Verdi: Giovanna d'Arco

1. Giovanna d'Arco, opera
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   with Iginio Ricco, Renata Tebaldi, Ugo Savarese, Gino Penno, Luciano della Pergola
   Conducted by Gabriele Santini
   
   
2. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera Del sultano Amurate...Io son l'umile ancella
   Composed by Francesco Cilea
   with Renata Tebaldi, Augusto Romano, Piero de Palma, Giuseppe Taddei, Luciano della Pergola
   Conducted by Gabriele Santini
   
   
3. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera Giusto cielo! che feci in tal giorno
   Composed by Francesco Cilea
   with Renata Tebaldi
   Conducted by Gabriele Santini
   
   
4. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera Salvatemi! salvatemi!...Scostatevi, profani!
   Composed by Francesco Cilea
   with Renata Tebaldi, Gianni Poggi
   Conducted by Gabriele Santini
   
   
5. La Traviata, opera E strano...Ah, fors'e lui
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   with Renata Tebaldi
   Conducted by Gabriele Santini
   
   
6. La Traviata, opera Follie!...Sempre libera
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   with Renata Tebaldi, Giuseppe Campora
   Conducted by Gabriele Santini
   
   
7. La Traviata, opera Pero l'attendo...Amami, Alfredo (with encore)
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   with Renata Tebaldi, Giuseppe Campora
   Conducted by Gabriele Santini
   
   
8. La Traviata, opera Invitato a qui seguirmi
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   with Renata Tebaldi, Giuseppe Campora
   Conducted by Gabriele Santini
   
   
9. La Traviata, opera Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core
   Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
   with Renata Tebaldi, Gerardo Gaudioso, Giuseppe Campora, Giuseppe Taddei
   Conducted by Gabriele Santini
   
   
10. La Traviata, opera Teneste la promessa...Addio del passato
    Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
    with Renata Tebaldi
    Conducted by Gabriele Santini
    
    
11. La Traviata, opera Ma se tornando...Ah! Gran Dio! Morir si giovine
    Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
    with Renata Tebaldi
    Conducted by Gabriele Santini
    
    
12. La Traviata, opera Se una pudica vergine
    Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
    with Renata Tebaldi, Giuseppe Campora, Giuseppe Taddei
    Conducted by Gabriele Santini
    
    

Verdi: Giovanna d'Arco,Francesco Cilea,Giuseppe Verdi,Gabriele Santini,Renata Tebaldi,Augusto Romano,Gerardo Gaudioso,Gianni Poggi,Gino Penno,Giuseppe Campora,Giuseppe Taddei,Iginio Ricco,Luciano della Pergola,Piero de Palma,Ugo Savarese,Legato Classics,Classical,Italian Romantic Opera,Opera

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Average customer rating: Tebaldi at her best! Tebaldi the Great A legacy for the ages! Best Collection Modified rapture

La Tebaldi Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Tebaldi, Renata | ( T ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of Tebaldi Very Best of Verdi: Il Trovatore Grandi Voci: Renata Tebaldi La Boheme ASIN: B0000041Y8 Release Date: 1991-08-09

Tracks:

1. Madama Butterfly: Un bel dvedremo
2. La Boheme: Si, mi chiamano Mimi
3. TOSCA: Vissi d'arte
4. Mefistofele: L'altra notte
5. Aida: Ritorna vincitor
6. Otello: Mia madre aveva...Piangea cantando...Ave Maria - Verdi
7. Il Trovatore: Siam giunti...D'amor sull'ali rosee
8. Verdi: Pace, pace, mio Dio!
9. Guglielmo Tell: S'allontanano alfine!...Selva opaca
10. Adriana Lecouvreur: Ecco, respiro appena...Io son l'umile ancella
11. Cecilia: Grazie sorelle

Tracks:

1. Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
2. Suor Angelica: Senza mamma, o bimbo
3. Andrea Chenier: La mamma morta
4. La Wally: Ebben?... Ne andro lontana
5. Don Carlo: Tu che la vanit
6. Un Ballo in Maschera: Ecco l'orrido campo...Ma dall'arido stelo divulsa
7. Un Ballo in Maschera: Morro, ma prima in grazia
8. Giovanna d'Arco: Oh ben s'addice...Sempre all'alba
9. Turandot: In questa reggia
10. La Gioconda: Suicidio!
11. La rondine: Sogno di Doretta
12. Cavalleria Rusticana: Voi lo sapete
13. L'arlesiana: Esser madre e un inferno

Customer Reviews:

Tebaldi at her best!.......2007-04-07

I'd highly recommend these CDs!They have a little of everything. They'd make an excellent addition to anyone's opera collection. Her voice is etherial!

Tebaldi the Great.......2007-02-19

Renata Tebaldi is one of the glorious voices of the past half century. Recordings here come from the 1950s and 1960s. She had a sumptuous spinto voice, clearly manifest on this 2 CD set. Here are some of her "greatest hits." As would be expected, the repertoire of Puccini and Verdi is heavily represented here.

She "leads off" with "Un bel di" from Puccini's "Madame Butterfly." Her voice brings life to this aria; her characterization is right on. At the point, where the volume of her voice increases, the sound remains lush; there is no bleating or ugliness in her singing.

There follow two more classic Puccini arias that Tebaldi does justice to. "Si, mi chiamano Mimi" from "La Boheme" is a wonderful version of this work. She captures the poignancy in Mimi's character. Her work here can probably justly be termed "iconic." In short, this is a ravishing turn by "La Tebaldi." So, too, is her take of "Vissi d'arte" from "Tosca." One can understand the enthusiasm of her claque at La Scala as one listens to her singing. Her rich voice fits these roles nicely; her characterization is well rendered. Her version of "Ritorna vincitor" from Verdi's "Aida" is also well done. Her voice richly captures the character and fits the music well.

Verdi and Puccini are not the only composers represented on this 2 CD set. Also recorded are her singing Boito ("Mefistofele"), Rossini ("William Tell"), Cilea ("Adriana Lecouvreur"), Giordano ("Andrea Chenier"), Catalani ("La Wally"), and so on. Once more, the selection of music in this set well represents her body of work.

All in all, a satisfying selection of "the greatest hits" of Renata Tebaldi. The "liner notes" conclude by referring to her as possessing "a perfect voice of bewitching beauty." I'm not sure that anyone can achieve perfection (the statement has a bit of hyperbole); nonetheless, her voice is ravishing as already noted. Those interested in her recorded oeuvre would be well rewarded by acquiring this work. The CDs serve well to introduce "La Tebaldi" to those who may not have heard her before. Such listeners will be richly rewarded by that introduction.

A legacy for the ages!.......2001-02-23

Perhaps the greatest spinto and certainly among the greatest sopranos of all times, with an extremely powerful, amazingly beautiful instrument, Renata Tebaldi on this set heard in some of her best moments! I will not repeat comments on her beautiful voice since it often overshadows the pathos with which she performed each role. To me, she knew exactly where to draw the line between acting and singing. Not too much to become annoying, not too little to become boring. This compilation also shows how versatile this soprano was, with repertoire ranging from Puccini and Verdi to Rossini and even Wagner (though no Wagner aria is heard on this particular double cd). In her early years she also performed Mozart roles!

Her Puccini arias will make the most demanding listener cry. Her verdian heroines, enriched with her personal touch, are of exceptional value. Her Desdemona (Otello), Donna Leonora (Forza del destino) and Aida stand perhaps out. Her many verisimo roles sooo moving, full of sorrow and pain, exactly how they are supposed to sound. Just listen to "La mamma morta"! An unsurpassed shocking experience! A previous reviewer (F.W.Barton) correctly mentioned that not all moments are from her complete studio recordings, so this is a unique chance to enjoy alternative Tebaldi performances. Strongly recommended!!!!

Best Collection.......2001-01-11

If you love the warmth and power of Renata Tebaldi then this collection is for you. This has Two CD's of her best works. My favorites are her "o mio babbino caro" her tosca which isnt as dramatic as callas but has a vocal warmth in that aria that makes her voice so perfect for the aria. Another soothing aria would be her Un del di from Butterfly what sweetness and amazing finish to that aria!!! Her amazing power was noticed in La mamma morta and In questa reggia ( which was sooo good that it made me wonder WHY DIDNT SHE SING THIS ROLE ON STAGE) oh and of course her Suicido was also very well done.....Renata Tebaldi was without a doubt one of the best of the century...and this collection proves it.

Modified rapture.......2000-04-24

I bought this collection of Tebaldi's Decca recordings with the hope to experience some great singing. However, I can't help feeling a bit disappointed in the end. There are some thrilling performances here, for example, the dark, passionate renditions of the arias from La Gioconda and L'arlesiana, but overall, the achievements are rather uneven. Tebaldi certainly possesses a most beautiful and powerful voice, something to take bath in. Yet, she evinces little of the psychological insights, intense pathos and interpretive individuality of Claudia Muzio, Meta Seinemeyer, Maria Callas and Leonie Rysanek. Compare her performance of 'Ma dall'arido Stelo divulsa' from Verdi's 'Un Ballo in Maschera' with that by Leonie Rysanek (On RCA Living Stereo): The aria is magnificently vocalised by Tebaldi, but it is Rysanek who effectively combine vocal opulence with dramatic insights, evincing Amelia's exteme desperations. Perhaps Tebaldi was constrained by the restrictions and protocols of recording studios and unable to realise her full dramatic potentials --- in this case she is best heard on live recordings where we could experience her in full flight. Furthermore, the 1964 Come back album items on the second disc demonstrate a voice that has lost much of its pristine freshness and youthfulness, even though there are exciting things to hear. Still, the beauty of the voice and the sincerity of utterances are there for us to experience. For ardent Tebaldi fans, this is definitely a must, but for those looking for truly great singing and acting, you might want to look elsewhere for Tebaldi's live recordings and Maria Callas, etc.

Average customer rating: Sings a wide range of works well A great Caballe cd at a bargin price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1 A Bit disappointed Bad sound :(((( Voice from heaven!

Diva:Montserrat Caballe Giacomo Puccini , Gioachino Rossini , Vincenzo Bellini , Giuseppe Verdi , Arrigo Boito , Pietro Mascagni , Sir Charles Mackerras , Lamberto Gardelli , Gianandrea Gavazzeni , Riccardo Muti , James Levine , Anton Guadagno , Julius Rudel , Carlo Maria Giulini , Bruno Bartoletti , Alain Lombard , Montserrat Caballe , Alfredo Kraus , Agostino Ferrin , Julia Hamari , Stefan Elenkof , Astrid Varnay , and Jose Carreras Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | 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 All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Caballe, Montserrat | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Montserrat Caballé: Ultimate Collection Very Best of Grandi Voci: Renata Tebaldi Great Operatic Duets Bellini - Norma / Patane, Caballe, Vickers, Veasey, Theatre Antique d'Orange ASIN: B000002S6A Release Date: 1995-08-08

Tracks:

1. Madama Butterfly: Un bel di vedremo (Atto II)
2. TOSCA: Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore (Atto II)
3. Guillaume Tell: Sombre foret (Acte II)
4. Il pirata: Col sorriso d'innocenza (Atto II)
5. I Puritani: Son vergin vezzosa (Atto I)
6. Giovanna d'Arco: O fatidica foresta (Atto I)
7. Macbeth: Una macchiae qui tutt'ora (Atto IV)
8. Mefistofele: L'altra notte in fondo al mare (Atto III)
9. Don Carlo: Non pianger, mia compagna (Atto II)
10. Aida: Qui Radames verra . . . O patria mia (Atto III)
11. Manon Lescaut: In quelle trine morbide (Atto II)
12. La Boh: Donde lieta usci (Atto II)
13. Cavalleria Rusticana: Voi lo sapete, o mamma
14. Turandot: Signore, ascolta! (Atto I)
15. Turandot: In questa reggia (Atto II)
16. La rondine: Chi il bel sogno di Doretta (Atto I)

Customer Reviews:

Sings a wide range of works well.......2007-04-29

On this CD, Montserrat Caballe sings a wide range of arias. She runs the gamut from the bel canto works of Rossini and Bellini to the verismo works of Puccini and Mascagni, with Verdi in between. Overall, this is a nice introduction to her work. While I would not rate her among the very greatest of sopranos, she certainly ranks high in the pantheon of sopranos from the 20th century.

A brief sampling of her work on this CD. From Puccini's "Madam Butterfly," the CD begins with "Un bel di vedremo." She sings smoothly with a nice sound to her voice. Normally, when she increases the volume of her singing, the sound of her voice is still good. There are some occasional unpleasant sounds, but nothing notable. This is a nice dramatic rendering of an iconic aria. She hits the higher notes well.

Rossini's "William Tell" isn't much performed these days. But Caballe's version of "Sombre foret" suggests that some good operatic music is not played often enough. This is well sung; Caballe shows good vocal agility at the close.

"Son vergin vezzosa," from Bellini's "I Puritani," shows off her agile vocal technique. Early on, she floats a nice piano high note. In terms of technique, it is disappointing that the trills are not evident. In the end, this is a good version of this work, but not at the level of Jo, or Sills, or Sutherland. Outside of trills, ornamentation is good, but that is like saying that outside of its lack of speed, a sports car is a lot of fun to drive. Still, other ornamentation is well done, including appoggiaturas. The Wikipedia says (under ornamentation): "In music, ornaments are musical flourishes that are not necessary to the overall melodic (or harmonic) line, but serve to decorate or "ornament" that line. Many ornaments are performed as "fast notes" around a central note. . . . From the Italian word appoggiare, "to lean upon". . . . The long appoggiatura is important melodically and often suspend the principal note by taking away the time-value of the appoggiatura prefixed to it (generally half the time value of the note, though in triple time, for example, it might receive two thirds of the time). The added note (the unessential note) is one degree higher or lower than the principal note; and, if lower, it may or may not be chromatically raised (see mordent)." I'm not sure, as a musical nonexpert, that I fully understand the technicalities here, but Caballe does seem to exhibit nice ornamentation as per the above.

From "La Boheme," we have "Donde liata usci," very nicely done. This is prettily sung, for the most part, with only a rare unpleasant sound intruding. Finally, from "Turandot," "Signore ascolta." This is a smoothly sung version. From this CD, it is clear that Caballe can sing Puccini very well indeed. There is a nice piano high note at the close.

So, Caballe is clearly an excellent soprano although not, in my judgment, among the "all time greats."

A great Caballe cd at a bargin price!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1.......2005-12-23

I love this cd.I've been playing it often for three years.Included here are a selection of arias from Caballe's greatest complete recordings,as well as a few selections from her solo puccini arias cd.This is a great starter cd for someone who is curious about Caballe's art.All the selections on Diva,effortlessly demonstrate the supreme beauty of the Caballe sound.On this cd are definitive selections from Don Carlo,Macbeth,Tosca,and many more.Most of these arias she sings here are the most beautiful editions in recorded history.In Un macchia e qui tutta'ora from Macbeth she even sings like a dramatic soprano with extraordinary power,I feared for her vocal chords,and yes the beautiful sound was still there.She even ended the Macbeth aria with an ultra high pianissimo,high d flat.All the tracks are first rate.Great picture of Caballe on the cover too.

This is one of the first caballe cds I bought,and I still feel it makes a nice demonstration of the legendary caballe sound.This cd is full of examples of why caballe is considered by many to have the most beautiful voice in opera history.The selection from don carlos has a ends with a stunningly beautiful pianissimo,on non pianger,mia compagna.And her signore ascolta,is the most beautiful ever recorded ending with a 15 second high piannissimo,that has to be heard to be believed!

A Bit disappointed.......2003-10-15

I liked Caballe the minute I heard the two Liu arias in a Decca release. I found her voice sweet and her floating notes exceptional, yet I'm a little bit disappointed with this CD. I've bought this CD at least a month ago and have only listened to it once.

What I find distracting in this CD is the sloppiness in which she sung the arias. Upon listening to it, I keep wondering why she can't sound as wonderful as she did on that Decca CD that I heard her in. Part of the reason I guess is that I find other sopranos to sing some of this repertoire much better than Caballe. Apart from the aria in Turandot, I find Tebaldi to be a better puccinian, while I like a true coloratura or a dramatic in the other roles. Even her one Liu aria in this CD is not as good as the one I've owned, again sloppiness.

The high notes are another problem. She sounds excellent when she floats them, but when she sung them in full voice they sounded more like screams. I just couldn't get over these two humps in which a soprano of her caliber should not have done.

Better luck next time I guess.

Bad sound :((((.......2001-03-07

The selection is very good, i just love her L'altra notte in fondo al mare but.... there's a noise, in my cd player i can't hear it, but when i hear it out loud it's unbearable! Barely can hear the orchestra.Montserrat is one of the best sopranos EVER in my opinion, but i would have saved my money to other cd

Voice from heaven!.......2000-12-22

This is a wonderful collection of arias and a marvellous introduction to the World of Montserrat Caballe, indisputably among the most beautiful soprano voices I've ever heard! Amazing legatos, perfect endings and unbelievable pianissimos(listen to "o patria mia"). One does usually not expect high powerful notes from Montserrat Caballe. I must however say that this is not always the case. A lot of times this woman surprises me and produces some trully enchanting high notes! Even though she is not my most favourite Puccinian soprano (it's Renata Tebaldi), her arias in these operas are ravishing! Just listen to her "signore Ascolta".On the other hand, I adore her and find her really unforgettable when it comes to Donizetti, Bellini and sometimes Verdi. Especially some of her recordings of their operas are a must for every true opera fan. (for example her Lucrezia Borgia, her Norma and her Aida). Even if an aria is a bit boring, she manages to enrich it with her personal touch that makes the aria unforgettable!The touch that only the melting, creamy voice of Montserrat has.If you want to find out why Montserrat Caballe is one of the greatest sopranos of the world, here's the proof.

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"

Average customer rating: Great Singers, not-Great Verdi Verdi the patriot Good music. Libretto by baboons ok... Verdi: The Early Years...Still A Great Opera

Verdi - Giovanna d'Arco (Joan of Arc)/ Caballé · Domingo · Milnes · LSO · Levine Giuseppe Verdi , James Levine , Montserrat Caballé , Plácido Domingo , London Symphony Orchestra , Ambrosian Opera Chorus , Sherrill Milnes , Robert Lloyd , and Keith Erwen Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, 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 Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Caballe, Montserrat | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Il Corsaro Verdi: I Vespri Siciliani Verdi: Attila Verdi - I Lombardi / Anderson, Leech, Pavarotti, Ramey; Levine Verdi: Un Giorno di Regno ASIN: B000002S1A Release Date: 1990-05-07

Tracks:

1. Sinfonia
2. Qual V'Ha Speme?
3. Il Re!
4. Sotto Una Quercia Parvemi
5. V'Ha Dunque Un Loco Simile
6. Pondo E Letal, Martiro
7. Gelo, Terrore M'Invade!
8. Oh, Ben S'Addice Questo Torbido
9. Sempre All'Alba Ed Alla Sera
10. Paventi, Carlo, Tu Forse?
11. Tu Sei Bella
12. Pronta Sono!...Son Guerriera...
13. Ai Lari!...Alla Patria!
14. Questa Rea Che Vi Percuote
15. Franco Son Io, Ma In Core
16. So Che Per Via Di Triboli
17. Qui! Qui...Dove Piu S'Apre Libero Il Cielo
18. O Fatidica Foresta
19. Ho Risolto...
20. T'Arretri E Palpiti!...
21. Taci!...Le Vie Traboccano
22. Vieni Al Tempio

Tracks:

1. Dal Cielo A Noi Chi Viene
2. Ecco Il Luogo...Speme Al Vecchio Era Una Figlia...
3. Te, Dio, Lodiam
4. Compiuto E Il Rito!...Non Fuggir, Donzella!
5. No! Forme D'Angelo...L'Amaro Calice Sommessa Io Bevo
6. Ti Discolpa!...Imbianca E Tace!
7. I Franchi!...Oh Qual Mi Scuote Rumor Di Guerra?
8. A Lui Pensa!...Amai, Ma Un Solo Istante
9. Tu Che All'Eletto Saulo
10. Or Dal Padre Benedetta
11. Ecco! Ella Vola
12. Di Novel Prodigio Il Ciel Ne Arrise
13. Quale Piu Fido Amico
14. Un Suon Funereo
15. Che Mai Fu?...S'Apre Il Cielo...

Customer Reviews:

Great Singers, not-Great Verdi.......2007-05-21

Most of the reviewers here have been kind to this recording, pointing out the singing of the three pricipals and Levine's conducting. No argument on these. But most have gone a bit overboard on the quality of Verdi's composition. It is, in all truth, very small potatoes for the man who wrote OTELLO, DON CARLO and FALSTAFF. Even the usually very astute Mr. Cantrell of Canada gives this more credit that is deserved. But we all know it's a matter of individual taste as well as objective quality.

I'd suggest thrift if you want to try out this opera and go with the Opera d'Oro version with Tebaldi. She's as good as Caballe (it was a frequently performed role in her early years) and the sound is quite OK. Then, if you feel you need a starrier cast and better sound, go to this one.

Verdi the patriot.......2006-02-10

Giovanna d'Arco is an average opera compared with the rest of Verdi's works. I'm glad someone recorded it as it is rarely performed. Caballe is excellent in the title role. I think recording is the best because, as others have already noted, the sound quality is horrible in the Tebaldi versions. It's interesting to see how Verdi's music was developing at this time. The opera was a success, due largely to its themes and the Italian people's nationalistic feelings towards the Austrian presence within their own country. Verdi had used his music to inspire this movement and inspire Italian unity, which would come but not for many years later. Is it just me or does "Ai Lari!...Alla Patria!" sound vaguely similar to the main motif of the Dies Irae of his famous Requiem many years later? Perhaps he was drawing some inspiration for his later works from these early works.

Good music. Libretto by baboons.......2005-11-24

Source: Analog studio recording from 1973, digitally remastered in 1998.

Cast: Giovanna d'Arco - Montserrat Caballe; Carlo VII, Re di Francia - Placido Domingo; Giacomo d'Arco - Sherrill Milnes; Lord Talbot - Robert Lloyd; Dilil - Keith Erwen. Conductor - James Levine, with the London Symphony Orchestra and the Ambrosian Opera Chorus.

Format: Disk 1: Prologue and Act I, 71:22. Disk 2: Acts II and III, 49:28.

Documentation: Libretto in Italian, French, German and English. Brief and perfunctory history of the opera. Track listing with timings.

"Giovanna d'Arco" was Verdi's seventh opera. In the years that followed his huge success with "Nabucco," Verdi wrote to the order of impresarios and publishers--and he did it primarily for the money. Later in life, he came to loathe this period and the working conditions imposed on him. He described it as his "years in the galley." Even so, he managed to grind out more good operas than clunkers. "Giovanna d'Arco" was one of the more successful. It was produced between "I due Foscari" and "Alzira," two of the clunkers. Verdi was writing on tight schedules and setting librettos churned out by writers whom it is overpraising to call hacks. If ever a libretto was written by baboons, it was this one. I'm not sure whether the baboon-in-chief was Schiller, on whose play "Die Jungfrau von Orleans" it was loosely based, or Temistocle Solera, who cast it into Italian doggerel. There is certainly blame enough to share.

Verdi, a hard-headed and canny peasant from Busetto, could count "Giovanna" as a success as measured by that most objective of judges, the box office. Its financial success in Italy and elsewhere was due solely to Verdi's music. Even in its first run, the libretto of "Giovanna D'Arco" was a problem. It blatantly contradicted both the facts and the popular legend of the young woman who always called herself Jehanne la pucelle (Joan the Maiden).

In the opera, Giovanna encounters the despairing Charles VII of France, bucks him up and sets off to drive back English invaders. Having won great successes on the battlefield, Giovanna is rapturously acclaimed by the French. Charles, of course, has fallen for the warrior-girl. He offers his love. The English, having lost Orleans, are in disarray. Up pops Giovanna's beloved father, who has convinced himself that his daughter has sold herself to the devil to win the love of the king. In an aria, "Franco son io," that surely would have earned a seal of approval from the Vichy government, Giacomo tells the English invaders that he is a patriotic Frenchman who would die for his country and its honor, therefore he has come to betray his country, his king and his daughter to them. Later, he publicly advises his little girl to purge her soul of sin by allowing herself to be burnt at the stake. The people of France turn on Giovanna, thinking that her old Pa must surely have some inside dope. In the last act of the opera, Giovanna is a prisoner in the English camp, chained to a rock, awaiting her fate. Her father, that patriotic Frenchman, happens to be strolling around in enemy territory and he overhears her prayers. Moved by her obvious piety, he decides that he has made a mistake. He releases her. She rides off into yet another battle. She is successful but mortally wounded. She expires in the finale, to the grief of all--excepting the local troop of frustrated devils, of course--especially of the king and her dear old Dad.

If you manage somehow to push aside the idea that it is supposed to have something to do with the historical Joan of Arc, "Giovanna" is a highly enjoyable pot-boiler, full of crackling, good tunes and rousing, lively choruses. Even a gang of devils has its own charming little dance tune. When he wrote "Giovanna," Verdi was still adhering to traditional operatic forms and walking in the well-trodden paths of Donizetti and Bellini. Already, though, he had replaced their elaborately decorated melodies with a raw power unknown to the older masters. In his years in the galley, Verdi developed the tools of greatness but he still awaited a librettist who would provide him with characters into whom he could breathe life, a Rigoletto, a Violetta or an Azucena.

This recording, to the best of my knowledge, is the only one currently available that offers more or less modern sound. Caballe, Domingo and Milnes are all justly acclaimed singers and all are in good voice. James Levine's hard-charging conducting is appropriate for the opera. The orchestra and the chorus are excellent. These things fully justify a five-star rating.

That said, I feel obliged to point out that Caballe, with all her undoubted and splendid virtues, just isn't a Joan of Arc. There is not a thing in her lovely voice to make men imitate the action of the tiger, to stiffen the sinews, summon up the blood, to disguise fair nature with hard-favour'd rage. And Domingo--wonderful voice, tremendous singer, no doubt about it--but he's not very apt to get at the heart and soul of a character. He's an amiable, one-size-fits-all sort of guy.

Amazon has two other sets of "Giovanna d'Arco." Both offer sound quality that is inadequate. (Audiophiles would more likely say they are abominable.) Both star Regina Tebaldi, who is a Joan of Arc to the very core. Tebaldi performed the part many times in the early days of her career. Her Giovanna is all down-and-dirty, big-time Italian diva singing. Even for Tebaldi, it is impressive. Read the other Amazon reviews and you will find that even those who rate this opera highly, tend to do so with an implied ho-hum. Tebaldi shows why there were likely to be riots in the streets of Austrian-occupied Italy after a performance! On one of the recordings, Tebaldi is teamed with the young Carlo Bergonzi, who had just moved up from baritone to tenor. There is still a baritonal darkness in his voice, but all the ring and power that anyone could want. On the other set, Tebaldi's Carlo VII is the sadly under-recorded Gino Penna. Neither tenor needs to take a back seat to Domingo in sound and both offer far more impressive characterizations.

By all means purchase this fine 1973 recording, but make an inexpensive investment in Tebaldi's Giovanna as a second set to discover what the opera is all about.

ok..........2005-07-08

but the Tebaldi cd is much better if you can put up with its poor audio quality.

I usually like Levine, but he rushes a bit too much in this cd.

Verdi: The Early Years...Still A Great Opera.......2003-10-15

Giuseppe Verdi is best remembered for Aida, which is generally considered to be his masterpiece, but hardcore opera fans enjoy his Trovatore, the intimate and romantic La Traviata, and his Shakespeare-based operas Macbeth and Othello. The early Verdi operas were directly influenced by the "bel canto" style, were of an impossibly melodramatic nature and naturally were not as mature as his later works. One of these early operas was Giovanna D'Arco (Joan of Arc). The opera deals with the martyrdom of the spiritual and militant Joan of Arc, set to very bel canto techniques- lyrically slow cavatinas for the soprano and florid coloratura caballetas, as well as showcases for the heroic tenor, not to mention chorus and ensembles. This opera would not have been recorded or interesting if the vocal cast was weak. Fortunately, all the singers in this recording are in fine singing condition, they are recognized as opera "big time" stars and provide a fiery drama,

Montserrat Caballe, the lush voiced Catalan soprano, sings with grace and lyric ease in the role of Joan of Arc. Especially touching are the moments which bring out the spiritual and mystic visionary that she was and is contrasted when she engages in battle and leads her forces into vicotry. She sounds appropriately heroic and intense in those scenes which was why they had to cast Montserrat Caballe, who has a Niagra Fall voice and commanding presence. Tenor Placido Domingo does a marvelous job as Joan's love interest and the hero of the opera. Placido has no difficulty in any of the tenor arias and his acting power saves the opera from being shallow. Placido Domingo's art of acting and singing combined with the beauty of Montserrat Caballe's voice (even if she fails to be as dramatic an actress) makes this recording a must have. The othe strength is bass-baritone Sherril Milnes, whose acclaimed voice conveys appropriate drama, darkness and masculine power. This opera is a must have if you are a fan of Domingo and Caballe and if you want to get a taste of what the young Verdi was like when he composed his first operas. It's a rare jewel at a good price.

Average customer rating:

Verdi: Complete Preludes, Overtures and Ballet Music Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, 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 ASIN: B000BLI35W Release Date: 2005-11-22

Tracks:

1. Overture To Oberto, conte Di San Bonifacio
2. Overture To Un Giorno Di Regno
3. Overture To Nabucco
4. Prelude to Ernani
5. Prelude To I Due Foscari
6. Overture To Giovanna D'arco
7. Overture To Alzira
8. Prelude To Attila
9. Prelude To Macbeth
10. Ballo I
11. Ballo II
12. Ballo III
13. Prelude to I Masnadieri
14. Prelude To Il Corsaro
15. Overture To La Battaglia Di Legnano

Tracks:

1. Prelude To Jerusalem
2. 1. Pas De Quatre
3. 2. Pas De Deux
4. 3. Pas Solo
5. 4. Pas D'ensemble
6. Overture To Luisa Miller
7. Overture To Stiffelio
8. Prelude To Rigoletto
9. 1. Pas De Bohemiens
10. 2. Seviliana
11. 3. La bohemienne
12. 4. Galop

Tracks:

1. Prelude To La Traviata, Act I
2. Prelude To La Traviata, Act III
3. Overture To Les Vepres Siciliennes
4. I. L'Hiver
5. II. Le Printemps
6. III. L'Ete
7. IV. L'Automne
8. Prelude To Simon Boccanegra
9. Prelude To Un Ballo In Maschera

Tracks:

1. Prelude To La Forza Del Destino
2. Prelude To Don Carlo, Act II
3. I. Andante/Tempo Di Valzer/Allegro Vivo
4. II. Finale. Prestissimo
5. Overture To La Forza Del Destino
6. Prelude To Aida
7. I. Danza Sacra Delle Sacerdotesse, Act I
8. II. Danza Di Piccoli Schiavi Mori, Act II
9. Ballet Music From Aida, Act II
10. Overture To Aida
11. Ballet Music From Otello, Act III

Average customer rating:

Verdi: Overtures, Vol. 2 Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, 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 CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | 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 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Verdi: Overtures, Vol. 1 ASIN: B000001447 Release Date: 1994-11-29

Tracks:

1. Ernani: Prelude
2. Il finto Stanislao (Un giorno di regno): Sinf
3. Don Carlo: Prelude to Act III
4. Giovanna d'Arco: Sinf
5. Rigoletto: Prelude
6. Nabucco: Ov
7. I masnadieri: Prelude
8. Macbeth: Sinf
9. La battaglia di Legnano: Sinf
10. I due Foscari: Prelude
11. La forza del destino: Sinf

Average customer rating: Gems for Tebaldites !

Renata Tebaldi, Vol. 1 Manufacturer: Opera D'oro ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Tebaldi, Renata | ( T ) | 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 CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music ASIN: B00004UDDT Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

1. Giovanna D'Arco: Ben S'addice - Renata Tebaldi/RAI Chor, Milan
2. Giovanna D'Arco: Pronta Sono! - Renata Tebaldi/Carlo Bergonzi/RAI Chor, Milan
3. La Traviata: E Strano
4. La Forza Del Destino: Me Pellegrina Ed Orfana... Ah Per Sempre O Mio Bell'angelo - Renata Tebaldi/Mario Del Monaco
5. La Forza Del Destino: Son Giunta
6. La Forza Del Destino: La Vergine Degli Angeli
7. La Forza Del Destino: Pace, Pace Mio Dio
8. La Wally: Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana

Customer Reviews:

Gems for Tebaldites !.......2001-12-18

This CD is an absolute bargain for Tebaldi fans! It contains two treasurable performances from the great diva -- the 1953 La Forza del destino under Dimitri Mitropoulos in the Florence May Festival, and a 1951 Italian Radio broadcast performance of Giovanna d'Arco (Joan of Arc) conducted by Alfredo Simonetto.

The excerpts from the 1951 performance shows Tebaldi at her youthful best. Her voice was never more gleaming and fresher than here. Furthermore, she presents an ardent and at the same time lovely heroine. The excerpts are also precious for letting us hear the young Carlo Bergonzi at a time when he just took on the tenor voice after a brief period as a baritone. Though he was not yet the suave and elegant artist he was to become later, the short exercept of he and Tebaldi singing together does foreshadow their memorable partnerships on records in Madama Butterfly and La Boheme for Decca. The sound shows its age.

Yet, the real gem of the CD is excerpts from the 1953 Florence May Festival Forza, for Tebaldi is magnificent here!Mitropoulos's spacious tempi allowed her to exploit her dramatic and vocal endowments to the fullest. The first act scene with Mario Del Monaco's Don Alvaro displays a vulnerable young Leonora, torn between duty towards her father and her love. Then, the horror at her father's death really shocks and shatters. From the act two convent scene, we hear a desparate, distraught 'Son Giunta...madre pietosa vergine', in which Tebaldi rises thrillingly to the climaxes, even though her top Bs are rather off-centred. However, 'La Vergine degli angeli' is sheer magic! It shows Tebaldi at her absoutely loveliest, with pure, unbelievably beautiful legato, ethereal high notes and gentle, exquisitely floated pianissimos. The famous warhorse aria 'Pace pace mio dio' begins with lovingly mastered crescendo and diminuendo, the B flat at 'Invar la pace' floated poignantly, and the powerful, full-throated climatic B flat at the end of the aria drove the Florence audience into estatic frenzy! One could only hope that Opera d'oro can release the entire run of the performance on CD to experience Tebaldi's Leonora in its full glory! The sound is acceptable, though a bit 'boxy'.

The traviata exercpt under Serafin was perhaps rather less desirable, for Tebaldi was a par below her best form. As for the aria taken from the 1960 broadcast performance of La Wally, Tebaldi's voice is a degree fresher than her older self in the 1969 Decca recording.

No. The very reason for getting this disc is Tebaldi's unforgettable 1953 Florence Leonora. Fans of Tebaldi, and opera in general should hurry and get it while it's available.

Average customer rating:

Verdi - Giordano - Puccini - Mascagni - Leoncavallo: Instrumental Excerpts From Italian Operas Manufacturer: Intersound Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | 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 | 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 CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music ASIN: B00000DGWT Release Date: 1998-09-22

Tracks:

1. The Force Of Destiny: Ov
2. A Masked Ball: Partita And Prld
3. Fedora: Intermezzo
4. Luisa Miller: Ov
5. Aida: Prld
6. Intermezzo: 'Sister Angelica'
7. Manon Lescaut, Act III: Intermezzo
8. Joan Of Arc: Ov
9. Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
10. Pagliacci: Intermezzo
11. Sicilian Vespers: Ov

Average customer rating: Best Giovanna so far... Thrilling singers! Good music. Libretto by baboons PERFECT VERDIAN SINGING!

Giovanna d'Arco Verdi , Tebaldi , Bergonzi , Panerai , and Simonetto Manufacturer: Opera D'oro ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Verdi: Stiffelio Puccini: Tosca ASIN: B0002IQN2Y Release Date: 2004-08-03

Album Description

Although "Giovanna d'Arco ("Joan of Arc") was quite successful in its day, it has not fared well outside of Italy in modern times, due to objections and controversy concerning both its text and music. It remains one of Verdi's least-heard operas. Nevertheless, in the hands of exceptional artists, "Giovanna d'Arco" can make a vivid impression even today, and never in recent times has it been more aptly performed than with the title role sung by Italian soprano Renata Tebaldi, who made something of a specialty of this opera and was generally conceded to own the part. Live performance, Milan, March 26, 1951.

Customer Reviews:

Best Giovanna so far..........2006-01-30

Easy to see why the young Tebaldi "owned" this role; she brings an "oomph" to this role that I have not experienced in recorded performances since. Sound is actually OK, once the ear adjusts, and is well worth putting up with for such an impassioned performance. Libretto would have been helpful, but it's about par for this reissuer.

Thrilling singers! Good music. Libretto by baboons.......2005-04-25

Source: RAI broadcast from 1951.

Sound: So-so at best, well below the standard usually achieved in the 1950s and certainly not as good as early electrical recordings from the 1930s. The effect is very much that of listening to a broadcast on a vacuum tube AM radio ... in a 1951 Ford.

Documentation: Wretched as only Od'O can make it. No libretto. Cast list. Short summary of the plot by act. Track list showing only the names of the pieces. No timings. Little on the cast and nothing on the circumstances of the recording.

Format: Disk 1, Act I and part of Act II, 65 minutes. Disk 2, conclusion of Act II and Act III, 44 minutes.

If you can accept the sound reproduction, this is a terrific performance. Don't worry about orchestral detail, just listen to the glorious voices. "Giovanna D'Arco" was a favorite of the young Renata Tebaldi, who performed it many times. This recording lets you know why. This is down-and-dirty, all-out, big-time Italian diva singing, and even for Tebaldi it is impressive. Tebaldi is teamed with a young Carlo Bergonzi, who had just moved up from baritone to tenor. There is still a baritonal darkness in his voice, but all the ring and power that anyone could want. No tenor now singing could begin to compete with him in this opera. (If Bergonzi had been born a German, what a Tristan or Tannhaeuser he would have become!) Rolando Panerai was aging at the time of this recording, but he brings sonority and authority to the role of Giovanna's lunatic father.

This is an opera from what Verdi described as his years in the galley. It was produced between "I due Foscari" and "Alzira." Verdi was writing for money on tight schedules and setting librettos by writers it is overpraising to call hacks. If ever a libretto was written by a baboon, it was this one. I'm not sure whether the baboon-in-chief was Schiller, on whose play "Die Jungfrau von Orleans" it was based, or Solera, who cast it into Italian doggerel. There is certainly blame enough for both to share.

Even in its first run, the libretto of "Giovanna D'Arco" was a problem because it contradicted both the facts and the popular legend of the young woman who always called herself Jehanne la pucelle (Joan the Maiden). In the opera, Giovanna encounters the despairing Charles VII of France, bucks him up and sets off to drive back the English invaders. Having won great successes on the battlefield, Giovanna is rapturously acclaimed by the French. Charles, of course, has fallen for the warrior-girl. He offers his love and is rebuffed. He departs, convinced that only a saint could have turned him down. Up pops Giovanna's beloved father, a patriotic Frenchman who doesn't want France liberated by someone in pawn to the black arts, as he considers his daughter to be. He publicly advises his little girl to purge herself of sin by allowing herself to be burnt at the stake. The crowd turns on Giovanna, thinking that her old Pa must have some inside dope. In the last act of the opera, Giovanna is a prisoner and chained to a rock to await her fate. Her father passes by and hears her prayers. Moved by her piety, he decides that he has made a mistake, after all. He releases her so that she may ride off into yet another battle. She is successful but mortally wounded. She expires in the finale, to the grief of all, especially of the king and dear old Dad.

If you manage somehow to push the fact that it has to do with Joan of Arc out of your mind, "Giovanna D'Arco" is full of good tunes and rousing choruses. Verdi was still adhering to traditional forms and walking in the well-trodden path of Donizetti and Bellini, but he had already replaced their decorated melodies with a sheer strength unknown to the older masters. In his years in the galley, Verdi developed all the tools of greatness but he still awaited a librettist who would provide him with a character into whom he could breathe life, a Rigoletto, Violetta or Azucena.

Ignore the story--please! Forget the sound. Get this one for the thrilling voices of incomparable singers.

Five stars.

PERFECT VERDIAN SINGING!.......2004-08-07

A GREAT new release by Opera d'oro! Giovanna D'Arco is not one of Verdi's most popular opera but listening to this set makes me wonder why. The music is so beautiful and the characters so heroic.

Opera fans and critics regard this particular recording as historical. Firstly, it shows the quality of the young Renata Tebaldi and sets the record straight. In the early 50s she could sing almost anything! Many think of her as a great verisimo diva but listening to Tebaldi here we realise she could have specialised in a different repertoire as well. Early Verdi never sounded so powerful and beautiful. Although Caballe's later Giovanna is perfectly sung, she doesn't have the fierce sound Joan D'Arc requires. Just listen to what Tebaldi does: in the "Sempre all'llba" she sounds like an angel but in "Pronta sono!" she changes and becomes a mighty warrior, exactly what the role requires. Tebaldi definitely benefited from her experience with this role on stage; a role she performed early in her carreer and became her own.

But the perfection does not end with Renata. Carlo Bergonzi, the best post-war (Verdi) tenor is heard here just after his conversion from baritone to tenor. His vocal beauty and perfection is equalled only by Gigli's. The first act duets with Tebaldi are simply ecstatic. This is what Verdi is all about! Panerai's Giacomo is a marvel to listen to though he cannot make me forget the two main principals. Finally, I certainly prefer Simonetto's slower conducting than Levine's later fast and loud one. Unfortunately the sound quality not ideal (I couldn't care less) but compared to the previous releases, the improvement is substantial. I can't remember the last time I heard such an all-around great Verdi recording. DON'T MISS THIS!!!

Average customer rating: Best Conductor In The Country! Excellent! Excellent recording Very Powerful

Verdi: Complete Opera Overtures Manufacturer: Newport Classic ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, 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 ASIN: B000056OE5 Release Date: 2001-01-16

Tracks:

1. La Forza Del Destino
2. Oberto, Conte Di San Bonifacio
3. Nabucco
4. Luisa Miller
5. Giovanna D'Arco
6. Les Vepres Siciliennes
7. Un Giorno Di Regno
8. La Battaglia Di Legnano
9. Stiffelio
10. Alzira
11. Aida

Customer Reviews:

Best Conductor In The Country!.......2005-08-10

You will never hear anything as powerful and passionate as Maestro La Selva's conducting! You must own this CD!! He is simply the best conductor of Verdi in the world. You won't ever hear it done like this again and you won't be sorry to have this CD in your collection!

Excellent!.......2001-07-28

You will never find a better conductor than Maestro La Selva and you can hear it in the music! Vincent La Selva brings out the best in all music but especially Verdi! I recommend this highly to anyone who loves Verdi, you will not hear it done better anywhere!

Excellent recording.......2001-02-21

After listening to a friend's copy of this recently released recording, I was impressed with this gorgeous music and by LaSelva, a conductor who deserves recognition. Each overture is conducted with great feeling and zest, a must-have for your opera collection.

Very Powerful.......2001-01-22

I have heard many recordings of Verdi, but never one as powerful as this one! The music gave me chills at times. The conducting by Mr. La Selva is masterful. He is the best! Verdi I'm sure, would be very proud to have his beautiful music conducted by this man. This CD should be in everyone's classical collection.

Meditation Music:

1. Verdi: La Forza Del Destino [Box set]
2. Wagner: Die Walküre, Act 1
3. Wagner In Bayreuth
4. Wagner: Tannhäuser
5. Wagner: Tannhäuser [Box set]
6. Wagner: Tannhäuser WWV70; Tristan und Isolde WWV90
7. Weber: Der Freischütz
8. Weber: Euryanthe / J. Norman, Gedda, R. Hunter, Krause, S. Vogel; Janowski
9. Weill: The Seven Deadly Sins; Berg: Lulu Suite
10. Weill - The Seven Deadly Sins · Mahagonny Songspiel / Ute Lemper · RIAS Berlin Sinfonietta · John Mauceri

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

Red Card/Vicious But Fair [Original recording remastered] [Import]

Tropical Moonlight/Cuban Moonlight

Violin Concerto 3 in G Major Kv216

Music: Ain't No Love Pt.1 [CD-single] [Enhanced] [Import]

Wheels in Motion [Import]

We Love Elton John [Import]

World Music: Mexico [Box set]

Vault: Greatest Hits

Victim or Witness

Voodoo Child: The Jimi Hendrix Collection [Import]

Virgin Ubiquity: Unreleased Recordings 1976-1981

Un Clasico [Import]

Waiting 2 Excel [Explicit Lyrics]

Pitch a Boogie Woogie If It Takes Me All Night Long

Vol. 23-Jazz in the Charts-1935-36