$Ho Me

Editorial Reviews
About the Artist
Smiley-G, down home Hip-Hop artist that will make you move and groove. All you need to do is just "$HO ME".

$Ho Me,Smiley G,The Orchard,Gangsta Rap,Hardcore Rap,Pop,Rap,Rap & Hip-Hop

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Cynical types will accuse Disney of milking the "greatest" concept until it's drier than Tinkerbell's fairy dust ("Supercalafragilisticexpealidocious," "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Da," and "Heigh Ho" were hits off of Vol. 1; "Bare Necessities," "It's a Small World," and "Some Day My Prince Will Come" stole the show on Vol. 2), but a glimpse of this installment's track listing is all it'll take to squash their suspicions. Once again running reverse-chronologically, Vol. 3 opens with Jonatha Brooke's gorgeously achy ballad "I'll Try," from 2002's arguably not-so-great Return to Neverland, and gradually reaches back through the years to re-raise the curtain on Toy Story 2 ("When She Loved Me," performed by Sarah McLachlan), The Lion King ("Can You Feel the Love Tonight"), Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews's classic "A Spoonful of Sugar"), Pinocchio ("Give a Little Whistle"), and a bundle of treasured others, bottoming out at 1933's "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf" from The Three Little Pigs. Vol. 3 is not without its weak moments--would a G-rated movie-goers' poll produce Beauty and the Beast's "Gaston" or The Hunchback of Notre Dame's "Topsy Turvy" on a hits list? Seems unlikely. Still, the bulk of these tracks are, as the included Little Mermaid song goes, "Part of Your World," and the spread of decades they represent proves their staying power. Don't expect Disney to latch the lid on its inexhaustible archives until a dozen or so of these records, each as strong as the next, beckon you back for more. --Tammy La Gorce

Customer Reviews:

Disney's greatest hits, volum 3.......2007-05-13

This is one of the better volums for kids and for those who are
above 18 but still have some kid in them

Timeless Disney Music.......2007-05-07

Nothing brings sweet recollection of Disney movies like hearing the wonderful songs. In an age where there so much music with no redeeming qualities, these Disney CDs are priceless. Wonderful for the entire family to listen to around the house or in the car while traveling. We can't help but sing along. We love that these are the original tracks from the movies! Wonderful! We now have all three volumes.

Disney songs are the best.......2006-03-18

I love the songs on this volume. I'll Try by Jonatha Brooke is such an amzing somg. I especially bought this CD fort that song but, was pleasantly surprsed by the rest of the playlist.

Great Disney Music.......2006-02-21

I have bought the first 2 volumes of Disney's Greatest Hits and the 3rd volume doesn't disapoint. My 2 young children love to listen to this CD and talk about the movies that they come from. A definate must have!

Not as good as Vol 1 and Vol 2.......2005-09-11

This Disney CD represents the "leftovers" that didn't make it on Vol 1 and Vol 2 of this series. Although it has some of my favorites, I don't listen to the entire CD often. Disney could have done a better job of editing the which sound files should make the cut on this one. Still, it's nice to have all 3 CDs.

Average customer rating:

If you love beautiful voices...
If you want to know Corelli's art, this is the right CD
excellent gift
Greatest Tenor of This Century!
Ah... Franco :}

The Very Best of Franco Corelli

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Baroque (c.1600-1750) | 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

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$9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

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Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
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Franco Corelli: Corelli in Concert

ASIN: B00008V5VV
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

A Te, O Cara
Meco All' Altar Di Venere... Me Protegge, Me Difende
Ah Si, Ben mio...De Quella Pira
Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi!...Celeste Aida
Pur Ti Riveggo, Mia Dolce Aida
Intanto Amici... Viva Il Vino Spumeggiante
Mamma, Quel Vino E Generoso
Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba
No, Pagliaccio Non Son
Colpito Qui M'avete...Un Di All'azzuro Spazio
Credo A Una Possanza Arcana
Legray!... Andrea Chenier!...Si, Fui Soldato
Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
Vicino A Te

Tracks:

Donna Non Vidi Mai
Recondita Armonia
E Lucevan Le Stelle
Non Piangere, Liu... Ah! Per L'ultima Volta!
Nessun Dorma
Favorita Del Re!... Spirto Gentil
Cielo E Mar
L'anima Ho Stanca
Non Lunge Della Torre... Bianca Al Par Di Neve Alpina
Ange Adorable
L'amour, L'amour.. Ah! Leve-Toi, Soleil!
O Nuit Divine!
C'est La! Salut! Tombeau!
Fronde Tenere... Ombra Mai Fu
Ave Maria
Domine Deus
Core 'Ngrato
Torna A Surriento

Customer Reviews:

If you love beautiful voices..........2007-04-30

and passionate singing, you won't be disappointed. While Corelli certainly had his flaws, they are minor in the larger picture of this unique, magnificent force of nature. Then get this set for your friend who thinks Andrea Bocelli is a great tenor.

If you want to know Corelli's art, this is the right CD.......2007-03-10

Franco Corelli had one of the powerful tenor voices of the twentieth century. Think Mario del Monaco with more beauty and grace; think Richard Tucker with a smoother voice. He had annoying touches in his singing, such as those "catches" here and there. But, with Tucker, he is, in my estimation, one of the two most powerful and attention riveting tenors in the past century. Other tenors were more artistic, provided better characterization (think Domingo, Gigli, Pavarotti, Gedda, Caruso, and some others).

But Corelli was a wonder of nature! Some samples: "Ah si, ben mio. . .Di quella pira." If there were an aria made for Corelli, this would be it. His big, rich, powerful voice fits this cut nicely. Not much subtlety here. In "Di quella pira," he hits the high notes in a stentorian manner. There are those mannerisms, but they are so easily forgiven, taking into account that rich, lustrous voice.

"Celeste Aida" is another representative cut. This is a powerful version. Also, note how he goes from forte to piano at the end of this aria. A powerful effect indeed.

Then, there are the twin arias from "Tosca." In "Recondita armonia," his rich voice is well manifest. He exhibits a smooth line in his singing. This is a powerful version of this well known aria. "E lucevan le stele" displays again that rich voice. At one point, he goes from forte to piano in a mesmerizing manner (Who'd have thought it?). His final "la vita" grabs one's attention.

Finally, "Nessun dorma." Well, smoothly, and powerfully sung. The final "vincero" is powerfully rendered, leaving goose bumps on the spine.

This is the very best of Franco Corelli. Those who want to get a sense of the vocal prowess of one of the most powerful tenors of the 20th century should attend to this double CD set.

excellent gift.......2007-02-09

I gave it to my father and he says Its an amazing cd.

Greatest Tenor of This Century!.......2007-02-03

Franco Corelli is the greatest tenor of this century. Although there are many fine tenors including Carlo Bergonzi - no tenor comes close to singing with the pure heart and animal magnetism of Franco Corelli. Surprisingly, he was also quite comfortable with bel canto, listen to the incredible "A te o'cara". I've heard "Nessun Dorma" sung by many excellent tenors and hands down, none can touch the sublime beauty of Corelli's version. This 2cd set of his greatest arias is a wonderful gift for any opera fan. "Recondita Armonia" is my personal favorite. His thrilling vocal beauty and intensity of performance is truly unforgettable.

Ah... Franco :}.......2007-01-10

Such a pleasing voice. I can't believe the clarity and perfection. He was well before my time and others have become more 'popular' since then, but for some reason his voice seems better than the more current singers. I do not know much about opera so I will have to rely only on my own ears. I happily recommend this double album. I like to have it playing on the 5 CD changer with other opera cds, mixing through them...it is a perfect saturday morning accompaniment. enjoy.

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Average customer rating:

Mill. Classical review
classical music for the unitiated
Some little gems there that I had forgotten!
A very helpful collection
Excellent!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00000K1C9
Release Date: 1999-08-24

Tracks:

Brandenbutg Concerto No.3 In G First Movement
Overture No.3 In D Second Movement
Violin Concerto In E First Movement
Prelude In C minor
Jesu Bleibet Meine Freude (Chorus From Cantata No.147)
Overture No.2 In B minor Minuet And Badinerie
Oboe Concerto In D minor Second Movement
Brandenburg Concerto No.4 In G Third Movement
Musical Offering - Fuga canonica
Easter Oratorio - Overture
Minuet In D minor
Kommst Du Nun, Jesu, Vom Himmel herunter(From Choral Prelude BWV 650
Brandenburg Concerto No.1 In F Second Movement
Art Of The Fugue - Contrapunctus 9
Concerto For Flute, Violin, Harpsichord And Strings. Triple Concerto - Third Movement
Overture No.4 In D - Réjouissance
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 1 in E: Spring
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 2 in G minor: Summer
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 3 in F: Autumn
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto No. 4 in F minor: Winter
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto for Flute, Strings & Basso Continuo in G minor, Op. 10, no.2
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Concerto Grosso in A minor, Op. 3, no. 8
Water Music - Alla Hornpipe
Xerxes - Ombra Mai Fu (Largo)
Messiah - And The Glory Of The Lord
Concerto Grosso In A Minor, Op. 6, No. 4 - Larghetto Affettuoso
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 4 Allegro
Water Music - Air
Messiah - For Unto Us A Child Is Born
Concerto Grosso In B flat, Op. 3, No. 2 - Largo
Salomon - Sinfonia, Act 3
The Choice Of Hercules - While For Thy Arms
Water Music - Allegro (Suite No. 1)
Suite No. 5 In E - Air With Variations
Jephtha - How Dark, O Lord
Organ Concerto In F, Op. 4, No. 5 Alla Siciliana - Presto
Mi Palpita Il Cor (Solo Cantata) S'un Di M'adora
Water Music - Andante Allegro Da Capo
Concerto for Trumpet & Orchestra in E-flat: First Movement
Symphony No. 94 in G: Surprise Symphony-second movement
Concerto for Violin No. 2 in D: Third Movement
Flute Trio No. 31 in G: Second Movement
Symphony No. 31 in D: Hornsignal-First Movement
String Quartet No. 17 in F, Op. 3, no. 5: Serenade Quartet-Second Movement
Sinfonia Concertante in B-flat for Violin, Cello, Oboe, Bassoon and Orchestra-Third Movement
Concerto for 2 Horns & Orchestra in E-flat: Second Movement
Symphony No. 88 in G: Fourth Movement
String Quartet No. 77 in C: Kaiser Quartet-Poco adagio cantabile
Notturno No. 1 in C: Second Movement
Symphony No. 98 in B: Londoner No. 4-Fourth Movement
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik - first movement
Piano Concerto in A - second movement
Flute Concerto in D - Rondeau
Serenade - Minuet
Violin Concerto - first movement
Symphony No. 40 in G minor - first movement
Clarinet Concerto - second movement
Turkish March
Divertimento - Minuet
Horn Concerto No. 3 in E-flat - first movement
Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67-First Movement
Piano Sonata No. 14 in C sharp minor, Op. 27, no. 2: Moonlight Sonata-First Movement
Overture
O welche Lust (Prisoners' Chorus)
Ha, welch ein Augenblick (Pizarros's Aria)
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37: Second Movement
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 61: Third Movement
Piano Sonata No. 8 in C minor, Op. 13: Pathétique-Second Movement
Sympony No. 6 in F, Op. 68: Pastorale-First Movement
Fantasy for Piano, Chorus and Orchestra in C minor, Op. 80: Choral Fantasy - Finale
German Dance No. 1 In C
Impromptu Op. 90, No. 3 In G-Flat
Heidenroslein
Ave Maria
Der Lindenbaum
Quintet In A 'Trout Quintet' - Andante
Mass No. 6 In E-Flat - Kyrie
Die Schone Mullerin Des Mullers Blumen
German Dance No. 2 In G
Piano Sonata In B-Flat
Nachtgesang Im Walde
Winterreise - No. 15: Die Krahe
German Mass - Zum Sanctus (Heilit, Heilig Ist Der Herr)
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished' - Second Movement
Waltz No. 1 in E-flat, Op. 18 Grande Valse brillante
Nocturne in E-flat, Op. 9, no. 2
Etude in G-flat, Op. 10, no. 5
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in F minor, Op. 21-Second Movement
Mazurka in D minor, Op. 33, no. 2
Prelude in D-flat, Op. 28, no. 15 Raindrop
Etude in C, Op. 10, no. 1
Nocturne in D-flat, Op. 27, no. 2
Impromptu No. 4 in C-sharp minor, Op. 66 Fantasy Impromptu
Scherzo in B minor, Op. 20
Piano Sonata No. 2 in B-flat minor, Op. 35-Third Movement
Concerto for Piano and Orchestra No. 1 in E minor, Op. 11 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 in B-flat minor - first movement 113.String Seranade - Waltz
Violin Concerto - second movement
The Sleeping Beauty - Waltz
Capriccio Italien, Op. 45
Swan Lake - Waltz
Eugene Onegin - Polonaise
The Nutcracker - Waltz of the Flowers
Orchestral Suite No. 4 - Mozartiana - Third Movement
Swan Lake - Dance of the Swans
Symphony No. 6 in B minor - Pathétique - Third Movement
Hungarian Dance No.5
Lullaby
Symphony No.1 in C minor, Op. 68 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in E-flat, Op.117, no. 1
Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D, Op. 77 - Third Movement
Waltz, Op. 39, no. 15
Concert for Piano and Orchestra No. 2 in B-flat, Op. 83 - Second Movement
String Quintet in G, Op. 111 - Second Movement
Symphony No.4 in E minor, Op. 98 - Third Movement
Intermezzo in A minor, Op. 76, no. 7
Hungarian Dance No.1 in G minor
German Requiem Selig sind die Toten (Final Chorus)
Die Fledermaus - Overture
Kaiser Waltz, Op.437
Thunder And Lightning Polka, Op. 324
Roses From The South Waltz, Op. 388
AnnenPolka, Op. 117
Vienna Blood Waltz, Op. 354
Eljen A Magyar Polka, Op. 332
Wine, Women and Song Waltz, Op. 333
On The Beautiful Blue Danube Waltz, Op. 134
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg - Overture
Tannhauser - Die Pilger sind's (Pilgims' Chorus)
Tannhauser - O du mein holder Abendstern (Wolfram's Aria)
Lohengrin - Act 3 Prelude and Bridal Chorus
The Flying Dutchman - Jo-ho-he Traft ihr das Schiff (Senta's Ballad)
The Flying Dutchman - Steuermann, lass die Wacht (Sailors' Chorus)
Die Walkure - Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond (Siegmund's Aria)
Die Walkure - Ride of the Valkyries
Siegfried Hoho! Hoho! Hohei! Schmiede mein Hammer (Siegfried's Forging Song)
Tristan und Isolde - Liebestod
Thus sprach Zarathustra, Op. 30 (excerpt)
Don Juan, Op. 20
Eine Alpensinfonie, Op. 64, I.Nacht
Don Quixote, Op.35, first movement: Introduction
Salome, Op. 54, Dance Of The Seven Veils
Der Rosenkavalier, Op. 59, Finale: Hab' mir's gelobt ihn lieb zu haben
Piano Concerto 2 In C minor, Op. 18 - First Movement
Vocalise, Op.34, No. 14
Prelude In G Sharp minor, Op. 32, No. 12
Piano Concerto No. 4 In G minor, Op. 40 - Third Movement
Symphony No. 2 In E minor, Op. 27 - Third Movement
Piano Concerto No. 1 In F sharp minor, Op. 1 - Second Movement
Rhapsody, Op. 43 On A Theme By Paganini
Hungarian Rhapsody No.2
Liebestraum No.3 in A-flat
Piano Concerto No.1 in E-flat - third movement
Angelus
Mephisto Waltz No.1 (Dance in a Village Tavern)
Prelude and Fugue on B-A-C-H
Dante Symphony - Finale. - Purgatorio - Magnificat
Les Préludes
Boléro
Daphnis et Chloé first movement: Nocturne
Rhapsodie Espagnole
Shéhérazade - first movement: Asie
Ma Mère l'Oye - fourth movement: La Belle et la Bête
Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet, and String Quartet
La Valse
Slavic Dance No. 1 in C, Op. 46, no.1
Symphony No. 9 in E minor, Op. 95 'From the New World' - second movement
Humoresque, Op. 101
Slavic Dance No. 8 in G minor, Op. 46, no. 8
Serenade for String Orchestra, Op. 22 - second movement
Romance for Violin and Orchestra In F minor, Op. 11
Symphony No. 7 in D minor - third movement
Melodie (Songs My Mother Taught Me)
Carneval Overture, Op. 92
Concerto for Cello and Orchestra in B minor, Op. 104 - third movement
Symphony No.4 In A, Op. 90. Italian - First Movement
Frühlingslied In A, Op. 62, No. 6
Wedding March (From A Midsummer Night's Dream, Op.61)
Duetto In F, Op.30, No.6 (From Songs Without Words)
String Symphony No.9 In C. Schweitzer Symphony - Third Movement
Concerto For Violin, Piano And String Orchestra No. 1 In D minor - Second Movement
Symphony No.3 In A minor, Op.56 Scottish - Third Movement"
Notturno (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Rondo Capriccioso, Op.14
String Symphony No. 12 In G minor - First Movement
Venetian Gondola Song In F Sharp minor, Op.30, No.6
Scherzo (From A Midsumment Night's Dream, Op. 61)
Violin Concerto In E minor, Op.64 - Third Movement
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op. 46 - Morgenstimmung
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - I. Prelude. Allegro vivace
Holberg Suite, Op. 40 - IV. Air. Andante religioso
Arietta, Op. 12, no. 1
Homage March from Sigurd Jorsalfar, Op. 56
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Solveig's Song
Wedding Day at Troldhauen, Op. 65, no. 6
The Last Spring, Op. 34, no. 2
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 1, Op 46 - Anitra's Dance
Nordic Melody Op. 63
Notturno, Op. 54, no. 4
Elegie, Op. 47, no. 5
Peer Gynt - Suite No. 2, Op. 55 - Arabic Dance
Piano Concerto in A minor, Op. 16 - Allegro
Symphony No. 3 in E flat, Op. 97 - Rhenish - first movement
Traumerai (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)
Mondnacht (from Eichendorff-Liederkreis, Op. 39)
Aufschwung (from Fantasietucke, Op. 12)
Triolett, Op. 114, no. 2
Tanzlied (No. 1 from Duets, Op. 78)
Symphony No. 4 in D minor, Op. 120 - second movement
Frühlingsgruss
Abschied (from Waldszenen Op. 82)
Dichterliebe, Op. 48 - Im wunderschonen Monat Mai
Manfred Overture, Op. 115
Romance in F sharp, Op. 28, no. 2
Die Rose stand im Tau
Liebesgarten (from Four Duets, Op. 34)
Warum? (from Fantasiestucke, Op. 12)
Kennst du das Land, Op.79, no. 29 (from Lieder der Mignon, Op. 98a)
Von fremden Landern und Menschen (from Kinderszenen, Op. 15)

Album Description

An extraordinary 20-CD collection of great works by Bach, Vivaldi, Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Brahms, Ravel, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff, J. Strauss, R. Strauss, Schumann, Wagner, Dvorak, Grieg and Liszt. It also features worldrenowned artists such as Sir Neville Marriner, Martha Argerich, Ivo Pogorelich, Hermann Prey, Reiner Goldberg, Sylvia Sass, Jochen Kowalski, Peter Schreler and many more. This exquisite, copper metallic, deluxe boxed set is the perfect gift for the classical music neophyte.

Customer Reviews:

Mill. Classical review.......2007-05-13

This is a great set of recordings for the money, the only problem was I've had to clean some of the CD's before they played correctly.

classical music for the unitiated.......2007-04-01

This set is a good way to start listening to classical music. It's very well produced and easy to listen to. I purchased it to use as part of my world history high school class. It would have been nice to have some bio information on the composers. However, the product is exactly as advertised and good value for the money. The students were intrigued by how many of the excerpts they had heard before.

Some little gems there that I had forgotten!.......2007-03-30

Although I studied classical music at school, I had all but forgotten it until I bought this set. I heard several tracks I haven't heard for over 30 years, and I had been humming Brahms's 'Hungarian Dance no. 5' for years without ever knowing what it was and it was on the disc, so that was nice.

I found it to be a very good selection overall, but I felt too much had already been heard on TV, which of course is what lots of newcomers to classical music might appreciate. I managed to find about 2 hours of tracks that I wanted to keep, which works out quite expensive per disc, but I did find some wonderful music I had completely forgotten about, so it was worth it. All in all, it represents good value, and I have only knocked one star off as so much of it had been used in adverts.

It is definitely a good introduction to classical music, and it has made me want to listen to more of it, so I don't regret this 'expensive' purchase one bit!

Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]

A very helpful collection.......2007-03-24

I define this set as an excellent way to find out who you like, and who you don't, among 20 of the important composers. It opens the door to purchasing more complete pieces by composers you do like, and can save a lot of time and money in the process.
To criticize the set for not containing more composers, or more than just snippets of those who are in the set, is missing the point: it is a helpful introduction to finding your way in the huge maze of classical music. It succeeds admirably in this.
Sound quality is uniformly very good on an audiophile system.
Highly recommended.

Excellent!.......2007-03-08

A great way to start a classical music collection. It's nice to have a full CD of each composer. It makes it easy to keep track of selections/composers I already have and what composers I still need to puchase to complete my collection.

(Not) Your Standard Spike Jones Collection

Average customer rating:

Great set of wartime rarities
Cure for the Blues
Standard Transcription Collection

(Not) Your Standard Spike Jones Collection
Spike Jones
Manufacturer: Collector's Choice
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Contemporary Comedy | Comedy | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Strictly for Music Lovers
Spike Jones - Greatest Hits
Fonk
Spiked!: The Music of Spike Jones
The Spike Jones Story

ASIN: B00007JR3K
Release Date: 2003-04-08

Album Description

Holiday blues comin' on? Well, put a spike in `em! Here's the zaniest, wildest and just plain sickest Collectors' Choice Music exclusive yet—79 tracks from Spike Jones and his City Slickers! These represent Spike's complete Standard Transcription sides, but these tunes are anything but standard; Mr. Jones brought his full bag of tricks for these non-commercial recordings (made in Hollywood during the early `40s). Add to that the fact that most of these have never been on CD or even LP, and any lover of Spike's mayhem-filled mixture of laughs and hot licks is going to flip over this set! Notes and great pictures accompany this 3-CD walk on the wacky side from the greatest novelty band of all time.

Customer Reviews:

Great set of wartime rarities.......2003-05-14

Spike Jones was the king of the novelty song performers, with hits like "Der Fuehrer's Face" and the parody version of "Sheik of Araby" becoming huge hits during World War II. This is a swell 3-CD set, gathering a full eighty-one of Jones' best tracks from his 1940s heyday, drawn from an extensive archive of radio broadcasts made for the Standard Transcription service. The tightness of his City Slickers band is amply demonstrated in these manic, kookily orchestrated performances. Toots, squonks, blatts and bleats whiz by at lightning speed, as one daffy song after another will delight devoted fans. Amazingly, Jones had the unusual, almost unique ability to perform a repertoire almost entirely made up of comedic material, and yet still be quite listenable and engaging. His jazz chops were hardly in question, and from time to time Jones would dash off a non-novelty ballad or two, just to give the rubes something to think about. Of course, just as often he would perform a song that *sounded* like a straight ballad, but would turn out to be another goof. (One great example of this is the sultry "Serenade To A Jerk," sung in slinky, burlesque tones by Myrtle Horwin.) This collection may seem a little overwhelming, but like his studio recordings, these radio performances have a certain brilliance and joie de vivre about them that will leave you enchanted. Definitely worth checking out!

Cure for the Blues.......2003-04-25

Here's the zaniest, wildest and just plain sickest Collectors' Choice Music exclusive yet-79 tracks from Spike Jones and his City Slickers! These represent Spike's complete Standard Transcription sides, but these tunes are anything but standard; Mr. Jones brought his full bag of tricks for these non-commercial recordings (made in Hollywood during the early `40s). Add to that the fact that most of these have never been on CD or even LP, and any lover of Spike's mayhem-filled mixture of laughs and hot licks is going to flip over this set! Notes and great pictures accompany this 3-CD walk on the wacky side from the greatest novelty band of all time.

Standard Transcription Collection.......2003-04-12

This collection has remastered material from the large stack of Standard Transcription discs from the early 1940's. There are many songs not recorded on RCA, many on the theme of wartime ("48 Reasons Why"), and the quality is excellent. The packaging is threadbare but this is an essential CD package for true music lovers.

Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti ~ Favorite Arias by the World's Favorite Tenors

Average customer rating:

One Of The Best
outstanding CD and great introduction to these great works

Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti ~ Favorite Arias by the World's Favorite Tenors
Giacomo Puccini , Gaetano Donizetti , Giuseppe Verdi , Umberto Giordano , Ruggiero Leoncavallo , Jules Massenet , Richard Strauss , Pietro Mascagni , Francesco Cilea , Eve Queler , Lorin Maazel , Emerson Buckley , Michael Tilson Thomas , Sir John Pritchard , Giuseppe Patane , Zubin Mehta , Leonard Bernstein , James Levine , Luciano Pavarotti , Placido Domingo , Jose Carreras , and Ingvar Wixell
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Marton · Scotto · Te Kanawa ~ Favorite Puccini Arias by the World's Favorite Sopranos
Christmas Favorites from the World's Favorite Tenors
José Carreras: The Golden Years
José Carreras Sings Catalan Songs
Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti ~ the three tenors in concert / Mehta

ASIN: B0000027IG
Release Date: 1991-07-02

Tracks:

Fedora: Amor Ti Vieta
L'Elisir d'Amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima
Lucia de Lammermoor: Fra Poco A Me Ricovero
La Traviata: De' Miei Bollenti Spiriti (Domingo)
Rigoletto: Questa O Quella
Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile
TOSCA: E Lucevan Le Stelle
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina
Gianni Schicchi: Firenze E Come Un Albero Fiorito
Madama Butterfly: Addio, Fiorito Asil
Pagliacci: Vesti La Giubra
Andrea Chenier: Un Di All' Azzurro Spazio
Andrea Chenier: Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
Le Cid: O Souverain, O Juge, O Pere
Der Rosenkavalier: Di Rigori Armato Il Seno
Iris: Apri La Tua Finestra!
Luisa Miller: Quando Le Sere Al Placido
Adriana Lecouvreur: L'Anima Ho Stanca
Turandot: Non Piangere, Liu!
Turadot: Nessun Dorma

Customer Reviews:

One Of The Best.......2005-08-07

This album has got to be one of the best compilations in its genre. If you are into male opera singers, specifically tenors, then you should definitely buy this CD. Imagine their hearty expressive voices coming out of your home stereo system. It might make you cry! (in a good way)

outstanding CD and great introduction to these great works.......2000-05-12

These three are amazing and this CD gives you a great introduction to their talent. The music is soothing and relaxing. The Arias chosen for this CD are awesome, however my only complaint would be that most of them are short (2 to 3 minutes). There are few arias that are longer (more than 4 minutes). I found the short arias to be a bit distracting because I'd just start relaxing into a song and then it would be over. Notwithstanding, a great CD and definitely worth owning.

Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)

Average customer rating:

Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow "

Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights)

Manufacturer: Class. for Pleas. Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Johann Strauss II: Die Fledermaus; The Gypsy Baron (Highlights)
Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld / Burgess, Watson, etc (Highlights)
The Best of Operetta, Vol. 3
Offenbach: La Belle Helene; Orpheus in the Underworld; La Vie Parisienne (Highlights)
The Merry Widow

ASIN: B00009KHY2
Release Date: 2003-09-02

Customer Reviews:

Arguably "The Best" English "Merry Widow ".......2006-09-12

This is the "Merry Widow" with English translation by Christopher Hassel sung by June Bronhill. I loved this rendition ever since I first heard it in about 1960. What's to love? First the translation is the best I've heard. The language doesn't sound "stilted" as some others. And, you can understand almost every word sung. Plus, the famous song, "Vilja" has some wording that moves me every time I hear it: The soprano sings, "Love me and I'll DIE for you!" with the word "die" somewhat emphasized. I don't know, there's just something "powerful" about someone saying they'd "die" for love! AND, at the end of "Vilja" the chorus and soprano raise to a crescendo hitting a high note together. In many renditions the chorus is heard but not the soprano on the final high note. In THIS version, the soprano, June Bronhill, can be heard rising to the final high note with an incressing crescendo and fortissimo louder than the chorus and holding the final high note---which gives a very thrilling effect as she holds that final note, I assure you!

The "problem" is that this June Bronhill, Reid, and Hassel version is hard to find on CD. For example, this CD is made in Holland and "there is one left" so it says on Amazon. But, if you can find it, I think it would be very much worth a listen. Then, after hearing it, if you think there's a "better" Merry Widow, please let ME know! Thanks. Email:boland7214@aol.

Puccini: Turandot (Complete Opera) Maria Callas; Elisabeth Schwarzkopf: Eugenio Fernandi; Tullio Serafin

Average customer rating:

Callas in Turandot
Despite fine singing, mono sound disappoints
If , and only if, you are a Callas fan: Get this!
The best Liu on disc
A great moment - a revelation

Puccini: Turandot (Complete Opera) Maria Callas; Elisabeth Schwarzkopf: Eugenio Fernandi; Tullio Serafin
Eugenio Fernandi , Giuseppe Nessi , Nicola Zaccaria , Giulio Mauri , Mario Borriello , and Milan Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala Theatre
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Puccini: La Boheme (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Anna Moffo, Antonino Votto, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan
Bizet: Carmen (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Pretre, Paris Opera Orchestra
Puccini: Madama Butterfly (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Lucia Danieli, Nicolai Gedda, Herbert von Karajan, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan
Puccini: Tosca (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Victor de Sabata, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan
Puccini: Manon Lescaut (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan

ASIN: B000002RY0
Release Date: 1997-08-19

Tracks:

Turandot: Act One: Popolo di Pekino!
Turandot: Act One: Padre! Mio padre!
Turandot: Act One: Perduta la battaglia
Turandot: Act One: Gira la cote! Gira!
Turandot: Act One: Perche tarda la luna?
Turandot: Act One: La, sui monti dell'est
Turandot: Act One: O giovinetto!
Turandot: Act One: Figlio, che fai?
Turandot: Act One: Fermo! che fai? T'arresta!
Turandot: Act One: Silenzio, ola!
Turandot: Act One: Guardalo, Pong!
Turandot: Act One: Non indugiare!
Turandot: Act One: Signore, ascolta!
Turandot: Act One: Non piangere, Liu!
Turandot: Act One: Ah! per l'ultima volta!
Turandot: Act Two: Scene One: Ola, Pang! Ola, Pong!
Turandot: Act Two: Scene One: O Cina, o Cina
Turandot: Act Two: Scene One: Ho una casa nell'Honan
Turandot: Act Two: Scene One: O mondo, pieno di pazzi innamorati!
Turandot: Act Two: Scene One: Addio, amore!
Turandot: Act Two: Scene One: Noi si sogna
Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Gravi, enormi ed imponenti
Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Un giuramento atroce mi costringe
Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Diecimila anni ai nostro Imperatore!
Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: In questa reggia
Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Straniero, ascolta! Nella cupa notte
Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Guizza al pari di fiamma
Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Gelo che ti da foco
Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Gloria, o vincitore!
Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Figlio del cielo!
Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Tre enigmi m'Hai proposto!
Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Ai tuoi piedi ci prostriam

Tracks:

Turandot: Act Three: Scene One: Cosi comanda Turandot
Turandot: Act Three: Scene One: Nessun dorma!
Turandot: Act Three: Scene One: Tu che guardi le stelle
Turandot: Act Three: Scene One: Principessa divina!
Turandot: Act Three: Scene One: Quel nome!
Turandot: Act Three: Scene One: L'amore? ... Tanto amore, segreto e inconfessato
Turandot: Act Three: Scene One: Tu, che di gel sei cinta
Turandot: Act Three: Scene One: Liu...bonta!
Turandot: Act Three: Scene One: Principessa di morte!
Turandot: Act Three: Scene One: Che e mai di me? Perduta!
Turandot: Act Three: Scene One: Del primo pianto, si...La mia gloria e il tuo amplesso!
Turandot: Act Three: Scene One: Diecimilla anni al nostro Imperatore!

Amazon.com

This is a would-be classic. The younger, pudgier Maria Callas sang the role of Turandot with a hurricane force that's rarely been equaled. But by 1958--when this recording was made--the slimmer, wiser Callas had less of the vocal power required by the opera's Act II shouting match (also known as "The Riddle Scene"), and the character's simplistic motivation (beheading suitors as a way of not dealing with her sexual frigidity) offered little for her sophisticated theatrical imagination. As the suitor who breaks through her barriers, tenor Eugenio Fernandi is little better than adequate. Elsewhere, there are strong pluses: In the uncharacteristic role of Liu, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf summons the honeyed tone of her earlier years as well as the dramatic specificity of her maturity. Conductor Tullio Serafin gives one of his most individualistic, dramatically memorable interpretations. He never lets you forget this is an ugly story about barbaric people, underscoring Puccini's every dissonance and inspiring a supremely vivid performance from the La Scala chorus. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

Callas in Turandot.......2006-12-03

I would recommend this recording to Callas lovers. It is the only true Turandot available in full form. They claim there is one from 1949 with del Monaco, but it was only partly recorded. This is Callas's only full recording of Turandot, with Serafin conducting, so I would also recommend it to people who love Turandot. Serafin gives an exciting, insightful performance (one of those we rarely get from Serafin) and is very well-done by the Teatro alla Scala's Chorus and Orchestra. This is where the glory ends. Callas's drama is almost undectable, her '47, '48, and '49 Turandots were all about vocal glory, which is something Callas by now is on her way to... redefining. So, she is conserving her voice, something one does not do and pull off a Turandot, unless one is Callas. And here, one is. This is a very good Turandot for collectors, but don't make it your first. For that I would recommend the Turandot with Nilsson and Corelli with Molinari-Pradelli conducting. Quatre stelle!

Despite fine singing, mono sound disappoints.......2006-06-02

Callas fans will want to own this, but I cannot recommend it as a first Turandot. It is an opera of lush orchestration and complex ensembles more than of melodies, and the mono recording just can't handle it; the ear struggles to pick out the different parts, and at times it is impossible even to follow along in the libretto. The chorus in particular tends to disappear in quieter passages, of which there are many. This work cries out for a lush modern stereo recording.

If , and only if, you are a Callas fan: Get this! .......2005-04-14

This recording is only for Callas-fans. Serafin is allways good, but he does nothing spesial here. Schwarzkopf is nothing more than adequat as Liù and the Calaf of Fernandi is not even that.

Even Callas - the only reason to by this set - is in unsteady voce. Here top often gets out of control, and some times it gets really ugly. Listen to the frase "quell grido e quella morte" in "In questa regga": she lacks control here!

But still: If you are - like I am - a fan of Callas, you simply must have this. She may have lost some of the brilliant voce she had before 1955 (give or take a year), but she still is an amazing acter. She colores everything so beautifully, and she gives the unhuman Turandot a human, beleveble "face".

The best Liu on disc.......2005-03-05

This may come as a surprise but I truly believe that Schwarzkopf is the most touching Liu on disc. It is also amazing to realise in this site how many people simply fail to have an opinion of their own regarding the singing and just repeat some classical reviews made by certain People in a certain Era and for certain Reasons which I care not to explain.
All you have to do is play the part where Callas sings the phrase: "Chi posa tanta forza nel tuo core?" and Elisabeth responds: "Principessa, l'amoooreeee" On the word "amore" we have one of the subtlest and most expressive pianissisimi ever made by a human throat. It can melt your heart...it is not a pianisimo made by the singer in order to sound beautiful or to sing a high note that could not be reached forte (like by Caballe whose pianissimi always served her technique and nothing else). It is a pianissimo made by the most profound musicality and the most sensitive intention towards the composer's description of Liu's character. Because Schwarzkopf as well as Callas never sang a pianissimo unless they wanted to say something with it...
This is a heart breaking Liu and I dare to say that the "Cold Diva" is a thousand times warmer and more expressive than supposedly succesful Lius on disc whose singing I find completely COLD. I also believe that this performance is the most mis-judged performance in the 20th century Anyone with a heart remains cold and unmoved by Liu when sung by Caballe or Tebaldi or Gheorghiou...but here! This is so unbelievable touching that it brings tears... The Ultimate Exmaple of Schwarzkopf's lesson in Opera: that precision, accuracy and subtle colors are sometimes enough to reveal the beauty of music.
I won;t even mention Elisabeth's "Tu che di gel" ... it is not necessairy to make my point. Just listen to that phrase:
"Principessa, l'amooooooooooooreeeeeee" and you will realise what makes the difference of a Genius singing.

Callas here sings with more passion that Nilsson did in her entire career. The only rival for this Turandot is Borkh's...

A great moment - a revelation.......2004-10-23

I read all the reviews in this page and hoped for some reason and some musical criticism but as usual with Amazon the negative "reviews" are nothing except insipid, bottom-showing crap. One even plagiarised an entire review from somebody else. One can see how much hatred great talent can provoke. Then the bashing is written in awful grammar and unmusical nonsense is sold as the "truth". If Callas' voice HAD been "weak" and "thin" she could hardly have performed Aida, Tosca, Brünnhilde, Isolde, Kundry and Turandot to great critical acclaim. This Turandor really "bursts with colour" as another reviewer wrote. Schwarzkopf, ever intelligent and idiomatic, redeemed the lovely role of Liu of all the verismo-mannerisms that had plagued it before. Callas, in 1957 her voice was in beautiful shape though not as tough as it used to be, creates the most insightful, impressive Turandot that doesn't merely blow out her guts but shows feeling and emotion to. Listen how she phrases the word "Amore" and be floored by such beauty. Fernandi might not be a Corelli but I found his Prince to be very charming and truly heart-warming. Serafin conducts Puccini to perfection, nobody ever did it as well as he, who had witnessed Puccini himself. Two thumbs up indeed!

Average customer rating:

Showcase for a powerful voice
Bravo Mario!!!
A force of Nature!

Mario del Monaco: Opera Arias

Manufacturer: Testament UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mario del Monaco: Historical Recordings 1950 - 60
Grandi Voci: Mario del Monaco
The Very Best of Franco Corelli
The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli

ASIN: B000003XIL
Release Date: 1994-09-13

Tracks:

Aida: Celeste Aida
Otello: Esultate!
Otello: Ora E per Sempre Addio
Otello: Dio Mi Potevi Scagliar
Otello: Niun Mi Tema
La Boheme: Testa Adorata, Piu Non Tornerai
I Pagliacci: Vesti La Giubba
I Pagliacci: No, Pagliacci Non Son
Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai
Turandot: Nessun Dorma
L'amico Fritz: O Amore, O Bella Luce Del Cor
Cavalleria Rusticana: O Lola Ch'hai Di Latti La Cammisa
Cavalleria Rusticana: Mamma, Quel Vino E Generoso
Andrea Chenier: Un Di All'azzurro Spazio
Andrea Chenier: Si, Fui Soldato
Andrea Chenier: Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
Adriana Lecouvreur: La Dolcissima Effigie
Adriana Lecouvreur: L'anima Ho Stanca
L'africana: O Paradiso
Marta: M'appari Tutt'amor
Carmen: Il Fior Che Avevi A Me To Dato
Werther: Ah! Non Mi Ridestar
Lohengrin: Da Voi Lontan

Customer Reviews:

Showcase for a powerful voice.......2007-02-26

Mario del Monaco reached his professional peak in the 1950s, as analog recording technologies approached their golden age. This cd remasters excellent recordings of del Monaco's truly magnificent voice.

Bravo Mario!!!.......2002-06-18

The Greatest Tenor of Them All. Del Monaco is in wonderful voice here, a voice filled with both Power and Beauty. Just listen and you will hear why Del Monaco is the Tenors Tenor.
Bravo Mario!!!!!!

A force of Nature!.......2001-01-31

This is the most commonly used sentence when someone wants to describe the voice of Mario Del Monaco.Not many tenors can sing those high notes which del Monaco reaches, with such ease!

Loathed by many for this high sound and accused for not being able to sing below forte, especially in the late stages of his carreer, no one can deny the fact that he has performed and recorded operas with some of the greatest singers of all times:Renata Tebaldi, M.Callas, J.Sutherland, M.Olivero, A.Cerquetti, G.Simionato, E.Bastianini, C.Siepi and many others. The list is long. Perhaps not the best tenor choice for all the roles he performed, Mario del Monaco was sublime when the role suited his voice. Such examples are Ottelo, Andrea Chenier, Canio (Pagliacci), Des Grieux (Manon Lescaut), Johnson (Fanciulla del West) and many of these performances are heard on this collection. He had a certain sound that made his voice very dramatic thus so good for these roles.

Concluding, those who like him will find this collection of exceptional value. Those who don't, just stay away since this Cd is full of Mario del Monaco.

Rossini - The Barber of Seville / Roberta Peters · Leinsdorf
Average customer rating:

Perfection in Seville

Un 'Barbero' sorprendente

Strange to say, but probably one of the best Barbers

Pure Bliss!!! YOU MUST GET THIS!!

Hey! This is one of the BEST!

Rossini - The Barber of Seville / Roberta Peters · Leinsdorf
Gioachino Rossini , Erich Leinsdorf , Roberta Peters , Robert Merrill , Fernando Corena , Margaret Roggero , Carlo Tomanelli , and Giorgio Tozzi
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Giacomo Puccini: La Rondine

Verdi: Ernani (Complete) [Germany]

Bizet: Carmen / Price, Corelli, Merrill, Freni; Karajan

Mozart - Die Zauberflöte / Araiza, Te Kanawa, Studer, Ramey, Lind, van Dam, Bär, Marriner

Mozart: Le Nozze Di Figaro

ASIN: B000003G4F
Release Date: 1996-09-17

Tracks:

The Barber Of Seville: Overture
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene 1: Piano, pianissimo (Count)
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene 1: Ecco ridente il cielo (Count)
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene 1: Ehi, Fiorello! - Mio signore! (Count)
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene 1: Mille grazie, mio signore (Count)
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene 1: Gente indiscreta! (Count, Figaro)
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene 1: La ran le lera; Largo al factotum (Figaro)
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene 1: Ah, ah! che bella vita! (Count, Figaro)
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene 1: Non e venuto ancora (Rosina, Count, Bartolo, Figaro)
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene 1: Se il nome saper voi bramate (Rosina, Count, Figaro)
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene 1: Oh, cielo! (Count, Figaro)
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene 1: All'idea di quel metallo (Count, Figaro)

Tracks:

The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene 1: Evviva il mio padrone - Rossini
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene: 2: Una voce poco fa (Rosina) - Rossini
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene: 2: Si, si, la vincero! (Rosina, Figaro, Bartolo) - Rossini
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene: 2: La calunnia e un venticello (Basilio) - Rossini
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene: 2: Ah, che ne dite? (Basilio, Bartolo, Figaro, Rosina) - Rossini
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene: 2: Dunque io son... tu non m'inganni? (Rosina, Figaro) - Rossini
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene: 2: Ora mi sento meglio (Rosina, Bartolo) - Rossini
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene: 2: A un dottor della mia sorte (Bartolo) - Rossini
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene: 2: Brontola quanto vuoi (Rosina, Count) - Rossini
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene: 2: Ehi, di casa... buona gente (Count, Bartolo, Rosina, Basilio) - Rossini
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene: 2: Che cosa accadde, signori miei (Figaro, Bartolo, Count, Basilio) - Rossini
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene: 2: Fermi tutti, nessun si mova (Bartolo, Figaro, Basilio, Count, Rosina) - Rossini
The Barber Of Seville: Act I: Scene: 2: Mi par d'esser con la testa (Rosina, Count, Basilio, Bartolo, Figaro) - Rossini

Tracks:

The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Ma vedi il mio destino! (Bartolo)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Pace e gioia sia con voi (Count, Bartolo)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Insomma, mio signore (Bartolo, Count, Rosina)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: 'Contro un cor che accende amore...' (Rosina, Count)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Bella voce! (Count, Rosina, Bartolo)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: 'Quando mi sei vicina...' (Count, Bartolo)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Bravo,signor barbiere,ma bravo! (Figaro, Bartolo, Rosina, Count)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Don Basilio! Cosa veggo! (Rosina, Count, Figaro, Bartolo, Basilio)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Buona sera, mio signore (Count, Figaro, Basilio, Rosina, Figaro, Bartolo)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Orsu, signor don Bartolo (Figaro, Bartolo, Count, Rosina)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Ah! Disgraziato me! ma come? (Bartolo,
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Il vechiotto cerca moglie
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Dunque voi don Alonso non conoscete affatto? (Bartolo, Basilio, Rosina)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Temporale - Storm
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Alfine eccoci qua (Figaro, Count, Rosina)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Ah! qual colpo inaspettato! (Rosina, Figaro, Count)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Ah,disgraziati noi! come si fa? (Figaro, Count, Rosina, Basilio)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Il conte! ah che mai sento! (Bartolo, Count)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Cessa di piu resistere (Count)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Insomma, io ho tutti i torti! (Bartolo, Figaro, Basilio, Rosina)
The Barber Of Seville: Act II: Di si felice innesto (Figaro, Bartolo, Basilio, Rosina, Count)

Customer Reviews:

Perfection in Seville.......2007-05-14

I think the mezzo vs high coloratura soprano as Rosina is irrelevant when considering the merits of this recording. This is almost a complete reading of the score which benefits from the casting of most of the original cast of a production that was still relatively new in 1958 when the recording was made.

All the soloists have the bel canto style nailed down. The Figaro of this recording is Robert Merrill and his voice is caught in all of it's prime time state. Simply gorgeous golden tone here that is richly masculine with an easy upper register. The rest of the cast, the conducting and playing of the Met Opera orchestra and chorus are perfection.

Although there is some minor master tape related problems, and they are really minor, RCA's Living Stereo process is remarkable. This edition's sonics are an incredible improvement over RCA's original CD release.

Un 'Barbero' sorprendente.......2004-10-31

Este 'Barbero de Sevilla' (grabado en 1956 por el sello RCA) depara muchas sorpresas agradables. Se trata de una version completisima (se incluyen todos los recitativos y ademas el aria de Almaviva 'Cessa di piu resistere', que suele suprimirse y que aparece aqui por primera vez en la historia en grabacion de esta opera).
El reparto se acerca bastantea la realidad rossiniana de los canones de hoy en dia (lo que debe sorprender, porque en 1956 eran bien diferentes) Como Almaviva tenemos al tenor CESARE VALLETTI, que combina una bella voz con un dominio de la coloratura bastante correcto para la epoca. La Rosina de ROBERTA PETERS (en version soprano ligera) derrocha una cantidad de agudos y sobreagudos con una seguridad y limpieza absolutamente pasmosa: la voz puede gustar o no, pero su dominio del agudo y del registro agudo no se le puede negar.
ROBERT MERRILL es un Figaro diferente, que quiza pueda chocar un poco, porque es el que mas alejado esta de la realidad rossiniana de hoy en dia. FERNANDO CORENA es un Don Bartolo que quiza peca de excesos de comico y GIRGIO TOZZI es un Don Basilio imponente. La lista de secundarios cumple perfectamente con sus cometidos y ERICH LEINSDORF realiza una lectura que, aunque hoy en dia puede resultar poco rossiniana, no deja de ser interesante ante unos cuerpos estables del Metropolitan de Neuva York que, como siempre, responden con calidad.
En definitiva, sin ser un Barbero de primera opcion, es una buena forma de ver cuanto ha evolucionado la historia del canto y de la conduccion rossiniana, disfrutando y sorprendiendose. Una version que, aunque a priori pueda prometer poco, ofrece bastante. Recomendable.

Strange to say, but probably one of the best Barbers.......2004-10-27

It's funny how some "classic" recordings might be classic but they arent necessarily good introductions to an opera. For example, the Maria Callas/Tito Gobbi/Luigi Alva Barber of Seville is often thought to be the classic recording of Rossini's comic gem. While I agree that recording is unique, it's also extremely cut, and it goes for a drier, more "subtle" humor.
OTOH, the Leinsdorf recording, with a cast of Cesare Valletti, Roberta Peters, Robert Merrill, and Fernando Corena is well-sung, relatively complete, well-recorded, and most of all has a freewheeling sense of fun that I think perfectly captures the charm of this opera.
Roberta Peters was a high, light soprano. Her voice can sound a bit glassy and colorless, but her Rosina is lively, virtuostic, and properly spunky. The only caveat is that like some sopranos she transposes "Una voce poco fa' up to F, while the aria IMO is much more charming in its original key of E. Cesare Valleti's Almaviva is more caressing than dazzling (unlike Juan Diego Florez), but unlike many Almavivas he actually sings the whole part. He does not cut his final aria "Cessa di piu resistere."
Overall, I'd say none of the individual singers on this recording are necessarily the best, but together this is a great ensemble recording, and I highly recommend it as an introduction to the opera. To opera, in fact.

Pure Bliss!!! YOU MUST GET THIS!!.......2003-07-29

Okay, if you are just browsing amazon and this set caught your eye let me just say STOP!! GO NO FURTHER!! THIS IS THE BEST!!
THIS IS PERFECTION!! THIS BORDERS ON DIVINE!! There is simply no point in looking for that all important "most enjoyable piece of opera in the world" BECAUSE THIS IS IT! Its this simple folks, if you like opera, if you like beautiful voices, if you like perfect timing, pitch and recording quality you must get this. This is the DEFINITIVE Barber of Seville. I will let the previous reviews here tell you about the story and the performers. My review is here for just one reason - to let people that are on the fence wondering if they should really get this -YES YOU SHOULD! You absolutely will not be dissappointed - I stake my brothers life on it. :)
End of rant.

Hey! This is one of the BEST!.......2002-07-18

I've owned this on vinyl for decades, and it seldom comes any better. Most of you know that, being familiar with Roberta Peters in her prime, along with Valletti, Merrill, Corena, and Tozzi. This is one of the most balanced casts ever assembled. I happen to like both approaches to Rosina- high in the stratosphere vocalizing and the more down-to-earth approach of Teresa Berganza. In Cesare Valletti, we have one of the finest Almavivas since the days of Fernando de Lucia. Valletti gets right into the meat of this character, with Nicolai Gedda being the only modern Almaviva to rival Valletti's voice. (I can't wait to hear Florez sing this!) What can one say about Robert Merrill? If he didn't love singing Figaro, he's done a fine job of fooling me. I do not agree with all of his interpretation, but this is one of the finest baritones having fun with a role that deserves it. (He has formidable competition here: Stracciari is incredible as Figaro. He had one of the most glorious high baritone voices you could ever want to hear and he's darned funny as Figaro to boot. Then there's Sherrill Milnes, who had a voice to rival Stracciari's formidable instrument and the same sense of fun.)

Then there are the not so minor roles of Bartolo and Basilio. Corena had a powerful, rich voice used here with a sense of character that's almost impossible to surpass. Has anyone ever had a better voice for Bartolo? Not in my memory! Giorgio Tozzi's Basilio is one of the glories of this performance; a rich, colorful voice with great beauty of tone... all at the service of one of opera's funniest `villains'. Leinsdorf does a fine job capturing the ambience of Barbiere, so I find it hard to go wrong with this recording...

So now it's time for a little rant and rave... One of the reviewers chided Corena and Tozzi for going over the top, speaking of them like dogs who were caught digging holes in the neighbors' gardens. (What must he think of Capecchi? I shudder to think of it!) The Barber of Seville is not a dusty old museum piece, it's a comedy about very human people going about their businesses with wacky results. This opera somewhat resembles a train wreck in the making, with boxcars full to the brim with maniac clowns. I love it when the singers get into the meat of their characters. Combining it with glorious voices and breathtaking singing only adds to the joy. Corena's performance of Doctor Bartolo IS over the top- which is what is needed- Bartolo is a very over-the-top man. Three cheers to Fernando Corena!

Monteverdi: Quarto Libro dei Madrigali
Average customer rating:

A stunning recording

Fresh, luminous and touching!

A very musical and lively recording.

Monteverdi: Quarto Libro dei Madrigali
Sandro Naglia , Marcello Vargetto , Bianca Simone , and Rinaldo Alessandrini
Manufacturer: Opus 111
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Monteverdi | Monteverdi, Claudio | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Concerto Italiano | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Madrigals | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Monteverdi: Quinto Libro de Madrigali (Fifth Book of Madrigals)

Monteverdi: Secondo Libro de' Madrigali (Second Book of Madrigals) /Concerto Italiano * Alessandrini

Monteverdi: Ottavo Libro de' Madrigali, Vol.1

Monteverdi: Madrigals Book 3

Monteverdi: Il Sesto Libro de Madrigali

ASIN: B000027MVE
Release Date: 1993-12-03

Tracks:

Ah Dolente Partita
Cor Mio, Mentre Vi Miro
Cor Mio, Non Mori? E Mori!
Sfogava Con Le Stelle
Volgea L'anima Mia Soavemente
Anima Mia Perdona [Prima Parte]
Che Se Tu Se'Il Cor Mio [Seconda Parte]
Luci Serene E Chiare
La Piaga C'ho Nel Core
Voi Pur Da Me Partite, Anima Dura
A Un Giro Sol De' Begl'occhi Lucenti
Ohime, Se Tanto Amate
Io Mi Son Giovinetta
Quel Augellin Che Canta
Non Piu Guerra Pietate
Si Ch'io Vorrei Morire
Anima Dolorosa Che Vivendo
Anima Del Cor Mio
Longe Da Te Cor Mio
Piagn' E Sospira

Amazon.com

Monteverdi's Fourth Book of Madrigals for five voices was a real ground-breaking work: the composer tossed aside the rules of classical counterpoint and harmony, making the music subservient to the text it delivered--creating extraordinary pictorial and emotive effects that are surprising even today. Here's just one example: in "Si, ch'io vorrei morire," the voices enter successively on the line "Ahi, car'e dolce lingua" ("Ah, dear sweet tongue"), each voice extending its phrase while the next two voices above enter in their turn, the lines caressing and colliding with each other like the tongues of kissing lovers, the dissonant suspensions like frissons of passion. Concerto Italiano's performance is a revelation: each quicksilver change in tempo or volume is beautifully judged, yet sounds completely spontaneous and natural. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

A stunning recording.......2005-07-04

If I had to single out one recording of madrigals to recommend this might quite possibly be it. The performances by Alessandrini and Concerto Italiano are everything the critics have been raving about for a number of years now. They really do take the cake when it comes to being the outstanding madrigal performers of our times - although we now have La Venexiana, who can be put on the same level. The singing here represents a degree of refinement in expressive eloquence that is previously unheard of in this repertoire. This makes this CD gripping listening from start to finish even though all works are sung a capella.

The recording is also well up to the usual high standards of Opus 111.

Fresh, luminous and touching!.......2005-06-14

The best book of Monteverdi sung the very best by the best singers.
This crew - which main members now sing in La Venexiana - must have some strange affinity to Monteverdi! It never sounds 'old' or 'ancient'; you feel rather that Monteverdi is some modern composer, or you feel how young his inventive style must have been felt by his contemporaries. Concerto Italiano - i.e. until the mid 90ies - had some kind of 'analytical' approach, slow, high definition, sophisticated, clear, fresh, young, shining - like the first spring! This luxury production never feels cold or boring, from the first madrigals, 'Ah dolente partita', 'Cor mio' and so on, it is very, very touching. A more happy madrigal like 'A un giro sol de' bell'occhi lucenti' is really a wonder. Rossana Bertini's shrill soprano is specially striking. Highly recommended! I also recommend The second book - Amazon: B0000260SF - by the same group and The third book - Amazon: B00006B1R7- by La Veneziana; almost the same crew and surely the same style.

A very musical and lively recording........1998-12-16

Concerto Italiano gives a refreshing interpretation of Monteverdi's madrigals. Apart from being a well and musically sung recording, it is the expression of the lyrics which makes this CD unique. From listening it is clear that the madrigals were meant to be sung this way: One hears the birds, the wind, the sea and, of course, many lamenting lovers. (Be sure to keep the booklet handy when listening !)

Although the revival of renaissance music has produced many nice recordings (i.e. Kirby), these all seem a bit academic now. Also the other CD-s by this ensemble are worthwhile, but this one is the top. Thank you Concerto Italiano !

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