Innocente [CD-single] [Import]

Track Listings

 
1. Innocente [Lost Witness Rmx Edit]
2. Innocente [Radio Version]
3. Innocente [Mr. Sam's The Space Between Us Rmx Edit]
4. Innocente [Deep Dish Gladiator Rmx]
5. Innocente [Dj Tiesto Rmx]
6. Innocente [Lost Witness Rmx]

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Features Leigh Nash (Sixpence None the Richer) and includes remixes by DJ Tiesto, Deep Dish, Mr. Sam and Lost Witness.

Innocente,Delarium,Wea International,Dance,Pop,Rock
Leyla Gencer, Vol. 1
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Enthusiasm, characterization, but rough edges. . . .
  • Absolutely Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
  • Bel Canto Heroine
  • Queen of Pirates
Leyla Gencer, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Opera D'oro
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bellini, VincenzoBellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Cherubini, LuigiCherubini, Luigi | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by DonizettiAll Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Gencer, LeylaGencer, Leyla | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Bellini, VincenzoBellini, Vincenzo | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Cherubini, LuigiCherubini, Luigi | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Donizetti, GaetanoDonizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Classical (c.1770-1830)Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances
Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
FrenchFrench | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
CDs Under $7CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
4-for-3 Classical4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
4-for-3 All Music4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Leyla Gencer, Vol. 2
  2. Donizetti: Roberto Devereux
  3. Donizetti: Anna Bolena
  4. Rarities: Donizetti, Rossini, Verdi
  5. Pacini: Saffo

ASIN: B00004UDE5
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

  1. Medea: 'E Che? Io Sono Medea'
  2. Norma: 'Sediziose Voce... Casta Diva'
  3. Norma: 'Deh! Non Volerli Vittime'
  4. Belisario: 'Egli E Spento'
  5. Maria Stuarda: 'Figlia Impura Di Bolena'
  6. Maria Stuarda: 'Di Un Cor Che More... Ah! Se Un Giorno'
  7. Anna Bolena: 'Come Innocente Giovane'
  8. Anna Bolena: 'Piangete Voi?... Al Dolce Guidami (Finale)'

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Enthusiasm, characterization, but rough edges. . . ........2007-04-25

The liner notes to this CD observe that Leyla Gencer has "a cadre of fans [who have] always rooted for her devotedly." The notes go on to say that "Her voice was not large, nor her production absolutely even; but she compensated for these liabilities with many other talents."

Uneven is a good term to describe her singing. . . . Let's take a look at a couple "cuts" from this CD. From Bellini's "Norma," she sings "Sediziose voce. . .Casta diva." Hers is not a lovely voice, although there is a richness to it. She has a heavier tone than other singing the repertoire. There are harsh edges to her voice. She does transmit a sense of the character.

She also sings ""Egli e spento" from Donizetti's "Belisario." Again, there are genuinely rough edges to her singing, although she does serviceable work. She just does not seem "ready for prime time." Coloratura technique is minimal across the various cuts--including this one. She does hit a nice high note at the end of this aria.

From "Maria Stuarda," by Donizetti, she sings "Figlia impure di Bolena." She shows the emotions of Maria Stuarda nicely. Still, vocal qualities are not very attractive. Her voice is also overwhelmed by the orchestra at times. Once more, little coloratura technique. Nice high note at the end, but her voice does not soar.

From Donizetti's "Anna Bolena," Gencer sings "Come innocente giovane." Her singing here is animated, but vocal qualities a bit uneven. Finally, from the same opera, she sings "Piangete voi?. . .Al dolce guidami." There is some coloratura technique here, although not outstanding.

So, what to make of Leyla Gencer? She sings enthusiastically; she provides a sense of the character. But somehow, from what I hear, her voice and technique are not up to the task of providing excellent renderings of the works selected for this CD.

5 out of 5 stars Absolutely Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.......2005-04-06

I can't say enough about Leyla Gencer. A star who was exciting as Callas yet easier to listen to. Enjoy what recordings you can find. They are sparse! Though we can delight in some wonderful voices in 2005, this lady can't be beat. Don't know anyone like her today.

5 out of 5 stars Bel Canto Heroine.......2004-07-09

Gencer's story is one of the most interesting of opera during the 20th century. How is it possible that, during the "bel canto revival" of the 50's and 60's, one of its very few specialists was never offered a recording contract? As Gencer states in an interview given recently, the reason may be that the American recording companies only wanted a "voce pura." Although technically speaking, Gencer ranks with the very best, she did have some peculiarities in her voice that you have to develop a taste for. In this regard, she reminds me much of Raina Kabaivanska, a celebrated Butterfly with a cult following in Italy who barely made a splash here in the U.S.

A little known fact is that, had Gencer been available when Marilyn Horne pulled out of the AOS production of Lucrezia Borgia, Montserrat Caballe would have been denied her overnight rise to international stardom (though it is safe to say it would have come sooner or later).

Here, on Disc 1, you have a sampling of some of Gencer's bel canto forays. Unfortunately, most were recorded in the late sixties, when she was moving past her prime. To have an idea of the youthful Gencer, listen to the two selections from Anna Bolena that appear at the end of the CD. However, even a little past her prime, Gencer enthralls you with her varied gifts. Like Callas, she had a fiery temperment, best captured on the finale to Medea, included here, as well as "Deh, non volerli" from Norma, which is truly heart-rending. However, unlike Callas, she knew that fire-and-brimstone should not be turned on all the time, which is why she also developed a wonderful pianissimo, like Caballe. Just listen to the long, long pianissimo she floats at the end of "Sediziosi voci."

Although never allowed to rise to the level of fame of Callas, Sutherland, Caballe, and Sills, Gencer was and is an integral part of bel canto singing, and the current interest in live recordings will ensure that her legacy is not forgotten.

5 out of 5 stars Queen of Pirates.......2004-06-02

Leyla Gencer is a lesser known soprano who was often compared to maria callas and able to not only hold her own during an era of Tebaldi and Caballe but to excell. You will find with Gencer the full diva package. Here we have a voice which is distinctive and expressive. Gencer makes full use of all the shades and power of her instrument to bring her charcters to life. She is a coluratura dramatic in the truest sense. Though she didn't possess the well rounded and full beauty of tone that tebaldi did.. her sound is pleasant and can be quite beautiful. Especially in her piani and pianissimo we are treated to exceptionally beautiful notes. Her style of singing is quite similar to Caballe, though gencer did come first and single handedly caused the return of many Donizetti and other bel canto composers back to the forefront of opera. Before there was Sills great queens- we had Gencer. We are treated to a Norma, Macbeth, and Medea all in the same league as Callas with a less flawed sound. Although Gencer was never able to match callas' expressive nuances or acting genius.. fans will no doubt come to hold gencer in their hearts as well. This inexpensive disc provides a good intro to one of the greatest and least known divas of our times. Gencer remains the queen of the Pirates- no commercial recordings yet able to be one of the best represented singers on disc thanks to her pirated performances.
The Hyperion Schubert Edition 33 - The Young Schubert / McLaughlin, Murray, Wyn-Rogers, Langridge, D. Norman, A. Thompson, Koningsberger, Varcoe; Graham Johnson
Average customer rating: Not rated
    The Hyperion Schubert Edition 33 - The Young Schubert / McLaughlin, Murray, Wyn-Rogers, Langridge, D. Norman, A. Thompson, Koningsberger, Varcoe; Graham Johnson
    Franz Schubert , Graham Johnson , Marie McLaughlin , Ann Murray , Catherin Wyn-Rogers , Philip Langridge , Daniel Norman , Adrian Thompson , Maarten Koningsberger , and Stephen Varcoe
    Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    All Works by SchubertAll Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    ClassicalClassical | Imports | Stores | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. The Hyperion Schubert Edition 32 - An 1816 Shubertiad / Dawson, Schäfer, Ainsley, Langridge, et al
    2. The Hyperion Schubert Edition 34 / 1817 - 1821
    3. The Hyperion Schubert Edition 36 ~ An 1827 Schubertiad / Banse, Finley, Schade, Dawson, G. Johnson
    4. The Hyperion Schubert Edition 35 - Schubert, 1822-1825 / Dawson, McGreevy, Langridge, Hampson, Koningsberger, Maltman, Davies, G. Johnson
    5. The Hyperion Schubert Edition 28 - An 1822 Schubertiad / Ainsley, Koningsberger

    ASIN: B00002EIUC
    Release Date: 1999-10-12
    Innocente
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Innocente....another great Delerium single
    • i suppose it is the price of falling in love
    • One of my favorite songs
    • Enchanting Ambience
    • Entrancing
    Innocente
    Delerium
    Manufacturer: Nettwerk Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | New Age | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Rock | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music
    Ambient PopAmbient Pop | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music
    4-for-3 New Age4-for-3 New Age | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Truly
    2. Nuages du Monde
    3. Odyssey-The Remix Collection
    4. Innocente, Pt. 2
    5. Afterall

    ASIN: B00005LMJ9
    Release Date: 2001-06-19

    Tracks:

    1. Lost Witness (remix radio edit)
    2. Deep Dish (Gladiator Remix UK edit)
    3. DJ Tiesto (remix)
    4. Lost Witness (remix)
    5. Mr. Sam's (The Space Between Us remix edit)

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Innocente....another great Delerium single.......2005-07-09

    I got this mini CD as a gift from a friend for my birthday, he knew I was a Delerium fan. With Delerium's latest offering 'Chimera' I was a tad disappointed with the push in which Delerium was heading. This 5 track CD is merely five remixes of some well known and some not so well known Delerium songs remixed by guest celebrities and sung by some of the most wonderful female vocalists. This will not disappoint any Delerium fan as these songs incorporate the dark ambience of early Delerium mixed with the trance techno of the modern today's Delerium. And of course my favourite DJ remixes the song 'Innocente' that sounds better than the original song.

    The first song 'Lost Witness Remix' is a short edited remix but a great dance beat for any party DJ to include in his or her playlist. The weakest remix is the last song 'Mr Sam's: The Space Between Us Edit' goes for too long and loses its way. But other than that the songs are perfect to chill too or dance to. Delerium is still around and shows a tenacity to stick around.

    4 out of 5 stars i suppose it is the price of falling in love.......2004-08-17

    I was suprised reading these reviews and not seeing too many glowing words. Then I looked at the tracklisting and realized why. Track 5 is merely Mr. Sam's The Space Between Us Remix EDIT. The full version's 10:23 in length, and breathes life into this song. It's on the other CD-Single. The placement of vocals are just right in Sam's full mix, with Leigh Nash's echoes of "darling.." lending a haunting effect. The drums and bassline are deserving of a good system as well. At about 5:20, the addition of the tribal drum's the clincher. Drives everybody wild.

    4 out of 5 stars One of my favorite songs.......2004-01-22

    I have been a big fan of Delerium for several years now. I own a good number of the Canadian act's cds. I was first introduced to "Karma" and "Semantic Spaces" through a former roommate of mine. I immediately fell for the ethereal vocals and enchanting melodies. One of my personal favorite Delerium cds is "Poem". Granted that it was no "Karma", "Poem" certainly had its charms. My favorite single off the cd is "Innocente". Normally I am not a fan of Sixpence None the Richer's Leigh Nash. Her voice has never done anything for me. However I thought her squeaky voice matched perfectly with the music that Bill Leeb and Chris Peterson composed. What is a Delerium song without remixes? The remixes for "Innocente" were mostly excellent. My problem with the Deep Dish Gladiator remix was that it was too long. I like my remixes to be roughly around 6-8 minutes long. Plus there were too many beats and not enough vocals. The Lost Witness remix (the radio edit) didn't do much for me. It was only so-so. My favorite remixes had to be DJ Tiesto's remix. DJ Tiesto has always done excellent remixes. I loved his remix of "Silence" as well (despite the fact that I am rather tired of the song). DJ Tiesto can do no wrong in my book. Although I wasn't fond of the radi edit of Lost Witness remix, I do the full-length remix a lot. I love the piano intro. The Mr. Sam remix is enjoyable. I wouldn't say that it is my favorite but I enjoy it enough to say that it isn't my least favorite remix.

    4 out of 5 stars Enchanting Ambience.......2003-04-06

    Delerium's Innocente are remixes by Lost Witness (Simon Paul & Simon Kemper), Deep Dish (Dubfire & Sharam), DJ Tiëto and MR SAM. All instrumentals are accompanied by the vocals of Leigh Nash from 'Sixpence None the Richer.' Nash's voice is rich and vibrant that echo with timbre tones in a hypnotizing, ambient landscape. The genius in the sound mixing with the use of piano, electronic keyboards, guitar and percussion. The original version appears on Delerium's POEM album.


    If you are a first time listener of ambient and trance music I'm sure you will be a Delerium fan with their intelligent colaboration of mixing guest vocals like Sarah McLachlan on their 'Semantic Spaces' album. I recommend this as a leap into the genre without being to overpowered. As it's spiritual Gregorian chants will mesmerize you. The same transition over to this album with new mixes and format along with the vocal talents of Nash. If you like listening to Enigma and Mythos then you'll like Delerium.

    5 out of 5 stars Entrancing.......2002-08-03

    This is one of the most amazing Delerium singles ever. The first few seconds were enough to give me an impression, as it begins with a medieval Frensh style, with a mild beat and calm instrumental strings. Then of course, Leigh Nash comes in with her magical voice, giving the song a fairy-tale glow and adding a fine tune to the background piano and spanish guitar. The lyrics are overwhelming as with all delerium songs, not to mention the allocation of the chorus and the ending. The Remixes were amazing in their own way, and added a fine beat without ruining the essence of the songs. Buy this without a second thought.
    Donizetti: Anna Bolena
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • SILLS GOES FOR BROKE -------- AND SHE TRIUMPHS
    • Enough!
    • The best set available - wonderful
    • A great Anna
    • I've had it!
    Donizetti: Anna Bolena
    G. Donizetti , and Beverly Sills
    Manufacturer: Decca U.S.
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    All Works by DonizettiAll Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Sills, BeverlySills, Beverly | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    OperettasOperettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
    The Decca Records StoreThe Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Donizetti: Roberto Devereux (Elizabeth and Essex)
    2. Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor: Complete Opera (with full libretto and translation)
    3. Rossini: L'Assedio di Corinto

    ASIN: B00005AWIL
    Release Date: 2001-04-10

    Tracks:

    1. Anna Bolena: Sinfonia
    2. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Introduzione
    3. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Ella di me, sollecita
    4. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Si taciturna e mesta
    5. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Deh! Non voler costringere
    6. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Copme, innocente giovane
    7. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Legger potessi in me! Non v'ha sguardo
    8. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - O! qual parlar fu il suo!
    9. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Si: l'avrete
    10. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - la mia fama e a pie dell'ara
    11. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Ella pure amor m offria
    12. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene One - Ah! qual sia cercar non oso
    13. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Two - Chi veggo?...in Inghilterra
    14. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Two - Da quel di che, lei perduta
    15. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Two - Ah! cosi nei di ridenti
    16. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Two - Desta si tosto
    17. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Two - Io sentii sulla mio mano
    18. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Two - or che reso ai patri i lidi
    19. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Two - Questo di per noi spuntato

    Tracks:

    1. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - E'sgombro il loco...
    2. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - Ah! parea che per incanto
    3. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - Basta...basta...tropp'oltre vai...
    4. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - Anna! - Riccardo!
    5. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - S'ei t'aborre, io t'amo ancora
    6. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - Ah!...per pieta del mio spavento
    7. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - Alcun potria ascoltarti
    8. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - Tace ognuno
    9. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - Il quegli sgardi impresso
    10. Anna Bolena: Act One, Scene Three - In separato carcere
    11. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene One - O! Dove mai ne andarono
    12. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene One - O mie fedeli
    13. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene One - Dio, che mi vedi in core
    14. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene One - Sul suo capo aggravi un Dio
    15. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene One - Dal mio cor punita io sono
    16. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene One - Va, infelice, e teco reca

    Tracks:

    1. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Ebben? dinanzi ai giudici
    2. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Scostatevi...il Re giunge...
    3. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Ambo morrete
    4. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Al Consiglio sien tratti
    5. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Sposa a Percy
    6. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Per questa fiamma indomita
    7. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Stolta! non sai...
    8. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Two - Ah! pensate che rivolti
    9. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Tu pur dannato a morte
    10. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Vive tu, te ne scongiuro
    11. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Nel veder la tua costanza
    12. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Chi puo vederla
    13. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Piangete voi?
    14. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Al dolce guidami castel natio
    15. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Qual mesto suon?...
    16. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Cielo, a'miei lunghi spasimi
    17. Anna Bolena: Act Two, Scene Three - Coppia iniqua

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars SILLS GOES FOR BROKE -------- AND SHE TRIUMPHS.......2006-04-17

    I, being a great admirer of Callas, Caballe', Sutherland, and Sills, cannot understand why people so vehemently bash one of them in favor of the other. This does nothing to further the interest of music, and it reduces great operatic singing to the level of ice hockey. "Anna Bolena" is an opera that requires a very special type of soprano. It is, essentially, a florid bel canto opera for a considerably heavier voice than that associated with such bel canto heroines such as those encountered in "Puritani", "Sonnambula", and "Lucia". A great "Anna Bolena" should also be able to command Norma and Rossini's "Semiramide". Beverly Sills had a basically small voice, and she herself has admitted repeatedly that her undertaking Donizetti's Three Queens (Anna Bolena, Maria Stuarda, and Elizabeth in "Roberto Devereux) probably shortened her career by a decade. She was, of course, right. She certainly makes Anna Bolena a convincing vocal creation, and she sings with great conviction and involvement. But even so, there are moments when you know that she's pushing her resources to the virtual end of their endurance. She manufactures low chest tones that are completely out of allignment with the rest of her voice, and some of her top notes are nothing more than pitched screams. Of course, her passion and sincerity compensates for a lot of these deficiencies, and she emerges with a great success. I respect Sills, and have always felt that she was a little undone by her publicity machine, as well as the constant shadows of Callas, Sutherland, and Caballe. Truth to tell, all three had voices far more suited to these heavier bel canto roles. I'm not going to enter any fray and state any opinions here. Beverly Sills put forth a tremendous amount of skill and effort into roles like Anna Bolena, and she paid a vocal price, as one can hear on this recording. Still, I wouldn't be without this performance. Shirley Verrett is an outstanding Jane Seymour (she certainly could have sung Anna Bolena!), though I'm not sure that she and Sills blend all that well together. Whatever the case, let's give all these great sopranos a break and stop bashing them. My message to the bashers is: Callas, Sills, Caballe' & Sutherland have BEEN there and made it. What have YOU accomplished?

    1 out of 5 stars Enough!.......2006-01-25

    Will this awfully mellow coloratura chirper ever stop shrieking? Sills couldn't fit the role of Anna less! Maria Callas, La Divina, has always been, and will always remain the role's owner.
    Incidentally, how can some people blatantly dare show their absolute ignorance? How can somebody call -and get away with it- Callas' soloists Nicola Rossi-Lemeni, Giulietta Simionato, and Gianni Raimondi "second rate"??? I guess you've neither listened to any of them nor heard of their superb and much acclaimed qualities as musicians!!!

    5 out of 5 stars The best set available - wonderful.......2005-03-27

    This is one of my favourite operas. I have heard the Callas, Sunderland (CD and DVD performances) and Gruberova (not to mention some live recordings).

    Callas was breathtaking in her live performance from the 50's (especially in Act 3) BUT the sound quality is very poor indeed and the other soloists are second rate. The performance was also heavily cut. I only wish she had recorded the whole opera in the studio, instead of one or two arias.

    Sunderland was well past her prime by the time she recorded her performance on CD. Her diction, never a strong point for her, is particularly 'woolly' and she has problems sustaining the higher register without strain. It is a pity she didn't record it much earlier in her career. Boynage conducts in a pedestrian manner too (compare the overture from Boynage and Rudel, Rudel makes the overture exciting and vibrant. Boynage conducts a somewhat flat and one dimensional rendition).

    Gruberova's recording on CD is from a live performance and is truly aweful in places. I actually think it is one of the worst performances of anything I have ever heard 'recorded'. Don't touch it with a barge pole.

    Then there is Sills performance. OK, I wish the voice was a little heavier at times but her singing is, as usual, beautiful. You feel that Anna Bolena is a role she loved, she conveys dramatic sincerity throughout. Rudel conducts his orchestral forces with such energy. Indeed, he is a major selling point of this set for me. He injects the performance with flair and gusto. Verrett, Burrows and Plishka don't put a foot wrong. A wonderful performance. I love this recording above all the others. Buy it. This set leaves the competition standing, (although, if you can tolerate the appalling sound, Callas' performance is fantastic too, however overall this set is far superior).

    4 out of 5 stars A great Anna.......2004-05-20

    I'm sorry if I hurt anyone. I was just so mad and angry because Callas got bashed so many times by a Sills-Fanatic. I deeply apologise. Sills has a very beautiful voice, one of the best lyric coloratura voices out there. I hope Bev's fans will forgive me. This is one of the best Annas ever.

    1 out of 5 stars I've had it!.......2004-05-20

    A Sills-Fanatic keeps bashing Callas with one star reviews in a row! I warned him that our patience is at its end! Now we'll retaliate! Sills is AWFUL as Anna Bolena, thin, sour, glassy and fake with no middle. A stupid coloratura chirper. Stop singing, Sills! My ears hurt, stop shrieking!
    Maria Callas Live
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Just the best of the best.
    Maria Callas Live

    Manufacturer: EMI Classics
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    Bellini, VincenzoBellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Cherubini, LuigiCherubini, Luigi | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by DonizettiAll Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by GluckAll Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by MassenetAll Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by MeyerbeerAll Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus MozartAll Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by PucciniAll Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by ThomasAll Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by VerdiAll Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by WagnerAll Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by RossiniAll Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    General ContemporaryGeneral Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    Berlin Philharmonic OrchestraBerlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
    RomancesRomances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Modern & 20th CenturyModern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    FrenchFrench | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GermanGerman | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Maria Callas 100 Best Classics
    2. Maria Callas: The Platinum Collection
    3. Maria Callas - Passion / A Film by Gerard Caillat
    4. Callas: La Divina [Limited Edition]
    5. Lyric & Coloratura Arias by Maria Callas (EMI's Great Recordings of the Century)

    ASIN: B000AMUU9E
    Release Date: 2005-11-08

    Tracks:

    1. Casta Diva...Fino Al Rito...Ah! Bello A Me Ritorna
    2. Oh, Rimembranza!...Ah Si, Fa Core
    3. Perfido! Or Basti!
    4. Mira, O Norma...Cedi, Deh Cedi!...Si, Fino All'ore Estreme
    5. In Mia Man Alfin Tu Sei
    6. Deh! Non Volerli Vittime
    7. Sorgete; E In Me Dover...Quando A Un Tratto - Various Artists
    8. Ah! Lo Sento
    9. Cedo Al Destin Orribile
    10. Oh! S'io Potessi Dissipar Le Nubi...Col Sorriso D'innocenza..Oh, Sole! Ti Vela Di Tenebra Fonda

    Tracks:

    1. Care Compagne...Come Per Me Sereno...Sovra Il Sen
    2. Son Geloso Del Zefiro Errante
    3. D'Un Pensiero E D'un Accento...Non Piu Nozze - Various Artists
    4. Ah! Non Credea Mirarti
    5. Ah! Non Giunge
    6. Regnava Nel Silenzio...Quando Rapito In Estasi
    7. Qui Di Sposa...Verranno A Te
    8. Soffriva Nel Pianto...Tu Che Vedi Il Pianto Mio
    9. Chi Mi Frena - Various Artists
    10. Il Dolce Suono...Ardon Gli Incensi...Spargi D'amaro Pianto - Various Artists

    Tracks:

    1. Dei Tuo figli...O Fatal Vello D'or
    2. Creonte A Me Solo
    3. E Che? Io Son Medea!
    4. Come, Innocente Giovane...Non V'ha Sguardo
    5. Io Sentii Sulla Mia Mano - Various Artists
    6. Ove Sono?...In Quegli Sguardi Impresso...Ah! Segnata E La Mia Sorte - Various Artists
    7. Va, Infelice
    8. Fin Dall'eta Piu Tenera...Salira D'Inghilterra Sul Trono
    9. Piangete Voi?...Al Dolce Guidami...Qual Mesto Suon?...Coppia Iniqua - Various Artists

    Tracks:

    1. Di Mio Padre...Deh! Pelopea Stirpe!...O Tu, Che In Tua Pieta Crudel
    2. Sommi Dei!...O Sventurata Ifigenia
    3. Il Voto Pago Andra...Io Ti Veggio
    4. Ah! L'esecrando Rito...Io T'imploro Anelante
    5. Di Quai Soavi Lagrime
    6. Omai Da Lunge...Perche Di Stolto Giubilo
    7. Donna...Che! Possente Numi!...Quest'alma E Troppo Debole
    8. Ah! Fuggi Da Morte
    9. Ecco Il Segnal!
    10. Ecco L'orrido Campo...Ma Dall'arido Stela Divulsa
    11. Teco Io Sto...O Qual Soave Brivido
    12. A Tal Colpo...Morro, Ma Prima In Grazia

    Tracks:

    1. Libiamo, Ne' Lieti Calici
    2. E Strano! E Strano...Ah! Fors'e Lui...Sempre Libera
    3. Non Sapete...Ah! Dite Alla Giovine
    4. Dammi Tu Forza, O Cielo!
    5. Teneste La Promessa...Addio Del Passato
    6. Ah, Violetta!...Se Una Pudica Vergine - Various Artists
    7. Ritorna Vincitor!
    8. Al Tuo Consiglio Io Cedo...Gloria All'egitto - Various Artists
    9. Qui Radames Verra!...O Patria Mia
    10. Ciel! Mio Padre!
    11. O Terra, Addio

    Tracks:

    1. Nel Di Della Vittoria...Vieni! T'afferetta!...Or Tutti Sorgete
    2. La Luce Langue
    3. Una Macchia E Qui Tuttora
    4. Gente La Dentro!...Mario! Mario!...Non La Sospiri, La Nostra Casetta
    5. Orsu, Tosca, Parlate - Various Artists
    6. Vissi D'arte
    7. Senti, L'ora E Vicina...Amaro Sol Per Te...Presto! Su, Mario! - Various Artists
    8. Ecco L'altare...Ervate Possente
    9. Come Sa Amare!...La Mamma Morta
    10. Benedico Il Destino! - Various Artists

    Tracks:

    1. Ben Io T'invenni...Anch'io Dischiuso Un Giorno (Abigaille, Act II)
    2. Dov'e L'indiana Bruna? (Bell Song) (Lakme, Act II)
    3. Tutte Le Torture (Costanze, Act II)
    4. Ahime! Che Notte Oscura...Ombra Leggera (Shadow Song) (Dinorah, Act II)
    5. Depuis Le Jour (Louise, Act III)
    6. D'amore Al Dolce Impero (Armida, Act II)
    7. Bel Raggio Lusinghier (Smiramide, Act I)
    8. Ma Chi E Questa Bella...Ai Vostri Giochi...Ed Ora A Voi (Ofelia, Act IV)
    9. Vanne, Lasciami...D'amor Sull'ali Rosee (Leonora, Act IV)
    10. Pace, Pace, Mio Dio! (Leonora, Act IV)
    11. Dolce E Calmo (Liebestod) Isolde, Act III)

    Tracks:

    1. Una Voce Poco Fa (Rosina, Act I)
    2. Tu Che Vedi Il Mio Tormento (Tu Che Invoco) (Giulia, Act II)
    3. Surta E La Notte...Ernani! Nernai, Involami (Elvira, Act I)
    4. Tu Che Le Vanita (Elsabetta, Act IV)
    5. Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi (Mimi, Act I)
    6. L'altra Notte In Fondo Al Mare (Margherita, Act III)
    7. L'amour Est Un Oiseau rebelle (Habanera) (Carmen, Act I)
    8. Pres Des Remparts De Seville (Seguedille) (Carmen, Act I)
    9. Nacqui All'affanno...Non Piu Mesta (Cenerentola, Act II)
    10. Je Ne Suis Que Faiblesse...Adieu, Notre Petite Table (Manon, Act II)
    11. Werther! Qui M'aurait Dit...Des Cris Joyeux (Charlotte, Act III)
    12. Tu? Tu? Piccolo Iddio (Butterfly, Act II)
    13. O Mio Babbino Caro (Lauretta)

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Just the best of the best........2006-02-08

    From all the compilations of Maria Callas EMI has issued this is BY FAR the best one.

    Unlike her studio recitals, unequal and mostly recorded when her voice was starting to decay, this live records take you back to the glorious early fifties when the young Callas was changing the history of opera forever.

    The first 6 CD's are scenes from stage performances and the last 2 from recitals.

    Chronollogically, this compilation starts with the legendary (and controversial) 1951 Mexico-City "Aida" and ends with the 1964 Covent Garden "Tosca" (when Callas' voice was just the shade of itself but at the peak of her dramatic skills).
    Listen to the electrifying poetry of the 1952 "La sonnambula", to the devorating flame of 1955 "La traviata" and "Lucia". Not to forget the 1952 "Norma", the 1957 "Ana Bolena" and some rarities like "Andrea Chénier", "Ifigenia in Tauride" and "Poliuto".
    The only great absent of this collection is "Armida"...

    As for the the 2 recital CD's, the first one contains arias from concerts between 1952 and 1958, when Callas was in full command of her voice. Nobody else was capable of singing arias from Nabucco and Lakmé on the same recital! And listen to the last aria: Wagner's Isolde's dead.

    The second one, contains arias from 1959 to 1963. Here, Callas voice had diminished considerably and she was not anymore capable of the same technical miracles, but she still managed to give thrilling dramatical interpretations (listen to the dead scene of Madama Butterfly of the 1963 Paris recital!!!)

    In 80% of this compilation you can hear the young Callas creating her own legend, giving herself completly on the stage.
    The Piano Works of Nikolai Medtner, Vol. 7
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      The Piano Works of Nikolai Medtner, Vol. 7

      Manufacturer: Chandos
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      All Works by MedtnerAll Works by Medtner | Medtner, Nikolai | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      ElegiesElegies | Requiems, Elegies & Tombeau | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
      Character PiecesCharacter Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
      Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      PianoPiano | Keyboard | Instruments | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
      Similar Items:
      1. The Piano Works of Nikolai Medtner, Vol. 8
      2. The Piano Works of Nikolai Medtner, Vol. 6
      3. Medtner: Piano Works, Vol. 4
      4. The Piano Works Of Nikolai Medtner, Volume 1
      5. The Piano Works of Nikolai Medtner, Vol. 2

      ASIN: B000059LXA
      Release Date: 2001-03-27

      Tracks:

      1. Three Dithyrambs, Op.10: III. Andantino Innocente
      2. Two Fairy Tales, Op.20: I. Allegro Con Espressione
      3. Two Fairy Tales, Op.20: II. Pesante. Minaccioso, Sempre Al Rigore Di Tempo E Sostenuto
      4. Four Lyric Fragments, Op.23: I. Allegretto Commodamente
      5. Four Lyric Fragments, Op.23: II. Andantino Gracile
      6. Four Lyric Fragments, Op.23: III. Tempo Di Valse
      7. Four Lyric Fragments, Op.23: IV. Andantino Tenebroso - Animato
      8. Four Fairy Tales, Op.26: I. Allegretto Frescamente - Giocoso - Tempo Primo
      9. Four Fairy Tales, Op.26: II. Molto Vivace
      10. Four Fairy Tales, Op.26: III. Narrante A Piacere - Piu Mosso - Tempo Primo
      11. Four Fairy Tales, Op.26: IV. Sostenuto
      12. Theme And Vars, Op.55: Theme. Allegretto Grazioso (Tempo Di Menutto)
      13. Theme And Vars, Op.55: Var I
      14. Theme And Vars, Op.55: Var II. Allegro
      15. Theme And Vars, Op.55: Var III. Allegro (Al Rigore Di Tempo)
      16. Theme And Vars, Op.55: Var IV. Intermezzo. Allegro Leggierissimo E Giocoso - Meno Mosso - Tempo...
      17. Theme And Vars, Op.55: Var V. Largamento, Lugubre, Ma Non Ritadare
      18. Theme And Vars, Op.55: Var VI. Allegro Molto
      19. Two Fairy Tales, Op.48: Elf Tale. Con Moto Flessible
      20. Two Elegies, Op.59: Andante Largamento - Tranquillo - Andante
      21. Two Elegies, Op.59: Andante Con Moto, Sempre Cantabile
      The Queen of Belcanto
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        The Queen of Belcanto

        Manufacturer: Nightingale Records
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        Bellini, VincenzoBellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        All Works by DonizettiAll Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        Gruberova, EditaGruberova, Edita | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        Bellini, VincenzoBellini, Vincenzo | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        Donizetti, GaetanoDonizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        ClassicalClassical | Imports | Stores | Music
        Opera & VocalOpera & Vocal | Imports | Stores | Music
        Similar Items:
        1. The Miracle of the Voice

        ASIN: B00004W17H
        Release Date: 2005-12-27
        Verdi: Otello/Vinay, Nelli, Valdengo,Toscanini
        Average customer rating: 3 out of 5 stars
        • The best!
        Verdi: Otello/Vinay, Nelli, Valdengo,Toscanini
        Arthur Newman , Giuseppe Valdengo , Herva Nelli , Leslie Chabay , Nan Merriman , Nicola Moscona , Ramón Vinay , and Virginio Assandri
        Manufacturer: Guild
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        All Works by VerdiAll Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        Toscanini, ArturoToscanini, Arturo | ( T ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        OperettasOperettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        Similar Items:
        1. Puccini: Tosca (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Victor de Sabata, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan
        2. Tristan Und Isolde
        3. Strauss - Der Rosenkavalier / Schwarzkopf · Ludwig · Karajan

        ASIN: B0001PIZHO
        Release Date: 2005-01-17

        Customer Reviews:

        3 out of 5 stars The best!.......2006-08-11

        There are lots of recordings of Otello out there, and most of them have something to commend them. This one is not the best all round. Valdengo is perfectly ok, but not the best on record. Neither is Herva Nelli in the top five category. Toscanini is, of course toscanini, but even he is not the reason to have this set. Bye the way: I am not recommending this as the one to get if you are in the one opera- one recording category. No, the reason to have this is that once you have come to love the role of Otello, there is simply no better rendition on disc! Vinay was the greatest (arguably) Otello of his time, and he is simply smashing as the wounded lion of venice. A trumpet of a voice but rich and baritonal: All one might want for the greatest role in one of the finest operas of all time. His "Niun mi tema" is fantastic.! All I can say is: If you love this opera as I do (this is one of the eleven recordings I have of it) you will surely appreciate the best recorded Otello of all time. Frankly, in my opinion, only Giacomini comes close. But that is only my opinion. Buy it!!
        Mantler: Cerco un Paese Innocente
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          Mantler: Cerco un Paese Innocente

          Manufacturer: Ecm Records
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
          ECM ClassicalECM Classical | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
          ECM Jazz & WorldECM Jazz & World | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
          ASIN: B0000031Z7
          Release Date: 1996-06-18

          Tracks:

          1. Part I: Introduzione
          2. Part I: Girovago
          3. Part I: Intermezzo 1
          4. Part I: Eterno/Stasera
          5. Part I: Intermezzo 2
          6. Part 2: Perche?
          7. Part 2: Sempre Notte
          8. Part 2: Inizio (1): Solitudine/Lontano
          9. Part 2: Inizio (2): L'Illuminata Rugiada/Proverbi (Uno)
          10. Part 2: Intermezzo 3
          11. Part 2: Destino/Rilucere Inveduto/Un' Altra Notte
          12. Part 3: Se Una Tua Mano
          13. Part 3: Intermezzo 4
          14. Part 3: Vanita
          15. Part 3: Quando Un Giorno
          16. Part 4: E Senza Fiato
          17. Part 4: Intermezzo 5
          18. Part 4: Non Griadte Piu
          19. Part 4: Tutto Ho Perduto
          Nelly Miricioiu - Bel Canto Portrait ~ Scenes from Emma d'Antiochia, L'assedio di Corinto, Belisario, Parisina
          Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
          • Miricioiu at her most amazing level
          • Who can compare?
          • Stunning
          Nelly Miricioiu - Bel Canto Portrait ~ Scenes from Emma d'Antiochia, L'assedio di Corinto, Belisario, Parisina
          Nelly Miricioiu , Ildebrando D'Arcangelo , and Alice Coote
          Manufacturer: Opera Rara UK
          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          All Works by DonizettiAll Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
          London Philharmonic OrchestraLondon Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
          GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
          Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
          ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
          ClassicalClassical | Imports | Stores | Music
          Similar Items:
          1. Nelly Miricioiu - Rossini Gala
          2. Bravura Diva
          3. Au Jardin de Mon Cur

          ASIN: B00005AG5B
          Release Date: 2001-08-14

          Customer Reviews:

          5 out of 5 stars Miricioiu at her most amazing level.......2003-06-14

          Nelly Miricioiu is a cult soprano with a devoted following, but not a household name in the average Met broadcast/U.S. opera house subscribing household. 'Tis a pity!

          At 50 years plus, one now often aware of the wear on her voice, but this album catches her at her bel cantista best. And, at her best, she is one of the greatest singers of the past century. If anyone who has heard her needs confirmation of that, this CD confirms it. The rich, covered tones and the coloratura technique are astounding and moving.

          Too bad that she is not better know, though that is probably a result of her choice of performing venues and her devotion to Opera Rara's bel canto revival projects. Then again, if she sang standard operas for the largest labels, she would be more popular but there would be no way we would hear treats like rare Mercadante, obscure Donizetti or Sir Michael Costa.

          She is at her best here and so is the music. The Mercadante makes you want to hear and see his operas in the house, the seldom-heard Donizetti titles, also, and one must wonder what else Costa wrote and how we can get to hear it. Not only the singing but the rich orchestration in the Costa left me drooling for more.

          So, thanks to Opera Rara and to the miraculous Miracioiu for these treats. If you don't yet own this CD, buy it!

          5 out of 5 stars Who can compare?.......2002-02-17

          Who indeed. What La Nelly does here is pure magic. At the same time her devotion to music of lesser known sources shines through as well as her starquality. The openingsequence is stunning. It is and remains unbelievable that this singer is not the megastar she deserves to be. Just compare her depth, pure singing and 'Callas-like' vocal acting powers with some other singers that are promoted these days.

          5 out of 5 stars Stunning.......2001-08-15

          International star Nelly Miricioiu, whose Callas-like voice has been featured on many Opera Rara sets in the past, outdoes herself in these four scenes, all taken from operas from the 1830's. Her interpretations are a tasteful and nearly perfect marriage of vocal agility and dramatic acumen.

          The climax of the CD is undoubtedly the first item. Modern audiences are presented here with a unique opportunity to hear a sample from Mercadante's once-popular Emma d'Antiochia. This is an historically significant selection. So far, the only Mercadante operas revived in modern times have either been juvenalia dating from the 1820's, written in Rossinian style, or his mature `reform' operas, which radically departed from the styles of Bellini and Donizetti and heavily influenced Verdi. The operas lying between these two periods have gone completely ignored. Emma d'Antiochia was written in 1834 for none other than the great Pasta, and the angelic-voiced Eugenia Tadolini played the secondary soprano role of Adelia. The cast was rounded out by the famed tenor Domenico Donzelli and bass Orazio Cartagenova. With such illustrious artists at his disposal, one would anticipate that Mercadante's powers would have been put to good use. This scene far surpassed my wildest dreams. It reveals a Mercadante with a less individual style than he displays in his `reform' operas (i.e., beginning with Il Giuramento of 1837). Neverthless, we can already see that he possessed an unfailing sense of how to paint dramatic pictures with music-and sweep the listener off his or her feet in the process. Mercadante's music is more elegiac here, closer to Bellini or Donizetti than his later works-but he does not follow their norms slavishly and clearly was already questioning these dogmas. The opera does not end with the obligatory aria-finale, although the heroine does have a two-part solo, complete with a powerful, Verdian cabaletta with galloping string accompaniment -at the beginning of the scene. The slow movement of the aria is exquisite and incredibly moving. The orchestration for harp, horn, and cello elevates an already lovely melody to a higher emotional plane. The orchestra has a strikingly original figure before the cabaletta's second verse-a swirling and frantic string passage that keeps the energy of the piece fresh and seems, like a vortex, to suck the listener back into the cabaletta's repeat. Miricioiu milks the dramatic possibilities of this scene for all they're worth. The entrance of Adelia, Emma's rival, sung beautifully by soprano Mary Plazas, marks a point of departure from the musical norms of the day. An impassioned dialogue, starting with Adelia's hurling imprecations at Emma, and then softening when she sees her rival succumbing to the effects of self-inflicted poison, leads into a brief but tremendously effective and beautiful duet. Emma then staggers offstage to die, and a horrified Adelia and chorus (along with bass Ashley Holland as Corrado-Emma's husband) bring down the curtain in a frenzied and shattering coda. Everything in this scene, from the uncommonly subtle and ingenious orchestration to the beautiful melodies, cries out for a fully staged and well-cast revival of the complete opera, or at the very least a concert performance.

          Next, a scene composed by Sir Michele Costa for a London performance of Rossini's L'Assedio di Corinto gives us a glimpse of a composer whose work has hitherto not been explored even by Opera Rara. Costa was reknowned as a conductor in early 19th-century England, but also was a composer of operas-he wrote a Don Carlos that predated Verdi's by some 25 years. This aria features a lovely introduction with a cello solo, a beautiful cavatina, and a frantic cabaletta with participation from the chorus. Miricioiu gives us an all-but-flawless performance of this extremely florid and difficult aria. Opera Rara's extraordinary knack for finding the gems buried deep in the recesses of Europe's dusty archives and polishing them to their former brightness is never more convincingly demonstrated than here.

          Miricioiu rounds out the program with two more familiar (though still rarely performed) selections-Antonina's final aria from Donizetti's Belisario, and "Sogno talor di correre" from Parisina. The Belisario aria has not enjoyed a good press with critics, and I have to say that my experience of this aria-the recording with Gencer-did nothing to make me enthusiastic about hearing this scene again. But Miricioiu's masterful handling of this scene-frenetic with guilt and despair-made me completely reevaluate my thinking. I listened breathless to this scene, and couldn't believe I was hearing the same opera I thought I knew. Miricioiu is ably supported by bass Ildebrando d'Arcangelo as Emperor Guistiniano, Alice Coote as Irene, and Roland Wood as Belisario. A good deal of the credit for invigorating this piece has to go to conductor David Parry, who sets an energetic pace and shading of mood at every turn. And although all interpretations of Donizetti's Parisina will unavoidably be held up to Caballe's for comparison, Miricioiu gives Montserrat a run for her money with a lovely "Sogno talor di correre", tenderly spun from her vocal cords like fine silk thread, heavy with the wistfulness and sorrow of a forbidden love.

          Any Opera Rara set can be expected to have a superlative set of liner notes, and this CD does not disappoint in that area, either. Each of the selections is supplemented with an excellent essay, an English-Italian libretto, and reproductions of period drawings of the composers and singers who created the roles. In addition, Opera Rara has begun to include information about their own artists in their booklets-something conspicuously absent from their previous liner notes. Here an introduction to Nelly Miricioiu will prove informative to those who are unfamiliar with this great artist.

          Album Review:

          1. Into The Blue
          2. Kiss & Swallow [Import]
          3. "Kylie Minogue - Greatest Remix Hits, Vol. 2" [Import]
          4. Let Them Eat Bingo
          5. Live at the Future Primitive Soundsession, Vol. 2 [Live]
          6. Looking for Love [CD-single] [Import]
          7. Love Fury [Import]
          8. Lucky Cat
          9. Magnitude 2000: Late Night, Vol. 2
          10. Man Ray l'Integrale

          Album Review

          album review

          Album Review

          Let U Go [CD-single] [Import]

          Phantasmata

          Pier Natus in Bethlehem: Renaissance Christmas Music

          Music: Organic Blues

          The Best of '70s Legendary Ladies

          Shape of Things to Come [EP]

          That Gospel Feelin'

          Something Like Human [Enhanced]

          Practicing Affirmations

          Severn Meadows: Songs by Ivor Gurney

          Simone's Dance

          One Step Forward

          Revtone

          First Time I Met the Blues

          Lady in Red