Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila

1. Samson et Dalila, opera in 3 acts, Op. 47 Unspecified excerpts
   Composed by Camille Saint-Saens
   Performed by Radio Filharmonisch Orkest Holland
   with Oralia Dominguez, Peter van der Bilt, Aad De Rijk, Fred Bongers, Ernest Blanc, Jon Vickers, Henk Driessen
   Conducted by Jean Fournet
   
   
2. Samson et Dalila, opera in 3 acts, Op. 47 Printemps qui commence
   Composed by Camille Saint-Saens
   Performed by Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
   with John Macurdy, Grace Bumbry
   Conducted by Serge Baudo
   
   
3. Samson et Dalila, opera in 3 acts, Op. 47 Se pourrait-il que sur son coeur
   Composed by Camille Saint-Saens
   Performed by Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
   with Grace Bumbry
   Conducted by Serge Baudo
   
   
4. Samson et Dalila, opera in 3 acts, Op. 47 En ces lieux, malgré moi
   Composed by Camille Saint-Saens
   Performed by Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
   with Grace Bumbry, Richard Tucker
   Conducted by Serge Baudo
   
   
5. Samson et Dalila, opera in 3 acts, Op. 47 Mon coeur s'ouvre à ta voix
   Composed by Camille Saint-Saens
   Performed by Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
   with Grace Bumbry, Richard Tucker
   Conducted by Serge Baudo
   
   
6. Samson et Dalila, opera in 3 acts, Op. 47 Mais!...Non! Que dis-je, hélas!
   Composed by Camille Saint-Saens
   Performed by Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
   with Grace Bumbry, Richard Tucker
   Conducted by Serge Baudo
   
   
7. Samson et Dalila, opera in 3 acts, Op. 47
   Composed by Camille Saint-Saens
   Performed by Radio Filharmonisch Orkest Holland
   with Oralia Dominguez, Peter van der Bilt, Aad De Rijk, Fred Bongers, Ernest Blanc, Jon Vickers, Henk Driessen
   Conducted by Jean Fournet
   
   

Saint-Saëns: Samson et Dalila,Ernest Blanc,Henk Driessen,John Macurdy,Peter van der Bilt,Camille Saint-Saens,Jean Fournet,Serge Baudo,Grace Bumbry,Oralia Dominguez,Metropolitan Opera Orchestra,Radio Filharmonisch Orkest Holland,Fred Bongers,Jon Vickers,Richard Tucker,Aad De Rijk,Gala,Box Sets (Audio Only),Classical,French Romantic Opera,Opera,Opera / Operetta / Oratorio

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Average customer rating: Great for kids! Mediocre Sound Quality I was pleased The Most Famous Opera Arias Okay But.... - a review of "The Most Famous Opera Arias"

The Most Famous Opera Arias Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | 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 German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Most Famous Opera Duets The Best of Italian Opera The #1 Opera Album The Best Opera Album in the World...Ever! Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... ASIN: B000002SCE Release Date: 1994-07-19

Tracks:

1. Rigoletto: Act I - Caro nome
2. Rigoletto: Act III - La donna e mobile
3. Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
4. Carmen: Act I - Habanera: La voila...L'amour est oiseau rebelle
5. Orfeo ed Euridice: Act III - Che faro senz Euridice
6. Madama Butterfly: Act III - Un bel di, vedremo
7. Romeo et Juliette: Act I - Ah! je veux vivre
8. Le nozze di Figaro: Act II - Voi che sapete che cosa e amor
9. Samson et Dalila: Act II - Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix
10. Tosca:: Act II - Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore
11. Aida: Act I-Celeste Aida
12. Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Act I-Una voce poco fa
13. Lakme: Act II - Ou va la jeune indoue?
14. La Wally: Act I - Ebben? Ne andro lontano
15. La Boheme: Act I - Che gelida manina
16. Die Zauberflote: Act II-Die Holle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen

Customer Reviews:

Great for kids!.......2007-06-27

I'm generally not a fan of music "samplers," but opera can be tough to introduce to children. And hey--even adults played cards, ate, and talked through the recitative sections of the early operas while they waited for the next aria! So I feel that getting kids hooked on opera through great arias probably can't hurt (the next 10 years or so will determine whether I'm right or not). My 4-year-old loves this CD; it's a delight to watch her imitate Anna Moffo (the sincerest form of flattery, for sure). Highly recommended resource for introducing young kids to opera. More top picks: Siberell's Bravo! Brava! A Night at the Opera, and the Black Dog Opera Library CDs.

Mediocre Sound Quality.......2007-03-31

If you note the album was released in 1994, and includes selections from many years prior, you will understand that the quality of the sound engineering is not going to dazzle your ear.

It's a very nice collection to hum along to, but don't expect shivers down your spine as the sound quality is not sufficient to reproduce the dynamic range of these voices.

I was pleased.......2007-02-18

I am by no means an opera expert, but found this to be a wonderful CD. Along with the songs I already knew I liked (such as a song from Carmen,) I found many others I enjoyed. In fact, Samson et Dahlila turned out to be my favorite. If you are just getting started or at any point in your adventure of opera, I would recommend this one.

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

I was completely surprised in the product as well as the time in which it was delivered.

I would not only refer this seller but I will come back myself.

Okay But.... - a review of "The Most Famous Opera Arias".......2006-08-18

My daughter (6 y.o.) and I like opera; but sitting for two hours to watch Turandot is just not within the realm of possibilities for my 4 year old son right now... so I was looking for an opera CD for the car. He will sit and listen to short arias.

This was the first we purchased and it is okay but not great.

Problem #1 - where is Wagner. No Wagner?
Problem#2 - Elena Obraztsova - she sounds like Carmen's grandmother. Rather matronly for a vixen (imho--lol)

Three Stars. [C+] Great Price and good sound quality for the car. The operatic styles of some of the performers are antiquated and frilly sounding, but I would probably buy this CD again.

Note: We purchased and really preferred "The # 1 Opera Album". It has more selections and better artists in our opinion. Also it's a two CD set. Just something to consider.

Average customer rating: Audio beauty and magnificence, Maria Callas sublime Good "Best Of" The Very Best of Maria Callas Classic Callas

The Very Best Of Maria Callas Maria Callas Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Maria Callas, the Voice of the Century The Most Famous Opera Arias The Best of Italian Opera The Most Famous Opera Duets The #1 Opera Album ASIN: B00005Y1YQ Release Date: 2002-02-12

Tracks:

1. Carmen: L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle
2. Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro
3. La Wally: Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana
4. Samson Et Dalila: Mon Coeur S'ouvre A Ta Voix
5. Tosca: Vissi D'arte, Vissi D'amore
6. Andrea Chenier: La Mamma Morta
7. Le Nozze Di Figaro: Porgi Amor
8. Orphee Et Eurydice: J'ai Perdu Mon Eurydice
9. Aida: Ritorna Vincitor!
10. Adriana Lecouvreur: Respiro Appena... Lo So L'Umile Ancella
11. Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo
12. Norma: Casta Diva
13. Turandot: Signore, Ascolta!
14. Louise: Depuis Le Jour
15. La Boheme: Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi
16. La Gioconda: Suicidio
17. La Forza Del Destino: Pace, Pace Mio Dio!

Customer Reviews:

Audio beauty and magnificence, Maria Callas.......2007-03-31

There are moments on this recording that are virtually audio heaven.
Ms. Callas' voice goes beyond the normal concept of beauty.

sublime.......2007-02-14

she is an angel , a voice without parallel , a collection very interesting of arias from different masters.

Good "Best Of".......2007-02-09

Maira Callas was never a favorite of mine, but she is notable as a passionate, (but sometime shrill to my ears) performer. This collection is a good single record tribute to her operatic legacy.

The Very Best of Maria Callas.......2006-08-20

Second on my list for CDs that should be recommended for people who want to start on a long trail of Callas to the Carmen with Gedda and Prétre. This has perhaps the best excerpts of all time from Maria Callas. The 'Ritorna vincitor' and 'Una voce poco fa' are to be treasured. Any long-time Callas fan will find this CD of little to no interest, because anything they haven't heard before, there's a better, low-audio-quality version of somewhere. 4 stars for that reason.

Classic Callas.......2006-07-11

Countless assessments of Maria Callas' life and career, as well as re-issues of some of her definitive recorded performances have been fueled by the 25th anniversaary of her tragic and prophetic death alone in her Paris flat on September 16, 1977. One of those such discs, this 17 track retrospective compilation from the archives of EMI is among the best. Every character she portrays is bought to life by her incomparible ability both vocally and emotionally. Enjoy!

Average customer rating: the most sensetive music ever Cool Camille Astounding!!! Great Selections, So-So Collection Classical is the best

Saint-Saëns: Greatest Hits Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Tone Poems | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music French Horn | Brass | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Concertos | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Concertos | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Sony | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics | Desktops | Monitors | Networking | Notebooks Similar Items: Rimsky-Korsakov: Greatest Hits Debussy's Greatest Hits Sergei Rachmaninoff: Greatest Hits Grieg: Greatest Hits Ravel: Greatest Hits ASIN: B000002C61 Release Date: 1995-11-14

Tracks:

1. Samson et Dalila: Bacchanale
2. Carnival Of The Animals (Chamber Version): No. 13. The Swan
3. Carnival Of The Animals (Chamber Version): No. 14: Finale
4. Dance Macabre, Op.40
5. Suite algerienne, Op. 60: Marche militaire francaise
6. Introduction and Rondo capriccioso, Op.28
7. Samson et Dalila: 'Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix'
8. Concert Piece For Horn & Orchestra, Op.94
9. Romance, Op.37
10. Piano Concerto No.2 In G Minor, Op.22: III. Presto
11. Symphony No.3 In C Minor, Op.78 'Organ': II. Allegro moderato - Presto - Maestoso - Allegro

Customer Reviews:

the most sensetive music ever.......2005-10-26

This music take me away from every day troubles and brings my soul to a beutiful world of music.Saint-Saent's vision of music is different, his creations are sensitive and intence. He is agreat talent.

Cool Camille.......2003-03-06

I think that the sound of Saint Saens Music is very unique. I think that anyone out there wanting to listen to some excellent writing I assure you that Saint Saens has written it. On behalf of Amazon I would definitely rate this music 5 stars. I thank Amazon for a perfect portrayal of his works. You shoppers out there might want to take a look at buying this.

RIGHT AWAY!!!
-Nick

Astounding!!!.......2000-10-06

I have come accross very few CD's that have 74 minutes of music that I enjoy. This CD is one of those. Mason Jones does a great job on Morceau, everyone likes danse bachannalle, the piano concerto is great, it's just a really enjoyable CD to own. I recommend it highly, it's one of my favorites.

Great Selections, So-So Collection.......2000-06-23

As all good elementary school music teachers know, Saint-Saëns could evoke emotions from a rock. I don't know if it's his masterful command (or creation) of the idioms of music, or whether it's the formal structure of his compositions, but there's never any confusion about how one feels when listening to this Apollo.

This Sony recording supposedly collects his best. It does and it doesn't. The "Danse Macabre"--a perennial Saint Saëns fave--is definitely better than any others on the market--crisper, livelier, and ... er... creepier. And the Bacchanale is also superbly done. (Don't take my word for it though--you can compare these yourself from the various samples.) But as great as these individual pieces are, Sony failed to bring to the "Swan" the rest of the zoo from "Carnivale des Animaux," and, worse, they forgot the "Aquarium," too! Plus, the "Organ Symphony" *must* be heard in its entirety to sound like the serious piece of music that it is.

I haven't found the noumenal Saint-Saëns collection yet. But this one surely isn't phenomenal.

Classical is the best.......2000-06-22

It's composition very good. Thanks Sony for this great album.

Average customer rating: Wonderful i recommend it Landmark Soprano. An essential work for opera listeners. Terrific introduction to the art of Callas Callas was the greatest Great starter CD

Maria Callas - La Divina Giacomo Puccini , Vincenzo Bellini , Georges Bizet , Gioachino Rossini , Alfredo Catalani , Camille Saint-Saëns , Giuseppe Verdi , Charles Gounod , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Pietro Mascagni , Amilcare Ponchielli , Tullio Serafin , Georges Prêtre , Nicola Rescigno , Franco Ghione , Antonino Votto , Maria Callas , Alfredo Kraus , Ebe Ticozzi , Giuseppe di Stefano , London Philharmonia Orchestra , Orchestra e Coro del Teatro alla Scala , Orchestre National de la R.D.F. , Conservatory Concert Society Orchestra , and Lisbon Orquesta Sinfonica del Teatro Nacional de San Carlos Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | 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 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: La Divina 2 Maria Callas: La Divina 3 The Very Best Of Maria Callas Maria Callas, the Voice of the Century Maria Callas: The Legend ASIN: B000002RT6 Release Date: 1993-09-14

Tracks:

1. Madama Butterfly: Un bel di, vedremo (Atto ll)
2. Carmen: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera) (Acte l)
3. La Wally: Ebben? ne andro lontana (Atto l)
4. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Una voce poco fa (Atto l)
5. Norma: Casta Diva (Atto l)
6. Samson et Dalila: Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix (Acte ll)
7. Rigoletto: Caro nome (Atto l)
8. La Traviata: Sempre libera (Atto l)
9. Romeo et Juliette: Je veux vivre dans ce reve (Acte l)
10. La Boheme: Si, mi chiamano Mimi (Atto l)
11. Don Giovanni: Mi tradi quell'alma ingrata (Atto ll)
12. Cavalleria Rusticana: Voi lo sapete, o mamma
13. La Gioconda: Suicidio! (Atto lV)
14. Gianni Schicchi1: O mio babbino caro
15. Turandot: In questa reggia (Atto ll)
16. TOSCA: Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore (Atto ll)

Amazon.com

If you want to know the reason behind all the fuss about Maria Callas, buy this CD. Callas's great gift was not purity of tone or emission, reliability, or sheer loveliness; it was, rather, her ability to change her vocal color and style to suit not only particular periods of opera but to get under the skin of the individual characters she portrayed. Here you will hear the 18-year-old Butterfly imagining the return of her beloved; the sultry, adult Carmen seducing all around her; the youthful Wally telling her cruel father that she will go off into the cold wilderness rather than give up her boyfriend; the sly Rosina planning to outfox her guardian; the priestess Norma performing a sacred rite; Dalila wrapping Samson around her little finger and more; Gioconda contemplating suicide when all hope is gone; Gilda recalling the name of the boy she's just fallen for; and the icy princess Turandot reliving the rape of her ancestor and swearing that no man will possess her. And you'll believe them all. At times Callas's vocalism is a bit wiry (Juliette sounds stressed, for instance); but, in all, this is like a visit with 16 women, all of them interesting, and all of them great singers! --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful i recommend it.......2007-08-01

This cd is in my car changer and i play it daily. A wonderful introduction Madame Callas.

Landmark Soprano. An essential work for opera listeners........2007-05-26

Maria Callas may be the only female 'superstar' working in my lifetime. In the 1950s and early 1960's, she had all the star power and paparrazi draw of Jackie and Marilyn, far outstripping the fame to the world at large of her primary rival, Renita Tibaldi. I am not an expert, or even an experienced amateur at evaluating operatic sopranos; however I've listened to several of the modern crop, and while the newbies probably do a better job of keeping on key, none of them can match the drama emoted by Ms. Callas on any given aria. All three releases are especially good buys, as they all run to over 72 minutes; however the recording quality does show its early (pre-multitrack, pre-digital) recording technology. Each is as good as the next regarding content, but 2 and 3 are a bit better in sound quality.

Terrific introduction to the art of Callas.......2007-04-24

This album is entitled "Divina," not to be confused with "Divina 2," itself a very nice example of Callas at her best. This CD samples a variety of her roles, indicating the range of her art. A few examples. . . .

"Un bel di" from Puccini's "Madama Butterfly" is very well done. She displays a rich voice and a passionate rendering of this aria. At greater volume, her voice remains under control and attractive sounding (something that does not always occur as her career developed further).

The "Habanera" from Bizet's "Carmen" is normally a mezzo soprano work. However, Callas features a good lower tone, and it works pretty well here. She shows nice breath control, too. The orchestral backing is exceptional.

"Sempre libera," from Verdi's "La Traviata," is a soprano's dream. Here, though, Callas' voice is not as attractive as in other cuts. There is some harshness with higher notes. Alfredo Kraus' singing, by the way, is most attractive. There is some unpleasantness with Callas technique in this work, although there is a nice characterization as well (this is the price you pay for Callas). She shows off some nice runs, but zero in the way of trills (some other sopranos display nice trills in this piece).

Finally, a very well done version of "Si, mi chiamano Mimi" from Puccini's "La Boheme." Sweet sounds at the outset. She seems to capture the character well. Smooth singing, done well.

Thus, a good introduction to the art of Maria Callas. There are cuts here that feature some of the wondrous nature of her work. There are other cuts where one hears some unattractive aspects of her singing and one wonders about her technique. But, in the end, this is a good representation of the work of Callas.

Callas was the greatest.......2007-02-06

It's amazing how the anti-Callas claquers continue to thrive. I'll side with Leonard Bernstein, who labeled Callas "The Bible of Opera," and who described her 1952 performance of La Sonnambula under his baton as "pure electricity." Unfortunately, recordings don't do justice to any artist, given the lack of spontaneity and a full audience, as well as a host of other reasons. Even Callas withheld many recordings from release because she was her own worst critic and they did not meet her high standards. I've been listening to opera for over 30 years and although I can appreciate the artistry of Tebaldi, Sutherland, Sills, Freni, Carteri, Moffo, Price, etc., some of whom had better pure voices, there was none that could match Maria's intensity, passion, range, personality, acting ability and pure emotion. Callas could sing bel canto colaratura but drop down to a near-mezzo voice that included many dramatic roles.

The Callas bashers will always be with us, but thankfully they will always be in the tiny minority. True connossiers of opera know there never has been and never will be as great a singer as La Divina.

Great starter CD.......2005-11-24

As simplistic as this sounds, this is a perfect CD if you know you like opera, but don't know exactly what you want to hear. You'll definitely recognize some of the more popular arias, and will grow to love the others.

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

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

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

Article Title : 'I am sorry!'

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Average customer rating: listening to this cd If you are unsure about opera, this is where to begin The Perfect Opera CD Romantic

Amor--Opera's Great Love Songs Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Giordano, Umberto | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Massenet, Jules | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Ponchielli, Amilcare | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Puccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Saint-Saens, Camille | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Caballe, Montserrat | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Freni, Mirella | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Horne, Marilyn | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Sutherland, Joan | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Te Kanawa, Kiri | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Troyanos, Tatiana | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Von Stade, Frederica | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The Most Famous Opera Arias Amore II ~ Great Italian Love Arias The Most Famous Opera Duets The Best of Italian Opera The #1 Opera Album ASIN: B000009OU8 Release Date: 1998-08-11

Tracks:

1. Celeste Aida
2. O mio babbino caro
3. Donna non vidi mai
4. Quando le sere al placido
5. Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix
6. Una furtiva lagrima
7. Signore, ascolta!
8. Recondita armonia
9. Vissi d'arte
10. E lucevan le stelle
11. Habanera: L'amour est un oiseau rebelle
12. Amor ti vieta
13. Gualtier Malde...Caro nome
14. Cielo e mar
15. Quando m'en vo
16. La fleur que tu m'avais jetee
17. O mio Fernando
18. Pourquoi me reveiller
19. Voi che sapete
20. Un bel di (One fine day)
21. Nessun dorma

Customer Reviews:

listening to this cd.......2007-02-19

this is a wonderful cd. i have it in my car and listen to it all the time. you wont go wrong buying this cd if you love the operah and great voices.

If you are unsure about opera, this is where to begin.......2004-06-22

Many people are turned off of opera because of the nature of the beast - unknown tongue, the continual singing and particularly the sopranos whose voices are as piercing as they are diffdicult to understand. These selections are ravishing in their beauty. It has been estimated that 2/3 of all classical effort was put into opera. Thus it is not surprising that some of the best music ever penned can be found here, particularly those that deal with that most human of emotion - love.

The orchestration is wonderful, the voices emotional and quite sincere, the authenticity is present. It is difficult to surpass Verdi or Puccini in plumbing the emotional depths. All in all a good experience.

The Perfect Opera CD.......2002-08-08

I'm so in love with this CD, I'm giving it to as many ppl as I can. It's a great introduction to opera for ppl who don't listen to it very often. It has all the great hits with all the great singers, who can make shivers go down your spine. My friends who don't know opera as much as I do love it too.

Romantic.......2000-05-12

If you have just got to be interested in Opera, this is a good start. You can listen to the best pieces of the most famous (an romantic) Operas performed by the best singers. If you are a long-time Opera lover, this CD will remind you of all the performances that you went with your loved one and romantic moments after the concerts.

Average customer rating: Very Good Opera Mix CD A real treat Wonderful orchestral rendering of opera classics! nice music incorrect tempi Song list incorrect, though !

Opera without Words Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Humperdinck, Engelbert | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by 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 General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Operas | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Easy Listening | Pop | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Humperdinck, Engelbert | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Sony | Computers Brands | Computers Features | Electronics | Desktops | Monitors | Networking | Notebooks Similar Items: Puccini Without Words Verdi without Words: Grand Opera for Orchestra Opera Without Words Carmen Without Words Opera Without Words ASIN: B0000026QP Release Date: 1989-11-20

Tracks:

1. Intermezzo
2. Che Gelida Manina
3. Mi Chiamano Mimi
4. O Soave Fanciulla
5. Quando M'En Vo' Soletta
6. Sono Andati?
7. O Mio Babbino Caro
8. Recondita Armonia
9. Vissi D'Arte
10. E Lucevan Le Stelle
11. Entrance Of Butterfly
12. Un Bel Di Vedremo
13. Je Crois Entendre Encore
14. Celeste Aida
15. Mon Coeur Souvre A Ta Voix
16. Flower Song
17. Habanera
18. March of the Toreadors
19. La Donna E Mobile
20. Ah Fors' E Lui & Sempre Libera
21. Vesti La Biubba
22. Children's Prayer
23. Barcarolle

Customer Reviews:

Very Good Opera Mix CD.......2007-04-24

For someone that isn't too keen on Opera, I really enjoyed this CD. As a choreographer, having famous operatic themes without lyrics is such a blessing. The only criticism I have about the CD is that the volume level isn't consistent throughout, and for some of the songs it is extremely low. I had to constantly adjust the volume from one song to the next, even within one track.

A real treat.......2006-09-25

This wonderful CD, is a collection of some 23 arias, drawn from the works of such maestros as Pietro Mascagni, Guiseppe Verdi, and Engelbert Humperdinck (no, the German composer...sorry, I couldn't resist!). All of the tunes sound excellent, performed to perfection by Russian-American conductor and arranger Andre Kostelanetz and his orchestra. Overall, I found this to be a real treat to listen to, with lively arias that will not send any passionate music fan to sleep. I especially loved Mascagni's Cavalleria Rusticana, Verdi's Celeste Aida, and of course Bizet's March of the Toreadors.

So, if you like could orchestral music, then I must say that you will like this CD. I love it and give it my highest recommendations!

Wonderful orchestral rendering of opera classics!.......2004-08-10

Opera fans will enjoy this collection of celebrated arias without vocals for rest and relaxation. From the thrilling "March of the Toreadors" to the plaintive "Madame Butterfly" this CD is a great background for easy listening, romantic dinners, or just the drive to and from work. Even people who don't like opera can enjoy this one.

nice music incorrect tempi.......2003-01-03

This CD is great for listening and, perhaps, for singing along a few passages (e.g. "..la speranza!") but NOT for actual singing practice. The tempi, while sweeping and engaging, can easilty throw you off, particularly the omissions of certain phrases or simply jumping to ba-boom conclusion. For those who like the music minus singing, it offers instruments taking up the voice parts. The order of the tracks is listed incorrectly, so you'll have to make your own list to paste on the back of this CD. Don't even think of turning on your metronome, just enjoy the music. Barcarolle from Tales of Hoffmann is the best piece.

Song list incorrect, though !.......2002-05-24

In the back cover of song list, "Celeste Aida" is printed BEFORE "La donna e mobile", while in the song list inside, there is no such song. In reality, the disk does have a "Celeste Aida", but it's number 14, as the list in Amazon.com. This "Celeste Aida" has the complete tune compared to that of "Verdi Without Words".

The music is marvellous.

Average customer rating: MY HEART SISSEL SHE'LL TAKE YOUR HEART Sub par for 'Goddess of Song' Norwegian soprano A beautiful voice

My Heart Sissel , Fryderyk Chopin , Stephen / Hayes, Gemma Endelman , Brendan / Lovland, Rolf Graham , George Frideric Handel , Andrew Lloyd Webber , Jon / Brown, Samantha Lord , Richard Marx , Richard / Copperfield, David Marx , Ennio Morricone , Astor Piazzolla , Giacomo Puccini , Camille Saint-Saens , Franz Schubert , Ettore Stratta , and London Symphony Orchestra Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Chopin | Chopin, Frédéric | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | 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 General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Norway | Scandinavia | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Sissel Into Paradise Sissel in Concert - All Good Things Gift of Love Odyssey ASIN: B0001BS4LA Release Date: 2004-03-02

Tracks:

1. Wait A While
2. Lascia Che
3. Someone Like You
4. Tristezza
5. Angel Rays
6. Mon Ceur
7. Pie Jesu
8. Oblivion
9. You Raise Me Up
10. O Mio Babbino Caro
11. Ave Maria
12. Deborah's Theme (From Once Upon A Time In America)

Amazon.com

There's no arguing with the power of Sissel's voice. The Norwegian soprano brought James Horner's Titanic to life and blew people away at the Lillehammer Olympics' opening ceremony. Positioned as a classical crossover performer, Sissel's talent and versatility gets her into trouble. The 12-song My Heart bounces back and forth from Andrew Lloyd Webber to Franz Schubert, from Astor Piazolla to Ennio Morricone. These different composers are reconciled into one album by her talent. She's less successful with a so-so version "Ave Maria," but does better with Puccini's tear-jerker aria "O Mio Babbino Caro." Things go aesthetically awry when the singer (who has recorded folk music in the past) dives into folk-pop with "Angel Eyes" and then spin completely out of control on Richard Marx's "Someone Like You," which is a jarring stab at light R&B. Seemingly formulated by marketing team, My Heart may succeed at getting radio airplay in different formats, but it's an album that loses its way at times. --Tad Hendrickson

Customer Reviews:

MY HEART SISSEL.......2007-03-19

Sissel shows her versatilty and is an excellent CD with an excellent voice.Best I've heard in years

SHE'LL TAKE YOUR HEART.......2007-02-24

Once again, Sissel's crystal-clear, bell-like voice is complemented with beautiful songs & lush orchestrations. Among standouts: "Mon coeur s'ouvre a la voix," "O Mio Babbino Caro" and "Deborah's Theme." Sissel also does a beautiful job with "Pie Jesu," although I would have liked to have heard it as a duet. Even though there is not quite as diverse a repertoire as "Into Paradise" - which better showcases her voice (hence, the 4-star rating) - the album as a whole is wonderful and highly recommended.

Sub par for 'Goddess of Song'.......2007-02-07

The first Sissel CD I bought was "Into Paradise" where her astounding, sonorous tones are allowed full breadth of expression. This album, however, I was slightly disappionted in. The song selection does not appeal to me as well or emphasize her voice as fully. Still, as a record it is very lovely. It depends on what you expect...

Norwegian soprano.......2007-01-17

I love Sissel's voice. The range, depth and quality of her voice enhanses every song she sings. She expresses so much of what Norwegian culture and tradition mean.

A beautiful voice.......2007-01-04

I recently discovered Sissel via her CD, Into Paradise. I particularly like the compositions which allow Sissel to demonstrate her range. The songs Pie Jesu and Ave Maria being two good examples. There are some performances on this CD which edge easily into what might be called contemporary or popular music. This woman simply has a beautiful voice and is a pleasure to listen to.

Average customer rating: Understand this album for what it is, and what it is not. Opera Geeks, get a life Distasteful.... Not really opera, but fun anyway Ummmm....

Filippa Giordano Georges Bizet , Camille Saint-Saëns , Giacomo Puccini , Charles Gounod , Giuseppe Verdi , Ennio Morricone , Francesco Sartori , and Filippa Giordano Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rosso Amore Primadonna Il Rosso Amore Etterna O: Operatica, Vol. 1 ASIN: B00002DDXF Release Date: 2000-07-11

Tracks:

1. Norma: Casta Diva (Short Version)
2. Samson & Dalila: S'apre Per Te Il Mio Cuor
3. Tosca: Vissi D'arte
4. Carmen: Habanera
5. Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro
6. Ave Maria
7. La Traviata: Addio Del Passato
8. Lost Boys Calling
9. You Are The One (Sotto Le Stelle)
10. Dissonanze (Mondo Trash)
11. Maria (By The Sea)
12. Casta Diva (Extended Version)

Amazon.com

This eponymous album from the Italian singer Filippa Giordano confounds expectations. Released on the classical label Erato, Giordano mixes arias with contemporary songs such as the Ennio Morricone-Roger Waters "Lost Boys Calling" from the 1999 Golden Globe-winning movie The Legend of 1900. Using a conventional orchestra sometimes supplemented by electronic keyboards and occasional drums, the production achieves a slick and glossy chart-friendly sound that will find favor with fans of Whitney Houston and Céline Dion. Key to the album are two versions of "Casta Diva" from Bellini's Norma, between which arias from Samson and Dalila, Tosca, Carmen, and La Traviata sit rather uncomfortably alongside several pop anthems. With the vocal flavor of Broadway and a hint of Andrew Lloyd Webber, the intention seems to be to add contemporary crossover appeal to opera in much the same way that Andrea Bocelli has done with such conspicuous success. It's doubtful that serious opera aficionados will care much for Filippa Giordano, though music lovers in general may well find the album an attractive entry into the sometimes-forbidding world of the classical diva. --Gary S. Dalkin

Customer Reviews:

Understand this album for what it is, and what it is not........2007-02-02

Opera aficianados take note - she is not an opera singer. It is pointless to consider her as one. You might as well snipe at a nasturtium for not being a rose. She is a pop singer. If you are looking for nuanced interpretations of classic bel canto opera, why the heck did you pick this album up in the first place? You know where to look already.

I completely disagree with the opera buffs who say that it is a travesty that she recorded these albums and besmirched the great masters. She did not record this for *you*. She recorded this for listeners of pop music. Have you heard what passes for pop music? Evidently not, or you would realize her albums far surpass everything currently in play... and if that is damning to pop music, well, so it is.

If one person... a single soul... listens to this album and is inspired enough to go out and listen to "the real thing" then Filippa Giordano has done them a great service and made the world a richer place. Opera aficionados are not born knowing and appreciating opera. One must be exposed to the music in the first place. Many people grow up having NEVER heard opera. This sort of album has a chance at being played in venues where Callas and Fleming couldn't get feet in the door. To the uninitiated, opera can seem bewildering and unintelligible, full of unfamiliar conventions. Filippa Giordano uses pop conventions to put these arias in musical terms that pop music lovers can grasp. Melodic familiarity goes miles toward connecting people to the emotional core of an operatic performance. Before you spew venom, consider that you are potentially thwarting a pathway that may lead to genuine appreciation of "real" opera down the pike. Bite your tongue. Go listen to your own recordings of the masters. You are right. They are infinitely more sophisticated. But this album has considerable value despite its flaws, and it wasn't created for you.

Opera Geeks, get a life.......2006-05-05

This is an album by a gifted pop singer singing some beautiful classical arias. Now, opera geeks are going apoplectic that this woman has the temerity to do so. I listen to opera, and I am occasionally relieved to hear CDs like this. It's nice not to hear a singer sounding like several people are tightening her Wagnerian corset so hard that she is expelling air through every orifice in her body. It is not the music that keeps opera unaccessible to everyone except pretentious pseudo-intellectuals (you don't need a Ph.D. to appreciate it). No, what has kept opera out of the mainstream is the constipated sounds too many opera singers make. If you like beautiful music sung well, if not brilliantly, you will like this CD. And for the record, I loathe C?line Dion's and Whitney Houston's music passionately, so don't let the first reviewer's comments dissuade you from this CD.

Distasteful...........2006-03-07

Do Banshees really exist ?. Yes they do.....and this abomination of musical history is proof of this....I cannot believe that a record company actually thought that they would even remotely break even on the sales of this grievous, flavorless, repellent and not to mention nauseous anathema of a recording. Shame on you young lady for destroying what were once, beautiful arias. A sad and unpassionate insult to great musical workmanship....

Not really opera, but fun anyway.......2006-02-03

As previous reviewers have said, "purist" opera fans would probably not consider this album to be opera, but it's still very enjoyable. Filippa Giordano will not likely be cast in a Wagnerian role anytime soon; she has a beautiful voice, but it does sound rather thin at times (she's no Maria Callas or Renee Fleming, in other words). It would be very easy to compare her to those other "(p)opera" divas, Sarah Brightman and Charlotte Church, but Filippa's sound is considerably more playful than Sarah's, and more sophisticated than Charlotte's. The highlights of this album are her renditions of "Casta Diva" and "Habanera," and I would recommend it for those two songs alone, but the rest of the album is also very good. This would be a great way to introduce a young person to the genre, as many of the songs could pass for pop songs.

Ummmm...........2005-11-29

Thousand pardons and all, but what on earth is she doing? If she wants to sing like this, fine and well, but why take perfectly fine operatic pieces that are special to some people and absolutely desecrate them by singing them like they are pop?
People who want to sing pop music should not go about advertising themselves as operatic singers, Giordano has the capacity to sing contemp. if she wants, but she obviously has not an operatic voice. If you like people being wormy and stealing from other genres, you will love this cd. If you like opera, you will not.

Average customer rating: Amazing! The reason I decided to become a music major! Utterly Necessary

Class Brass - On The Edge Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Copland | Copland, Aaron | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Enescu, Georges | ( E ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Gliere, Reinhold | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Janácek, Leos | ( J ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Khachaturian | Khachaturian, Aram | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Stravinsky | Stravinsky, Igor | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Shostakovich | Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Romantic | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Sinfonia | Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Overtures | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Class Brass Empire Brass: Greatest Hits Class Brass: Firedance The World Sings: An Empire Brass Christmas King's Court and Celtic Fair ASIN: B000003CYH Release Date: 1993-02-23

Tracks:

1. Sabre Dance
2. Danse Bacchanale
3. Farandole
4. Festive Overture
5. Aragonaise
6. Procession Of The Sardar
7. Pie Jesu
8. Romanian Rhapsody
9. March
10. Allegretto
11. Russian Sailors' Dance
12. Berceuse
13. Overture To Candide
14. Saturday Night Waltz
15. Cancan

Customer Reviews:

Amazing! The reason I decided to become a music major!.......2002-11-18

This is one of the most inspirational CD's I have ever listened to. Not only is the playing perfect, the choice in music for the CD is perfect. It provides the listener with several different styles, and yet many similar styles. The group plays the traditional Russian pieces with flair and great musicianship, such as the Stravinsky and the Shostakovich. The main reason that I enjoy this CD is that each player is performing their best for this album. Each player sounds even more amazing than they usually do. I especially enjoy when Sam takes the tuba solo from Russian Sailors' Dance down an octave. Each performer from this group is one of the best in the world on their respective instruments. In conclusion, all I can say is that this CD is amazing.

Utterly Necessary.......2000-10-24

This was the first brass quintet cd I ever purchased, and it has been by far the best. This group's sound is seriously unparalleled by any other quintet, including Canadian Brass. The blend and unity of style is so perfect that one is encompassed by the music, hearing each part individually and as part of the whole at the same time. Playing arrangements of excellent orchestral music, the Empire Brass Quintet truly demonstrates its virtuosity.

Meditation Music:

1. Schubert: Schwanengesang; 5 Lieder
2. Smetana: The Bartered Bride
3. Strauss: Die Fledermaus
4. Sullivan: Pirates of Penzance; H. M. S. Pinafore
5. Sullivan: The Mikado
6. The Farewell Recitals with Giuseppe di Stefano
7. The Legendary Tebaldi-Arias And Songs
8. Thomas: Hamlet (Highlights)
9. Torrejón y Velasco: La Púrpuro de la Rosa
10. Unander-Scharin: Tokfursten [Import]

Meditation Music

meditation music

Meditation Music

Surf City//Dead Man's Curve: the New Girl in School [Import]

Starlight Classics

Treasure-Trove: Music from Bohemian Archives

Music: Life Project [Import]

Technics DJ Set, Vol. 6 [Import]

Ur-Klang Search

The Very Best of the Chinese

Take off Your Pants and Jacket [Explicit Lyrics]

The Longest Day

The Story Of [Import]

The R&B Years, Vol. 1 [Import]

Serie Retratos [Limited Edition] [Import]

Truez Neva Stop

Live for a Limited Time Only

The Big Nervous Chill