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Pagliacci, opera
Composed by Ruggero Leoncavallo
with Cornell MacNeil, Jon Vickers, Jose Nait, Bruno Tornasetti, Joan Carlyle
Conducted by Bruno Bartoletti
Leoncavallo: I Pagliacci,Ruggero Leoncavallo,Bruno Bartoletti,Jon Vickers,Bruno Tornasetti,Cornell MacNeil,Joan Carlyle,Jose Nait,Jose Noit,Video Arts Int'l,Classical,Classical Music,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio
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Artists Of The Century - Jussi Bjorling, The Ultimate Collection
Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000J911 Release Date: 1999-05-25 |
Tracks:
- Aida: Se quel guerriero io fossi; Celete Aida
- Manon Lescaut - Donna non vida mai
- Rigoletto - La Donna ? mobile
- Rigoletto - Ella mi fu rapita; Parmi veder le lagrime
- Cavalleria Rusticana - Siciliana: O Lola - Frederick Schauwecker
- Faust - Salut, demeure chaste et pure - Robert Merrill
- Pagliacci - Vesti la guibba
- La Boh?me - Che gelida manini - Licia Albanese
- Prince Igor - Vladimir's Recitative and Cavatina
- Andrea Cher - Come un bel di di maggio
- Martha - M'apparutt'amor
- L'elisir d'amore - Una furtiva lagrima
- Eugene Onegin - F, f (Lensky's aria)
- Turandot - Nessun Dorma
- Tosca - Recondita armonia
- Tosca - E lucevan le stelle
- Tosca - O dolci mani
- The Trout (Die Forelle)
- An Silvia: Was ist Silvia?
- Stchen D. 957/4
Tracks:
- The Pearl Fishers - Au fond du temple saint
- Tosca - Mario, Mario, Mario!
- Don Carlo - lo l'ho perduta!; Dio, che nell'alma infondere
- Manon Lescaut - Oh, sar pila!; Tu, tu, amore? Tu?
- La Boh - In un coup Mimtu pitorni
- La Forza Del Destina - Solenne in quest'ora
- Aida - La fatal pietra; O terra addio
- Turandot - Signore, escaolta!; Non piangere, Li
- Otello - Oh! monstruosa colpa!; Si, pel ciel marmorea giuro!
- A Dream
- Turandot - Nessun Dorma
- Zeignung, Op 10, No. 1/Dedica
Amazon.com
Surely Björling was one of the greatest tenors of his or any other time, not only for the clarion ring, the purity, and the melting lyricism of his voice, but for his effortless lightness, impeccable intonation, endless breath control, and natural phrasing and line, enhanced by old-fashioned but wonderfully expressive scoops and slides. On this generous two-disc set, he is heard in a huge selection of arias and some duets with distinguished colleagues; most of them were recorded separately, and a few are excerpted from complete opera recordings--unfortunately not very skillfully, stopping abruptly in mid-phrase if not mid-note. No matter; the miraculous thing is that Björling, whether singing an entire role or a single aria, can instantly create a character and bring him to vibrant life. He sings everything in the original keys--his high B-flats, B's, and C's are thrilling--and almost everything in the original language, including a few songs by Schubert, Strauss, and Grieg. Recorded live in recital, they are delightful--only one is too operatic. Among his partners, soprano Zinka Milanov and baritone Robert Merrill stand out. This recording presents an incomparable artist at his incomparable best. --Edith EislerCustomer Reviews:
Excellent older music.......2007-04-05
A Golden Voice!.......2006-07-31
(Some guy below is comparing Bjorling to DeStefano and Corelli and some others and was critical of Bjorling. The guy who wrote that must be suffering from hearing loss! ALL the tenors he mentioned are/were great artists. DON'T BELIEVE HIM...BELIEVE ME! :o) Email:boland7214@aol.
Heaven.......2004-12-13
To me, NO other tenor I've ever heard matches Bjoerling. His voice is one of the few that reduce me to tears just trying to EXPLAIN it to people. I've loved classical music since childhood but was never able to get into opera until I heard Jussi ... all the tenors alive today - feh, sorry, but to me they just sound like guys taking deep breaths and singing loud, not like "the voice of God" ...
The Ultimate Tenor Anthology.......2003-10-26
In the opening selection of this compilation; "Celeste Aida", this essentially lyric voice demonstrates for every heroic and dramatic tenor how to sing dramatic opera. It is a sheer singing lesson. In the strenuous recitative, he does not shout or use other non-musical effects, but shows that true dramatic expression is characterized by tonal intensiy and not by volume, although he had plenty enough of that. The beautiful and incredibly free flow of lyric tones in the Pearlfishers duet, the Faust cavatina and in the gorgeous "Che gelida manina" is absolutely exemplary. Yet, who could replicate the beauty of those effortless high C`s? I cannot think of anyone.
The only thing that could better this and give the set 5 stars in the book, is a compilation of the same selections, transferred from the original tapes and not excessively remastered as on this occasion. The sound is at times overly bright and the voice sounds thin and even sharp. But the singing is so far unmatched.
The biggest hype I've ever seen or heard.......2003-07-27
A total disappointment. I recommend Gigli and Del Monaco instead.
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Lanza: Greatest Hits
Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000003FVZ Release Date: 1995-04-11 |
Tracks:
- The Toast Of New Orleans: Be My Love
- Because
- Very Warm For May: All The Things You Are
- The Student Prince: Serenade
- Rigoletto - La Donna e Mobile
- Pagliacci: Vesti La Guibba
- O Sole Mio
- The Student Prince: Beloved
- South Pacific: Younger Than Springtime
- The Great Caruso: The Loveliest Night Of The Year
- Carousel: If I Loved You
- Carmen: Flower Song
- The Student Prince: Golden Days
- Spring Is Here: With A Song In My Heart
- The Land Of Smiles: Yours Is My Heart Alone
- Because You're Mine
- Cavalleria Rusticana: Adido Alla Madre
- Aida: Celeste Aida
- The Lord's Prayer
- Granada
Customer Reviews:
Introducing the Greatest Voice of All Time.......2007-03-13
This selection of recordings has a number of fine selections that give a small "flavor" of his fantastic talent and skills. It is a good beginning for someone who wants to know "The American Caruso."
The Greatest Tenor of the 20th Century........2007-01-21
Easy listening.......2006-02-27
Lanza of the joyous voice!.......2005-07-14
Not bad as an introduction to Lanza.......2001-11-13
Highlights include the immortal Serenade & Golden Days from The Student Prince, Beloved (from the film version of the Student Prince, and arguably Lanza's best English-language love song), Because You're Mine, If I Loved You, and the stirring Addio Alla Madre from Cavalleria Rusticana. If love songs seem a little over-represented at the expense of arias and (notably) Italian & Neapolitan Songs, then blame BMG for their habitual neglect of Lanza's more serious side. In any event, this is essentially a one-CD version of the three-CD set, The Mario Lanza Collection. All of the renditions are the same as on the earlier CD, as are the sound sources. With the exception of The Student Prince Serenade, most of the selections here have never sounded better.
Be aware, however, that several of the arias are in fact retakes of more familiar versions. Vesti La Giubba, for instance, is an alternate take from Lanza's May 1950 session, and although the tenor is in great voice, the orchestra lets him down on the climactic phrase by moving on before he has finished his High A on the word "infranto". The Flower Song is even more unrestrained than the familiar take - great fun, but not the kind of recording you'd want newcomers to Lanza to hear! (Lanza never quite "nailed" this aria, but his heart was in the right place.) La Donna E Mobile is the familiar 1950 version in the first half, but is replaced by an inferior retake in the second half, followed by an edited-in High B ending (on "pensier") from the original recording!
The only truly bad recording is the inexplicably popular With A Song In My Heart. Lanza is unfocused, and strains his way throughout the piece. Yours Is My Heart Alone is somewhat better, but is easily surpassed by the tenor's 1956 recording with the conductor Henri Rene (and currently unavailable on CD).
The "Greatest Hits" are here: the million-selling Be My Love, Loveliest Night of The Year and the aforementioned Because You're Mine. I have to confess to an aversion to the first two - Lanza was often a far better singer than these recordings suggest - but most fans, I'm sure, will continue to cherish them. Besides, what tenor since Lanza has ever sung Be My Love without straining his way through the wretched thing and then fudging the High C at the end? Lanza made it his own, and to be fair to the song, it is actually a very difficult piece to pull off, as Messrs Domingo, Carreras and Leech will no doubt attest. But that was also one of Lanza's most under-appreciated strengths - he made everything sound so easy. Listeners accustomed to the laborious efforts of most present-day tenors will be astounded by the freshness, ease, and sheer bravado of these performances.
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The Legendary Enrico Caruso: 21 Favorite Arias
Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000003EOH Release Date: 1990-10-25 |
Tracks:
- Pagliacci: Vesti la giubba
- TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle
- Rigoletto: Questa o quella
- Rigoletto: La donna e mobile
- L'africana: O paradiso
- La Juive: Rachel, quand du Seigneur
- La Boheme: Che gelida manina
- Aida: Se quel guerrier io fossi; Celeste Aida
- Andrea Chenier: Come un bel di di maggio
- La Favorita: Romanza: Spirto gentil, ne' sogni miei
- La forza del destino: O tu che in seno agli angeli
- Otello: Ora e per sempre addio
- Les pecheurs de perles: Je crois entendre encore
- La Gioconda: Cielo e mar!
- Carmen: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee (Flower Song)
- TOSCA: Recondita armonia
- Faust: Salut, demeure chaste et pure
- L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima
- Martha: M'appari tutt'amor
- Serse: Ombra mai fu (Largo)
- Il Trovatore: Di quella pira
Amazon.com
There's a plethora of single-disc Caruso collections, but this one's the preferred choice for opera fans who treasure this golden- voiced epitome of Golden Age singing. It's a Greatest Hits collection to beat all Greatest Hits collections. Selections span Caruso's career, from the lyric effusions of 1906-7 to the darker-voiced later recordings, including one of his last records, the 1920 La Juive aria, "Rachel, quand du Seigneur," which he invests with a heartbreaking poignancy that hasn't been bettered. Caruso shines brightest in the Italian repertory, capturing the pathos of Vesti la Giubba, the insouciance of the Duke's Rigoletto arias, and the hero's dilemma in Celeste Aida, among much else. But everything here is wonderful--great music, great singing. --Dan DavisCustomer Reviews:
Great to hear the Great Tenor.......2007-04-11
A childhood memory.......2006-05-28
Caruso was then, and I believe still is considered at the very top of operatic singers. And it is a remarkable experience to hear so many years later , and in a stronger and clearer way sounds which one heard long ago in childhood, and have for years only lived in the mind.
Great collection........2000-11-04
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Renée Fleming
Giacomo Puccini , Jules Massenet , Georges Bizet , Alfredo Catalani , Ruggero Leoncavallo , Francesco Cilea , Charles Gounod , Giuseppe Verdi , Vincenzo Bellini , London Philharmonic Orchestra , Sir Charles Mackerras , Renée Fleming , and London Voices Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00004YLU5 Release Date: 2000-09-26 |
Tracks:
- Puccini: O mio babbino caro - Gianni Schicchi
- Puccini: Un bel di vedremo - Madame Butterfly
- Puccini: Quando men vo - Musetta's waltz - La Boheme
- Puccini compl. Alfano: Signore, ascolta - Turandot
- Leoncavallo: Stridono lassu - I Pagliacci
- Cilea: Io son l'umile ancella - Adriana Lecouvreur
- Catalani: Ebben? Ne adnro lontana - La Wally
- Massenet: Je suis encore etourdie - Manon
- Massenet: Adieu notre petite table - Manon
- Bizet: Micaela's aria - Carmen
- Gounod: Je veux vivre - Romeo & Juliette
- Verdi: come in quest'ora bruna - Simon Boccanegra
- Bellini: Casta Diva - Norma
- Verdi: Bolero - Les Vepres Siciliennes
Amazon.com essential recording
Surely, Renée Fleming has one of the most beautiful voices to be heard anywhere today. It combines velvety warmth, creamy richness, soaring radiance, and flawless purity, and seems to flow out without effort, every tone impeccably centered and in tune, capable of almost too much variety of color and nuance. Fleming's breath control is incredible; she can spin out long, arching phrases and build up climaxes with thrilling intensity. The program of this recital displays Fleming's vocal and dramatic gifts to full advantage, and includes both familiar and lesser-known arias from Italian and French operas. Although some of these are not in her repertoire, she clearly feels close to them. The three opening Puccini favorites from Gianni Schicchi, Madama Butterfly, and La Bohème are a bit fussy and over-inflected, hardly suited to the characters' simplicity; but, from then on, Fleming seems completely at one with both her tragic and her lighthearted heroines. She captures their warm inwardness, rapture, passion, ecstasy, and desperation; darkening and lightening her voice at will. Her top notes soar gloriously, her trills laugh. The orchestra is splendid, supporting her all the way and sounding wonderful. --Edith EislerCustomer Reviews:
Glorious Renee.......2007-03-28
The more that I listen to Renee's music or see her in recitals, the more I adore the lady. The standouts on this disc are "Casta diva", "Lo son l'umile ancella", "Je suis encor tout etourdie", and "Ah! Je veux vivre", "Signore ascolta", etc.
One of Miss Fleming's absolute bests!.......2006-05-09
An amazing cd and a great introduction into the world of opera.......2006-04-20
The New La Divina.......2005-11-22
Gorgeous.......2005-09-30
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The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994
Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002IZE Release Date: 1994-08-30 |
Tracks:
- Le Cid: O Souverain, O Juge, O Pere
- Maravilla: Amor, Vida De Mi Vida
- Werther: Pourquoi Me Reveiller
- Spring Is Here: With a Song In My Heart
- Granada
- Non Ti Scordar Di Me
- 'A Tribute to Hollywood': My Way
- Tribute To Hollywood: Moon River
- Tribute To Hollywood: Because
- 'A Tribute to Hollywood': Singin' In the Rain
- Tu, Ca Nun Chiagne
- Pagliacci: Vesti la Giubba
- Turondat: Nessun Dorma!
- 'Around the World': America
- 'Around the World': All I Ask Of You
- 'Around the World': Funiculi, Funicula
- 'Around the World': Sous Les Ponts De Paris
- 'Around the World': Brazil
- 'Around the World': Be My Love
- 'Around the World': Marechiare
- 'Around the World': Lippen Schweigen
- 'Around the World': Santa Lucia Luntana
- 'Around the World': Those Were the Days
- 'Around the World': Te Quiero Dijiste
- 'Around the World': Torna A Surriento
- Encores: La Donna E Mobile
- Encores: Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici
Amazon.com
It's not opera; it's not a pop concert; it's not Broadway. It's all of these and none of them. Once you accept the fact that this sequel to the original blockbuster concert recording is less about music and more about entertainment and the power of musical personalities, you can appreciate what you're hearing as an event--phenomenal and bizarre, momentous and frivolous. This is an occasion to celebrate the voices and egos of three huge superstars, and to have fun listening as Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, and Jose Carreras interact, bouncing lines off each other and playing to the overwhelmingly enthusiastic audience. Much of the fun and flavor of the concert is dependent on seeing the action, though, and without the visuals you notice flaws in the singing much more. Domingo comes off as the more solid performer, and his voice is in far better shape than the other two. But if you crave big, high, and loud--and you don't take your opera too seriously--you'll love this disc. --David VernierCustomer Reviews:
Un gran concierto.......2005-07-19
Give em a 3.5.......2004-01-25
This event, like the first one in Rome, has a magnificent setting but, like Rome, the show was marketed mainly to the American audience. They still include the dreadful "Maria" with the hilarious pronunciation and even added "With a Song In My Heart" (or, as Carreras is wont to sing, "Weeth a Soeeng een My Haht"). Though some may deride the choice of encores, they were almost perfect. The Three Tenors, despite their prior celebrity, are creations of our culture of entertainment in ways that Caruso could only dream about.
Synopsis: Carreras stands out, Domingo substitutes volume for quality and Pavarotti soars when he doesn't have to.
The Most Enjoyable Evening IN !!!!!!!!!!!.......2003-05-01
Hmmmm...........2002-04-21
Last Encore of songs missing off C.D........2002-02-06
Many thanks for your time,
With kind regards,
Pam Sargeant.
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A - Z of Opera (includes 762 page booklet)
Puccini , Thomas Harper , Ingrid Kertesi , Scholars Baroque Ensemble , and Hungarian State Opera Orchestra Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00004YYRR Release Date: 2000-10-17 |
Tracks:
- L'Orfeo: Sinf/Ecco Pur Ch'a Voi - Cappella Musicale Di S. Petronio Di Bologna/Sergio Vartolo
- Dido And Aeneas: When I Am Laid In Earth - Kym Amps
- Rinaldo: Lascia Ch'io Pianga - Ingrid Kertesi
- Serse: Ombra Mai Fu (Largo) - Ingrid Kertesi
- Orfeo Ed Euridice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits - Slovak State PO/Johannes Wildner
- Alceste: Ombre Larve - Theresa Ringhoz/Drottningholm Theatre Chor
- Don Giovanni: Madamina! (Catalogue Aria) - Andrea Martin
- Cosi Fan Tutte: Soave Sia Il Vento (Terzetto) - Joanna Borowska/Rohangiz Yachmi/Peter Mikulas
- The Marriage Of Figaro: Non Piu Andrai - Natale De Carolis
- Die Zauberflote: Der Holle Rache (Aria Of The Queen Of The Night) - Helen Kwon/Hungarian Festival Chor
- Fidelio: Abscheulicher! - Inga Nielsen/Hungarian Radio Chor
- Der Freischutz: Huntsmen's Chor - Slovak Phil Chor
- The Barber Of Seville: Largo Al Factotum - Roberto Servile
- L'Elisir D'Amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima - Vincenzo La Scola
- I Puritani: Qui La Voce Sua Soave - Luba Orgonasova
- La Traviata: Un Di Felice (Love Duet) - Monika Krause/Yordy Ramiro
- Nabucco: Va Pensiero (Chor Of The Hebrew Slaves) - Slovak Phil Chor (Bratislava)
- Aida: Grand March - Nat SO Of Ireland/Rico Saccani
- Falstaff: E Sogno? O Realita - Roberto Servile
Tracks:
- Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile - Yordy Ramiro/Slovak Phil Chor
- Die Walkure: Ride Of The Valkyries - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Uwe Mund
- Tannhauser: Begluckt Darf Nun Dich (Pilgrims' Chor) - Slovak Phil Chor
- La Wally: Ebben, Ne Andro Lontana - Miriam Gauci
- Rusalka: O, Silver Moon (Song To The Moon) - Jana Valaskova
- Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro - Luba Orgonasova
- La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina - Jonathan Welch
- Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo - Miriam Gauci
- Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle - Giorgio Lamberti
- Turandot: Nessun Dorma - Thomas Harper/Slovak Phil Chor
- Lakme: Dome Epais (Flower Duet) - Adriana Kohutkova/Denisa Slepkovska
- Thais: Meditation - Janos Selmeczi
- Carmen: L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle (Habanera) - Graciela Alperyn/Slovak Phil Chor/Bratislava Children's Chor
- The Pearl Fishers: Au Fond Du Temple Saint (Duet) - Janez Lotric/Igor Morozov
- Pagliacci: Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba - Nicola Matinucci/Slovak Phil Chor
- Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
- Andrea Chenier: Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio - Thomas Harper
- King Roger: Roxana's Aria - Barbara Zagorzanka
- Die Tote Stadt: Gluck, Das Mir Verblieb (Marietta's Lied) - Katarina Dalayman/Thomas Sunnegardh/Tomtberga School Children's Chor/Royal Swedish Opr Chor
Album Description
A-Z of Opera is a 762-page, illustrated book, accompanied by two-and-a-half hours of opera's most glorious and moving moments on two CDs, and reflects the ever-growing Naxos catalog of recordings ranging from Monteverdi to the contemporary. A-Z of Opera provides a wide range of information on operas and their composers, from Handel's Rinaldo to Mozart's Die Zauberflote, and beyond. It features plot synopses, background details and cast lists for hundreds of operas including well-known standards as well as opera rarities. In addition, there is a wealth of information about all the great composers and a glossary of key musical and operatic terms.Customer Reviews:
AN OPERA OPUS THAT'S A MUST!.......2003-01-19
The Best.......2002-06-09
Superb Modestly Priced Favorite Arias Collection!!!.......2001-02-12
I really love this gift from my bestfriend for it was thoughtful and well, what can I say that this makes an excellant gift for opera neophytes (though I am not an opera neophyte).
The highlight of this CD is track 13, Rossini's "Largo al Factotum" from "The Barber of Seville." When I first heard this, I was contemplating to myself as to where have I heard this before. Then it hit me: Michigan J. Frog's signature tune! (In case people are wondering who on earth is Michigan J. Frog is, he is the Warner Brother's frog; the frog can be seen on WB network channel). I love this track! Buy this for yourself if not this makes a perfect gift for your opera neophyte friend(s)! This track brings joy and smiles on my face everytime I hear this piece!
Wonderful introduction to opera.......2000-12-16
Of course, Big Names do not appear on many Naxos opera sets; but this set is an introduction to that vast area of culture and is meant to be an educational (and of course a promotional ) device. Nevertheless, many of the selections on the CDs are beautifully sung, a very few lack characterization (the arias from"Don Giovanni" and "Nozze di Figaro" for two). But at this incredibly low budget price, who can complain?
As soon as I saw what this set had to offer, I immediately ordered a copy as a seasonal gift for a friend who wants to "get into" opera. I could think of no better gift.
There is a sister set titled
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Customer Reviews:
This collection is a wonderful presentation of the young Björling. His voice was said to have a direct appeal to emotions. Listen to "Ch'ella mi creda libero" with its almost extraterrestial "lift" and try to keep the lump in your throat from growing!
The-37 "O Paradiso" is a fantastic display of power blended with beauty - which is also the case with the Tosca arias presented here.
"Che Gelida Manina" is by many regarded as Björling's signature aria, just as "La Boheme" was said to be his signature opera. The -36 version here shows Björling aged 25 with wonderful silvery tone and grasp of message, problems with Italian pronounciation or not.
Björling never lapsed into self parodic sobbing or exaggerated shouts or gliding "loops" to get a message across. He insisted on sticking to what the composer actually had written down...and within these vocal restraints, Björling still managed to portray an unexplored universe of human feelings. "Vesti La Giubba" is a good example of this: no sobbing or bitter laughter but downright hartbreaking nonetheless. True art!
His -44 studio version of "Nessun Dorma" makes an interesting comparison with his -59 recording from the complete Turandot. Touch and go which one to go for as the second or third best version of "...Dorma" ever in recording history. The shining beacon is in my opinion from a radio concert in Sweden in 1944, where Björling for once actually DOES go beyond the strict readings of the work. His final B just stretches on and on and on into eternity - read heaven.
As for his famous ringing high notes, his final D flat on Cujus Animan may be THE one most beautiful sound I've ever heard from a human being!
If you do not have any Björling CDs, this may be a perfect introduction to his art.
And where to go from there? Well,"O Paradiso" is one of many excellent collections from the 50s. There's also a Norwegian compilation called "jussi's Beste" (which sold to platinum in Norway 35 years after his death...). This CD contains among other highlights the wonderful Christmas song "O Helga Natt", in which the final high note is sung with such force that it threatens to blow your speakers to oblivion, never mind your ears...(if it is the last sound I will ever hear, it is OK by me...).
If you want a complete opera recording, you just have to invest your hard earned cash (or bank credit as is the case with me) on Beechams "La Boheme".
Someone said elsewhere that once you have listened to Björling, you may never want to listen to any other tenor...ever: HOW VERY TRUE!
The "Vesti" is completely heartbreaking, maybe because there's none of the histrionic sobbing that usually accompanies it. And of course there is that 1945 recording of "Nessun dorma!", which I have seen referred to as one of the 5 greatest recordings of all time. The arias from Tosca are also outstanding. The only addition that would make this perfect CD "even more perfect" would be the inclusion of the Gonoud "Ah! Leve-toi, soleil!"
Although I have loved classical music since I was a kid, until Jussi every tenor I ever heard sounded like an opera parody. Jussi is different; he doesn't make you think "Now there's a guy taking a deep breath and singing loud." To steal a line from Amadeus, when he opens his mouth you "hear the voice of God"; absolute, divine beauty, untainted by ego or eccentricity. that seems to flow without strain or effort.
The only risk in listening to this (or, perhaps, any other Bjoerling) CD? You may never, ever be satisfied with any other voice.
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Customer Reviews:
First off, this compilation is amazing! I have always thrilled to hearing Caballé's voice and this compilation is no different. I am amazed at Caballé's instrument; such extraordinary purity combined with great power! Even when she sings pianissimo, she can be clearly heard! Her voice literally fills up the room. These arias really show off her remarkable voice. Of special note is her rendition of the hauntingly beautiful "Non so le tetre immagini". Amazing! Her "D'amor sull'ali rosee" is exquisite, but she sings it too softly. Her trill is quite weak. Voices like hers don't respond well to being forced to trill. The tracks from the 1990's show off the remarkable preservation of her voice. The voice retains its purity and beautiful timbre, but is now heavier and darker. "Sempre libera" is not that good. Her coloratura is not up to par with Verdi's demands and she cannot hit the high E-flat at the end. However, she sings the main part of Violetta's aria very well, with supple, gorgeous tone and ravishing pianissimos. "Ah! non credea mirarti" is ravishing, but it is missing its energetic cabaletta. Presumably, it was cut because Caballé could not deal with the coloratura. Caballé's legato lines in this aria are superb. Her version of the "Lucrezia Borgia" Prologue is masterful. Elizabeth's last aria from "Roberto Devereux" is noble and touching. She is not quite Sills, but that aria benefits from a spinto voice instead of a soubrette one. Her aristocratic phrasing is very well used throughout the selections, with a few exceptions. Her "Willow Song" is beautiful, first time on CD. However, she fails to completely show Desdemona's despair. Some parts were good, but the whole thing failed to touch the heart. Her phrasing here is too indulgent. I have to say that I prefer Sutherland's touching version on her "The Art of the Prima Donna" recording. However, I loved "Ave Maria". Caballé sounds most beautiful when singing softly and this selection really shows her in the best light. Her cadenzas are intoxicatingly beautiful. "Caro nome" is not really her aria. The coloratura is suspect and some of the staccati are replaced with upward flourishes. She avoids the last short passage of staccati. Her phrasing in this aria is way too indulgent and she really fails to suggest Gilda's innocence. Even Sutherland is better at portraying Gilda's girlish qualities. Her "Armida" aria has some nice coloratura. She does the runs really well and is fearless in the triplet passages. For some reason, she does not sing the second "fronde" in the first line of the third stanza nor does she sing the last line of this stanza, "i muti abitator". She also does not sing the last line of the fifth stanza, "il tempo vorator". Caballé's first recorded version of "Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore" is included here. This just may be the most beautiful version of this aria ever recorded. It certainly is Caballé's best version of the aria. The climax is handled in one breath by Caballé. She diminuendos the big high note twice in the same breath. Amazing! The rolling of the "r" in "Signor" after the last diminuendo is quite nasal and reminds us that the sound we are hearing is coming from a human throat. It also shows that these diminuendos are natural and not studio produced. She infuses Tosca's aria with real feeling and piety. The compilation ends with a knockout reading of "Arrigo, parli a un core". Caballé is at her best in this aria. She sings softly to stunning effect. This version may be the most beautiful of this particular aria ever recorded. RCA has done Caballé justice with this wonderful collection. Caballé is truly a remarkable artist with a million-dollar voice. Brava!
Other reviewers here have cried out against the exclusion of one of her most essential and artistic roles, Imogene from Il Pirata. I would like to emphatically express the same. In fact, I would even have settled for the exclusion of Casta Diva, in favor of Col Sorriso di Innocenza.
Some other stellar recordings not represented her are the Sleepwalking Scene from MacBeth, and Pace, Pace Mio Dio from La Forza del Destino. Also worth mentioning is her O Patria Mia from Aida. She might not be Leontyne Price or Martina Arroyo, but she gives a superb reading of this wonderful aria.
Of course, brevity does require some editing- a true "Ultimate" Caballe collection would span four or five CDs, at least- but to include late-career and less-than-best selections at the expense of others is a crime.
Perhaps the major Opera labels should start letting fans put together the track lists for these "best of" collections! We could do a much better job.
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Meditation Music:
Meditation Music
Sky Moves Sideways [Original recording remastered]
Organ Works of Ohrdruf, Luneburg & Arnstadt
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Jussi Bjorling: Opera Arias
Giacomo Puccini , Umberto Giordano , Francesco Cilea , Giacomo Meyerbeer , Charles Gounod , Jules Massenet , Friedrich von Flotow , Gioachino Rossini , Nils Grevillius , and Jussi Bjorling
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