, La Stanchezza Mopprime - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
19. Act Four, Scene Two: Ai Nostri Monti Ritorneremo - Giuseppe Di Stefano
20. Act Four, Scene Two: Che! Non M'inganna - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
21. Act Four, Scene Two: Parlar Non Vuoi?...Ha Quest'infame L'amor Venduto - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano
22. Act Four, Scene Two: Ti Scosta! - Maria Callas
23. Act Four, Scene Two: Prima Che D'altri Vivere - Maria Callas

Amazon.com essential recording

Maria Callas's voice was never noted for its sheer beauty, but she was in her best form for this session and she knew exactly what to do with what she had. She might not make the distraught figure of Leonora rationally credible, but she knows more about acting with her voice than anyone this side of Sir John Gielgud. And she puts Leonora's emotions, her vulnerability, her whole-hearted, self-sacrificial love, squarely before the listener. Herbert von Karajan's conducting brings logical coherence to a work not noted for that quality. In short, this is vintage Callas, at the top of her form in some of the greatest music and some of the most intensely emotional situations ever devised for a soprano. Von Karajan--young and not yet burdened with the mannerisms of his later years, is an ideal partner. The other singers, though dwarfed by Callas, provide substantial support. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews:

a source of consumer surplus........2007-07-26

Don't even think twice, just buy it! Stellar cast exhibiting fearless performances.

I haven't heard the Azucena Barbieri recorded earlier with Milanov & Bjorling that many people prefer over her performance in this one, but here she is superb: her voice is strong and so dark that you really get a sense of Azucena's baleful schema.

Of course, the selling point is Callas. In this recording, she demonstrates just how supremely gifted she is as an artist. There are numerous wonderful surprises in her phrasing throughout that keep you always spellbound by her character.

It's an amazing, essential recording for any opera lover.

A Leonora For All Time.......2006-04-08

I have always considered the Trovatore Leonora to be one of Callas's very greatest roles. Here , less obscured by her undoubted dramatic gifts, we can enjoy the pure musicality of her singing. The timbre is perfect for Leonora - dark, plangent & (apart form at the very top of her register)surpassingly beautiful. The role displays her perfect legato, incredible breath control & accurate coloratura. She also has a wonderful understanding of just how to phrase a Verdian cadenza, quite different from anything she would do in Bellini or Donizetti. You only have to hear her first few phrases to know that this Leonora is an aristocrat. Leontyne Price is undoubtedly another great Leonora, and she too has a voice perfectly suited to the role, but occasionally she mars the vocal line with unmusical cadenzas, appearing more interested in laying out her voice for admiring display, where Callas is more intent on letting us hear Verdi. The rest of the cast is just about as perfect as was possible at the time & a good deal better than anything we could manage today. True, Di Stefano lacks the requisite weight, but he sings with such face, it is readily forgiven. His "Di quella pira" may not have the heroic heft of a Corelli, but he sings "Ah, si ben mio" quite beautifully. Panerai, Barbieri & Zaccaria could hardly be bettered & Karajan was at this time the perfect conductor for the project. He conducts with great style & dash, while at no time apologising for the occasional vulgarities in the score. More modern recordings are uncut & here we have the cuts traditional at the time, but at least we get one verse of Leonora's cabaletta "tu vedrai". The sound has also been remarkably well freshened up in it's present transfer. Unless you really have to have modern stereo digital sound, buy it. And, even if you have another recording, acquire this as well. You won't regret it!

The greatest Leonora!.......2004-07-02

I couldn't agree more with the reviews stating that Callas' Leonora is unsurpassed. Björling called this Leonora "sheer perfection". Unbeatable!

Brilliant!.......2004-06-13

The dream-team Callas-di Stefano comes together once more to record I'll Trovatore! And how beautifully they did it! Herbert von Karajan's conducting is supreme, Callas sings the definite Leonora, di Stefano sounds passionate and loving as Manrico and Barbieri kicks ass as Azucena. To the guy who said that if Callas had Milanov as a rival she'd fall on her face, Callas and Milanov performed at the same time! So there! The best Trovatore ever!

The best Leonora forever.......2004-05-16

Period! Di Stefano sounds surprisingly on fire as the ill-fated Manrico, Barbieri COMMANDS as Azucena and Panerei is a fabulous di Luna. Von Karajan conducts mastefully. Not the only Trovatore but one of the very best!

Average customer rating:

Four Famous Italian Baritones Manufacturer: Preiser Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Four Famous Italian Baritones Legendary Baritones Four American Baritones of the Past Robert Merrill: Arias from Otello, Un Ballo in Maschera, Il Trovatore Robert Merrill ASIN: B0000023QS Release Date: 1997-08-19

Tracks:

1. Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum - Mario Basiola
2. La Favorita: A Tanto Amor - Mario Basiola
3. Il Figliol Prodigo: Raccogli E Calma - Mario Basiola
4. Erodiade: Vision Fuggitiva - Mario Basiola
5. Rigoletto: Pari Siamo - Carlo Tagliabue
6. Il Trovatore: Il Balen Del Suo Sorriso - Carlo Tagliabue
7. Un Ballo In Maschera: Eri Tu Che Macchiavi - Carlo Tagliabue
8. I Pagliacci: Si Puo? - Carlo Tagliabue
9. Ernani: Oh! De' Verd'anni Miei - Gino Bechi
10. Rigoletto: Cortigiani Vil Razza Dannata - Gino Bechi
11. Otello: Credo In Un Dio Crudel - Gino Bechi
12. Andrea Chenier: Nemico Della Patria - Gino Bechi
13. La Wally: T'amo Ben Io - Gino Bechi
14. Don Giovanni: Deh Vieni Alla Finestra - Tito Gobbi
15. L'arlesiana: Come Due Tizzi Accesi - Tito Gobbi
16. Zaza: Buona Zaza Del Mio Buon Tempo - Tito Gobbi
17. Zaza: Zaza, Piccola Zingara - Tito Gobbi
18. La Fanciulla Del West: Minnie Dalla Mia Casa Son Partito - Tito Gobbi

Average customer rating:

Ezio Pinza sings Verdi, Mozart, Monteverdi Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Giordani, Giuseppe | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Monteverdi | Monteverdi, Claudio | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Paisiello | Paisiello, Giovanni | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Alessandro Scarlatti | Scarlatti, Alessandro | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Madrigals | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000003FAT Release Date: 1993-03-09

Tracks:

1. L'ultima Canzone
2. La Boheme: Vecchia Zimarra
3. Le Caid: Air Du Tambour-Major
4. Die Zauberflote: O Isis Und Osiris
5. Faust: Le Veau D'or
6. Norma: Ah! Del Tebro Al Giogo Indegno
7. Ernani: Che Mai Vegg'io!; Infelice!
8. Messa Da Requiem: Confutatis Maledictis
9. Don Giovanni: Finch'han Dal Vino
10. Il Trovatore: Dalle Gravi Palpebre; Abbietta Zingara
11. Arianna: Lasciatemi Morire
12. Floridante: Alma Mia
13. Eteocle E Polinice: Che Fiero Costume
14. Che Vuole Innamorarsi
15. L'incoronazione Di Poppea: Oblivion Soave
16. Donzelle Fuggite
17. Tu Lo Sai
18. La Molinara: Nel Cor Piu Non Mi Sento
19. Caro Mio Ben
20. O Bellissimi Capelli
21. Armida E Rinaldo: Lungi Dal Caro Bene
22. Pupille Nere
23. Simon Boccanegra: A Te L'estremo Addio; Il Lacerato Spirito
24. Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: La Calunnia
25. Boris Godunov: Death Of Boris
26. September Song

Average customer rating: What poor sound? why did i wait so long to buy this? This one is for Price and Corelli completists Good Sound? It's a complete shame!

Il Trovatore Manufacturer: Opera D'oro ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B0000516SV Release Date: 2000-11-28

Tracks:

1. Act One: All'erta! All'erta! Il Conte N'e D'uopo - Nicola Zaccaria/Vienna State Opr Chor
2. Act One: Di Due Figli Vivea Padre Beato... Abbietta Zingara' - Nicola Zaccaria/Vienna State Opr Chor
3. Act One: Che Piu T'arresti? L'ora E Tardi: Vieni... Tacea La Notte Placida - Laurence Dutoit/Leontyne Price
4. Act One: Tace La Notte! Immersa Nel Sonno... Deserto Sulla Terra - Franco Corelli/Ettore Bastianini
5. Act One: No! Di Geloso Amor Sprezzato - Ettore Bastianini/Leontyne Price/Franco Corelli
6. Act Two: Vedi Le Fosche Notturne Spoglie - Vienna State Opr Chor
7. Act Two: Stride La Vampa! - Giulietta Simionato
8. Act Two: Soli Or Siamo; Deh Narra... Condotta Ell'era In Ceppi - Franco Corelli/Giulietta Simionato
9. Act Two: Mal Reggendo All'aspro Assalto - Franco Corelli/Giulietta Simionato/Kurt Equiliz
10. Act Two: Perigliarti Ancor Languente - Franco Corelli/Giulietta Simionato/Kurt Equiliz/Ettore Bastianini/Nicola Zaccaria
11. Act Two: Tutto E Deserto, Ne Per L'aura Ancora - Ettore Bastianini/Nicola Zaccaria
12. Act Two: Ardire!... Andian... Celiamoci - Ettore Bastianini/Nicola Zaccaria/Vienna State Opr Chor/Leontyne Price...
13. Act Two: E Deggio E Posso Crederlo? - Leontyne Price/Ettore Bastianini/Franco Corelli/Nicola Zaccaria/Vienna State Opr Chor...

Tracks:

1. Act Three: Or Co' Dadi, Ma Fra Poco Giuocherem - Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper/Nicola Zaccaria
2. Act Three: In Braccio Al Mio Rival - Ettore Bastianini/Nicola Zaccaria/Vienna State Opr Chor/Giulietta Simionato
3. Act Three: Giorni Poveri Vivea - Giulietta Simionato/Nicola Zaccaria/Ettore Bastianini/Vienna State Opr Chor
4. Act Three: Deh, Rallentate, O Barbari - Giulietta Simionato/Nicola Zaccaria/Ettore Bastianini/Vienna State Opr Chor
5. Act Three: Quale D'armi Fragor Poc'anzi Intesi? - Leontyne Price/Franco Corelli
6. Act Three: Manrico? Che? La Zingara, Vieni... Di Quella Pira - Siegfried R. Frese/Franco Corelli/Leontyne Price
7. Act Four: Siam Giunti; Ecco La Torre - Siegfried R. Frese/Leontyne Price
8. Act Four: Miserere D'un'alma Gia Vicina - Vienna State Opr Chor/Leontyne Price/Franco Corelli
9. Act Four: Udiste? Come Albeggi, La Scure Al Figlio - Ettore Bastianini/Leontyne Price
10. Act Four: Madre, Non Dormi? - Franco Corelli/Giulietta Simionato
11. Act Four: Si, La Stanchezza M'opprime - Franco Corelli/Leontyne Price/Giulietta Simionato
12. Act Four: Ciel! Non M'inganna Quel Fioco Lume? - Franco Corelli/Leontyne Price/Giulietta Simionato
13. Act Four: Prima Che D'altri Vivere - Franco Corelli/Leontyne Price/Ettore Bastianini/Giulietta Simionato

Customer Reviews:

What poor sound?.......2007-01-27

Was I just lucky and happened to get the one copy with good sound? I doubt it. Don't be put off by these complaints about sound; this version is pretty far up there among Opera d'Oro offerings as far as sound goes. And, obviously, the performance speaks for itself with this conductor, these singers and this orchestra.

why did i wait so long to buy this?.......2006-07-02

Don't debate whether to buy this or not, just do it! If you are deciding between different releases, get this D'oro one, it sounds fine. In fact, it sounds better than most studio recordings of the 50's. Regarding the performance itself, it must be the fulfillment of Verdi's vision of what Trovatore is supposed to sound like. Yes, it's missing a verse or a line here and there, but so what?! There are countless complete recordings, and none match up to this one. Trovatore recordings always ultimately disappoint me because I feel it is an opera which has almost limitless potential in terms of drama, singing, beauty etc., yet it is never quite reached. Even magnificent studio recordings with Ms. Price, Callas, and others never quite fulfill Trovatore's potential. This live recording from Salzburg does however. Ms. Price sounds literally out of this world. Her dramatic declamation is second to none as is her control and beauty of tone. Corelli is blazing as always and has a tragic tinge to his voice which serves the part of Manrico very well. Bastianini has one of the most thrilling and plangent voices i have ever heard and it is tragic he died so young. As for Simionato--all you have to do is compare her to Cossotto to see just how great she is. I know that sounds a bit messed up, but Simionato has such a wonderfully high placed mezzo that betrays no signs of struggle and is actually pleasant to listen to. None of that wild screeching or howling that is usually associated with the part of Azucena. Lastly, Karajan conducts a fast-paced red blooded performance (except for an odd Ah si ben mio) which is much better than his later trovatore's.

This one is for Price and Corelli completists.......2004-01-18

In the opera house this would have been a performance to treasure. On disc, this "Trovatore" is pretty well done-in by the sound.

By no means should this be anyone's first or only "Trovatore," but for the collectors of any of the top principals or even of Herr Doktor von K, it's worth a try.

Good Sound?.......2004-01-12

Well. If you want good sound, go get the Deutsche Grammophon official version. The premium is worth the clarity.

It's a complete shame!.......2001-12-01

Well, this is a beautiful performance, it is a shame the sound qualiy is SOOOOOOOO BADDDD!!!!!! . I Have a old recording of Maria Callas in "Lucia...", which is supposed to be recorded in a somewhat similar way than this, and it sounds SPARKLING clear when compared to this recording. unfortunately, it sounds VERY blurry. Reminds me a lot of old tape.to-tape-to-tape recordings.. If you don't mind, it is a beautiful performance, and its CHEAP. But if you mind sound, well.........

Average customer rating: Ruffo- The Voice of the Lion!

Prima Voce: Ruffo Manufacturer: Nimbus Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Muzio Nimbus Prima Voce: Tibbett Elizabeth Rethberg (Prima Voce) De Luca: Prima Voce Giacomo Lauri-Volpi ASIN: B0000037JB Release Date: 1992-12-02

Tracks:

1. Amleto: O Vin, Discaccia La Tristezza
2. La Traviata: Di Provenza
3. La Gioconda: O Monumenta!
4. La Gioconda: Ah! Pescator
5. Pagliacci: Si Puo?
6. Zaza: Buona Zaza!
7. Zaza: Zaza, Picola Zingara
8. Non Penso A Lei
9. La Favorita: Vien, Leonora
10. Thais: Ecco Dunque
11. Otello: Credo
12. Otello: Era La Notte
13. Otello: Si, Pel Ciel
14. Nabucco: Tremin Gl'Insani
15. L'Africana: All' Erta, Marinar!
16. Un Ballo In Maschera: Eri Tu
17. Tosca: Gia, Mi Dicon Venal
18. Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Facatum
19. Rigoletto: Pari Siamo
20. Falstaff: Quand' Ero Paggio
21. La Gioconda: Enzo Grimaldo

Customer Reviews:

Ruffo- The Voice of the Lion!.......2001-09-15

This CD is an excellent introduction to the voice of one of the greatest singers ever to grace the operatic stage. The transfers are excellent, and I can guarantee that you won't have a `drop out' of the voice here, as happens on some `live' recordings, many of which seem to be done by people holding the microphone under their coats. The sound is what one can expect from the beginning of the century, as far as the accompaniments go. (Yes, they do sound weak and muffled.) The voice is crystal clear, however, and shows why many people think of Ruffo's voice as the greatest baritone of all time.
I personally cannot speak for the era before recording, but any accounts we have of any singers on records shows Ruffo to be unique. Was it the largest baritone voice? I don't know; one critic claims Domenico Viglione Borghese had a larger voice. I have heard a few of Borghese's recordings, and the man had an awesome voice. He also sang in an exciting fashion, with emotion and conviction. However, judging from the recordings, Ruffo had a richer voice, and an almost relaxed mode of singing, which is almost paradoxical when one thinks about it. (Listen to his little song from Verdi's Falstaff.) His Credo from Verdi's Otello, old as it is, reaches out and grabs the listener by the throat. (This is not one of those old recording where you'll barely be able to hear the singer. Ruffo's voice dominates the environment here, and I'm talking about your listening environment. Only Sherrill Milnes, among modern singers, comes at all close to Ruffo's savagery here, and even with a full orchestra backing him, there isn't half the presence. And Milnes had one of the most awesome voices I've ever heard.) That's followed by the Dream, which is a masterpiece of insinuating, serpentine evil, as Iago pours his poison drop by drop into Otello's ear. What follows? The justly celebrated vengeance duet with Enrico Caruso. What power! And what sheer insane anger! Among modern recordings there are only two I've heard which come close: Del Monaco with Leonard Warren (This is from one of the Metropolitan Opera's premiums.) and Jon Vickers with Tito Gobbi from the classic Serafin conducted recording, with Leonie Rysanek as Desdemona.
In Tremin Glinsani from Nabucco, Ruffo takes two parts; Zaccaria, the priest, and Nabucco himself. If anyone out there has heard anyone else come close to Ruffo's singing of Nabucco's aside here, let me know. I've heard Capuccili, Gobbi, and Juan Pons. What about Scarpia's aria from Tosca? The police chief's carnality and evil are on display here, with stunning power.
All'erta Marinar from Meyerbeer's L'Africaine is a showpiece for Ruffo's voice. The full range is on display here, from his rather weak lower voice, to a ringing sustained high A natural that has to be heard to be believed. This aria, in Ruffo's hands, can leave your ears ringing. And it all sounds so easy! The older Ruffo voice is displayed on the only electrical recording available on this CD; Enzo Grimaldo, with the great Beniamino Gigli. This is my favorite version of this duet, even though Ruffo's voice does sound a little worn by the years. Barnaba is an evil man, and one can feel the evil oozing out, as if under pressure. For those who like La Gioconda, there are also Ruffo's O Monumento and Pescator, which are sung in his prime. The richness of tone and variety of color on display here have never ceased to astound me.
Ruffo was not just a loud singer. He had many moments when he sang in half voice, which was very light and tenorish. I would not care to listen to him if he was only a bellower, believe me. Don't expect to be lulled to sleep here however; this man is not Perry Como. Expect to be astounded and moved. For further listening, get the CD's on which Ruffo sings Rigoletto, with Galvany and Pareto, and Ambroise Thomas' Hamlet. Even though the accompaniments sound rather primitive, given the limitations of the horn they had to sing and play into back then, the voices are clear and very exciting. For similar voices? Gino Bechi comes close, in terms of style, and the man is an exciting performer. Mattia Battistini had a similar type of voice (glorious top, small lower notes) and a snarling delivery. If you like Ruffo, and don't know about these two, give them a try. In more recent times, we have the beautiful and awe inspiring voice of Sherrill Milnes. This man sounds a little like Ruffo, with Leonard Warren mixed in. Try his Rigoletto, Iago, and Figaro from Rossini's Barber of Seville for a great deal of gorgeous singing.
Back to Ruffo; if you like his work in opera, try him out in the popular songs of his day. Maria Mari should be heard by anyone interested in the genre.

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