I Lombardi

1. I Lombardi alla prima Crociata, opera
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   with Michael Langdon, Elizabeth Connell, Jose Carreras, Heather Begg, Nicola Ghiuselev, Robert Lloyd, John Dobson, Ezio di Cesare, Sylvia Sass
   Conducted by Lamberto Gardelli
   
   
2. Un ballo in maschera, opera Act II: Teco io sto
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   with Sylvia Sass, Jose Carreras
   Conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras
   
   
3. Un ballo in maschera, opera Act III: Forse la soglia attinse...Ma se m'è forza perderti
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   with Sylvia Sass, Jose Carreras
   Conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras
   
   

I Lombardi,Giuseppe Verdi,Lamberto Gardelli,Sir Charles Mackerras,Elizabeth Connell,Ezio di Cesare,Heather Begg,John Dobson,José Carreras,Michael Langdon,Nicola Ghiuselev,Robert Lloyd,Sylvia Sass,Standing Room Only,Classical,Italian Romantic Opera,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio

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Average customer rating: OKAY, TAKE ME AWAY. Great music...stunning recording quality Incredible Just Stunning!

Essential Verdi Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Paris Symphony Orchestra | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | 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 Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Paris Symphony Orchestra | ( P ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Ultimate Puccini Collection Essential Puccini Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... The Most Famous Opera Duets The #1 Opera Album ASIN: B000056JSW Release Date: 2001-02-13

Tracks:

1. Rigoletto: La donna e mobile - Luciano Pavarotti
2. Nabucco: Va pesiero - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
3. La forza del destino: Overture - Kirov Orchestra
4. La Traviata: Un di felice - Joan Sutherland
5. I Vespri Siciliani: Merce dilette amiche - Maria Chiara
6. La Traviata: Libiamo ne' lieti calici - Joan Sutherland
7. Il Trovatore: Di quella pira - Jose Carreras
8. Il Trovatore: Vedi! le fosche notturne spoglie - Chicago Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
9. Il Trovatore: Stride la vampa! - Stefania Toczyska
10. Aida: Ritorna vincitor! - Leontyne Price
11. Don Carlo: Dio che nell'alma infondere - Carlo Bergonzi
12. La Traviata: Prelude - Orchestra E Coro Del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
13. Rigoletto: Caro nome - Joan Sutherland
14. Don Carlo: O don fatale - Olga Borodina
15. Aida: Se quel guerrier io fossi! Celeste Aida - Carlo Bergonzi
16. Emani: Ernani! Ernani involami - Joan Sutherland
17. Un Ballo in Maschera: Di tu se fedele - Jussi Bjorling
18. Un Ballo in Maschera: Morro ma prima in grazia - Margaret Price
19. Luisa Miller: Quando le sere al placido - Luciano Pavarotti
20. Aida: Gloria all'Egitto - Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Tracks:

1. Requiem: Dies irae - Wiener Philharmoniker
2. La forza del destino: Pace pace mio Dio - Angela Gheorghiu
3. Rigoletto: Questa o quella - Carlo Bergonzi
4. Rigoletto: Bella figlia dell'amore - Luciano Pavarotti
5. Otello: Ave Maria - Renee Fleming
6. La Traviata: Parigi o cara - Frank Lopardo
7. Macbeth: Ah la paterna mano - Luciano Pavarotti
8. Il Trovatore: Squilli echeggi la tromba guerriera - Chicago Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
9. Don Carlo: O Carlo ascolta - Dmitri Hvorostovsky
10. Requiem: Ingemisco - Luciano Pavarotti
11. Simon Baccanegra: Come in quest'ora bruna - Kiri Te Kanawa
12. Macbeth: Salve o Re! Si colmi il calice - Lucia Aliberti
13. Aida: O patria mia - Leontyne Price
14. I lombardi: La mia letizia infondere - Placido Domingo
15. Aida: Lo sguardo avea degli angeli - Montserrat Caballe
16. La forza del destino: Solenne in quest'ora - Nikolai Putilin
17. Macbeth: Patria opressa - Chicago Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
18. Il Trovatore: Tacea la notte - Katia Ricciarelli
19. I due Foscari: Dal piu remoto esilio - Odio solo ed odio atroce - Jose Carreras
20. Don Carlo: Spuntato ecco il di esultanza - Orchestra E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala Di Milano

Customer Reviews:

OKAY, TAKE ME AWAY........2006-01-20

I don't know opera.

Last summer we had an incredible 20th anniversary trip to Italy. As a side trip from Venice, we planned a night in Verona. Neither my wife or I had been to an opera.

Is this how its supposed to be...

...an incredible star filled night with a three quarter moon, the largest stage and outdoor theatrical production on the planet, all taking place in a roman colleseum (arena) built in 180 a.d., an incredible colorful set and production with a full symphony orchestra and voices that don't come easy. Aida.

Now I know what all the hpye is as you opera fans sure are lucky to have such a beautiful setting for all your productions.

Okay, we got spoiled. But I also found myself getting spoiled on the Italian composer Verdi.

For me, this set is not only a "take me back to Verona" trip, but a great introduction to Verdi's other works. With some of the biggest names in the opera world in starring roles, I listened to both discs twice the first night they arrived.

And, of course, we are planning a return trip to Verona in the very near future to see some more Verdi...perhaps Nabucco or Otello or Macbeth...I'll even settle for Aida again. It was such a magical experience and a superb introduction to opera and Verdi.

This set continues that magical moment for us and provides a great introduction to a master of the opera...Verdi.

Great music...stunning recording quality.......2002-11-01

This is a marvelous compendium of Verdi's opera works that even the serious opera fan wouldn't turn his nose up at. These are the top contemporary soloists singing with first tier orchestras. When I saw the Decca label, I expected reasonable quality, but this disk is stunningly well engineered. Most of the vocals match the best jazz cds for immediacy and intimacy, and the orchestras are equally well done.

Incredible.......2002-06-05

I don't say incredible about too many things, but Verdi was the zenith of Italian Opera and Solti and the Chicago Symphony and the Vienna Philharmonic are the quintessential ensembles for modern classical performance. Not to mention that most of the voices showcased have their own lines of CDs (Pavarotti, etc.) This CD is the best Verdi album available, and it has EVERYTHING. BUY THIS CD!

Just Stunning!.......2002-01-26

In my opinion this recording is stunning. I am not usually a fan of compilations in classical music, as they're usually watered down representations made under the presumption that the listener would find the full-blown version intimidating or boring. This one, however, is not only an exception in my view, but a recording that deserves a high place of honor in every serious listener's collection. The representation of artists, both vocal and orchestral, is breathtaking and impressive for the span of years. A great big thank you to the people at Decca responsible for putting this collection together, as it is obvious to this listener that a great deal of thought and care went into looking for the most beautiful version of every piece on here. I have purchased two copies, one for home and one for the office, and have gotten two friends similarly hooked. I am also feverishly searching for more pairings of Joan Sutherland and Carlo Bergonzi. In the meantime, I'm on to Essential Puccini!!

Average customer rating:

Luciano Pavarotti - Nessun dorma (Arias & Duets) Luciano Pavarotti , Mirella Freni , and Katia Ricciarelli Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | 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 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 Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works Featuring Luciano Pavarotti | Pavarotti, Luciano | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | 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 | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | 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 The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... The Best of Luciano Pavarotti: 20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection O Sole Mio: Favorite Neapolitan Songs Luciano Pavarotti - Passione - Neapolitan Songs Luciano Pavarotti sings Opera Classics ASIN: B00004Z32N Release Date: 2001-03-27

Tracks:

1. La Traviata: Libiamo ne' lieti calici (Brindisi)
2. Werther: Pourquoi me reveiller
3. L'Elisir d'Amore: Una parola ... Chiedi all'aura
4. La Gioconda: Cielo e mar
5. La Traviata: Parigi, o cara
6. L'africana: Mi batte il cor ... O paradiso
7. Turandot: Nessun dorma
8. Petite Messe solennelle: Domine Deus
9. Requiem: Ingemisco
10. La Traviata: Lungi da lei ... De' miei bollenti spiriti
11. Macbeth: Ah, la paterna mano
12. I lombardi: La mia letizia infondere
13. Otello: Gia nella notte densa

Average customer rating: Another supeb tenor. The one. A New Star voice Quite Good Promising debut by new lyric tenor

Italian Opera Arias 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 Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( 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 General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rolando Villazon - Gounod · Massenet Arias Rolando Villazon: Opera Recital Opera Recital [Includes Bonus DVD] Verdi: La Traviata Gitano ASIN: B00018TIOA Release Date: 2004-02-10

Tracks:

1. Lamento: E La Solita Storia
2. Recitativo E Romanza: Inosservato...Angelo Casto E Bel
3. Aria: Quanto E Bella
4. Aria: Una Furtiva Lagrima
5. Recitativo Ed Aria: Tombe Degli Avi Miei...Fra Poco
6. Aria: Il L'ho Perduta...Io La Vidi
7. Aria: Io L'ho Perduta...Io La Vidi
8. Aria: O Figli...Ah! La Paterna Mano
9. Scena Ed Aria: Ella Mi Fu Rapita...Parmi Veder
10. Canzone: La Donna E Mobile
11. Scena, Aria E Cabaletta: Lunge De Iei...De' Miei Bollenti...O Mio Rimorso
12. Aria: Che Gelida Manina
13. Aria: E Lucevan Le Stelle
14. Aria: Anche Tu Beppe Giungi...O Amore
15. Aria: Vergini, Muse...Quando Al Soave Anelito

Amazon.com

This is a glorious debut recital by a tenor, from whom, if he sings the right roles and keeps way from jet-setting and too much singing, might just be the lyrico-spinto tenor we've been waiting for. He has the class of Carlo Bergonzi and a ringing tone which is somewhere between Domingo's big, dark sound and Pavarotti's brightness; he sings with a true mezza voce (not a falsetto); he always obeys the composer's markings and delineates character. He seems incapable of vulgarity, refusing to gulp or sob when a musically expressive gesture will do. The opening aria here--from L'Arlesiana--is so beautifully, touchingly sung that it's a heartbreaker; he doesn't take the usually opted-for high note near the end, but never fear: in the Traviata and Bohème excerpts, Villazon offers big, whopping high Cs. This CD is a knockout; let's hope it's only the beginning of an illustrious career, both recorded and live. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Another supeb tenor........2007-05-13

We can be thankful that the old guard of the opera stage has been replaced by a trio of youthful artists. Villazon along with Calleja and Florez makes a great addition to the world of opera.

The one........2006-06-24

He's the real deal. Domingo-like burnished voice, great actor. Not just hype, he's genuinely worthy of all the praise.

A New Star voice.......2005-09-25

Rollando Villazon can't fail to impress a listener. He is an enourmous breath of fresh air for people waiting for a new generation of Opera superstars to emerge. Those somewhat dissapointed by the somewhat ncomfortable edge to Salvator Licitra's voice, may take refuge in the freshness of Villazon.
I don't really want to ruin the magic of his singing, with caddy comparisons, but it is sufficient to say that he excellent. Many compare his to Domingo, to that I would say that Villazon has an ease to his top that Domingo never had, but perhaps lacks the focus and thickness of Domingo's lower registers.
Overall what hits you most about Villazons performance, is the induviduality of his interpretations and voice. The top of his voice has a ring and tone that sets his apart from the pack.
To my ear, he sounds at his best in the Mid Period verdi, where the cut of voice come through in the long high-lying passage, (expecially the cut from Traviata,
Enjoy this incredible singer

Quite Good.......2005-05-26

A very promising debut album with some excellent burnished tenor sound. To the reviewer who went on and on about Mr. Villazon only being in his 20's -- I hate to burst your bubble, but he was born in 1972, which makes him 33! And, by the way, the age of the singer is not a "huge" advantage; let us remember that some of our greatest singers didn't come into their element until their 40's (e.g., Flagstad, Milanov...)

Promising debut by new lyric tenor.......2005-05-05

Rolando Villazon immediately made himself a name we should all watch out for, after his appearance on a NY City Opera telecast of Boheme, as Rodolfo. Since then he has become a regular artist in leading lyric roles at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, has sung two parts at the Met already, and obviously has much ahead for him. The voice itself has a number of virtues, evenness of tone across the different registers, and the ability to encompass long lines without taking unnecessary breaths and showing the control to taper many lines off softly. It has also taken on perhaps a prematurely dark quality, in contrast with what I remember of the La Boheme telecast.

This recital of Italian opera arias presents Villazon near the alpha of his career (one appearance as the Steersman on the Barenboim Flying Dutchman before, for Teldec) and the conductor at his omega - the just deceased Marcello Viotti, at the age of 52, who suddenly replaced Sinopoli in Berlin for the second of two performances of Verdi's Aida in 2001. Sinopoli had passed away at 54 the night of the first performance that weekend in Berlin.

On first impression, Federico's lament from Cilea's L'Arlesiana is taken too slowly, and yet from repeated listening to this disc, it is one of nearly half a dozen selections that contribute the most to making this an interesting recital. The lachrymose manner and delivery here, though, sets a little too much of an overall tone for the rest of the recital, including its several or so lighter numbers. Said to also be a Caruso favorite, the aria from Donizetti's Duca d'Alba is a real highlight as close to being Schubertian in feeling as some Verdi - as late into Verdi's work as Forza and Don Carlo. Villazon's singing here is as warmly ardent as you'll find anywhere on this disc, and his personal identification with the character of Don Carlo, several tracks later, is as complete as that of its best interpreters of the recent past, Placido Domingo especially.

The two Elisir d'amore selections are pleasant vocally, but too dark, especially the start to so many phrases of "Una furtiva." The remorse felt during the opening aria of the Tomb Scene from Lucia, after a slightly uncertain start, is entirely felt. Oronte's brief aria from Verdi's Lombardi is handled with an easy, pleasant swagger from both Villazon and Viotti, leading one to expect similar lightness in selections that soon follow, and which is not entirely forthcoming; the beginning of the recitative to "Parmi veder" from Rigoletto shows a palpable anxiety in this peculiar moment for the Duke in which he finds himself. Intonation falters momentarily at the end of this aria. "Ah! la paterna mano", after good recitative, gets pushed a little too forward, robbing the crest of several lines in it their full expressive potential. Contrast of expression between Alfredo's aria and cabaletta from Traviata is so minimal, almost to have been erased altogether; Viotti here, so deft and highly musical an accompanist he is for most of the rest of this disc, is similarly disengaged. Connecting music between aria and cabaletta and repeat of the latter both get awkwardly cut.

That leaves four verismo tracks for the remainder of this disc. Most distinctively sung is "E lucevan le stelle" from Tosca, but frequently quite close to sounding a copy of Domingo's interpretation. The honeyed placement for the top of the staff, once the voice takes on the melodic line, could hardly remind you of anyone else. "Che gelida manina" is also given a fine performance here, but begins to lose all consonants on a couple of words right before the ascent to the high C in the aria. After hearing Dino Borgioli and Cesare Valletti as Fritz, each more of a benchmark than Pavarotti, it is hard to identify the villager Fritz, from how disinteresed Villazon sounds. A slight cut is taken between two portions of recitative before Fritz's Act III aria. "Quando al soave anelito" from Mascagni's Nerone, obviously a rarity, is one for which I can only find a Domingo recital before. Here, the singing is fine, but the youthful sense of wonderment for Nero, in his vision of Venus, as wordly-wise a fellow he is, gets understated. Accompaniments to these four arias are mostly as fine as the others, but all come to abrupt endings, the endings of Boheme and Amico Fritz which lose all their shimmer here.

Much criticism here, but there is also much hope felt from listening to this disc, for a bright future for Mr. Villazon still. He is only seldom a conscientious and musical performer, but as opposed to what the liner notes might say, part of being musical in singing such selections or opera in general, is being specific for each character being portrayed here. Villazon should also take note that his singing is most interesting and also most easy to distinguish from his widely celebrated mentor, when he sings lightly. First impressions are strong - I first anticipated awarding this disc five stars - but unfortunately it just barely deserves four. Sound quality, if a bit heavily miked for climaxes and a bit recessed for the orchestra, especially at closings to arias, is warm and full.

Average customer rating: Not as good as Amore a voice teacher and early music fan Verdi The triumph of mediocrity no expert

Andrea Bocelli: Verdi Zubin Mehta , Israel Philharmonic Orchestra , and Zubin Mehta Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Bocelli, Andrea | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | 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 Bocelli, Andrea | A to B | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Andrea Bocelli - The Opera Album ~ Aria Cieli di Toscana Andrea Romanza Sogno ASIN: B00004X16D Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

1. Il Trovatore: Di quella pira (Il Trovatore)
2. Il Trovatore: Ah si, ben mio (Il trovatore)
3. Rigoletto: La donna e mobile (Rigoletto)
4. Un Ballo in Maschera: Di'tu se fedele (Un ballo in maschera)
5. Un Ballo in Maschera: Ma se m'e forza perditi (Un ballo in maschera)
6. Rigoletto: Ella mi fu rapita (Rigoletto)
7. Rigoletto: Possente amor mi chiama (Rigoletto)
8. Aida: Celeste Aida (Aida)
9. La Traviata: De' miei bollenti spiriti (La traviata)
10. La Traviata: oh mio rimorso (La traviata)
11. I lombardi: La mia letizia infondere vorrei (I lombardi)
12. Ernani: Merce, diletti amici (Ernani)
13. Don Carlo: Io la vidi e il suo sorriso (Don Carlo)
14. Luisa Miller: Quando le sere al placido (Luisa Miller)
15. La forza del destino: La vita e inferno all'infelice (La forza del destino)

Amazon.com Classical Music Reviews

With this CD devoted solely to operatic arias--by none less than Giuseppe Verdi, the greatest Italian opera composer of all time--pop crossover phenomenon Andrea Bocelli throws his hat into the operatic ring with the big boys. The hat occasionally fits, and occasionally it doesn't. The beauty of the voice is undeniable, as is the relative ease in all registers. But, regardless of what the engineers do, it is clearly a small voice. For "Celeste Aïda"--Radames's great aria from Aïda--Bocelli opens with fine, as-big-as-possible exclamation and sounds confident; the long diminuendo on the aria's final high B-flat is stunning (whether or not the engineers were twiddling with the knobs, we'll never know). The tenor is more at home with Alfredo's Act Two music from La Traviata; he sings with grace and charm, ending the rarely performed cabaletta (a brief and showy piece that usually follows an aria) with one of the longest, most solid high Cs ever recorded. Elsewhere, there are mixed results: "Di' tu se fedele" from Un ballo in maschera is so free of feeling that it seems digitally produced. A big, unnecessary high D at the close of the Duke's cabaletta "Possente amor" from Rigoletto is screamed, and Bocelli sounds at times as if he's about to collapse from exhaustion during a heavy aria from Ernani. But "Ah si, ben mio" from Il Trovatore is beautiful, as is the Luisa Miller aria; Don Carlo also seems to fit Bocelli well. Needless to say, the singer's fans will certainly want to have this--and it might encourage them to try other recordings of music by Verdi. Newcomers and the curious will find plenty to admire, too. The sound itself remains alluring, and Bocelli has taken steps also towards improving his technique. In short, some nice surprises for the opera lover, and many for the Bocelli fan. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Not as good as Amore.......2007-03-24

This CD came perfectly, I just prefer the Amore CD better.

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-14

It is said that from the age of eleven years, Guiseppe Verdi (1813-1901) wanted to write operas. He left his post as organist to study music in Milan, a move made possbile by his patron,Barezzi, whose daughter he eventually married in 1836. Shortly thereafter he composed his first opera 'Oberto" which was so successful that his future seemed secure. However, the death of his wife and two babies some time later forced him into a state of depression. The impressario Mirelli gave him the book 'Nabucco' (Nebuchadnezzar) to read, and he immediately began to write music for it. Therewith he embarked on the career which eventually made him the "Grand Old Man" of Italian opera. In modern slang, he was a "natural".From "Oberto", written in his twenties, to "Falstaff", completed when he was eighty, his characteristic integrity and intensity persisted; as he wrote his 30 operas, his powers of expression broadened and deepened. By the time he wrote 'Aida', commissioned by the Khedive of Egypt, Verdi was 56. 'Aida' is often named as his greatest opera. The live elephants used in the production, the authentic costumes and musical instruments copied from ancient Egyptian tombs made an attractive picture, and his music made a "Celeste Aida" of the whole.
Lets face it; Bocelli is no Pavoratti, and perhaps it was not wise to choose some of the arias associated with tenors of his ilk, but Bocelli makes the best of his talents, which are considerable. And he has done a lot to create interest among young voice students,(male) and as a voice teacher I make use of his appearance and his youthfulness to engage their interest, and he does that!!!!I think his record sales tell the tale.

Verdi.......2007-01-03

Excellent Verdi selections. As usual, top tonal quality with excellent breath control. The best tenor to come along with such diversification as to sing just about anything presented to him. A superb choice for the connoisseur of italian operas.

The triumph of mediocrity.......2006-02-04

No, Bocelli is not an awful singer, he is an awful OPERA singer, and it shows here. His colorless, uneducated and bland voice make me wonder why people like him so much. As a baritone in training I'm able to say that my voice teacher's STUDENTS sing much better than this guy.
His tessitura is nowere near adequate for singing any of the arias from Rigoletto, "La donna è mobile" sounds much like a kid would sing it. "Celeste Aida" is one of the worst selections, and one of the most electronically enhanced, as it requires a precise voice placement (which Bocelli doesn't posses) since much of it lies very high in the register, and a heavier, rounder voice; if the role is not adequate for many REAL tenors, it is much less adequate for a pop singer. The "feeling" raving reviewers talk about is nothing more than a voice coming (incorrectly) from the throat, and the "beautiful" high D in "Possente amor" is a beautifully screamed falsetto, the same could be said about "Di quella pira"'s C; what's amazing about all this is the fact that electronic enhancement doesn't make his voice sound better. Some have ludicrously compared him to the likes of Vargas, Domingo, and Corelli, even saying he's better; this is nothing more than ignorance and bad taste.
Maybe his fans are tired of detractors bringing out the big names in their defense, so let's be honest: he's one of the WORST opera interpreters out there, I wish great singers like Mariusz Kwiecen, Matthew Polenzani, and René Pape received the publicity he gets, though it won't happen; at least some consolation lies in the fact that these people are true artists willingly and GLADLY offering their art to the people in order to make a living; I'm sure if Andrea didn't make so much $$$$ with his opera experiment, he would've dropped this travesty long ago.

no expert.......2005-12-17

I'm not a genuine, dyed-in -the-wool opera fan. The sound of the soprano voice makes me grit my teeth. Some of the great tenors are very pleasing, but mostly I'm just not especially enthusiastic or impressed. Actually, I think it's rather stupid for good singers to abuse their voices by bellowing. This was necessary before the invention of amplification, but not any more.
So, obviously, I'm not in the position to compare Bocelli's arias to those of the tenors considered the greats. I can hear that his voice lacks the robustness of the Pavarottis of this world. BUT - I like many of the famous arias, and to my ear, Bocelli's performances, electronically enhanced or not, are melodic and pleasant to the ear. As a result of listening to Bocelli, I've become familiar with some great music that I would otherwise be likely to ignore.
So I listen and enjoy and really don't care about all the criticism.

Average customer rating:

Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites Manufacturer: Castle Pulse ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | 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 Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( 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 Rutter | Rutter, John | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sibelius | Sibelius, Jean | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mancini | Mancini, Henry | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Favourite Welsh Choirs Land of Song Welsh Choral Classics Welsh Choirs: Wonderful Welsh Choirs Bryn Terfel - We'll Keep a Welcome Traditional Songs of Wales ASIN: B0009SOFXG Release Date: 2005-08-01

Tracks:

1. Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (CWM Rhondda) - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
2. Land of My Fathers - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
3. Dies Irae
4. Men of Harlech
5. You'll Never Walk Alone
6. Cadwyn O Emyn Donau Cymreig: Joanna (Trad./Elfion Wyn)/Crugybar (Trad.
7. Old Folks at Home
8. Il Liza Jane
9. Faust/Soldier's Chorus - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
10. Vergine Degli Angeli
11. Ballard of Rourke's Drift - Cwt-Y-Collen Choir
12. My Hero
13. God Bless the Prince of Wales - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
14. German Mass/Gloria
15. German Mass/Sanctus
16. Misbles/Master of the House/On My Own/Drink with Me/Empty Chairs at
17. All Through the Night - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
18. Arwelfa
19. Invictus
20. Softly as I Leave You

Tracks:

1. Diolch l'R L
2. Hine E Hine (Maori Lullaby)
3. Pererin Wyf (Amazing Grace)
4. Tribute to the USA: America the Beautiful (Ward/Bates)/God Bless ...
5. Memories of Martha
6. I Lombardi/The Crusaders' Chorus - Treorchy Male Choir
7. Myfanwy - Treorchy Male Choir
8. Tales of Hoffman/Barcarolle
9. Creation's Hymn
10. In the Spirit!
11. Shall We Gather at the River
12. Nos a Bore
13. Very Best Time of Year
14. Soon Ah Will Be Done
15. Thanks Be to God
16. Flower That Shattered the Stone
17. Rhys - Treorchy Male Choir
18. Where Shall I Be?
19. Bywyd y Bugail
20. Lord's Prayer

Tracks:

1. Ave Maria
2. Pearl Fishers/Divine Brahma
3. She Was Beautiful (Cavatina) - Treorchy Male Choir
4. Cymru Fach
5. Nidaros
6. Jacob's Ladder - Treorchy Male Choir
7. Watching the Wheat
8. Pan Ddaw y Saint (When the Saints Go Marching In)
9. Misbles/Stars
10. Rachie
11. Pirates of Penzance/With Cat-Like Tread - Treorchy Male Choir
12. There Is a Balm in Gilead
13. Rise Up Shepherd and Foller
14. My Lord, What a Mornin'
15. Bryn Myrddin
16. Jesus Christ Superstar/Medley: Jesus Christ Superstar/Hosanna/The Last
17. Finnish Forest (Suomen Salossa)
18. Nabucco/The Glory of Israel
19. Ride the Chariot
20. Tydi a Roddaist - Treorchy Male Choir

Tracks:

1. Y Nefoedd
2. Phantom of the Opera/Think of Me
3. Morte Christe (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
4. By Babylon's Wave
5. I'm Gonna Sing
6. Where Could I Go But to the Lord?
7. Holy City - Treorchy Male Choir
8. Mefistofele: Ave Signor, Degli Angeli
9. Senzenina (Zulu Chant)
10. That's All I Want from You
11. Deep Harmony - Treorchy Male Choir
12. Give Me Jesus
13. Just a Closer Walk with Thee
14. My Wish for You
15. Jeptha/Waft Her Angels
16. Mose in Egitto/Prayer
17. Be Still My Soul (Finlandia Hymn)
18. God's Choir in the Sky
19. Floral Dance - Treorchy Male Choir
20. Smilin' Through

Tracks:

1. Calon Lan
2. True Love
3. Mor Fawr Wyt Ti (How Great Thou Art)
4. Aberystwyth
5. Comrades in Arms
6. Cats/Memory
7. They Led My Lord Away
8. State Fair/It's a Grand Night for Singing
9. When I Fall in Love
10. Let's Face the Music and Dance
11. Windmills of Your Mind
12. How Soon
13. Non Nobis Domine
14. Rhythm of Life
15. Kalinka
16. Sound an Alarm
17. Neapolitan Trilogy: It's Now or Never (Di Capua/Schroeder/Gold)/Mo ...
18. Turandot/Nessun Dorma
19. Christus Redemptor
20. Ann Evening's Pastorale

Album Details

Choirs Include the Morriston Orpheus Choir, the Pontadrddulais Male Voice Choir, the Caerphilly Male Voice Choir, the Cwrt-y-gollen Choir, the Treorchy Male Choir and the Lucknow Male Voice Choir.

Average customer rating: genial A Great Value!! A Unique Concept Examination by a German enthusiast

Marches Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Frederick the Great | Frederick the Great | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Johann Strauss Sr. | Strauss Sr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: German Military Marches Gott, Kaiser, Vaterland: Military and Patriotic Music of Imperial Germany in Archival Recordings, 1903-1915 Marches-1/British More German Military Marches and Polkas, Vol. 2 Landser Marches ASIN: B000001GLC Release Date: 1995-02-14

Tracks:

1. Hoeh-und Deutschmeister-Marsch
2. Vindobona Marsch
3. Hohenfreidberger Marsch
4. Erzherzog-Albrecht-Marsch
5. Tiroler Holzhacker-Baub'n
6. Preussens Gloria
7. Cogurber Marsch

Tracks:

1. Karntner Liedermarsch
2. Die Bosniaken kommen
3. Fridericus Rex - Grenadiermarsch
4. Alte Kameraden
5. Der Zigeunerbaron: Einzugsmarsch
6. Nibelungen Marsch
7. Radetzky March
8. Wellington's Victory, Op. 91
9. March for Winds in D major WoO 24
10. March with Trio in C major WoO 20
11. March Slave, op.31
12. March egyptienne, op.335
13. March perse op.289
14. Napoleon March, op.156

Customer Reviews:

genial.......2004-12-10

Este CD doble es una maravilla, la famosisima Berliner Philahrmoniker que en este caso se reduce a algo asi como seccion de vientos de la berliner philharmoniker nos deleita con un conjunto increible de marchas de todos los tipos y para todos los gustos, solo se unen en la genial interpretacion.
La orquesta se reune en forma completa para entregarnos excepcionales versiones de la Marcha Eslava de Tchaikovsky y la Marcha de la Victoria de Wellington de Beethoven que incluye grabacion de artilleria (increible y fantastica).
La marcha Radetzki es genial, asi como alguna pequeñeses de Beethoven, marchas compuestas por emperadores y otros extraños compositores que hacen de este CD un deleite para los amantes de estas sincopadas obras musicales. Disfruten un CD genial.

A Great Value!!.......2003-11-22

Here is a collection of mostly German march music that is well worth the price! The performances are crisp and clean. One selection I was very surprised to find in this collection is the "Nibelungen Marsch" by Gottfried Sonntag. As the title implies,this march is based on Wagnerian themes. While this march was written decades before Hitler came to power in 1933, it became closely associated with the Nazi Party and it was always played in the Kongresshalle during the massing of the banners at the Nuremburg Rallies. As a result, the "Nibelungen Marsch" was banned from any sort of live or recorded performance after 1945 by the Allies. It must be remembered that this is NOT a Nazi march. It was, like many other marches, adapted by the Nazis for their own purposes. I'm glad to see that it is played here as the fine piece of classical music that it is. Again, this collection of marches is among the best and shouldn't be passed by!

A Unique Concept.......2002-09-30

Rather than an album of marches by a band or orchestra, this is a compilation, recorded between the late '60's and early '80's, of popular marches by the wind players of the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, and classical marches by the full orchestra, brilliantly performed under the baton of maestro Herbert von Karajan (two numbers conducted by Hans Priem-Bergrath).
A comparison may be made with another album, "Prussia's Glory", by two British military bands, since the two have about a half dozen marches in common. The playing on this CD seems to me to be a bit lighter and more melodic, in other words, a little less "military", which makes sense, given the nature of the two groups. Which is "better", on the other hand, depends on the listener (I slightly prefer this group). And this disc wins on sheer quantity, being two CD's for the price of one, and does have more variety - classical pieces and a few non-German marches, but the other has much more complete liner notes, with information on each composer and selection. Of course, if you really like one, perhaps you would also want the other.
It would have been helpful if English translations were provided for each piece - most are in German, with the last several in French, to understand the meaning of each title, such as "Old Comrades" in addition to "Alte Kameraden", or "The Glory of Prussia" added to "Preussens Gloria".
A highly recommended collection of German and Eastern European marches, masterfully performed.

Examination by a German enthusiast.......2000-08-28

This is purely the best March tape I have ever bought. Not only does it offer 38 songs which is at least 18 more than most good CDs, it has extremely high quality sound recording and listing of the songs. I would strongly recommend this to anyone who likes Marches and more so to any fellow German!

Average customer rating:

Best of Luciano Pavarotti Manufacturer: Golden Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Boito, Arrigo | ( 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 Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( 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 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 Alessandro Scarlatti | Scarlatti, Alessandro | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stradella | Stradella, Alessandro | ( S ) | 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 | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | 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 | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works Featuring Luciano Pavarotti | Pavarotti, Luciano | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | 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 Bellini, Vincenzo | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Boito, Arrigo | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Liszt, Franz | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Massenet, Jules | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Ponchielli, Amilcare | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Puccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Rossini, Gioacchino | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Schubert, Franz | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Scarlatti, Alessandro | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 International | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Luciano Pavarotti - Nessun dorma (Arias & Duets) The Best of Luciano Pavarotti: 20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection Romanza ASIN: B00013NDKU Release Date: 2004-02-10

Tracks:

1. A' Vucchella
2. Ultima Canzone
3. Non T'Amo Piu
4. Malia
5. Serenata
6. Mattinata
7. Per la Gloria d'Adorarvi
8. Gia' il Sole Dal Gange
9. Pace Non Trovo
10. Che Fiero Costume
11. Dolente Immegine Di Fille Mia
12. Bella Nice Che d'Amore
13. Vaga Luna Che Innargenti
14. In Questa Tomba Uscura
15. Ave Maria
16. Pieta Signore
17. Messa Di Requiem, "Ingemisco"
18. Agnus Dei

Tracks:

1. Cielo Mar, "La Gioconda"
2. E Lucevan le Stelle, "Tosca"
3. Recondita Armonia, "Tosca"
4. Giunto Sul Passo Estremo, "Mefistofele"
5. Nessun Dorma, "Turandot"
6. Una Furtiva Lagrima "L'Elisir d'Amore"
7. Lunga da Lei...De' Miei Bollenti Spiriti...I Mio Rimorso Infame, ...
8. Mia Letizia Infondere...Come Poteva un Angelo, "I Lombardi Alla ..."
9. Pourquoi Me Reveiller, "Werther"
10. Ideale
11. Donna Non Vidi Mai, "Manon Lescaut"
12. Vaga Luna Che Inargenti
13. Me Voglio Fa' Na Casa
14. Tarantella

Average customer rating: Verdian voices that love each other Sensitive, compelling performances A well presented and very listenable album

Angela Gheorghiu & Roberto Alagna - Verdi per due Giuseppe Verdi , Berliner Philharmoniker , Claudio Abbado , Angela Gheorghiu , Roberto Alagna , London Voices , and Berlin Philharmonic Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | 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 Similar Items: Roberto Alagna & Angela Gheorghiu - Duets & Arias Roberto Alagna - French Arias / Bertrand de Billy Verdi Heroines Roberto Alagna - Opera Arias Roberto Alagna - Verdi Arias / Gheorghiu, Berlin Phil., Abbado ASIN: B00000DFNW Release Date: 1998-11-03

Tracks:

1. E Dessa! ... Un Detto, Un Sol ... - Angela Gheorghiu
2. Ma Lassu Ci Vedremo - Angela Gheorghiu
3. Oh Belle, A Questa Misera ... - London Voices
4. All'Armi! ... Che Ascolto! - London Voices
5. Cielo Di Stelle Orbato ... - Angela Gheorghiu
6. Vieni A Mirar La Cerula - Angela Gheorghiu
7. Gia Nella Notte Densa - Angela Gheorghiu
8. Pensando A Me! ... E Dolce Raggio Celeste Dono - Angela Gheorghiu
9. Giovanna, Ho Dei Rimorsi ... - Angela Gheorghiu
10. E Il Sol Dell'Anima ... - Angela Gheorghiu
11. Che M'Ami, Deh, Ripetimi - Angela Gheorghiu
12. Addio! Speranza Ed Anima - Angela Gheorghiu
13. La Fatal Pietra Sovra Me Si Chiuse ... Immenso Ftha ... - London Voices
14. O Terra, Addio - London Voices
15. Qual Mare, Qual Terra Da Me T'Ha Diviso ... - Angela Gheorghiu
16. Qui Nel Bosco? Solinga? Smarrita? ... - Angela Gheorghiu
17. Lassu Risplendere Piu Lieta E Bella - Angela Gheorghiu
18. Miserere ... Quel Suon, Quelle Preci - London Voices
19. Libiamo, Ne' Lieti Calici - London Voices

Amazon.com

Today's most glamorous husband-and-wife opera team offer a recital in which energy and enthusiasm more than compensate for lack of polish. Seldom do artists on a studio recording throw themselves into each "scene" as if they were onstage actually performing an opera, as these two do here. Abbado and the Berlin are second to none when it comes to accompanying Verdi, and when needed, extra soloists and chorus are included to complete the production. Although a number of Verdi's most famous moments are included, lesser-known music (e.g., I Lombardi and I Masnadieri) proves equally challenging and dramatic. Fine sound, from the Jesus Christus-Kirche in Dahlem (Berlin). --Paul Turok

Customer Reviews:

Verdian voices that love each other.......2003-12-09

Although French tenor Roberto Alagna and Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu are each formidable artists in their own right, when they sing together they create something truly extraordinary. Much of this is no doubt due to the couple's real-life marriage, although even many operatic married (or otherwise romantically involved) couples rarely give the sense that their voices and artistries are 'married' the way these two do. Their voices are just astonishing - his warm earth and sun darkening into bronze, hers melting sweetness and starlight. Even more important is their musical sensitivity and complete immersion into the drama. All these qualities make Alagna and Gheorghiu ideal Verdi interpreters even if their voices are smaller and more lyric than what many would think of as right for the composer. To put the icing on the cake, the singers have Claudio Abbado's magisterial support in the pit, full of authority, imagination, finesse and sensitivity.

The disc begins with the final Carlo-Elisabetta duet from 'Don Carlo'. This is my favorite opera and I believe that the 'ma lassu ci vedremo' section which concludes this selection is one of Verdi's greatest inspirations. Needless to say, I am extraordinarily picky about the way it is performed, and it is glorious - full of sublimated passion and pain, tenderness and resignation. The title role (in French) is already one of Alagna's greatest stage and recording triumphs, and Gheorghiu is so musically and dramatically intense that you would never believe she learned the duet at Abbado's suggestion 3 days before the recording!

Best of all, however, is the great love duet from 'Otello'. Never before have I heard this music sung so beautifully or with such tenderness and nuance, the lyric voices really making the romance between Otello and Desdemona believable. Admittedly this is probably the most lyric section of the score, and whether Alagna is up to the some of Otello's big outbursts, even in a small theater, is debatable, though Gheorghiu is an ideal Desdemona. Still, Alagna's astonishing pianissimo swell on 'Vien, venere splende' is alone worth the price of the entire disc. No less fine is the ravishing high note with which Gheorghiu ends the scene from 'Simon Boccanegra', where the singers easily go from tender serenade to dramatic urgency to seductive radiance.

The Tomb Scene from 'Aida' is also very effective, although it is true that Gheorghiu's is a more lyric voice than I would like for Aida, her excellent recording of 'O patria mia' on her 'Verdi Heroines' album notwithstanding. Alagna is about as light as I would go for Radames, but as it is really a spinto and not a true dramatic role, he copes very well, darkening his tone. Both artists, as usual, are totally alert to the drama, and this makes up for them possibly having the 'wrong' voices. I only wish this pair of lyric singers could have sung the final B flat in 'si schiude il ciel' pianissimo, as did Zinka Milanov and Jussi Bjorling - I believe Gheorghiu obliges and Alagna doesn't.

Another real treat is the rarities - how many 'love duet' albums include scenes from 'I Lombardi', 'I Vespri Siciliani' or 'I Masnadieri'? Again, all so marvelously sung - especially the rousing cabaletti - that we are convinced these are by no means the 'lesser' works that many critics claim, although it is a pity that the 'Vespri' selection isn't in the original French.

Turning back to more familiar music, having heard Alagna sing the Duke in 'Rigoletto' first at the Met under the flaccid Carlo Rizzi and then on the Sony recording under the hard-driving, pedantic Riccardo Muti, I was delighted to hear how fresh-voiced, dashing and impetuous he sounds in 'E sol dell'anima' here. Clearly all he needs is the right conductor! Gheorghiu's voice is a bit more mature than most people would think of for Gilda, but fully conveys her longing for her lover and her growing sexual awareness. The 'Miserere' from 'Il Trovatore' is also splendid, although not quite as intense as the version on their complete recording. A spirited and ravishing rendition of the famous drinking song from ýLa Traviataý brings the disc to a delighful close.

Besides the luxurious support of the Berlin Philharmonic (as Gheorghiu put it in an interview, 'the Rolls Royce of orchestras'), London Voices makes a splendid choral contribution in their four selections. There is also excellent work from contralto Sara Mingardo, better known in baroque repertory, as Giovanna and Amneris, as well as from the singers who take on Ceprano and Borsa in the 'Rigoletto' excerpt.

The documentation has full texts and translations plus excellent notes written by British voice maven John Steane, who points out the considerable musical and dramatic variety that exists among love duets, even ones written by the same composer. Unfortunately, there is no biographical information at all of any of the artists, let alone typical CD gush (so much for 'the overhyped Alagnas'!). The pictures in the booklet's interior are wonderful, with the couple relaxing in a Berlin park, but the cover's attempt to be 'romantic' is hokey - they look like airbrushed mannequins.

As with most of their other operatic recordings, Alagna's and Gheorghiu's work here is a must listen to anyone who cares about this music or the human voice. You will rarely hear this music served so well by contemporary artists. It turns out this disc is essential for a less pleasant reason as well - I have just read the horrible news that EMI has decided not to continue making studio opera recordings, making it extremely unlikely that we will ever hear Alagna and Gheorghiu together in this repertory on disc again. What a tragedy not only for the singers but also for Verdi, and all the more reason to cherish the beauty we have here.

Sensitive, compelling performances.......2003-06-09

Mr. and Mrs. Alagna sound wonderful in this collection of Verdi duets. The case can be made that Alagna is a lyric tenor, and shouldn't be singing the dramatic roles like Otello and Radames, however, he brings a pleasant, warm tenor that when needed, rises in plangency to the demands of the moment. In the future, he may indeed expand to become a dramatic tenor. In any case, his singing is in no way lacking. Angela Gheorghiu has already reached the status of compelling Verdian soprano, in my mind. She sings with drama, force, and elan.
The duets from I Lombardi and I Masnadieri are particularly nice, as they are not often heard. Bravos all around to Abbado and the Berliner as well.
This is a thoroughly enjoyabled disc.

A well presented and very listenable album.......1999-10-25

Since I first listened to Alagna and Gheoghiu I have always felt that Gheorghiu is the superior artist of the two. This album is presented with gusto and enthusiasm. Both are putting their souls into the music, although Alagna can be a bit brash at times, not unlike Del Monaco a few years ago. In Rigoletto it sounds more like intended rape than seduction! The duet from Otello is beautifully done - it could well be one of their future complete recordings. Overall a well recorded album with favourites as well as lesser known selections. Well worth the buy for admirers of the singers.

Average customer rating:

The Golden Voices of the 3 Tenors Manufacturer: Madacy Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | 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 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 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 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 Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Bargain Box Sets | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Bargain Box Sets | Opera & Vocal General | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Opera & Vocal General | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Carboot Soul ASIN: B000000LOQ Release Date: 1995-04-16

Tracks:

1. L'Elisir d'Amore: 'Una furtiva lacrima' - Luciano Pavarotti
2. La Boheme: 'Che gelida manina' - Luciano Pavarotti
3. Turandot: 'Nessun Dorma' - Luciano Pavarotti
4. La Traviata: 'Brindisi' - Luciano Pavarotti
5. Luisa Miller: 'Quando le sere al placido' - Luciano Pavarotti
6. La Traviata: 'Parigi O Cara' - Luciano Pavarotti
7. Stabat Mater: 'Cajus Animam' - Luciano Pavarotti
8. La Boheme: 'Dunque e proprio finita' - Luciano Pavarotti
9. Lucia di Lammermoor: 'Tombe degli avi miei' - Luciano Pavarotti
10. La Fille Du Regiment: 'Ah mes amis' - Luciano Pavarotti
11. Idomeno Re Di Creta: 'Spiegarti non poss'io' - Luciano Pavarotti
12. Idomeno Re Di Creta: 'Padre, mio caro padre' - Luciano Pavarotti

Tracks:

1. Madame Butterfly: Addio Fiorito Asil - Jose Carreras
2. I Lombardi Alla Prima Crociata: Al Siloe! Al Siloe!... Guerra! - Jose Carreras
3. Madame Butterfly: Ancora Un Passo Or Via - Jose Carreras
4. Madame Butterfly: Bimba, Bimba Non Piangere - Jose Carreras
5. La Traviata: Che Fai?... Anami Alfredo - Jose Carreras
6. I Lombardi Alla Prima Crociata: Che Vid lo Mai?... Si! Del Ciel Che Non Punisce - Jose Carreras
7. I Lombardi Alla Prima Crociata: Chi Ne Salva?... Quai Grida! - Jose Carreras
8. La Traviata: De Miei Bollenti Spiriti - Jose Carreras
9. Un Ballo in Maschera: Di Tu Se Fedele - Jose Carreras
10. Madame Butterfly: Dovunque Al Mundo ...Amore o Grillo - Jose Carreras
11. TOSCA: E Lucevan Le Stelle - Jose Carreras
12. Rigoletto: Ella Mi Fu Rapita ...Farmi Veder Le Lacrime - Jose Carreras
13. Un Ballo in Maschera: Forse La Soglia Attinse - Jose Carreras
14. I Lombardi Alla Prima Crociata: Giselda! O Ciel Traveggo... - Jose Carreras

Tracks:

1. Il Trovatore: Mai Reggendo ALl'Aspro Assalto - Domingo, Placido
2. Il Trovatore: L'Usato Messo Ruiz Invia!... Perigiarti Ancor - Domingo, Placido
3. Il Trovatore: E Deggio... E Posso Crederlo - Domingo, Placido
4. Il Trovatore: Quale D'Armi Gragor - Domingo, Placido
5. Il Trovatore: Ah Si, Ben Mio - Domingo, Placido
6. Manon: Je Suis Seul! - Domingo, Placido
7. Manon: Ah! Des Grieux! O Manon... Le Ciel Lui-Meme... N'est ce-plus ma main - Domingo, Placido
8. Carmen: Quel Regards! Quelle Effronterie! Pari-Moi de ma mort! - Domingo, Placido
9. Carmen: Dragons D'Alcala... La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee - Domingo, Placido
10. Ernani: Merce Diletti Amici... Dell' Esilio Ne Dolore - Domingo, Placido
11. Carmen: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee... C'est Toi? C'est Moi! - Domingo, Placido

Average customer rating: Aspects of Verdi and Bel Canto!

Verdi Arias Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Bergonzi, Carlo | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cassinelli, Ricardo | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Carlo Bergonzi - The Sublime Voice ~ 40 Tracks from the Legendary Tenor Grandi Voci: Carlo Bergonzi Carlo Bergonzi - Italian Songs ~ Bellini · Verdi · Danza · Tosti · Donizetti · Rossini · Mascagni · Puccini The Very Best of Nicolai Gedda Russian Album ASIN: B00027LE5Q Release Date: 2004-07-13

Customer Reviews:

Aspects of Verdi and Bel Canto!.......2004-10-02

Mr. Bergonzi is a famous Verdi tenor and this collection is simply sublime, beyond words. His singing is both accented and lyrical, perhaps too lyric for the ideal Verdi voice. Bergonzi's Verdi comes with a bel canto approach.


Well this is where we may separate a Verdi voice from Verdi style. Bergonzi is a Verdi stylist par excellence and deserves the highest respect possible where certainly no other tenor since Lauri Volpi, with his more virile and wide ranging voice, has realized the magnitude and beauty of Verdi's style combined with the great dramatic accents and declamation.

Among the greatest Verdi stylists, which are rarer among tenors than the other voice categories, are Martinelli, Lauri-Volpi, Bergonzi, and even Veriano Luchetti; rare indeed but these men have the tone, the accent, the power, the legato, and the INTELLIGENCE to bring Verdi's drama to life. That is what Verdi wanted after all: "Accent Accent Accent"

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7. Mascagni: Iris / Gelmetti, Opera di Roma
8. Massenet: Chérubin / von Stade, J. Anderson, Ramey, Upshaw, P. Steinberg
9. Monteverdi: L'Orfeo/Il Ritorno D'Ulisse in Patria/L'Incoronazione Di Poppea [Box set]
10. Mozart: Così fan tutte / Martinpelto, Hagley, Murray, Streit, Finley, Allen, Rattle

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