Gaetano Donizetti: Lucia Di Lammermoor

1. Lucia di Lammermoor, opera
   Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
   Performed by Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
   with Anna Maria Canali, Valiano Natali, Raffaele Arie, Gino Sarri, Giuseppe di Stefano, Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi
   Conducted by Tullio Serafin
   
   

Gaetano Donizetti: Lucia Di Lammermoor,Tito Gobbi,Raffaele Arie,Gaetano Donizetti,Tullio Serafin,Anna Maria Canali,Maggio Musicale Fiorentino,Maria Callas,Gino Sarri,Giuseppe di Stefano,Valiano Natali,Angel Records,Classical,Classical Music,Italian Romantic Opera,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio

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Average customer rating: Great Stuff A Great Introduction to Italian Opera Best of the best! Fabulous bargain for anyone Great songs for a low price.

The Best of Italian Opera Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Baroque Dance Suites | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music | Allemandes | Courantes | Gigue | Sarabande All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Most Famous Opera Arias The Most Famous Opera Duets The #1 Opera Album Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... The Best Opera Album in the World...Ever! ASIN: B000000UXN Release Date: 1997-01-21

Tracks:

1. La Traviata: 'Libiamo, Libiamo'
2. Rigoletto: 'La donna e' Mobile'
3. The Barber Of Seville: 'Una voce poco fa'
4. La Boheme: 'Che gelida manina'
5. Rigoletto: 'Gualtier Malde!' Caro nome'
6. Il Trovatore: 'Vedi! le fosche'
7. Il Trovatore: 'Il balen del suo sorriso...Per me ora fatale'
8. TOSCA: 'Vissi d'arte'
9. La Traviata: 'Di Provenza il mar, il suol'
10. The Marriage Of Figaro: 'Voi che sapete'
11. Aida: 'Se quel guerrier io fossi...Celeste Aida'
12. Madama Butterfly: 'Un bel di vedremo'
13. La Gioconda: 'Cielo e mar'
14. Lucia di Lammernoor: 'Ardon gl' incesi'

Customer Reviews:

Great Stuff.......2007-07-22

The sound quality of this disc is surprisingly good, very good for an ADD. All the selections captured each singer in his/her top form. It is a real treat that this disc contains many work that were not normally in certain singer's repertoire. Gedda's Aida, Moffo's Rossini-Rosina and Cherobino, for example, all were superbly sung. Even Moffo's Lucia sounds much better than I have ever heard in other places.

A Great Introduction to Italian Opera.......2005-05-01

The artists on this CD succeed in their goal to create a CD that displays great Italian opera. Carlo del Monte and Victoria de los Angeles open the disc with the Brindisi from La Traviata. Victoria de los Angeles is not the best Violetta, but she does the job, along with her parner Carlo del Monte, an underappreciated tenor. Victoria de los Angeles also appears on the CD in "Un bel di vedremo" from Madama Butterfly, a role she was well known for. Swedish tenor Nicolai Gedda appears on the disc twice. His first appearence is a superb rendition of "La donna e mobile" from Rigoletto. His final performance on this disc is in the heroric aria "Celeste Aida", a performance in a role that was not in his voice range. Anna Moffo is the star on this CD, appearing three times in three very different roles. First is her beautiful "Una voce poco fa", normally a role that calls for a mezzo-soprano. Her second is "Voi che sapete" from Le Nozze di Figaro, another mezzo-soprano role. Her final appearence is her best, "The Mad Scene" from Lucia di Lammermoor. Underrated tenor Giuseppe Campora performs "Che gelida manina" with a great tenor voice. Soprano Reri Girst is excellent in her performance of "Caro nome" from Rigoletto. One of my favorite baritones appears on this CD. Robert Merrill is a perfect Count di Luna, and it is evident in his rendition of "Il balen del suo sorriso". Another baritone appears on this CD: mario Sereni. He is not a world famous baritone, but he should have been. Overall, this is an excellent introduction to the world of Italian opera.

Best of the best!.......2003-01-11

The performers, the selections, the quality... almost divine!

Fabulous bargain for anyone.......2002-11-24

I would recommend this CD to anyone, from opera novice to experienced listener...

These are older recordings -- I would guess mostly from the 1960's. The recording quality is exceptional for the day and, while not the equivalent of modern engineering, is sufficient to allow sheer physical pleasure from the music and an immediate appreciation of the vocal qualities of the artists. The sound quality is the only mild drawback...

The performances are magnificent! The voices are almost entirely lighter and more agile than the great voices of the 80's and 90's. In fact, the ear of the editor is apparent in his preference for lighter and more agile voices.

For example, there is a beautiful rendition of "Che Gelida Manina" from someone I had never heard before, Guiseppe Campora. He does not have the weight or volume of Pavarotti or Domingo, but has more elegance and a pure, charming tone. A connoisseur performance, but nevertheless a true operatic rendition by a tenor who can hit the high C with authority -- as good for a newcomer to opera who wants to hear the real thing, as for an opera lover who would like to hear something a bit different.

Some of the artists were among the most famous singers of their day: Moffo, de los Angeles, Gedda.

Anna Moffo, one of the greatest sopranos of her day (and all time), is in magnificent voice in famous blockbusters from Rossini's Barber of Seville, Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, and the Mad Scene from Lucia di Lammermoor.

De Los Angeles is at her best in "Libiamo" from La Traviata, but the recording quality (the one inadequately engineered track on the CD) and her lack of oomph make for a second-rate version of "Un bel di".

In keeping with the light and lyrical orientation of the selections, Moffo -- a famous Gilda and hardly a dramatic voice -- is bypassed for the even lighter, sweeter and more agile colatura Reri Grist (while she still had her voice), in a lovely "Caro Nome".

Another nice selection is Mario Sereni performing "Di provenza, il mar". Both this and "Libiamo" are taken from one of my favorite recordings of Traviata -- also a great chance to hear Serafin at the helm of the Rome Opera House orchestra. (The 2-CD version of this is still available from EMI, I think.) Newcomers will love this pretty tune, and Sereni's archtypal Verdi baritone is good, although hardly the best ever.

Franco Corelli has never been a favorite of mine, but he sounds the best I've ever heard him in his rendition of "Cielo et mar".

Anyway, I didn't intend to list every cut. Whether you are an opera lover who would like to hear some of opera's most famous arias performed in a new light, or an opera lover who would like to hear great performances at a cut-rate price, this CD gets my unqualified approval.

Great songs for a low price........2001-08-16

Ranging from selections of La Traviata, Il Trovatore and other popular Italian operas, this is a great cd for under four bucks. The singers may not be well recognized, but they do possess powerful voices.

Average customer rating: Can't go wrong Most Famous??? Only one song knew well The Most Famous Opera Duets Good selection of opera highlights

The Most Famous Opera Duets Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | 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 Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( 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 Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music 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 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 Delibes, Leo | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Puccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Strauss, Richard | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Wagner, Richard | U to Z | 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 German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Ludwig, Christa | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Price, Leontyne | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Scotto, Renata | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Most Famous Opera Arias The Best of Italian Opera The #1 Opera Album Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... Rapture: Opera's Most Heavenly Moments ASIN: B000002SCA Release Date: 1994-04-12

Tracks:

1. Les Peurs des perles Act 1 - Au fond du temple saint
2. Madama Butterfly Act 1- Vogliatemi bene, un bene piccolino
3. Le Nozze di Figaro Act III - Sull'aria - Le Nozze di Figaro
4. La Traviata Act I - Un di, felice, eterea
5. Lucia Di Lammermoor Act I - Ah! Verranna a te sull'aure
6. Tristan und Isolde Act II - O sink hernieder, Nacht der Liebe
7. Carmen Act I - Parle-moi de m
8. Die ZauberflAct I - Bei Mern, welche Liebe F
9. Lakmct I - Viens, Mallika
10. Rigoletto Act I - il sol dell'anima
11. Der Rosenkavalier Act II - Mir ist die Ehre wilderfahren
12. Don Giovanni Act I - Li darem la mano
13. La Boh Act IV - O Mimi, tu pi torni
14. Il Trovatore Act IV - Miserere...Quel suon, quelle preci

Amazon.com

This is a misnomer--not all of these duets are all that famous--but it's a fine compilation nonetheless. You'll hear selections from Bizet's The Pearl Fishers (Nicolai Gedda and Ernest Blanc at their most elegant French), Madama Butterfly (Carlo Bergonzi and Renata Scotto--an impassioned pair), Lucia di Lammermoor (a classy Alfredo Kraus and Edita Gruberova), the lovely Lakme duet, The Presentation of the Silver Rose from Der Rosenkavalier (with the earnest Christa Ludwig and the other-worldly Teresa Stich-Randall), and a fine Trovatore "Miserere" (with Leontyne Price and Franco Bonisolli singing up a storm). There are many others, too--a veritable cornucopia of couplings--and a treat for the opera lover. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Can't go wrong.......2007-07-14

This is a really great CD for the price. It has many of the famous Arias on it and although the singers may not be the best out there they are certainly very good. This is cheaper than the price of a take away lunch; you can't go wrong with this CD.

Most Famous???.......2007-05-14

The title of this cd is misleading and I found myself wondering whose list did they use. That is not to say that there aren't some real treasures included here. The duet from Lakme is lovely in every way, Mady Mesple in particular, very beautful and very french, and far superior to Sutherlands hooty approach. Scotto and Bergonzi are superb, the Tristan and Isolde of Vickers and Dernesch truly other worldly, and the presentation of the rose duet with the young Ludwig and the astonishing Teresa Stich- Randell had me playing it over and over and I still can't believe it, but the most famous??? This cd is definitly worth buying, and I hated giving it only 3 stars but if you're talking most famous you could fill a couple of cd's with Puccini, not to mention Verdi, Mozart, etc. before Bizet's Les Pecheurs des perles, beautiful as it is, made the most famous list.

Only one song knew well.......2007-05-14

I should have done more research. The last song is the only one I could easily recognize. Live and learn.

The Most Famous Opera Duets.......2007-01-05

This seller truly makes a purchaser confident in the product as well the time in which is promised.

Thanks again!!!!!

Good selection of opera highlights.......2006-11-04

Super performances by famous opera artists of the 20th century, most of them no longer performing and some of them deceased. I enjoy having their voices available at home.

Average customer rating: A Magnificent Collaboration Sweet A Desert Island Disc Ne plus ultra One of the great Lucias

Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor: Complete Opera (with full libretto and translation) Gaetano Donizetti , Beverly Sills , Carlo Bergonzi , Thomas Schippers , and London Symphony Orchestra Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Sills, Beverly | ( S ) | 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 Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Sills, Beverly | ( S ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Verdi: La Traviata / Sills, Gedda, Panerai; Ceccato Massenet: Manon The Very Best of Beverly Sills Handel - Julius Caesar / Treigle · Sills · Forrester · Wolff · NYCO · Rudel The Great Recordings ASIN: B000060P5O Release Date: 2002-03-12

Tracks:

1. Part One: N.1 Preludio E Coro D'Introduzione: Percorrente Le Spiagge Vicine - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
2. Part One: N.2 Scena E Cavatina: Tu Sei Turbato! - E N'Ho Ben D'Onde - Piero Cappuccilli
3. Part One: No.2 Scena E Cavatina: Cruda, Funestsa Smania - Piero Cappuccilli
4. Part One: N.2 Scena E Cavatina: Il Tuo Dubbio E Ormai Certezza - Piero Cappuccilli
5. Part One: N.3 Scena E Cavatina: Ancor Non Giunse! - Beverly Sills
6. Part One: N.3 Scena E Cavatina: Regnava Nel Silenzio - Beverly Sills
7. Part One: N.4 Scena E Duetto - Finale I: Egli S'Avanza - Carlo Bergonzi
8. Part One: N.4 Scena E Duetto - Finale I: Sulla Tomba Che Rinserra - Carlo Bergonzi
9. Part Two: Act One, N.5. Scena: Lucia Fra Poco A Te Verra - Piero Cappuccilli
10. Part Two: Act One, N.6. Duetto: Appressati, Lucia - Piero Cappuccilli
11. Part Two: Act One, N.6. Duetto: Il Pallor, Funesto, Orrendo - Piero Cappuccilli
12. Part Two: Act One, N.7. Scena Ed Aria: Ebben? - Di Tua Speranza - Beverly Sills
13. Part Two: Act One, N.7. Scena Ed Aria: Ah! Cedi, Cedi O Piu Sciagure - Beverly Sills

Tracks:

1. Part Two: Act Two - Finale II, N.8. Coro E Cavatina: Per Te D'Immenso Giubilo/Per Poco Fra Le Tenebre - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
2. Part Two: Act Two - Finale II, No.9. Scena E Quartetto: Dov'E Lucia? - Qui Giungere Or La Vedrem.../Ecco Il Tuo Sposo - Piero Cappuccilli
3. Part Two: Act Two - Finale II. Sestetto Con Coro: Chi Mi Frena In Tal Momento?/Chi Raffrena Il Mio Furore? - Piero Cappuccilli
4. Part Two: Act Two - Finale II, No.10. Seguito E Stretta Del Finale II: T'Allontana, Sciagurato - Maledetto Sia I'Istante - Piero Cappuccilli
5. Part Two: Act Two, No.11. Uragano, Scena E Duetto: Orrida E Questa Notte - Piero Cappuccilli
6. Part Two: Act Two, No.11 Urgano, Scena E Duetto: Ashton! - Si/Qui Del Padre Ancor Respira - Piero Cappuccilli
7. Part Two: Act Two, No.12. Coro: D'Immenso Giubilo - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
8. Part Two: Act Two, No.13. Gran Scena Con Cori: Deh, Cessate Quel Contento - Justino Diaz
9. Part Two: Act Two, No.14. Scena Ed Aria: O Giusto Cielo! - Il Dolce Suono - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
10. Part Two: Act Two, No.14. Scena Ed Aria: Ardon Gli Incensi - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
11. Part Two: Act Two, No.14. Scena Ed Aria: S'Avanza Enrico! - Piero Cappuccilli
12. Part Two: Act Two, No.14. Scena Ed Aria: Spargi D'Amaro Pianto - Piero Cappuccilli
13. Part Two: Act Two, Scena - Recitativo: Si Tragga Altrove - Piero Cappuccilli
14. Part Two: Act Two, No.15. Aria E Finale: Tombe Degli Avi Miei - Carlo Bergonzi
15. Part Two: Act Two, No.15. Aria E Finale: Fra Poco A Me Ricovero - Carlo Bergonzi
16. Part Two: Act Two, No.15. Aria E Finale: Oh Meschina!/Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti L'Ali - Ambrosian Opera Chorus

Amazon.com

This Lucia was recorded in 1970, when Beverly Sills was at the peak of her vocal and dramatic powers. She had been singing the role of Lucia on stage for six years, and she knew the character. Here is a manic-depressive who is slightly crazy from the start, and Sills's embellishments to the vocal line (and there are tons of them; hardly a line is left as written), mostly composed especially for her, are always at the service of the drama. She is a far cry from the chirpy Pons and Peters (and even Sutherland, whose just-plain-singing of the role is unmatchable, but who was never all that interested in building character) and comes closer to Callas, but without the great Greek soprano's huge palette of colors or, for that matter, vocal limitations. Sills is gloriously fluent in the coloratura, the high notes are impeccable, and her reading of the words is truly involved and involving. Carlo Bergonzi has everything as Edgardo, while Piero Cappuccilli's Enrico is snarling and cruel. Schippers leads a very tight, exciting, complete performance, and for the first (and only) time on CD, the glass harmonica Donizetti asked for is used in the Mad Scene. This is a must for lovers of great singing. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

A Magnificent Collaboration.......2007-07-24

This is one of those rare opera recordings where the conductor, orchestra, and soloists really perform magic by working together and building upon one another, rather than just doing their skilled work more or less apart. Schippers, Sills, Bergonzi, and the LSO really exhibit the same soul throughout this recording, which I suppose is a success I have to credit the late Mr. Schippers with. He does a magnificent job making sure all the parts come out with the full force and color of the bel canto style. Sills is glorious. Though perhaps not in possession of the thickest high notes, she has more passion than most other notable Lucias combined (except for Callas). She really does convince me that she is a zealous lover and thus leads up to the mad scene wonderfully.

Being a flutist, I would like to direct the listener's attention to the excellent Mr. William Bennett, principal flute on this recording, who truly works wonders with the part, which often parallels the soprano. Listen to "Regnava nel Silenzio" to hear what I mean. It is such a shame that Schippers used the glass harmonica in the mad scene instead of letting Bennett pull out all the stops, since Bennett is truly Sills's musical equal and could have maintained a chilling dialog in that scene. It a dubious return to intended instrumentation that really does not outdo the customary flute in this case. I find the use of the glass harmonica here especially ironic because in most recordings I would prefer it to whomever is playing flute, but they just HAD to use it here, where the flute is actually as wonderful a voice as Sills's own.

The sound quality is excellent, though perhaps a little dated (1970's recording). The price is also reasonable. Overall I would go so far as to say that this is a desert island disk, especially if you prefer fiery bel canto to the cold recitations that some other conductors and singers bring to this score (see Bonynge and Sutherland - a beautiful performance, but more or less bloodless as far as I can tell).

I don't see a reason not to get this set.

Sweet.......2007-06-30

The opening chords and strains, the sextet and the mad scene. These of course are what I love about Lucia, though all of it is beautiful. I've had this recording for months and just listened to it today. I doubt I'll listen to it again. I have lots of Lucias, and no favorites. Though I especially like Sutherland's 1959 recording of the mad scene, it's beautiful, and her trills hadn't got muddy yet. I'm only going to comment on the mad scene in this recording. It sounds more like a lullaby than the ravings of someone who'd just murdered her husband. I was surprised, because I'd read (apocryphal) that Sills had said she'd pound tables and sing off key to get the drama out. I prefer bel canto coloratura to table pounding, I don't care about the drama. At all. Still, that said, I was both stunned and disappointed in Sills' mad scene. It was, well, flaccid. (I love Sills, am listening to the 1st disc of Sillsiana right now, and I have the Pons recording and do not think she chirped!)

A Desert Island Disc.......2007-06-11

Like many other reviewers here, I am a serious bel canto fan. And like many of them, I have heard many Lucias live and have several recordings of the great Lucias: Callas, Sutherland, and Sills. This opera is, in my view, along with Norma, fundamental to understanding bel canto properly as a style in which virtuosity is the servant of drama. Not just empty display by prima donnas.

I have known and loved this opera since I was a teenager and to me, Sills is simply the best Lucia I have heard. I recall as a college student going to the listening library on many Friday afternoons and listening to this recording on LP over headphones until well into the evening, as it was not released on CD until a decade later. I was simply entranced.

Sills really is Lucia, the perfect realization of the "Ophelia" type so beloved by the Romantic imagination: a delicate, sensitive, emotional girl driven mad by cruelty and betrayal and crushed by events outside her control. Her tone is delicate, yet clear, and she sounds girlish (which Callas, for all her considerable art, could not quite convey). The high notes are firm and a bit bright, but never shrill or wobbly. The words absolutely clear, even in the hushed tones Sills uses so devastatingly. Her ornamentations express joy, terror, or agitation, perfectly evoking those heightened emotions. Her mad scene is really spooky. Again, only she and Callas sound like they are wandering about in a trance, living a demented fantasy. Along with Callas' Norma, in my view, it is the greatest bel canto performance on record. Sills, like Callas as Norma, really makes you think she IS Lucia.

What more can you ask for? Well, you get a perfectly stylish Edgardo in Bergonzi (although I feel that Pavarotti is unbeatably ardent, passionate, and even sexy in the role) and as so many have noted, a conductor who loves the opera and conducts like he does, excellent stereo sound, and a complete edition of the score. And how about that wonderfully spooky glass harmonica in the mad scene!

This recording needs to be in the collection of every opera lover and above all is required listening for any fan of bel canto. Sills, through words and music, makes us "see" DONIZETTI'S Lucia (not Beverly Sills, Diva) and feel her plight. That is what great operatic artists do. Run to get this one!

Ne plus ultra.......2007-01-03

I have four "Lucia"s on my shelf, and this is the one I always listen to when I want to experience the full drama of this bel canto classic. (We can safely ignore the opinions of those tin-eared listeners who don't grasp the shattering drama delivered by bel canto at its best.) Granted I may be somewhat influenced by having seen and heard Sills in the opera house, but her superiority in all "departments" in conveying Donizetti's dramatic achievement is not bettered anywhere, not by Callas and certainly not by Sutherland, whatever the glories of her singing. Sills conveys Lucia's incipient madness with the first notes she utters and her performance traces an uninterrupted arc from the fountain scene until she's led away after the Mad Scene. And she's fully seconded by everyone else who takes part, especially Bergonzi and -- best of all conductors in this score -- Thomas Schippers. If you want to know why bel canto opera has such a large body of fans, immerse yourself in in this recording as soon as possible.

One of the great Lucias.......2004-12-03

Many people, me included, have often wondered at the supreme ugliness of, even in her "prime", Maria Callas' voice. Of course, the rejoinder always has been "But did you see her in the house?"

Obviously, since she blew herself out at a comparatively early age, the answer is "no".

Now, we have a whole new group of nay-sayers telling us the Sills voice is too small, too thin, too ugly, too whatever. To those, I would simply say "But did you see her in the house?". Fair is fair.

I saw Ms. Sills many times in the house throughout her lengthy career. She did not possess a "perfect" voice. Who does?

But, during her greatest years, of which this recording is one of several examples, she possessed a beautiful and remarkably expressive lyric coloratura instrument. While a shade "lighter" than some, she had the almost uncanny ability of always being heard, even in the heaviest ensembles and over the loudest orchestras (which happened often when Julius Rudel was at the helm). Her voice seemed to bounce around the house. When you saw her in person.

Lucia was one of her most remarkable achievements. Anyone who ever saw her in the house knows of what I speak. Those who did not see her in the house should remain silent in their envy.

Now, make no mistake. I adored Sutherland. I would be completely unable to chose between the two, so different were their approaches to their art.

Of course, Sills' tireless efforts to popularize opera and bring a new audience to the opera house are well known.

Thank God I was around to see them both in the house. Many times.

And as for Anna Moffo. Well, she was a beautiful woman with a beautiful voice. For a while.

Enough said.

Average customer rating: Andrea Bocelli - Sogno Not bad! pleasure to lilsten Bocelli - Aria Why...?

Andrea Bocelli - The Opera Album ~ Aria Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by 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 Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Bocelli, Andrea | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Bellini, Vincenzo | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Giordano, Umberto | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cilea, Francesco | C to G | 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 Strauss, Richard | 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 German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Tenors | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Bocelli, Andrea | A to B | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Romanza Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias / Myung-Whun Chung Cieli di Toscana Andrea Bocelli: Verdi Andrea Bocelli - Amore ASIN: B0000069CO Release Date: 1998-04-07

Tracks:

1. Rigoletto: Questa o quella
2. La Boheme: Che gelida manina
3. TOSCA: Recondita armonia
4. TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle
5. Madama Butterfly: Addio, fiorito asil
6. Andrea Chenier: Come un bel di di maggio
7. I Puritani: A te, o cara
8. Der Rosenkavalier: Di rigori armato il seno
9. Fedora: Amor ti vieta
10. La Fanciulla del West: Ch'ella mi creda
11. La Gioconda: Cielo e mar!
12. Adriana Lecouvreur: La dolcissima effigie
13. La Boheme: Musetta! - Testa adorata
14. Lucia di Lammermoor: Tombe degli avi miei - Fra poco a me ricovero
15. Werther: Pourquoi me reveiller
16. Carmen: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee
17. La Fille Du Regiment: Pour mon ame

Amazon.com

Andre Bocelli is no opera singer, but he shows far more potential in this album than does another pop-vocalist tenor-wannabe, Michael Bolton. For one thing, he can shake off the crooner mannerisms and really sing when performing music that calls for it. At his best, he has a rich, dark timbre and an easy, unforced top. At other times, however, the tone turns dry and thin and the high notes are constricted, the inconsistency suggesting a lack of technique. Never does one get the impression that he could be heard over a medium-sized orchestra without amplification. This isn't bad singing per se, but there is much better out there, readily available on disc. --Sarah Bryan Miller

Album Description

Exclusive Australian Gold pressing released to coincide with his first public appearance in Australia. He'll be performing at the opening ceremonies and then onto to tour the land down under. His back catalogue will be released & re-packaged in slipcases with his signature on them as well as all of them pressed on gold plated CD's. This pressing includes 17 tracks, all sung in his native Italian Tongue. 1998 release. Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews:

Andrea Bocelli - Sogno.......2007-06-27

I am 45 years old. The reason why this is something I am mentioning, is to let all of you reading my review know what age group I am in. It might be important to the age you are in knowing what I have to say. I have four Andrea Bocelli CD's and they are all wonderful. I love each of them. My mom turned me on to him, and, since I love Josh Groban, I decided to listen to Andrea Bocelli and see what all her fuss over him was about. I'm glad I did. I am half Italian and half Spanish. I don't know either language, but when I listen to both Andrea and Josh, I don't have to. They make the music tell a story, and instantly, you understand something about the words from just the sound of their voices. If you love Josh Groban, then Andrea Bocelli is someone you should give a listen to. His voice is soothing, powerful, and romantic. I am looking forward to getting more of his CD's. Great Stuff!!!

Not bad!.......2007-04-09

What I have heard about Andrea Bocelli is bimodal--some think that he is not up to the operatic repertoire and is way overrated; others see him as a fine singer, from a nontraditional background and career path. What I hear on this CD is fine singing, with some limitations. He was once a law school student; he played in piano bars. He took lessons from the great Franco Corelli. Some examples of his work illustrate his skills:

"Questa O quella" is a nice romp. His smooth voice moves through this aria nicely. His voice is not a big one. On the other hand, his musicianship seems fine (thank goodness none of the sobbing and catches that some tenors adopt).

In Puccini's "Che gelida manina" (from "La Boheme"), he again sings smoothly. He has a nice sound to his voice. The high note is a bit thin, but certainly not as bad as some critics would have it. A serviceable version, in short.

Then, the twin arias from "Tosca"--"Recondita armonia" and "E lucevan le stelle." Both are well sung. His version of "Recondita armonia" compares well with other versions. He certainly has no reason to hang his head. When he amps up the volume, his voice is not quite as rich as many other tenors, bit it is still fine. Top notes, as observed before, are a bit thin, but--again--hardly reason for lamentation. This is nicely sung. My notes for "E lucevan le stelle" simply say "Ibid." That is, one could write a very similar set of comments.

The last piece is from a different tradition--a selection from Donizetti's "Lucia di Lammermoor," "Tome degli avi miei." Smoothly sung. A bit thin on higher notes. Overall, though, a nice job.

As I listen to his work, I think that Bocelli does a good job in the standard tenor repertoire. Is he a great tenor? No. Is he a good tenor? Yes.

pleasure to lilsten.......2007-01-19

This album is a pleasure. The selections are spirited and well executed. I was very satisfied with this purchse and would recommend it to any one who enjoys opera.

Bocelli - Aria.......2006-11-05

Introduced me to arias that were not known to me, and I find to be
quite beautiful. As usual, Bocelli does not fail.

Why...?.......2006-03-13

Why is there all this continuing controversy after so many years about whether or not Andrea Bocelli is - or is not - Operatically sound? All I know (and that's not saying much for me in this genre), is that after having listened to Amazon.com's sampling of the music on this Audio CD a few moments ago, I wept. Andrea Bocelli always makes me weep - because of his profound spiritual depth. And I don't care what anyone thinks on that issue. All I do know is this. The man sings from his soul...and nothing could surpass that - ever.

Average customer rating: Hampson: One of the sexiest voices in opera today. radiant Beautiful. Two fine singers create a special CD Simply Stunning!! Hadley/Hampson are among the best ever. Hadley & Hampson blend beautifully.

Jerry Hadley and Thomas Hampson - Famous Opera Duets (Tenor/Bass) Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | 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 Hadley, Jerry | ( H ) | 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 | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Jerry Hadley - Golden Days - Tenor hits from the Golden Age of Operetta Standing Room Only Show Boat (1988 Studio Cast Highlights) In the Real World A Song of Naples - Neapolitan Songs ASIN: B000000SEV Release Date: 1993-10-05

Tracks:

1. La Boheme: 'O Mimi, Tu Piu Non Torni'
2. Belisario: 'Leberi Siete, Addio!'
3. Les Vepres siciliennes: 'Quel Est Ton Nom?'...'Henri'
4. Don Carlos: 'Le Voila! C'est l'Infant!'
5. Les Pecheurs De Perles: 'Au Fond Du Temple Saint'
6. L'Elisir D' Amore: 'Venti Scudi'
7. Lucia Di Lammermoor: 'Orrida E Questa Notte'
8. Dinorah: 'Quand L'heure Sonnera'
9. Die Fledermaus: 'Komm Mit Mir Zum Souper'

Customer Reviews:

Hampson: One of the sexiest voices in opera today........2006-02-06

This is a wonderfully varied album, one which I've given to several opera neophytes among my friends, as well as to my mother who has been an opera fan since the 1930s. The excerpt from Bizet's Pearl Fishers is gorgeous, everything the other reviewers say, but my personal favorite is the one from Don Carlo for its rollercoaster emotional dramatics (be sure and read the notes to this one so you know what's going on!), a showcase for the versatility of the performers. Hampson's performances here are subtly nuanced, self-assured, and sophisticated without losing a sense of fun, while Hadley's lovely tenor contains an irresistible ebullience. They are great foils for each other, and I'll bet they had a fine time making this album.

radiant.......2001-02-01

Although Jerry Hadley may not have the reputation of some of the world's other great tenors, his voice is truly beautiful and his straightforward, unegotistical style is refreshing. Everything about this disc is perfect, it is superbly recorded, the orchestration is just right, and the two singers (Hampson is, as he always is, masterful) blend flawlessly. The Pearl Fishers Duet, taken at a relatively leisurely pace, is absolutely riveting for its sheer beauty and probably ranks with the great recordings ever of this masterpiece.

Beautiful. Two fine singers create a special CD.......2000-07-26

I had never heard of Jerry Hadley prior to seeing an ad in one of the auctions. I bought the CD and became an instant lover of Hadley's voice. I am a Michael Crawford fan and also admire Michael Feinstein. Carreras and other greats have their places. Why didn't I hear about Hadley earlier?

I acquired this CD also on auction. Listening to it one thought came to mind. Sometimes two = better than one. The interplay and synergy displayed by tenor Hadley and baritone Hampson is marvelous. This CD represents a case where two voices = a four-power recording. The works should all be savoured.

Which of the nine tracks do I enjoy the most? All nine is not an acceptable answer. I admire the opening Puccini excerpt from La Boheme. Bizet's selection from Les Pecheurs de peries can stand with any. My favorite has to be the Strauss selection from Die Fledermous. Hadley and Hampson are more Broadway-type opera singers. Their duet in Die Fledermous may only be 3.36. You might put this track alone on repeat.

I highly recommend the CD. Maybe you will find other tracks more desirable than #1 (Pucinni), #5 (Bizet) and #9 (Johann Strauss). Try this. Maybe I will have to re-listen. That would be such sweet joy. It is going to be my next CD played (again and again). Enjoy.

Simply Stunning!! Hadley/Hampson are among the best ever........1998-11-07

These two, individually masters at solo expression, set a new standard for absolutely superb ensemble. Puccini's "Au fond du temple saint" from LES PECHEURS DE PERLES elicits strong emotions and tears every time I hear it in concert. And it does every time I listen to these two exceptional master interpreters.

Hadley & Hampson blend beautifully........1998-09-11

Hadley & Hampson blend as beautifully as it is possible for two voices to blend. Each wonderful voice is complimented by the other. Never has there been such a gorgeous recording of duets.

Average customer rating: Callas, di Stefano and Gobbi. Lucia di Lammermoor. An actress, and a woman sings Best Studio Recording Lovely recording Not THAT much shorter, the traditional cuts

Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tullio Serafin Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Puccini: Tosca (1953) with Callas, di Stefano, Gobbi, cond. by de Sabata Bellini: I Puritani Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana & Leoncavallo: Pagliacci (complete operas) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Maria Callas 100 Best Classics ASIN: B00064N8S6 Release Date: 2005-01-11

Tracks:

1. Preludio
2. Percorrete Le Spiagge Vicine
3. Tu Sei Turbato!...E N'ho Ben Donde
4. Cruda, Funesta Smania
5. Il Tuo Dubbio E Omai Certezza
6. La Pietade In Suo Favore
7. Maestoso
8. Ancor Non Giunse!
9. Regnava Nel Silenzio
10. Quando Rapito In Estasi
11. Egli S'Avanza
12. Sulla Tomba Che Rinserra
13. Qui Di Sposa Eterna Fede
14. Ah, Talor Del Tuo Pensiero
15. Veranno E Te Sull'Aure

Tracks:

1. Moderato/Lucia Fra Poco A Te Verra
2. Appressati, Lucia
3. Il Pallor Fuesto, Orrendo...A Ragion Mi Fe' Spietato
4. Nobil Sposo...Cessa, Cessa!
5. Soffriva Nel Pianto
6. Che Fia?...Suonar Di Giubilo
7. Se Tradirmi Tu Potrai
8. Per Te D'Immenso Giubilo...Per Poco Fra Le Tenebre
9. Dov'E Lucia?...Qui Giungere Or La Vedrem
10. Ecco Il Tuo Sposo
11. Chi Mi Frena In Tal Momento
12. T'Allontana, Sciagurato...Rispettate In Me Di Dio
13. Sconsigliato! In Queste Porte Chi Ti Guida?
14. Esci, Fuggi, Il Furor Chem M'Accende
15. D'Immenso Giubilo
16. Ah!...Deh, Cessate Que! Contento!...Dalle Stanze Ove Lucia
17. Oh! Qual Funesto Avvenimento!
18. Oh Giusto Cielo!...Il Dolce Suono
19. Ohime! Sorge Il Tremendo
20. Ardon Gli Incensi; Splendon Le Sacre Faci
21. Spargi D'Amaro Pianto
22. Maestoso...Tombe Degli Avi Miei
23. Fra Poco A Me Ricovero
24. O, Meschina! O, Fato Orrendo!
25. Dove Corri, Sventurato?
26. Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti I'Ali
27. Che Facesti?

Customer Reviews:

Callas, di Stefano and Gobbi. Lucia di Lammermoor........2007-06-08

Beautiful recording, fabulous voices, Callas was at her very best in this period

An actress, and a woman sings .......2007-01-10

Befoe Maria came onto the scene in 1952, I actually believed that only the "whistling teakettle" type of voice could sing this type of work. When I actually heard a woman's voice, I was transformed from that day.

Best Studio Recording.......2006-11-01

Without a doubt this is the best studio recording of the opera hands down. Callas, Di Stefano and Gobbi are in fine form and Serafin keeps things going at a good pace. The best RECORDING of the opera is of course the 1955 Berlin performance with Karajan conducting. The sound is quite good as Callas bootlegs go and everybody is ON FIRE. One of those magical moments that thankfully somebody taped. If you MUST have your stereo, go with the first Sutherland recording or the Gruberova/Kraus/Rescigno.

Lovely recording.......2005-03-30

I'm a huge bel canto fan and Lucia is one of my top 3 operas. (The others are NORMA and ANNA BOLENA) There is no other Lucia like Callas. Nobody embodies the melancholy, the tragic, fragile beauty and the torment of this doomed heroine more than she. And her coloratura and E-flats glitter and sparkle but never sound senseless or bland. Her partners (di Stefano, Gobbi) are in pristine form and Serafin conducts bel canto with unmatched perfection. This is THE Lucia to buy! A steal, grab it while you can!

Not THAT much shorter, the traditional cuts.......2005-03-17

One can say whatever one likes but IMHO that short review below doesn't do justice to the brilliance of this recording which is not 30 minutes shorter than the Sutherland-recording from 1971. The traditional cuts don't harm the score (The only addition I'd like to see would be the tower-scene), on the contrary, they focus the drama and don't prolong it unnecessarily. The three leads are in brilliant form, the conductor is unmatched. Brava! Brava! Bravissima!

Average customer rating: I am in love with Anna simple stunning Ok but not a bel canto singer Having It All Talented singer, but should she choose her reportoire better?

Sempre Libera Giacomo Puccini , Giuseppe Verdi , Claudio Abbado , Sascha Reckert , Sara Mingardo , Mahler Chamber Orchestra , and Saimir Pirgu Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by 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 | 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 Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Anna Netrebko: Opera Arias Russian Album Violetta: Arias and Duets from Verdi's La Traviata [Includes DVD] Anna Netrebko - The Woman, The Voice Verdi - La Traviata ASIN: B000295TXC Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

1. E strano! - "Ah, fors'ui"
2. Sempre libera
3. Ah! Se una volta sola
4. Ah, non credea mirarti
5. Ah! non giunge uman pensiero
6. O rendetemi le speme...Qui la voce
7. Ah! tu sorridi
8. Vien, diletto, n ciel la luna
9. O giusto cielo! (Act 2)
10. OihmSorge il tremendo
11. Ardon gli incensi... (Act 2)
12. Spargi d'amaro pianto (Act 2)
13. Era pimo?
14. Piangea cantando nell'erma landa...
15. Ave Maria, piena di grazia
16. O mio babbino caro

Amazon.com

Anna Netrebko's second CD is even more impressive than her first. She still may not be an absolutely polished, finished artist, but she's working at it and presents here a very satisfying---even thrilling---program. She doesn't quite have the stature or insights for Verdi's Violetta yet, but aside from some smudged coloratura in low-lying passages she sings the first act scene quite well (capped with a well-placed, big E-flat). She's close to ideal in the Sonnambula and Puritani excerpts, where her girlishness is entirely right, her coloratura dazzling, and her ability to sound tearful really impressive. The Lucia Mad Scene (also notable here for its use of the glass harmonica for which it was composed in place of the usual flute) is quite wonderful, even if the runs are sometimes not as well-delineated as they should be. And although she's not vocally suited to Desdemona's Willow Song and Ave Maria, she does manage to darken her voice to fit the character and presents a very moving portrait. The CD ends with an utterly charming "O mio babbino caro." Artistry and everything else aside, her voice is just beautiful. Claudio Abbado's leadership is ideal. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

I am in love with Anna.......2007-05-15

Did you see her in the Met's big screen broadcast of I Puritani? Then you know what I mean. Here is a just stunningly, impossibly gorgeous woman with a voice of liquid fire and gold who can sing with passion and precision while she's bending over and crawling around on the floor! If she weren't real I would guess she was the invention of the overinflamed imagination of a heterosexual opera queen (if such a being exists).

If you love getting great voice, buy this.

simple stunning.......2007-05-10

having just found this young womans CD in our local speciality store I was transformed from the mundaine life to the peak of ecstasy with her wonderful voice and the intense colours created by her own intensity.Here is a woman who can fill the heart with words that are pure gold and like velvet on the mind ,a truly wonderful voice and a stunning person to go with it .Here at last is a worthy successor to Dame Joan and others who gave opera to the world ,now we have in Anna Netrebko someone to give the passion and drama of opera to a new audience with the fire and fun of the pleasure this style of music can give.It is great to at last have an opera singer of this caliber who is unafraid to be herself and to let her own warmth and passion come through LONG May she continue to be the standard for others to attain.May she never change her love of singing and life

Ok but not a bel canto singer.......2007-03-21

Anna Netrebko's I Puritani selections are way below the art and skill of Callas, Sills, Sutherland, Caballe, and Gencer. She has no passion, no trills, no high notes that are deep and rich. Her best is in the Russian repertoire and possibley some undemanding Mozart.

Her broadcast from the Met Live of the I Puritani was alright, but scooping, avoidance of repetitions, running through passages like a locomotive, and an ending that would have brought the wrath of most opera houses in the world..scooping again, and a tight awful sounding high note. The same tentativenes is also here on this CD.She should know this. Her beauty and acting and allure are what interest the masses, not the voice, which is forgiven everything.

Too bad; she could be a lovely Tatyana some day.Also too, the Traviata is not that great; Anna Moffo , Renee Fleming, M. Caballe, and of course Maria Callas..Listen to these and hear the difference.

Having It All.......2007-01-22

This is a remarkable CD by the current "it" soprano. Anna Netrebko has it all. She is a wonderful singer, and a beautiful woman. Any star on the rise, particularly one with this much physical beauty and commercial promise, will always fall victim to criticisms that are more or less trivial. Believe me, I get it. When I first saw Anna, I wanted to be judgemental. After all, maybe she was just another pretty face being pushed by a record company. Then I heard her "Sempre libera" and became a fan.

There are criticisms of her trill, or her lack of a trill. Renee Fleming doesn't have a trill, and she has been the acclaimed queen for some time. Because of Anna's trill issues, she's criticized as lacking something that a coloratura should have. Well, she's not a coloratura. A good bel canto singer does not have to be a coloratura. There are criticisms of Anna's repertoire choices. You know why she picked this interesting melange for this CD? Because these are difficult scenes and arias, and she can do them. The only aria I didn't think "fit" is the "O mio babbino caro". She does it well, I just can't figure out what it's doing on this CD.

The "La Traviata" scene that starts the CD is absolutely magnificent. She is a wonderful Violetta, and sings this demanding scene with panache. She does the high E-flat at the end. Of course, she was coached by Scotto on this aria. Nice coaching if you can get it. No less remarkable are her scenes from "La sonnambula" and "I puritani". Her "Qui la voce" was beautiful. To listen to that gorgeous singing, and only focus on whether or not she has a trill is to miss the point of the music. I can definitely see why the Met is giving her the "Puritani" this season. Her scenes from "Lucia di Lammermoor" were technically perfect, and her mad scene very well done. The "Otello" scenes were amazing, particularly the floated pianos and pianissimos in the "Ave Maria". Abbado and the Mahler Chamber Orchestra are wonderful collaborators.

Ignore the criticisms and buy this CD! You'll be glad that you did. Highly recommended.

Talented singer, but should she choose her reportoire better?.......2007-01-10

Anna Netrebko has an attractive voice and a pleasing personality in this recording. But her performance also raises some questions.

First, she has a Callas-like habit (not a great compliment) when she ups her volume on higher notes of producing a rather unpleasant sound. In "Sempre libera," from "La Traviata," this is manifest. I compare this with the silky smooth lyric voice of Anna Moffo, from the 1960s and 1970s, who essayed this same piece in a manner much more attractive to the ear. Second, I could not hear a single trill on this CD (although maybe I missed something). In the colorature/bel canto repertoire, this is not a trifle. A trill is a standard part of a coloratura soprano's armamentorium. In that, again, she is like Callas, who scarcely issued forth a trill. "Spargi d'amaro pianto" is one of the classic cabalettas for coloratura sopranos. Sung without trills, it is not very satisfying. Some who have recorded the pyrotechnics of the "Mad Scene" have only displayed adequate trills (e.g., Anna Moffo or Angela Gheorghiu). Others, of course, have deployed wondrous effects, such as Joan Sutherland and Beverly Sills. Just so, the cabalettas in "La Sonnambula" and "I Puritani."

Certainly, Netrebko also exhibits considerable strengths. Other ornamentation is fine; she has an agile voice; she can hit all the notes, including the high ones. Her vocal sound is most attractive (outside the one example noted earlier of a certain harshness). Her singing in the pieces from "Otello" and "Gianni Schicchi" are very well done.

So, all in all, a nice CD, but one that does not seem to feature Anna Netrebko at her best.

Average customer rating: Beautiful Collection of Songs A Legend in all.....La Callas. Excellent compilation of La Divina's arias Some people have no business reviewing this BELLA BELLA BELLA!

Maria Callas, the Voice of the Century Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by 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 Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( 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 | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Bellini, Vincenzo | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Catalani, Alfredo | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Charpentier, Gustave | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Delibes, Leo | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Giordano, Umberto | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gluck, Christoph W. | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gounod, Charles | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Massenet, Jules | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Meyerbeer, Giacomo | 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 Saint-Saens, Camille | 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 German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best Of Maria Callas Maria Callas - La Divina Maria Callas: The Legend Puccini: Arias The Most Famous Opera Duets ASIN: B00000631B Release Date: 1998-03-17

Tracks:

1. Norma: Casta Diva (Atto I): Norma
2. La Sonnambula: Compagne, teneri amici...Come per me sereno (Atto I): La Sonnambula
3. Il Barbieri Di Siviglia: Una Voce poco fa (Atto I): Il barbiere di Siviglia
4. Lucia di Lammermoor: Regnava nel silenzio...Quando, rapito in estasi (Atto I): Lucia di Siviglia
5. Rigoletto: Gualtier Mald...Caro Nome (Atto I): Rigoletto
6. La Traviata: E Strano!...Ah, Fors'e lui...Sempre libera (Atto I): La traviata
7. La Boheme: Si, Mi chiamo Mimi (Atto I): La boheme
8. La Boheme: Donde Lieta Usci (Atto III) (Mimi's Farewell): La boheme
9. Madama Butterfly: Un Bel di Vedremo (Atto II): Madama Butterfly
10. TOSCA: Vissi D'arte (Atto II): tosca
11. Turandot: In questa reggia (Atto II): Turandot
12. La Wally: Ebben? ne andro lontana (Atto I): La Wally
13. Andrea Chenier: La mamma morta (Atto III): Andrea Chenier

Tracks:

1. Orphee et Eurydice: J'ai perdu mon Eurydice (Acte V)
2. Alceste: Divinites du Styx (Acte I)
3. Dinorah: Ombra leggiera (Atto II) (Shadow Song)
4. Romeo et Juliette: Ah! Je veux vivre (Acte I) (Waltz Song)
5. Faust: Les grand seigneurs...Ah! je ris (Acte III)
6. Lakme: Dov'e l'indiana bruna? (Atto II) (Bell Song)
7. Samson et Dalila: Printemps qui commence (Acte I)
8. Samson et Dalila: Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix (Acte II)
9. Les Pecheurs De Perles: Me voila seule...Comme autrefois (Acte II)
10. Carmen: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera)(Acte I)
11. Carmen: Les tringles des sistre tintaient (Acte II)
12. Le Cid: De cet affreux combat...Pleurez mes yeux! (Acte III)
13. Manon: Je ne suis que faiblesse...Adieu, notre petite table (Acte II)
14. Louise: Depuis le jour (Acte III)

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Collection of Songs.......2006-07-15

I have listened samples of 5 Callas CDs before buying this one. This one has a very beautiful collection of songs on just 2 CDs. he sings with so much expression. Most the recordings are from the fifties and early sixties when her voice was very young and lovely. I'll try to get her on DVD so I can see her sing.

A Legend in all.....La Callas........2005-04-24

I would just like to refer to an article that was published by a German Newspaper in 1959, mentioned on the Callas Edition (CED:100342)
'...her voice is of unparalleled beauty, having an inimitable, completely own timbre of sopranos and altos...a performance of superior musical quality..a phenomenon amongst contemporary singers'
' ...One of the most spectacular Verdi arias, of Elizabeth from Don Carlo, and one, In Germany tottaly unknown, terrific scene from Bellini's opera Il Pirata were enough to enchant huge numers of television viewers, who can say at her next performance: 'we have seen La Callas''(Hamburg concert 1959)
'- from the contra-alt-f to the f - thats Callas' voice range, spanning over 37 half-tones. Callas herself has drawn the range of her voice. In her concert repertoire the contra-alt-f can be found in e.g. the aria from I Vespri Siciliani. In an aria from Rossini's opera Armida she reaches the 'F'. five half-tones above the high C. Normal voices couldnt possibly even whistle this high F. Though there are other singers, whose voices contain these three octaves - Erna Sack with her coloratura soprano, the lyrical singer Ema Berger and the dramatical singer Zinka Milanov from the New York Metropolitan Opera - simple fact is that the phenomenon Meneghini-Callas lies in her fabulous vocal versatility. She is a coloratura singer, drama-player and lyrist in one person - and an exceptionally talented ac-tress at that.'
Excuse from a journalist of the German Newspaper for the Diva :

Article Title : 'I am sorry!'

'I owe Maria Callas an apology. She is a unique vocal talent, a great artist. She is a primadonna. And she has her moods. Moods for which i ask her to forgive me. Because i misunderstood them - and many others too. That much i gathered from her latest television concert. Even in the flickering of the screen this woman's nervousness and enormous effort were visible.
La Callas is a fragile, rather shy person. Her moods are fear of failure. The moloch audience expects her to always go to any lenght, show the brilliance others just dont have. She is not allowed to get weak. Decent country singers are not decapitated for a false note. La Callas, on the other hand, is the identifying mark of the extraordinary. Even the slightest hint of a mistake would cost her her uniqueness, her stardom....a perverse triumph for all bathtube singers.
That explains her inhibitation to perform when she isnt well, her cancellations when she is not in the right mood. I understand them now. If she werent moody, she wouldnt be a primadonna, would not be La Callas.
Stars like her do not fit in our world of standards and programmed data. They pay dearly for their moods, have to put up fights and, undoubtedly, shed many a tear. So one more, my apologies, Maria Callas'
(Hans im Bild)
That's all folks!:D

Excellent compilation of La Divina's arias.......2005-03-21

This is one of the best compilations EMI has ever made for Maria Callas' arias. Each and every aria lets us listen to the best of her voice from each period of her career. An excellent collection!

Holly Mathews doesn't know how to appreciate art. Kathleen Battle and Renee Fleming themselves have admitted to the supremacy of Callas' singing over theirs, even if their voices seem more beautiful than La Divina. Why else would Callas be a legend and they wouldn't? They are equally good in their own right, but none of them would surpass the accuracy of La Divina's singing and phrasing. Holly Mathews' left side of the brain must be made of clay or foam, dead material that couldn't absorb any beauty.

Some people have no business reviewing this.......2005-01-25

My goodness, what is a non-musical person like Holly Mathews doing in this board? Do you know what other album she has reviewed? Hayley Westenra! And she's not even an opera singer! She obviously doesn't know her business! Disgraceful review! Ignore it! It obviously was not based on good judgement. I'm sure she is a pop fan who just likes tender music. Oh, her insulting language! What an ignorant Maria basher!

Anyway, this is an excellent compilation of SOME of Maria Callas' greatest arias. Although I do wish some arias like Pace Pace Mio Dio were included here, I do think it is a very good compilation all in all. Although she has many detractors, they still have to admit that Callas is the sheer embodiment of singing and drama. She was an actress...a panther on the stage. Listen to her La Mamma Morta and her Suicidio...those brought chills to my spine when I listened to them. Maria is the only singer in the history of opera besides the great Caruso-tenor Franco Corelli who touched me, moved me even. This is probably the reason why I love Maria Callas' music so much. If you want to hear Medea's anger and Norma's anguish and Butterfly's hopeful blindness, listen to Maria Callas. If you just want a golden voice, then go to Renata Tebaldi or Joan Sutherland. And don't even compare her with Charlotte Church or Hayley Westenra! The distaste of some people!

BELLA BELLA BELLA!.......2004-11-23

THIS WAS THE FIRST ALBUM I EVER BOUGHT FEATURING ANY OPERATIC SOPRANO. I WAS 15 AND WAS GIVEN MY VERY FIRST CLASSICAL PIECE "CARO MIO BEN" WHICH WAS NOT AN OPERA ARIA BUT DUE TOTHIS SONG I WAS SUDDENLY IN LOVE WITH OPERA. I HAD HEAR OF HER A FEW TIMES IN THE PAST BUT MY IDEA OF A GOOD SOPRANO AT THE TIME WAS SARAH BIRGHTMAN (YES I KNOW I KNOW!!!BUT I WAS YOUNG!)BUT IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO REALIZE HOW WRONG I WAS!! THIS CALLAS RECORDING HAD THE MOST PROFOUND EFFECT ON ME WHICH LED TO MY OBSESSION WITH MY OWN OPERATIC ASPIRATIONS. IT WAS STRANGE AS SHE DID NOT SOUND LIKE A FAT WOMAN SCREAMING HER HEAD OFF IN FULL BODY ARMOR. YES YES...I AND MANY MANY SAD AMERICANS HAVE THOUGH OF THIS WHEN GIVEN THE WORD OPERA. (NOW NOW, WE ALL FELT LIKE THAT AT SOME POINT) I NEVER REALIZED THAT THERE COULD BE SUCH PASSION. HER NORMA WAS IS SO BEAUTIFUL IN IT'S SIMPLICITY AND UNDERLINING STRENGTH. HER TAKE ON "COME OER ME SERENO" AND "UNA VOCE POCO FA" WERE SWEET AND APPROPRIATELY INNOCENT. HER BEL CANTO ROLES WHICH INCLUDED HER FANTASTIC LUCIA (ALTHOUGH LATER I WOULD PREFER SUTHERLAND) AND GILDA JUST THRILLED ME. I HAD NO IDEA SOMEONE COULD ACTUALLY SING THOSE PIECES! OF COURSE UP UNTIL THIS POINT I DIDN'T EVEN KNOW OPERA COULD SOUND LIKE THAT!! (SILLY ME!) I WAS SURPRISED TO REALIZED I KNEW THE ARIAS SHE SUNG FROM LA BOHEME, LA TRAVIATA, AND MADAME BUTTERFLY. THEY DIDN'T MAKE A HUGE IMPRESSION BECAUSE THEY DID NOT HAVE THE FIREWORKS I WAS LOOKING FOR BUT I STILL FOUND THEM TO BE BEAUTIFUL. AFTER ALL OF THIS I LANDED ON CALLAS' TAKE OF TOSCA'S "VISSI D'ARTE". IT WAS AND HAS BEEN THE ONLY TIME I'VE BEEN SO MOVED BY A PERFORMER THAT I CRIED. IT WAS SO PURE BUT THE PAIN WAS SO EVIDENT THAT IT JUST CHILLED ME. I MUST HAVE LISTENED TO IT THOUSANDS OF TIMES OVER THE YEARS AND STILL HAVE YET TO HEAR A MORE STIRRING RENDITION. DUE TO THE OVERWHELMING FIRST CD I MUST ADMIT I KIND OF IGNORED THE SECOND HALF. EVENTUALLY I DID GET TO IT AND FOUND WHAT I FELT WAS THE GREATEST SONG EVER WRITTEN. MY WHOLE BEING LIVED FOR LAKME'S BELL SONG. AFTER LISTENING TO HER I WAS CONVINCED THIS WOMAN WAS MAGICAL BECAUSE I COULDN'T FIGURE OUT HOW SHE OR ANY HUMAN COULD SING LIKE THAT! HER SECOND DISC WAS INTERESTING BECAUSE IT WENT FROM WHITE HOT COLORATURA TO MEZZO? AAHHH BUT YES SHE WENT THERE. INTO THE INTENSITY OF SAMSON ET DELILA. I THOUGHT THEY WERE BEAUTIFUL!!! OF COURSE I KNOW PREFER MARILYN HORNE TO CALLAS ON THOSE SONGS....BUT IT SHOWED ME THAT NOT EVERY SONG HAS TO BE HIGH TO BE BEAUTIFUL. I LOVED AND STILL DUE LOVE THIS COLLECTION....IN FACT I HAVE BOUGHT IT THREE TIMES AS MINE DETERIORATED QUICKLY 'CAS I PLAYED THEM SO MUCH! AND I'VE GIVEN THIS COLLECTION TO COUNTLESS FRIENDS AND FAMILY. THIS IS THE BEST COLLECTION OF CALLAS' WORK AND I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO EVERYONE AND ANYONE! VIVA LA DIVA!

Average customer rating: A splendid version of Lucia A Colassal Lucia "Stupendous" but... A Powerhouse Lucia Gosh! BEST Lucia since Callas!

Donizetti - Lucia di Lammermoor / Sutherland · Pavarotti · Milnes · Ghiaurov · ROH Covent Garden · Bonynge Richard Bonynge , Joan Sutherland , Luciano Pavarotti , Covent Garden Chorus and Orchestra of the Royal Opera House , Sherrill Milnes , Nicolai Ghiaurov , Ryland Davies , Pier Francesco Poli , composer: Gaetano Donizetti , and conductor: Richard Bonynge Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | 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 Baritones | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Sutherland, Joan | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Box Sets | Stores | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Verdi - Rigoletto / Sutherland, Pavarotti, Milnes, LSO, Bonynge Puccini: Tosca (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Victor de Sabata, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Verdi - Don Carlo / Domingo · Caballé · Raimondi · Milnes · Verrett · Estes · Giulini Puccini - La Bohème / Freni, Pavarotti, Harwood, Ghiaurov, Karajan Tchaikovsky - Eugen Onegin / T. Allen, Freni, von Otter, Shicoff, Burchuladze; Levine ASIN: B0000041OY Release Date: 1985-08-12

Tracks:

1. Prelude - Normanno
2. Tu sei turbato - Normanno
3. Cruda, funesta smania - Enrico
4. La pietade in suo favor - Enrico
5. Ancor non giunse! - Lucia
6. Regnava nel silenzo - Lucia
7. Quando, rapito in estasi - Lucia
8. Egli s'avanza - Alisa
9. Sulla tomba - Edgardo Fede
10. Qui di sposa eterna ... Ah! Verrano a te sull'aure - Lucia

Tracks:

1. Lucia fra poco a te verr? - Normanno
2. Appressati, Lucia ... Il pallor, funesto, orrendo - Lucia
3. Soffriva nel pianto - Lucia
4. Che fia - Lucia
5. Se tradirmi tu potrai - Enrico
6. Ebben? ... Di tua speranza - Lucia
7. Ah! cedi, cedi - Raimondo
8. Al ben de'tuoi qual vittima - Raimondo
9. Per te d'immenso giubilo - Chorus Of The Royal Opera House, Convent Garden
10. Lucia di Lammermoor: Dov' ucia? - G. Donizetti
11. Chi mi frena in tal momento? - Edgardo
12. T'allontana, sciagurato - Arturo

Tracks:

1. Orrida e questa notte - Edgardo
2. Qui del padre ancor respira - Edgardo
3. D'immenso giubilo - Chorus Of The Royal Opera House, Convent Garden
4. Ah! cessate quel contento - Raimondo
5. Oh! qual funesto avvenimento! - Chorus Of The Royal Opera House, Convent Garden
6. Oh giusto cielo! ... Il dolce suono - Lucia
7. Ohime! sorge il tremendo fantasma - Lucia
8. S'avanza Enrico - Raimondo
9. Spargi d'amaro pianto - Lucia
10. Si tragga altrove - Enrico
11. Tombe degli avi miei - Edgardo
12. Fra poco a me ricovero - Edgardo
13. Oh! meschina! - Chorus Of The Royal Opera House, Convent Garden
14. Tu che a Dio spiegasti l'ali - Edgardo

Amazon.com essential recording

This was Joan Sutherland's second recording of Lucia, made with an all-star cast in prime vocal condition, and it is a must for those who believe that bel canto opera should live up to its descriptive title: "beautiful singing." In the 10 years since her first Lucia recording, she had settled more comfortably into the character and become even more expert in the music. Her costars are among the greatest singers of our time, a point that is particularly important in the ensemble singing. Maria Callas is more dramatic, and her Lucia is a must for Callas fans, but this set is a joyful celebration of the glory of the human voice. In purely musical terms it is the best-sung Lucia on record. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews:

A splendid version of Lucia.......2007-03-24

This is probably one of the top versions of Lucia di Lammermoor, one of Donizetti's greatest works. The cast displays such stalwarts as Sherrill Milnes, Nicolai Ghiarov, Luciano Pavarotti, and--of course--Joan Sutherland. Richard Bonynge did much background research to create a Lucia more consistent with the composer's vision of the opera; he also conducted.

Some representative segments of the opera. . . .

A very nice ensemble scene, "Cruda, funesta smania," features lively singing. Sherrill Milnes' rich voice is well displayed. The ensemble sings with great spirit.

A nice aria, "Regnava nel silenzio" is followed by a wonderful cabaletta, "Quando, rapito in estasi." This is one of Joan Sutherland's signature pieces. Here, she is at the "top of her game." The aria is smoothly sung. She shows agility and some nice trills. Although her voice is heavier than some other coloratura sopranos, she is most effective and deploys excellent technique and skills. In the cabaletta, she displays nice florid singing the first time through, replete with some nice trills. She also has some fine runs and hits a series of high notes with ease. On the repeat, she sings a trill off a high note (nicely done although not perfectly done). Her technique is excellent and she hits the final high note with ease.

"Chi me frena in tal momento" is one of the all time great ensemble pieces in opera. Pavarotti's rich and youthful voice sounds splendid. Sutherland's voice soars above the ensemble. All manner of emotions and thoughts are displayed by the various singers. The voices meld well together for an effective ensemble "feel."

One of the top cabalettas in all of opera has to be "Spargi d'amaro pianto." Sutherland sings it well and cleanly. The first time through, her voice and technique are rock solid. She shows off some nice trills and some well executed runs. The repeat is iconic. Good technique, a trill off of a high note, and a well executed final high note. All in all, Dame Joan sparkles.

This is one of the top versions of "Lucia di Lammermoor," and it stands up well after the intervening decades.

A Colassal Lucia .......2007-01-09

Sutherland's first recording of Lucia was terrific but the second beats it on all counts.The supporting cast is superb. Pavarotti in his youth singing a very stylish Edgardo. Ghiaurov brings his beautiful voice to the bass role. Sherril Milnes is wonderfully evil as Enrico and his Act 1 duet with Sutherland is sensational. As for Sutherland she is generally superior here to her first recording, with the exception of her first act aria. The famous high notes are here in their glory; the high D at the end of the first act and the E flat at the end of the mad scene are among her best on record. Her interpretation has deepened, especially during the mad scene. At the point where "Alfin Son Tua" begins to the point of the flute duet, she delivers some of the most moving singing I have ever heard - reaching a heartbreaking level that I normally asoociate with a Billie Holiday not an opera singer. In conclusion this is one of Bonynge's better conductiong jobs and the RHO orchestra and chorus are excellent. The sound quality is very good.

"Stupendous" but..........2006-05-16

As someone who is a relative newcomer to opera, although I find Dame Joan's sound and coloratura breathtaking, it was Callas's perfomance that really drew me into this story and made it a more cohesive allround experience for me. And I think I can say this of their Normas as well. That being said this is an amazing perfomance and "Chi Mi Frena" sounds exquisite with all these marvelous singers joining their talents.
Ultimately I love both the Divas for very different reasons, but if you need to be drawn in by the plot of an opera, no one nails characterization like Callas, utterly rivetting and convincing and I might add vocally beautiful as well.

A Powerhouse Lucia.......2006-05-13

I purchased this recording just recently, and I'm certainly glad I did. Sutherland sings a glorious Lucia, having no problem whatsoever with all the coloratura runs and clarion high notes. I'm getting tired of listening to people talk about how poor her diction was. Does it really matter if she took the time to enunciate every last little detail of a word? She is one of the best singers the bel canto repertoire has ever seen and she has a beautiful, large, rich voice. And it's not as if the majority of Opera listeners can understand the words anyway. Just listen to the beautiful singing and be happy (and besides, her diction wasn't as bad as people make it out to be.) Anyway, Pavarotti is his usual glorious self, and his powerful and beautiful singing here would make one want to swoon.He always excelled at the bel canto roles and all the bravura passages that they held. Milnes probably has one of the most enormous voices ever. One example of this is in one of his duets with Sutherland where he ends the duet with a full throated High A (a note that even some tenors find taxing). By the way, Sutherland launches a stunning High E at the end of that duet as well. Ghiaurov has a beautiful, melodious bass voice. Huguette Torangeau has an extremely beautiful Mezzo voice. I'm surprised she wasn't more well known. Her voice has an utterly beautiful tone quality, a lovely vibrato, and a nice even range. So if you want to hear some truly "Bel canto", beautiful singing, then buy this set.

Gosh! BEST Lucia since Callas!.......2006-03-26

Simply the BEST Lucia since Callas. Even better for Pavarotti's fan, one of the best Baritone Milnes and Bass Ghiaurov are here. All in good shape, great recording. What more?

Average customer rating: Great music with a great performance. Thomas Bloch's Interpretation is Second-to-None unbelievable Thomas Bloch is a great 20th century composer interesting, generally excellent

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