Arias from "Boris Godunov" and Other Operas

1. Boris Godunov, opera in 7 scenes (1869 version) Glory to Czar Boris
   Composed by Modest Mussorgsky
   Performed by Victory Symphony Orchestra
   with Alexander Kipnis
   Conducted by Nicolai Berezowsky
   
   
2. Boris Godunov, opera in 7 scenes (1869 version) I Am Oppressed
   Composed by Modest Mussorgsky
   Performed by Victory Symphony Orchestra
   with Alexander Kipnis
   Conducted by Nicolai Berezowsky
   
   
3. Boris Godunov, opera in 7 scenes (1869 version) Varlaam's Song
   Composed by Modest Mussorgsky
   Performed by Victory Symphony Orchestra
   with Alexander Kipnis
   Conducted by Nicolai Berezowsky
   
   
4. Boris Godunov, opera in 7 scenes (1869 version) Boris Monologue
   Composed by Modest Mussorgsky
   Performed by Victory Symphony Orchestra
   with Alexander Kipnis
   Conducted by Nicolai Berezowsky
   
   
5. Boris Godunov, opera in 7 scenes (1869 version) Boris-Shulsky Duet
   Composed by Modest Mussorgsky
   Performed by Victory Symphony Orchestra
   with Alexander Kipnis
   Conducted by Nicolai Berezowsky
   
   
6. Boris Godunov, opera in 7 scenes (1869 version) Clock Scene
   Composed by Modest Mussorgsky
   Performed by Victory Symphony Orchestra
   with Alexander Kipnis
   Conducted by Nicolai Berezowsky
   
   
7. Boris Godunov, opera in 7 scenes (1869 version) Boris' Farewell and Prayer
   Composed by Modest Mussorgsky
   Performed by Victory Symphony Orchestra
   with Alexander Kipnis
   Conducted by Nicolai Berezowsky
   
   
8. Boris Godunov, opera in 7 scenes (1869 version) Death of Boris
   Composed by Modest Mussorgsky
   Performed by Victory Symphony Orchestra
   with Alexander Kipnis
   Conducted by Nicolai Berezowsky
   
   
9. Prince Igor, opera (completed by Rimsky-Korsakov & Glazunov) Galitsky's Recitative and Aria
   Composed by Alexander Borodin
   Performed by Victory Symphony Orchestra
   with Alexander Kipnis
   Conducted by Nicolai Berezowsky
   
   
10. Mephistopheles' Song of the Flea, for voice & piano or orchestra, edited by Rimsky-Korsakov
    Composed by Modest Mussorgsky
    Performed by Victory Symphony Orchestra
    with Alexander Kipnis
    Conducted by Nicolai Berezowsky
    
    
11. Sadko, opera in 3 (or 5) acts Song of the Viking Guest
    Composed by Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov
    Performed by Victory Symphony Orchestra
    with Alexander Kipnis
    Conducted by Nicolai Berezowsky
    
    
12. Eugene Onegin, opera, Op. 24 Gremin's Aria
    Composed by Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
    Performed by Victory Symphony Orchestra
    with Alexander Kipnis
    Conducted by Nicolai Berezowsky
    
    
13. Rusalka, opera Miller's Aria
    Composed by Alexander Sergeyevich Dargomizhsky
    Performed by Victory Symphony Orchestra
    with Alexander Kipnis
    Conducted by Nicolai Berezowsky
    
    
14. Slumber Song
    Composed by Alexander Tikhonovich Grechaninov
    with Celius Dougherty, Alexander Kipnis
    
    
15. My Native Land for voice & piano
    Composed by Alexander Tikhonovich Grechaninov
    with Celius Dougherty, Alexander Kipnis
    
    
16. Georgian Song ("Do not Sing, My Beauty"), for voice & piano, Op. 4/4
    Composed by Sergey Rachmaninov
    with Celius Dougherty, Alexander Kipnis
    
    
17. Tilim-bom, song for voice & piano (Histoires pour enfants No. 1)
    Composed by Igor Stravinsky
    with Celius Dougherty, Alexander Kipnis
    
    

Arias from "Boris Godunov" and Other Operas,Alexander Kipnis,Alexander Borodin,Alexander Sergeyevich Dargomizhsky,Alexander Tikhonovich Grechaninov,Modest Mussorgsky,Sergey Rachmaninov,Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov,Igor Stravinsky,Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky,Nicolai Berezowsky,Victory Symphony Orchestra,Celius Dougherty,RCA,Classical,Classical Music,Miscellaneous Vocal Music,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio,Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard,Russian Romantic Opera,Solo Voice and Solo Instrument,Solo Voice(s) and Orchestra,Vocal

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Average customer rating: Lively and comforting CD! Baby loves this music! Baby Mozart great gift - thank you Great music for baby AND mom

Baby Mozart Various Artists Manufacturer: Buena Vista ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Children's Music | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Children's Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Children's Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Play Laptops & Notebooks | Electronics for Kids | Categories | Toys & Games Browse Refinements | Refinements | Toys & Games | Characters | Gender (target_audience_browse-bin) CDs | Music & Video | Products | Similar Items: Baby Einstein: Lullaby Classics Baby Beethoven Baby Bach Baby Neptune Baby Einstein: Playtime Music Box ASIN: B000065VCG Release Date: 2002-05-07

Tracks:

1. Tune Up And Fanfare Based On Themes From 'The Magic Flute'
2. Piano Sonata In C, K545, 1st Movement
3. Piano Sonata In C, K330, 1st Movement
4. Variations On 'Ah Vous Dirai-je, Maman,' No. 1, 8, And 11, K265/300e
5. Piano Sonata In D, K576, 3rd Movement
6. Concerto For Flute And Harp In C, K299, 1st Movement
7. Piano Sonata In A, K331, 3rd Movement
8. Piano Sonata In C, K545, 2nd Movement
9. Sonata In D For Two Pianos, K448, 1st Movement
10. Piano Sonata In C, K330, 3rd Movement
11. Divertmento No. 17 In D
12. Piano Sonata In B Flat, K570, 3rd Movement
13. Piano Sonata In F, K533, 3rd Movement
14. The Magic Flute, K620, Papageno Arias No. 2 And 20
15. Symphony No. 41 In C, K551, 4th Movement

Product Description

Introduce your baby to the wonders of classical music with this Mozart collection. The musical selections on this CD were softened to create a happy arrangement that will appeal to babies. Since listenening to classical music has been shown to impact cognitive skills as well verbal ability, intelligence, and memory, this CD is a perfect tool to enhance your child's development. Musical selections include: Tune up and Fanfare based on themes from "The Magic Flute"; Piano Sonata in C, first movement; Piano Sonata in C, first movement; Variations on "Ah vous dirai-je, maman"; Piano Sonata in D, third movement; Concerto for Flute and Harp in C, first movement; Piano Sonata in A, third movement; Piano Sonata in C, second movement; Sonata in D for Two Pianos, first movement; Piano Sonata in C, third movement; Divertmento no. seventeen in D; Piano Sonata in B flat, third movement; Piano Sonata in F, third movement; The Magic Flute, Papageno Arias no. two and twenty; and Symphony no. forty-one in C, fourth movement. Age: Birth - 3 years Manufacturer: New Sound Music

Amazon.com

Of all the reasons you'll click the Add to Shopping Cart button next to Baby Einstein's Baby Mozart--and there are many--the best one is that playing this record for babies doesn't feel weird. Instead of subjecting tiny, tender ears to the kind of Mozart that can make adult classical fans wilt when tackled by a maestro who means business, this is Mozart lite, mixed and mastered by a dad, Bill Weisbach, who's clearly hung around for his share of crib-side cooing. The slightly tinny sound of a child's piano sweeps the sting out of Piano Sonata in B Flat's third movement; the first movement of Concerto for Flute and Harp in C floats by, birdlike; variations on "Ah vous dirai-je, Maman" translate to a fancy-sounding (but adorable) "Twinkle, Twinkle"; and Piano Sonata in F's third movement snuggles so deeply into its childlike setting that if you close your eyes, you'll see a pastel parade of animals floating by overhead. Other pieces (more aptly called fragments, since only one track stretches beyond the three-minute mark), like Symphony No. 41's fourth movement, wander into more robust Mozart territory, but it's here the claims about classical music enhancing young kids' abstract reasoning skills and spatial intelligence crystallize. Babies strapped in for a roller coaster of sounds that gracefully dips, swerves, and high-jumps like this version, do have to process what they're hearing somehow (and a case could be made that the instruments Weisbach's chosen--the vibraphone, glockenspiel, and music box among them--make it more appealing for them to do so). Followers of Julie Aigner-Clark's Baby Einstein empire, many of whom opted out of the fan club once Disney bought the company in 2001, won't trip over a single Mickey Mouse-ified sound here. This is pure, plugged in, and muted Mozart, and if it doesn't make your baby smarter, it'll at least sound awfully sweet issuing from your nursery's speakers. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Lively and comforting CD!.......2007-06-12

This CD is inspiring and comforting! I have listened to it a lot since I got it and will continue to share it with junior when he arrives.

Baby loves this music!.......2007-02-17

Puts our 6-week old daughter to sleep. What more could you ask for!

Baby Mozart.......2007-02-14

Although the selection of music was good, I was disappointed at the synthesized sounds of the music. I have heard much of the "Mozart Effect" for stimulating learning in young minds, but why market it this way? Just turn on your radio to your local classical music station and give your child the benefit of the real thing without having to put more money in Disney's pockets.

great gift - thank you.......2007-01-18

thankyou - I gave this as a gift - they loved it

Great music for baby AND mom.......2006-04-18

I bought this CD with a gift card, because I wanted some soothing music for my daughter's naptime. In looking at the titles of the pieces, I didn't recognize very many, but in listening to the CD I found that I recognize much of the music. I was pleased at how calming it was and found myself humming various pieces throughout the day.

I would recommend this CD, and plan to purchase other Baby Einstein music!

Average customer rating: Beautiful music Andrea Bocelli-Sacred Arias An "experience" of sacred arias more than "listening" of sacred arias amazing talent Perfect arias for the perfect voice

Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias / Myung-Whun Chung George Frideric Handel , Giulio Caccini , Charles Gounod , Franz Schubert , Cesar Franck , Gioachino Rossini , Giuseppe Verdi , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Richard Wagner , Pietro Mascagni , Louis Niedermeyer , Franz Xaver Gruber , John Francis Wade , Jean-Paul Lecot , Myung-Whun Chung , and Andrea Bocelli Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Franck, César | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( 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 All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Bocelli, Andrea | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | 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 General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Romanza Andrea Bocelli - Amore Sogno Cieli di Toscana Andrea Bocelli - The Opera Album ~ Aria ASIN: B00002ND9N Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

1. Caccini/Mercurio: Ave Maria
2. Mascagni: Sancta Maria
3. Gounod: Ave Maria
4. Schubert: Ave Maria
5. Franck: Panis Angelicus
6. Rossini: Cuius animam
7. Verdi: Ingemisco
8. Mozart: Ave verum
9. Wagner: Der Engel
10. Handel: Ombra mai fu
11. Niedermeyer: Pieta signore
12. Rossini: Dominus Deus
13. Schubert/Mercurio: Mille Cherubini in coro
14. Gruber/Mercurio: Silent Night
15. Wade: Adeste Fideles
16. Gloria a te, Cristo Ges

Amazon.com

When he was growing up, Andrea Bocelli recalls finding inspiration in a favorite recording of sacred music performed by tenor legend Franco Corelli. Bocelli--who in the meantime has come to inspire millions of fiercely loyal fans himself--returns to the genre as the guiding theme of Sacred Arias, the release of which coincides with the first English-language biography of the singer. These performances are filled with the singer's phenomenally well-known vocal signature: his flair for long, sweetly floating high notes and the gentle sense of cadence he brings to a melody. It's a mistake to compartmentalize Bocelli into a singer of "operatic" versus "popular" styles: in truth his approach is at heart the same. Lack of color and control in his phrasing remains a drawback, but the emotional empathy Bocelli evokes is never in doubt. The arias collected here sample some of the most famous devotional pieces: Schubert's "Ave Maria" and Mozart's transporting "Ave Verum," as well as an arrangement of "Silent Night" in which Bocelli tries out his English. There's also a decidedly odd choice of bedfellows for a program of "sacred" music, such as a song from Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder (whose "angel" is the object of an overpoweringly erotic attraction) and Handel's figurative ode to a tree, "Ombra mai fu." Still, Bocelli sings with an unfeigned directness that is sure to expand his already enormous following even further. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful music.......2007-01-12

This is my second copy of this CD, I burned the first one out!!
Andrea Bocelli has a very gorgeous voice that is a gift from above. His voice is not affected or braggadoccio but naturally magnificent. I could and do start my day listening to this spiritually uplifting CD almost everyday. It is a wonderful way to get off to a pleasant peaceful start, but also a nice way to come home in the evening if you have a CD player in your car. I highly recommend it to all.

Andrea Bocelli-Sacred Arias.......2006-08-25

Excellent listening. Voice quality and tone is superb. Brings tears to my eyes when I envision listening to this in a church setting.

An "experience" of sacred arias more than "listening" of sacred arias.......2006-04-28

I bought this CD's special edition with DVD, and I am impressed by bocelli's singing in this album. I have heard many voices singing sacred songs, and christmas songs, but very few singers can achieve the "sacred atmosphere" that bocelli devotes when he sings. He may not have a "strong" voice as opera singers, but I think singing these sacred songs, devoting the "sacred atmosphere" to the audience is much more important, the voice actually is just a tool that helps a singer to achieve the result. For real, I have heard some CD by some chorus that perform sacred arias, but they did not move me as much as this CD does, mostly not even close. Personally I like "O come all ye faithful", "silent night", all "ave maria"'s, "domine deus", "cujus animam" the most. When I listen Bocelli's singing I focus on what he tries to devote in singing more than his voice color, because in terms of voice color he surely cant be compared with pavarotti or domingo, so why compares? The way of listening him and listening real opera singers is different man. But the reason I gave only this CD four stars is that I have heard several sacred arias from this album performed by his voice teacher, the legendary tenor Franco Corelli. I tried not to compare both...but I cant, not because Bocelli sings bad, he is already excellent, just Corelli is TOO excellent that cant be described by human language (well I think even Pavarotti is not even close to Franco Corelli, but this is just my opinion). Anyway if you want to "experience" the true beauty of sacred arias, this CD is highly recommended. And this is also a very good sacred aria album for beginning listeners who want to broaden their musical taste to sacred arias.

amazing talent.......2006-03-25

worth the price the songs are breathtaking and talent is indescribable

Perfect arias for the perfect voice.......2006-03-04

These are just terrific. How does Andrea acheive the range he does, and the power he has, without sounding too heavy or too light? His voice sounds like the perfect voice for these perfect arias.

I have noticed one concern with the CD. I have heard several clicks scattered here and there in the songs -- but the CD is clean and I feel confident it is not the machine. Has anyone else noticed this?

Average customer rating: Awesome Anna Netrebko: a glorious Violetta Netrebko wins hearts Heavenly Exciting new Traviata

Violetta: Arias and Duets from Verdi's La Traviata [Includes DVD] Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music 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 Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Anna Netrebko: Opera Arias Sempre Libera Russian Album The Mozart Album Anna Netrebko - The Woman, The Voice ASIN: B000E0OF9S Release Date: 2006-02-14

Tracks:

1. Libiamo ne'lieti calici (Brindisi)
2. E strano! - "Ah, fors'ui"
3. Follie! Delirio vano uesto!
4. Sempre libera
5. Lunge da lei - "De' miei bollenti spiriti"
6. O mio rimorso!
7. Pura siccome un angelo
8. Non sapete quale affetto
9. Un dquando le veneri
10. Ah! Dite alla giovine
11. Imponete "Non amarlo ditegli"
12. Che fai? "Nulla"
13. Invitato a qui seguirmi
14. Ogni suo aver tal femmina
15. Di sprezzo degno se stesso rende
16. Alfredo, Alfredo, di questo core
17. Annina? "Comandate?"
18. Teneste la promessa
19. Addio del passato
20. Signora... "Che t'accade?"
21. Parigi, o cara, noi lasceremo
22. Ah, non pi"Ah! Gran Dio! Morir siovine"
23. Ah, Violetta! "Voi? Signor?"
24. Prendi, quest''immagine

Tracks:

1. Libiamo ne'lieti calici (Brindisi)
2. Crudele!-Ah no, mio bene! - "Non mi dir, bell'idol" (Donna Anna)
3. Photo Gallery Anna Netrebko / Bonus-DVD Violetta USA

Customer Reviews:

Awesome.......2007-04-05

I LOVE this CD. Her voice is too beautiful, and the duets are fantastic. I get tired of the fancy pants opera listeners from Amazon reviews criticizing minute details. Seriously, who are they ? In the end, her voice is like an angel & the effect is quite pleasant. Close your eyes and enjoy :}

Anna Netrebko: a glorious Violetta.......2006-11-04

While there is certainly no shortage in recordings of Verdi's LA TRAVIATA score (Maria Callas, Beverly Sills and Monika Krause immediately come to mind), a new version is nevertheless always welcome. This is a highlights disc featuring Anna Netrebko taking on the role of consumptive courtesan Violetta Valery, and Ms Netrebko does a credible job.

One of the relatively-recent discoveries in opera, Anna Netrebko brings a great deal of fiery youth and vocal polish to the role of Violetta; she literally sprints through "Folie! folie" and "Sempre libera" at breakneck speed, scaling those delicious high notes with incredible ease, but never makes the music more flashy than it needs to be. Partnering her in the role of Alfredo is the talented Rolando Villazon. Villazon is the perfect anchor for Netrebko's vocal pyrotechnics, and together they create some palpable moments with the duet "Ah non piu!". The hand-picked cast also features Thomas Hampson as Germont, Helene Schneiderman as Flora, Diane Pilcher as Annina, and Salvatore Cordella as Gastone.

Carlo Rizzi leads the Wiener Philharmoniker, and they do complete justice to what is in my book Verdi's single greatest score. The complete score is also available [Deutsche Grammophon 477 5933], but the full flavour of the story, and most of the better arias, are all amply-supplied on this "highlights" disc.

[Deutsche Grammophon 477 5953]

Netrebko wins hearts.......2006-08-07

Anna Netrebko has a rare voice - direct, unaffected, pure enough to stand without need for frills. This CD is a recording of her live opening night performance, it's truly a thrill and her tenor co-star matches her passionate delivery. Sound quality is good, for a live recording excellent. If you're not yet a Netrebko fan this will convert you.

Heavenly.......2006-05-06

Netrebko had the voice of an angle, sang like an angle and die as Violetta like a healthy soprano! Her voice had purity and power few can match, despite some lack of expressiveness in her lower register. As violetta she conveyed effectively strong passion. I hope to see as well as hear her in a DVD of the Saltzburg performance. If the Bonus DVD was an indication, this production should be unconventional and exciting.

On the slightly negative side she seemed to pause (breath?) at strange places and glossed over some notes every now and then. Perhaps these were to be expected in a live performance.

The CD was well produced with nice, clean sound. It was very good for a live recording. The singers and orchestra seemed to be at two different acoustical spaces.

Highly recommended!

Exciting new Traviata.......2006-03-19

In spite of many flaws, which are to be expected in a live recording, this is very exicitng new Traviata! I don't care about comparing this one to old recordings, if you want to hear Verdi sung by today's young, gifted and very engaging singers, this is the album to get. Callas, Moffo and Cotrubas were great, but what's the point of these endless comparisons. This Traviata can stand on its own. The tempi are on the slow side, but there's a feeling of great intensity, especially on this highlight disc, I like the way they put it together. I liked the complete opera recording too, but if you want to hear selection of great arias, this album works very well. Libiamo, Fors'e Lui and all the lyrical pasages are just great. Villazon is marvelous, so passionate. Anna Netrebko has such a beautiful voice and she puts so much drama into her singing, you don't have to see her to understand all the different emotions that Violetta is going through. Of course, these two singers look the part, that's just great, it's time we have such a good looking and talented pair to grace the opera stages. Hampson does not sound his best, but I liked him in Germont's role.
The DVD that comes with this album shows the Libiamo video, and I just can't wait for the DVD of this production! The other video for Donna Anna's aria is taken from Anna's previous DVD collection, but it's somewhat similar in style. This is a very nice bonus, and overall this is a great recording. I am very excited about this new generation of opera singers like Netrebko and Villazon. They may not sing technically perfect, but at least they make you feel something.

Average customer rating: Madame fait la grosse voix... I am contralto, hear me roar! What Bravura Arias! Contralto/Coloratura--An Amazing Voice! A Great Singer! From the San Francisco Chronicle

Ewa Podles - Handel Arias from Rinaldo & Orlando George Frideric Handel , Constantine Orbelian , Ewa Podles , and Moscow Chamber Orchestra Manufacturer: Delos Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Podles, Ewa | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Ewa Podles - Rossini Arias for Contralto Ewa Podles · Russian Arias Rossini - Tancredi / Podles, Jo, Olsen, Spagnoli, di Micco, Lendi, Zedda Gluck - Orfeo ed Euridice / Podles · Rodrigo · Merced · Maag Ewa Podles - Airs célèbres (Famous Arias) ASIN: B000056T8X Release Date: 2001-01-16

Customer Reviews:

Madame fait la grosse voix... .......2005-09-25

Bon, tant qu'à faire, il faut le dire tout de suite : Ewa Podles a une voix somptueuse. Un rien engorgée, mais somptueuse. Son aigu est renversant, son grave ne l'est pas moins (quand elle ne s'évertue pas à dépasser le fa grave). Ce qui la rend incournable chez Rossini, encore que son allure de Baba Yaga conviendrait mieux au personnage de Ulrica dans le Bal Masqué qu'à Isabelle dans l'Italienne à Alger... Mais chez Handel, est-ce bien le propos que de rouler sans cesse des mécaniques, et gromeler des graves de baryton à tout va ? Et les variations, piquées sans scrupule à Marilyn Horne pour la plupart des airs... Est-ce bien honnête ? Elle remercie d'ailleurs un célèbre claveciniste pour l'avoir aidée dans la composition des da capos, ce qui est très gentil de sa part... Un bon disque en somme, surtout si vous aimez les belles et bonnes voix bien grassouillettes, mais dans ces mêmes airs nous avons eu droit a des interprétations un peu plus habitées.

I am contralto, hear me roar!.......2004-12-28

This disc of arias from two of Handel's finest operas is a good introduction to Ewa Podles, heir apparant to the Marilyn Horne throne. It highlights both her strengths and weaknesses.

On the plus side: a formidable coloratura technique, good breath control, comfort above the staff, and no thin/pinched notes.

On the minus side: a voice that is rather soft-grained (which makes her sound plush in Rossini, but doesn't really do Handel justice), occasional pitch problems, a lack of incisiveness, and lack of mellifluousness in some of the slower passages (especially in the Orlando arias).

In the CD booklet, Podles is qouted as desiring a "flesh and blood" interpretation of these arias. For sure, these are not simpering, fussy renditions. However, her choice of delivery and ornamentation sometimes runs afoul. In the opening aria, the well-known Venti, Turbini from Rinaldo, Podles attacks the coloratura runs that give countertenor David Daniels so much trouble (all he can do is bluster through them.) Unfortunately, she ends the aria by leaping ackwardly into a rather ugly-sounding low note that is held "in alt" for a several seconds.

Ogni Indugio suffers a similar fate. For all that she lavishes it with wonderful phrasing, pacing, and emotion, she ruins it with another ugly low note that sounds like it was sung by an orc from Lord of the Rings.

Fans of Handel will warm to Podles' bravura, or not. If you like knock-your-socks-off delivery from a powerhouse contralto, you will relish Il Tricerbero Umiliato, from Rinaldo, as well as Cielo, Se Tu Il Consenti, from Orlando. Especially the latter, which is as tempestous as you can possibly imagine. However, if you fancy something more restrained and conventional, well, pick your favorite countertenor.

As for Orbelien's conducting, you will also warm to it, or not. This isn't finely-nuanced playing on period instruments. However, he conducts with lots of heart, and the orchestra is never anemic-sounding.

Despite the occasional laspse in technique or taste, I really recommend this collection of arias to all lovers of baroque opera.

What Bravura Arias!.......2002-12-02

This recording eclipses Haendelian recordings by other singers, even the earlier recordings of Ms. Podles herself. I'm taken by her timbre and command, and of course her incredible vocal range. Ms. Podles is now definitely more of a "Rinaldo" than "Rosina", a Baroque warrior rahter than a crafty Rossian maiden.

Her virile military mannerism on this CD is remarkable. The coloratura comes from her is fraught with masculine prowess. The baritone-like quality in Ms. Podles's lower register reminds one of no other but the legendary contralto, Marian Anderson.

Only slightly to my disappointment, Ms. Podles' approache to the ending cadenzas is in manner rather off my personal taste; it seems to be more Rossinian perhaps - frequently in some high note. This is truly justified for one who wishes to display her amazing range - so full and substancial. This makes countertenors seem somewhat crippled and on crutches.

Ms. Podles' interpretation of Haendelian operatic arias is irrefutably tour de force and most tasteful of our time, no matter how authentically Baroque one finds it.

Do not miss this one.

Contralto/Coloratura--An Amazing Voice! A Great Singer!.......2002-04-08

Anyone who heard Ewa Podles at Carnegie Hall with Orbellian and the Moscow Chamber Orchestra last year in this repertoire has to be as puzzled as I am about her absence from the Met's roster. As is evident in this excellent recording, Podles singing is always on the edge--it will bring you to attention! Recalling the live concert, some of the arias (Venti turbini, Or la Tromba) bring me to my feet, applauding. Equally exciting is Podles's Rossini CD.

From the San Francisco Chronicle.......2001-10-15

Alan Ullrich of the San Francisco Chronicle (10-17-01): Classic. Ewa Podles' Oct. 21 Hertz Hall recital should be one of the prime vocal attractions of the fall season. The Polish artist is that extremely rare phenomenon -- a genuine contralto of luxuriant tone and bottomless resources. Yet this is not one of those British "Land of Hope and Glory" oratorio-type voices but a true bel canto expert. It's hard even to imagine a voice of this weight scaling the heights and depth of Handel and Rossini coloratura with such nonchalance... Los Angeles-based Delos is focusing on Eastern European singers these days, with fascinating results. The company taped the Handel program at Skywalker Sound last year, concurrent with the Opera House recital given by these musicians. Every cut -- 18 in all -- testifies to Podles' incredible agility, seamless breath control and almost terrifying authority. She's the best reason for not casting these title parts with countertenors.

Average customer rating: A spiritual experience

Sacred Arias [Special Edition with Bonus DVD] Andrea Bocelli , Giulio Caccini , Cesar Franck , Charles Gounod , Franz Xaver Gruber , George Frideric Handel , Jean-Paul Lecot , Eric Levi , Steven Mercurio , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Louis Niedermeyer , Gioachino Rossini , Franz Schubert , Giuseppe Verdi , John Francis Wade , Richard Wagner , Myung-Whun Chung , and Santa Cecilia National Academy Orchestra Rome Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Franck, César | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( 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 All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Bocelli, Andrea | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: Andrea Bocelli - Amore Romanza Sentimento: Andrea Bocelli with Lorin Maazel and the London Symphony Orchestra [Limited Edition w/ Bonus Track] Andrea Bocelli - The Opera Album ~ Aria Andrea Bocelli: A Night in Tuscany [Region 2] ASIN: B0000CE9VO Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

1. Ave Maria
2. Sancta Maria
3. Ave Maria
4. Ave Maria
5. Panis Angelicus - Norbert Balatsch
6. Cujus Animam
7. Ingemisco
8. Ave Verum Corpus
9. Der Engel
10. Frondi Tenere... Ombra Mai Fu
11. Pieta, Signore - Norbert Balatsch
12. Domine Deus
13. Mille Cherubini In Coro - Norbert Balatsch
14. Silent Night
15. Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful) - Norbert Balatsch
16. Gloria A Te, Cristo Gesu (The Hymn Of The Great Jubilee)
17. Agnus Dei
18. I Believe

Amazon.com

When he was growing up, Andrea Bocelli recalls finding inspiration in a favorite recording of sacred music performed by tenor legend Franco Corelli. Bocelli--who in the meantime has come to inspire millions of fiercely loyal fans himself--returns to the genre as the guiding theme of Sacred Arias. These performances are filled with the singer's phenomenally well-known vocal signature: his flair for long, sweetly floating high notes and the gentle sense of cadence he brings to a melody. It's a mistake to compartmentalize Bocelli into a singer of "operatic" versus "popular" styles: in truth his approach is at heart the same. Lack of color and control in his phrasing remains a drawback, but the emotional empathy Bocelli evokes is never in doubt. The arias collected here sample some of the most famous devotional pieces: Schubert's "Ave Maria" and Mozart's transporting "Ave Verum," as well as an arrangement of "Silent Night" in which Bocelli tries out his English. There's also a decidedly odd choice of bedfellows for a program of "sacred" music, such as a song from Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder (whose "angel" is the object of an overpoweringly erotic attraction) and Handel's figurative ode to a tree, "Ombra mai fu." Still, Bocelli sings with an unfeigned directness that is sure to expand his already enormous following even further. This new special edition includes two bonus tracks on a CD enhanced with a picture gallery as well as a full-length DVD of Bocelli in concert filmed at the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome. --Thomas May

Album Description

Special Edition includes enhanced CD with bonus tracks and concert DVD.

Customer Reviews:

A spiritual experience.......2003-11-27

The DVD is the full 77 minute concert with two featurettes previously released alone. The CD is the full 72 minute concert previously released alone, except that two bonus tracks have been added. The audio quality of each one is quite good. (If you have a Dolby Digital stereo, then you must go into the setup menu on the DVD to select Dolby Digital sound. The default music track is the stereo 2.0 sound.) The video quality of the DVD is astonishing.

The DVD gives the feeling that you are in the church with the other worshippers. It literally sends chills up and down my spine. I highly recommend this CD/DVD combination Special Edition while it is still available.

Average customer rating: Mario Lanza Opera Outstanding Unsurpassed! BMG Needs to hire Folks in the Know Mario Lanza WAS a trained opera singer

Mario Lanza ~ Opera Arias & Duets, from Andréa Chenier · La Bohème · I Pagliacci · Madama Butterfly · Otello Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | 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 All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Lanza, Mario | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Giordano, Umberto | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Flotow, Friedrich von | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cilea, Francesco | C to G | 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 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 General | International | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Traditional | ( T ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Lanza, Mario | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mario Lanza: At His Best! The MARIO LANZA Collection Lanza: Greatest Hits Mario Lanza Sings Songs From The Student Prince & The Desert Song / Romberg For the First Time/Mario Lanza Sings Caruso Favorites ASIN: B00000JMH3 Release Date: 2001-10-08

Tracks:

1. Celeste Aida
2. Amor Ti Vieta
3. Di All'azzurro Spazio [From "Andrea Chenier]
4. O Soave Fanciulla
5. Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee
6. O Paradiso
7. Tal Giocco/Vesti la Giubba
8. Stolta Paura l'Amor - Mario Lanza,
9. Donna E Mobile
10. Vesti la Giubba
11. M'Appari
12. Nessun Dorma
13. Testa Adorata
14. Come un Bel Di Maggio
15. Lamento Di Federico
16. Dio Ti Giocondi - Licia Albanese, Mario Lanza

Customer Reviews:

Mario Lanza Opera.......2007-05-12

This CD of mario is absolutely fabulous. It is the only recording I have managed to find of him singing Nessum Dorma. It is not to be missed. One of operas greatest.

Outstanding.......2006-11-06

Hey, this is Mario Lanza, it can't get any better. A great collection of the best Arias!

Unsurpassed!.......2005-12-13

I am sick and tired of all these technical reviews and critical remarks leveled against everything Mario Lanza did in his short life!

True, musically Mario made some mistakes....but so has every other great tenor in history....from Caruso to Pavarotti and beyond!
And perhaps he sang some arias with too much fortissimo....so what?
Every single song on here, be it among his best or worst work, is a masterpiece when compared to renditions of the same arias by other, more legit and operatically acclaimed tenors.

In order to "get" Lanza one must discard all notions of "finesse", "grace" and " elegance" for Lanza operated, and sang on raw, unadulterated, gut wrenching emotion.
THAT was the genious of Mario Lanza.

We can argue for another 40 years as to his operatic legitimacy...for nought!
Lanza was a VOCAL master and his approach to song was as unconventional and idiosyncratic as was his life.
That's what makes these songs so special and unique.

No one other than perhaps Corelli had the voice and the balls to sing with such uninhibited emotion and that's what this CD is all about.
It is a testament of a great voice.
The fact that Lanza did not have the benefit of a great conductor or teacher guiding him through most of his career, makes these recordings all the more great.

He sang the music as he felt it and that's a big no-no in the stuffy, overbearing and self-righteous world of opera.
Lanza earned millions of dollars because his voice touched all who heard it. His art brought more people to opera than all the leading tenors of his day combined....and this during the golden age of tenors and opera as a whole!

The only word of lesser praise I can offer is the inclusion of the duets. Mario did not have the temprament for duet singing, and subsequently he ended up drowning his partners out, or engaging in a sort of vocal warfare which was the case with much of what he and Grayson recorded during his MGM days.
The arias are great....the duets are medicore on all accounts.

In closing, I apologize for not having spen time on the actual songs. It's been done to death.
All I can say is that, if you wish to hear opera arias sung in a way such as will never be heard again in our lifetime, then this is a CD for you.
If you want proper, technically proficient opera, sung by some big name opera jerk, then stick to that....you'll only end up feeling like all the other good people who have so much negative to say about this CD.

BMG Needs to hire Folks in the Know.......2004-06-15

There are several cuts on this CD that Lnaza did in fact record much better at other times. I have all his records LPs, 78s and movies and I wish BMG would consult a Lanza fan,or me,for the cuts would make the perfect CD. I think its great that we have such a wonderful collection of recordings of Lanza and this one warts and all is still one of the best. The best Lanza set was the RCA LP 2 record set put out in the 70s with Lanza on the cover in M. Butterfly. Where oh where can it be??? Long live Mario Lanza!

Mario Lanza WAS a trained opera singer.......2003-11-13

To the reviewer from Michigan who said Mario never performed an opera on stage, you are wrong. He did two performances as Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly before going off to Hollywood.

Mario had extensive operatic training from some top teachers. He was sought after by many opera companies, including the Met in New York.

It is true that some of Mario's recordings are not as good as others. He did various versions of much of his material, both live and studio, so of course you will find some you prefer to others. But the beauty, power and expressiveness of his voice is unmatched by any tenor I have ever heard.

Average customer rating:

Leonard Bernstein: A Jewish Legacy [Milken Archive of American Jewish Music] Manufacturer: Milken Archive ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | 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: Introducing World of American Jewish Music [Milken Archive of American Jewish Music] Klezmer Concertos & Encores [Milken Archive of American Jewish Music] Brubeck - The Gates of Justice (Milken Archive American Jewish Music) Darius Milhaud: Service Sacre [Milken Archive of American Jewish Music] Ellstein: Great Songs of the Yiddish Stage 1 [Milken Archive of American Jewish Music] ASIN: B0000DD77Y Release Date: 2003-10-21

Tracks:

1. Israelite Chorus - Rochester Singers
2. Invocation And Trance (From Dybbuk) - Barry Snyder
3. Psalm 148 - Angelina Reaux
4. Reenah - Rochester Singers
5. The First Waltz (Canon) - Barry Snyder
6. Cha-cha-cha - Barry Snyder
7. Hora - Barry Snyder
8. Yevarechecha - Aaron Miller
9. Halil - Bonita Boyd
10. Simchu Na - Rochester Singers
11. Oif Mayn Khas'ne - Jean Barr
12. Vayomer Elohim - Barry Snyder
13. Yigdal - Rochester Singers
14. Ilana, The Dreamer - Jack Gottlieb
15. Idele, The Chassedele - Jack Gottlieb
16. Yosi, The Jokester - Jack Gottlieb
17. Dina, The Tomboy Who Weeps Alone - Jack Gottlieb
18. Silhouette (Galilee) - Angelina Reaux
19. Hashkiveinu - Hans Peter Blochwitz

Amazon.com

Leonard Bernstein occupies a unique position in the music world for his protean, multi-faceted talents. His ability to draw on and absorb every cultural influence made him the ultimate eclectic, yet he eventually forged a style that was unmistakably his own. This record, which includes vocal, choral and instrumental pieces, some never recorded, performed or published, demonstrates that his Jewish heritage played a formative, lasting, decisive role in this process. The earliest, Psalm 148 (sung in English), written when he was 17, is steeped in an ultra-romantics style, especially Wagner's; it hardly contains a hint of the later Bernstein, but its innocent sweetness is infinitely touching. The longest, Halil, is a virtuoso piece for flute with piano and percussion, written 1981 in memory of a 19-year-old Israeli flutist killed 1973 in the Yom Kippur War. Also written for specific occasions and friends are Silhouette for Jennie Tourel's birthday and Three Wedding Dances for the marriage of Adolph Greene and Phyllis Newman. Excerpts from longer works include At My Wedding from Arias and Barcarolles, a description of a young fiddler playing for a wedding that is both funny and affecting, sung in Yiddish, a chorus from the ballet The Dybbuk, a section of Concerto for Orchestra. These, like several sacred selections--prayers, invocations, hymns of thanks and praise for various parts of the Service--are sung in Hebrew. The most substantial is Hashkiveinu, a prayer for peace, commissioned by the Cantor of a New York synagogue, for tenor solo, chorus and organ, featuring call and response, cantorial chanting and very daring harmonies and tonal juxtapositions. Bernstein later recycled some of this material for other, very different compositions, like films and musicals, perhaps indicating that he considered this style the connecting thread of his creative life. The performances are uniformly excellent; Réaux, Blochwitz and the pianists stand out. --Edith Eisler

Album Description

"What are the Jewish roots I long for?" wrote Leonard Bernstein as he pondered one of his many Jewish-inspired compositions. This unique collection of rarely heard works—including several world-premiere recordings—reveals many possible answers to Bernstein's question. Triumphal processions, mysterious invocations, intimate Jewish character portraits, rousing dances; all of these musical offerings present the great eclectic imagination of one of America's foremost 20th century composers.

Average customer rating: Poor mix a fine example of two shining opera stars...... A musical marriage made in heaven! A Nice Collection, But Something's Missing Perfection

Roberto Alagna & Angela Gheorghiu - Duets & Arias Pietro Mascagni , Jules Massenet , Gaetano Donizetti , Jacques Offenbach , Leonard Bernstein , Charles Gounod , Gustave Charpentier , Hector Berlioz , Giacomo Puccini , Richard Armstrong , Roberto Alagna , Angela Gheorghiu , and Covent Garden Orchestra of the Royal Opera House Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gheorghiu, Angela | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Essential Angela Gheorghiu Puccini Angela Gheorghiu - Arias Diva Roberto Alagna - Opera Arias ASIN: B000002RWA Release Date: 1996-04-23

Tracks:

1. Suzel, boun di...
2. L'amico Fritz, Atto 2: Tutto tace
3. Manon, Acte 3: Je suis seul! . . . Ah, fuyez
4. Toi! Vous! . . . Oui, c'est moi! . . .
5. Manon, Acte 3: N'est-ce plus ma main
6. Anna Bolena, Atto 2: Al dolce guidami castel natio
7. Don Pasquale, Atto 2: Tornami a dir
8. La Belle Helene, Acte 1: Au Mont Ida, trois deesses
9. West Side Story, Act 1: Only you . . .Tonight
10. Il se fait tard . . .
11. Faust, Acte 3: O nuit d'amour
12. Louise, Acte 3: Depuis le jour
13. Les Troyens, Acte 4: Nuit d'ivresse
14. La Boheme, Atto 1: O soave fanciulla

Customer Reviews:

Poor mix .......2006-02-20

There is no climatic piece in the whole album. It appears it was gathered selections...by that I mean, somebody said "oh let's use this one and this one..." The selections just drift from one to the next and carry little emotional impact on this listener. Yet I love Angela, but Roberto is second rate. Overall, not much on here to remember.

a fine example of two shining opera stars.............2005-10-28

How perfect is it that tenor Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu are a madly in love, married opera couple with voices like angels? I remember when this album first came out in the mid-1990s. At the time, I didn't have a CD player, and their album was a motivation for me to get one, if that says anything about how much I LOVE both of them, as well as the music samples I first heard on NPR.

Alagna's resonance is clear, but, never piercing. Gheorghiu's clean-sounding soprano is expressive, but never shrill, and exhudes a warmth, as well as a softness, when she attacks the really high notes. What sets Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu apart from the pack of young opera stars is their own original, highly energetic and sincere interpretations of popular opera duets, featured here. They include "Tonight" from West Side Story (which I really wouldn't consider opera, but, more an example of musical theatre), and "O soave fanciulla" from La Boheme. I guarantee that listening to this album will make you fall in love with these two wonderful singers.

A musical marriage made in heaven!.......2003-12-01

In the early 1990s I began following the careers of two immensely talented young singers then on the verge of international stardom. The French tenor Roberto Alagna wowed Covent Garden audiences as Romeo and Rodolfo, and had received rave reviews throughout Europe. The splendid Mimi of Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu enlivened an otherwise lackluster 1994 Metropolitan Opera broadcast, and an astounding triumph at Covent Garden as Violetta followed. I had often longed for these two splendid young artists to sing together, and I got my wish in spades when it was publicly announced that they were madly in love - this disc was recorded 6 months before and released in the U.S. 4 days before their real-life marriage. While I and many opera fans are hopeless romantics who are delighted by such things, what really matters is that their VOICES are married. Let's just say that I have heard other singers who are either married or otherwise romantically involved who do not have nearly the rapport that these two people do. They are supremely sensitive to and supportive of each other's artistry and even more importantly, are ultimately the servants of the composer.

Alagna's sweet, warm, earthy tenor and Gheorghiu's velvety, starlit soprano blend so perfectly that it often seems one voice is coming out of two mouths. Nowhere is this more true than on the triumph of the disc, 'Nuit d'ivresse' from Hector Berlioz's 'Les Troyens'. This is a good candidate for the best joint recording they have ever made and is certainly their best individual duet recording. While it is usually sung by a tenor with a heavier voice and a mezzo-soprano, the sheer lyricism of their voices renders this music utterly ravishing - I have never heard this piece sung more beautifully. And how many typical operatic 'love duet' albums would include something this rare? Their 'one voice' quality is also evident in 'Tornami a dir' from 'Don Pasquale', a triumph of heady sweetness, and again, not exactly standard fare. Throughout these selections, and indeed the entire album, we hear superb dynamic sensitivity and gorgeous pianissimo singing, and everything is sung with such dramatic intensity and immersion in character that you think you're hearing a live performance and not a recording. About the only quibble I have is that Alagna's diction in both French and Italian is so perfect that Gheorghiu's comes up a bit short by comparison.

The Cherry Duet from 'L'Amico Fritz' which begins the album is full of sweet affection and wistfulness. In the Saint Sulpice scene from 'Manon', Gheorghiu is irresistibly seductive and tender and Alagna believably torn between Des Grieux's pain at Manon's betrayal and his love for her. Some may actually prefer this version of the duet to the slightly more 'verismo' and less subtle rendition of their complete recording under Antonio Pappano. The Garden Scene from 'Faust', albeit not quite as intense as in their recent Metropolitan Opera performances, is still a triumph of French style, sensitivity, and drama, again with absolutely gorgeous pianissimo singing, this time at 'Eternelle!'. This should be no surprise to anyone who has heard them sing 'Romeo et Juliette'. And, of course, these masters of Gounod's version of 'Romeo and Juliet' also make something special of Bernstein's. I don't believe I've ever heard 'Tonight' more beautifully and musically sung - and as Gheorghiu pointed out in an interview, this is not 'easy' music to sing. The only problem here is that 'West Side Story' is more about Anglo/Puerto Rican culture clash than about family feuds, and so it hurts somewhat that the singers have the wrong (and more importantly, too similar) accents. Nevertheless, their English is clear and understandable, and as usual they mean every word they sing. The disc concludes with a radiant 'O soave fanciulla', where Rodolfo's and Mimi's romance is off to a tender and teasing start.

In addition to the six duets, each singer has two solo arias. Alagna's first is a splendid 'Ah, fuyez douce image', where he not only begins the aria pianissimo, but he makes more of the words than just about any tenor since Georges Thill. He follows this with a rollicking version of Paris' Entrance from 'La Belle Helene'. While not even Alagna can negotiate the B flat octave leaps with the ease of Jussi Bjorling (in his unsurpassable 1938 Swedish-language recording), he has the considerable advantage of native French speech, and a far better appreciation of the piece's humor. Gheorghiu has surpassed her two solo selections since making this recording - the 'Al dolce guidami' on her 'Casta Diva' bel canto disc and the 'Depuis le jour' on her live Covent Garden recital - but these versions demonstrate her ravishing top, command of legato, and extraordinary emotional expressivity.

Richard Armstrong (the music director of the Scottish Opera, who also conducted Alagna's solo debut album) is with his singers all the way and he has the Covent Garden Orchestra play gorgeously . In particular, his molding of the orchestral line and color in the Berlioz is very impressive. Excellent documentation, with full texts and translations, by British vocal collector John Steane. Although this is focused (as it should be) on the music rather than the singers, there is also brief biographical information on both Alagna and Gheorghiu, which none of their subsequent EMI CDs have had.

In short this album is a triumph from beginning to end and an absolute must for any lover of the human voice, absolutely giving lie to the common whine of 'all the great singers are gone forever'. Of course, you'll also have to buy Alagna's and Gheorghiu's complete opera recordings, their equally stunning Verdi duets CD, and too many individual solo albums to count. Almost anything either of these splendid artists do, separately or together, is worth buying and devouring. They're a Golden Age all by themselves!

A Nice Collection, But Something's Missing.......2003-11-09

Since Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu are opera's favorite lovebirds, and real life husband and wife, it is not inconceivable that EMI would release a disk of arias and duets featuring the couple. The disk is reasonably good. It has the standard duets such as "O Soave Fanciulla" from LA BOHEME and "The Cherry Duet" from L'AMICO FRITZ as well as a few lesser known pieces that make the disk interesting. The Broadway stage is also included in a duet from Leonard Bernstein's WEST SIDE STORY. As beautiful as Bernstein's music is, it somehow does not fit in this recording. The two do a reasonably good job, both as soloists and together, but the disk lacks power. The two fail to generate the energy on this disk that the two seem to have on television and in video performances. Their acting abilities surpass many "Golden Age" stars, but their music, while technically good, fails to generate the same excitement as a Corelli--Price, Pavarotti--Freni, or a Callas--Di Stefano pairing would generate. None-the-less, the recording is not bad, and it will certainly be pleasing to fans of the two.

Perfection.......2001-12-06

This is lovely from beginning to end. These two singers really know how to put together a recital CD. It's always satisfying no matter how often I listen to it. The selections they sing are well suited to their voices. It's a pleasure. I can't recommend this CD enough. It's truly a shared program with neither one overwhelming the other. They each get their solo turns and the duets are wonderful.

Average customer rating: Sublime Mozart singing - Sandrine Piau sings with perfect classical style The divine Sandrine! Bravo! Heavenly This CD is on 'repeat' wonderful singing

Mozart: Opera Arias Gottfried von der Goltz , Sandrine Piau , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , and Freiburger Barockorchester Manufacturer: Astree ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Sandrine Piau - Handel Opera Seria Debussy: Mélodies Vivaldi: In furore, Laudate pueri e concerti sacri Vivaldi Edition: Arie d'Opera Handel - Arie e duetti d'amore / Piau, Banditelli, Europa Galante, Biondi ASIN: B00005UEBE Release Date: 2002-05-14

Tracks:

1. Lucio Sillia: In un istante oh come
2. Lucio Sillia: Parto, m'affreto
3. Die Zauberflote: Ach, ich fuhl's
4. Il re pastore: oh Dio mi vedi
5. Mitradite, re di Ponto: Grazie ai numi parti
6. Mitradite, re di Ponto: Nel grave tormento
7. Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail: Welcher Wechsel
8. Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail: Traurigkeit ward mir zum Lose
9. Lucio Sillia: Vanne, t'affretta
10. Lucio Sillia: Ah se il crudel periglio
11. La clemenza di Tito: S'altro che lagrime
12. Mitradite, re di Ponto: Al destin, che la minaccia
13. Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail: Ach, ich liebte, war so glucklich
14. Zaide: Ruhe sanft, mein holdes leben

Amazon.com

French soprano Sandrine Piau's voice is small, beautiful, light, and perfectly focused, and it's absolutely even from top (often, repeated high Ds) to bottom. She focuses thoroughly on the text and exclaims important, dramatic phrases with a natural emphasis that helps her avoid the sameness that high coloraturas can be so guilty of, especially on disc. Her breath control is stupendous (in Giunia's "Ah se il crudel periglio" from Lucio Silla, she launches one wildly embellished half-minute run after another effortlessly), the tone absolutely centered. Aside from the embroidered pieces here from Silla and Mitridate, we get a taste of Pamina, and while a fuller voice is (almost) needed for "Ach, ich fuhls," the manner in which Piau handles dynamics offers us enough. The same can be said for Konstanze's "Ach ich liebte" and "Traurigkeit," the latter sung as movingly as we're probably ever going to hear it. This is great singing. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Sublime Mozart singing - Sandrine Piau sings with perfect classical style.......2005-12-31

Sandrine Piau's voice is beautiful - that goes almost without saying. It has a limpid clarity that also contains a delicacy and warmth. She has clearly articulated coloratua and a lovely legato when she needs it - and certainly one needs it with Mozart!

This recording delighted me enormously when I first purchased it. Mozart is notorious for singers - one must have true beauty in the voice, because Mozart leaves the voice dangerously exposed. What looks easy on the page is not quite that easy to sing well. Thankfully, Sandrine Piau demonstrates perfectly how to sing Mozart soprano arias, and she does a wonderful job of incorporating the lyrical and the bedazzling - the intimate and the grand.

Her rendition of "Ach, ich fühl's" is well nigh perfect, and who could listen to her "Ruhe sanft" without sighing with pleasure? Ms Piau sings with impeccable phrasing and superb support, allowing the tone to fill the space without going too far. The danger in "Ruhe sanft" is for the singer to become swoony and droopy, swooping up to notes or holding on for too long - but no such faux pas occurs in this rendition. Just beautiful, beautiful sound and very lovely emotional interpretation that NEVER strays beyond the genuine classical style.

The faster arias - for instance, "Al destin, che la minaccia" - are spun with wonderful articulation and in perfect control. Lovely to listen to - impressively maintained energy-wise - and it makes one long to hear Ms Piau in a major Mozartian role requiring that lovely blend of grace, charm and coloratura.

Finally, I cannot possibly end this review without mentioning the very fine performance of "Traurigkeit ward mir zum Lose" on this CD. Once again, the sense of genuine emotion well controlled makes this a stunning rendition. The role of Konstanze is not that of a vocal battleship, but impeccable Mozart style, magnificently controlled coloratura, a beautiful and blooming tone, the required range, and the stamina of a steel butterfly - that is what is required. And that is precisely what Ms Piau gives us.

Wonderful singing, gorgeous arias... This is my favourite recording of Sandrine Piau - in my opinion, it's finer than her more recent Handel recording. It may well be a desert island disc.

The divine Sandrine! Bravo!.......2005-06-11

I have nothing but complete and utter praise for this superb recording by this wonderful and talented singer and the great period instrument orchestra backing her.

Sandrine Piau has always impressed me - I think I first noticed her in a big way in William Christie's wonderful recording of Jean-Philippe Rameau's opera Les Indes Galantes, made with his Les Arts Florissants ensemble.

Sandrine Piau brings much beauty, colour, expression, style and intelligence to anything she sings. I love her voice.

Her Mozart is divine. Listen to "Ah se il crudel periglio" from Lucio Silla and you will buy this album!

5 stars? I'd give it 10 if I could!

Now that you own this disc, you should immediately consider buying Natalie Dessay's collection of Mozart Arias - "Mozart Heroines", made with The Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment.

Both ladies bring many different things to Mozart. I like both of them very much. Piau sings the arias which require pathos with great skill and feeling. Dessay's command of coloratura is powerful and impressive. Of course, Piau handles coloratura with skill, too, and Dessay can break your heart in the slower and more pathetique arias.

Buy Sandrine Piau's Mozart or buy Natalie Dessay's Mozart ... what the hell! Do as I did - buy both!

Heavenly.......2004-04-21

If you've ever wondered what perfection sounds like, search no further. Sandrine Piau has the voice of an angel. The combination of her voice and Mozart's music reaches the very heights of sublimity.

This CD is on 'repeat'.......2003-01-21

High, light, focused voice singing impeccable coloratura, passionate legato. Mozart wrote some of this music when he was 14 years old; what an incredible talent. Ms. Piau made it sound easy. This CD is on 'repeat' in my car's player, helping me learn. Sandrine, where is your next CD?

wonderful singing.......2003-01-12

As the editorial reviewer pointed out, this is indeed gorgeous singing. Her voice is passionate yet balanced, never compromising vocal acuity for heart-on-sleave emotion. Piau is a very promising singer whom we will probably hear much more of soon. However, at times this album does give the impression of being more of a exhibition of virtuosity than a recital (even they are usually the same).

Average customer rating: Many favorites

Favourite Flavours - Best Of... (Import) Manufacturer: Linus Entertainment ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ibert, Jacques | ( I ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Piazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weber | Weber, Carl Maria von | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music Traditional Folk | Folk | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music International Folk | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Travels the Orient Express Rustic Chivalry Neapolitan Cafe Quartetto Gelato - A Concert In Wine Country Quartetto Gelato ASIN: B000B8847C Release Date: 2005-09-27

Tracks:

1. Tango del Mare
2. O Sole Mio
3. Hungaria
4. Words That I Want
5. Entracte
6. The Clown of Venice
7. Rondine al Nido
8. Al di La
9. Tombeau de Couperin: Prelude
10. Konzertstuck Opus 79 Finale
11. La Vie En Rose
12. Czardas
13. Chitarra Romana
14. Ave Maria (Tanti Anni Prima)
15. Turandot Prelude and Aria Nessun Dorma
16. Besame Mucho

Customer Reviews:

Many favorites.......2007-03-08

The quartet does an excellent job of setting the mood for whatever you are doing. It's music you can talk over and yet it is stimulating just to lay back and listen. Can't miss with this CD.

Meditation Music:

1. Atlas: An Opera in 3 Parts [Soundtrack]
2. Beethoven: Leonore (Original Version of Fidelio)
3. Bellini: I Puritani
4. Bellini: La Straniera
5. Bizet: Carmen
6. Bizet: I pescatori di perle
7. Cavalieri: Rappresentatione de Anima et Corpo
8. Cherubini: Medea
9. Christoph Willibald Gluck: Orfeo ed Euridice
10. Donizetti: La Figlia del Reggimento

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

Savage Eye [Extra tracks] [Original recording remastered]

Chopin: Polonaises

Cassation in F / Divertissement in B Flat

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Dance Club

Deep Train V.2: Mixed By Timewriter [Import]

Das War Nur Ein Moment/Ein Hauch Von Frühling

Canciones de Mi Padre

Caravan [Import] [Limited Edition]

Budokan [Import] [Limited Edition]

Blue Guitar

Best of Yiddish Folk Songs

Bulletproof Wallets [Clean]

On Show

The Al Haig Trio