Known for her deliberately artsy live performances and, of course, her exceptionally graceful take on Portugal's fado music tradition, Mísia is one of the leading lights of the music since the great Amalia Rodrigues passed away. She toys with tradition in a different way on Canto, taking on the music of challenging Portuguese composer Carlos Paredes. Since these are not folk songs, the singer augments (and sometimes supplants) fado's traditional acoustic guitar trio with a classical string quintet. The results are stunning: the music here sounds like wildly passionate versions of baroque classics, particularly on the opening song "Presságios de Alfama." The singer maintains her fadista's soul throughout as she sings the dramatic lyrics of poet Vasco Graça Moura and others. As her voice soars, violins and the Portuguese guitar of José Manuel Neto compliment with delicate refinement. One of the more unique sounding efforts to come out of the fado tradition, Canto is a work of rare and tender beauty. --Tad Hendrickson
Product Description
Miraculous & mysterious, stirring & poetic, attractive & luminous... such is Misia, an exceptional fado singer who, since her first album release under Detour label, Garras Dos Sentidos, then followed by her passage at the Olympia in October 1998 & January 1999 (14th & 15th of January), has imposed herself as an essential figure of the international musical scene. 'Canto' is an original & ambitious project, resulting from the meeting of different artistic languages, inspired by the Portuguese composer Carlos Paredes. 13 tracks. Warner. 2003.
Canto,Misia,Warner Bros / Wea,Fado,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Portugal,Portuguese,Spain & Portugal,World Music
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Josh Groban
Josh Groban Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005RGNI Release Date: 2001-11-20 |
Tracks:
- Alla Luce Dal Sole
- Gira Con Me
- You're Still You
- Cinema Paradiso (Se)
- To Where You Are
- Alejate
- Canto Alla Vita - featuring The Corrs
- Let Me Fall
- Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)
- Un Amore Per Sempre
- Home To Stay
- Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring (w/Lili Haydn)
- The Prayer - featuring Charlotte Church
Amazon.com
There are worse things in life than making your acting debut on the much ballyhooed season finale of Ally McBeal, though teen operatic baritone Josh Groban doesn't seem destined to encounter them anytime soon. As the awkward high school student-client who asks the typically romance-jinxed Ally to his senior prom, Groban performed this debut album's "You're Still You" (adapted from film-composing legend Ennio Morricone's Academy Award-nominated score for Malèna, with lyrics by Linda Thompson) as a heart-tugging, literal showstopper. The young phenom was just 17 when veteran producer-writer David Foster tapped him to fill in for Andrea Bocelli at rehearsals for the 1999 Grammys, where Groban found himself suddenly dueting with Celine Dion.Indeed, such were his fortunes that the young Foster protégé was forced to drop out of Carnegie Mellon when professional commitments--including this record--interfered. And if this collection tends to hew sometimes uncomfortably close to Foster's own MOR sonic instincts, the material offers enough challenges to display Groban's talent and the potential of his warm, mature voice: a lyrical take on another Morricone classic, "Cinema Paradiso"; melancholy readings of Don McLean's "Starry, Starry Night" and Albert Hammond's "Alejate"; masterfully dramatic takes of the Neapolitan "Alla Luca Del Sole" and "Canto Alla Vita," the latter featuring the Corrs. Many of Groban's performances here, including a neo prog-rock-opera take on Bach's "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring" (with Lili Haydn), seem both bigger and bolder than their precious musical frameworks, a telling hint that Grand Opera can't be far from his grasp. As said earlier, there are worse things in life. --Jerry McCulley
Customer Reviews:
Sheer Magic.......2007-07-29
Sweet.......2007-07-13
superb.......2007-07-05
Underestimated in Europe. His concert on 21 May 2007 in Amsterdam was superb!
Oh my Gosh, Josh!.......2007-07-03
This CD has two songs on it that are very unusual. I believe both are from Cirque de Soleil, and draw you into the music--warning-- While driving, do not close your eyes!
a true star.......2007-06-24
Average customer rating:
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Sogno
B. / Cogliati, D. Zambrini , Tullio / Servillo, Giuseppe Ferro , Patrick / Servillo, Giuseppe Abrial , Ennio / Bardotti, S. Morricone , Ennio / Quarantotto, Lucio Morricone , Mauro / Bocelli, Andrea Malavasi , Guido Corti , Eros Ramazzotti , and Cecilia Chailly Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000IGX2 Release Date: 1999-03-30 |
Tracks:
- Canto Della Terra
- The Prayer (duet with Celine Dion)
- Sogno
- O Mare E Tu (duet with Dulce Pontes)
- A Volte Il Cuore
- Cantico
- Mai Piu' Cosi' Lontano
- Immenso
- Nel Cuore Lei (duet with Eros Ramazzotti)
- Tremo E T'Amo
- I Love Rossini
- Un Canto
- Come Un Fiume Tu
- A Mio Padre
Amazon.com essential recording
Andrea Bocelli's Sogno ("Dream") is a pop album of entirely original compositions that evoke traditional and modern influences. Bocelli himself describes the CD as secular Italian traditional melodic music with a contemporary twist. The album's 14 tracks include "The Prayer," a Bocelli and Celine Dion duet produced by David Foster; "Come un Fiume Tu," an intriguing collaboration with soundtrack maestro Ennio Morricone; "O Mare e Tu," a duet with Dulce Pontes; and "Sogno" (the first single excerpted from the album), a light-as-a-feather, emotional composition sung by Bocelli with his typical vocal emphasis, which has made him famous around the world since the release of his self-titled debut. --Ernesto De PascaleCustomer Reviews:
Romance.......2007-06-12
Andrea's masterpiece.......2007-04-20
A Great Collection Of Songs!.......2007-03-28
Sogno by Bocelli.......2007-03-09
Wow, Great Artist, & Great CD.......2007-01-04
Average customer rating:
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Viva Italia! Festive Italian Classics
Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000002WXS Release Date: 1996-07-02 |
Tracks:
- Mattinata - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
- Mala Femmena - Frankie Fanelli
- Canto D'Amore - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
- Guaglione - Carlo Savina And His Orchestra
- Lary Mary(Luna Mezza Mare) - Lou Monte
- Anema E Core - Perry Como
- Funiculi Funicula - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
- Soldi, Soldi, Soldi(From 'Boccaccio '70') - Sophia Loren
- Santa Lucia - Gino Del Vescovo And His Mandolins
- Hey Gumbaree(Bibadee Bobadee Bu) - Lou Monte
- Come Back To Sorrento - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
- Volare(nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) - Domenico Modugno
- A Man Without Love(Quando M'Innamore) - Sergio Franchi
- O Sole Mio - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
- Forget Domani(From 'The Yellow Rolls Royce') - Perry Como
- Mama - Lou Monte
- O Mio Bambino Caro - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
- Non Dimenticar(Don't Forget) - Lou Monte
- Al Di La(From 'Rome Adventure') - Frankie Fanelli
- Arrivederci Roma(Goodbye To Rome) - Romano Ledenzio And His Orchestra
Customer Reviews:
Italian Amercans--a must buy.......2007-07-28
As a child of the 60's, these songs resurrected long-lost memories of great Italian music that was at one-time almost prevalent in the entertainment industry. I am proud that our culture produced these great songs, hope you are too! I still often listen to this music at dinner while enjoying a glass of great Italian wine.
Bob Silvestri, USAF, Retired
ITALIAN LISTENER.......2007-07-16
Terrific!.......2007-05-30
So-So CD.......2007-04-06
Great dinner background music.
This CD will put you to sleep.......2007-02-26
While Perry Como and others have melodic voices (and very wisely sing in English because they don't know Italian), these are '50s versions of the songs, for the most part. While you have to appreciate them, they are really old and reflect the '50s type of instrumention and style. Would have loved to have heard all these songs done in a fresh and original way. Soldi Soldi was our favorite by far, and that is why we gave the CD two stars.
Could have gone to the library for this one.
Thanks for letting me voice our opinion. We are a big Italian family and just spent hundreds of dollars buying every CD out there for our daughter's wedding and figured we would share our opinion with others.
Average customer rating:
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Andrea
Massimo Varini , Ensemble of Bologna , London Session Orchestra , Andy Duncan , Leo Z. , Rosario Jermano , Dave Arch , and David Arch Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00063M112 Release Date: 2004-11-09 |
Tracks:
- Dell'Amore Non Si Sa
- L'Attesa
- Un Nuovo Giorno
- Tu Ci Sei
- Sin Tu Amor
- Libert
- Per Noi
- Le Parole Che Non Ti Ho Detto
- Sempre O Mai
- In Canto
- Quante Volte Ti Ho Cercato
- When A Child Is Born
- Go Where Love Goes
Amazon.com
It's no mean feat being the world's foremost crossover artist--a task that risks alienating two disparate audiences and everyone in between--but somebody had to do it, and Andrea Bocelli again walks that artistic tightrope with impressive deftness. The title may imply a casual intimacy (indeed, the singer admits to taking a more "hands-on" approach to the album's conception and production), but it's a collection that nonetheless continues to expand on the Italian tenor's ambitious internationalism. His collaboration "Sin Tu Amor" immerses his voice in the Gipsy Kings' own rich Iberian folk-pop fusion with compelling results, while "Where Love Goes" (a musical focal point of the film Lazarus Child), his English language duet with 11-year-old prodigy Holly Stell, achieves an almost liturgical grace. "Tu Ci Sei" (You Are There) continues in the romantic vein of his familiar theme "Con Te Partiro" (Time to Say Goodbye), while the single "Dell' Amore Non Si Sa" (With Love You Never Know) features Bocelli in a signature dramatic tour de force collaboration with arranger Mauro Malavasi, the accomplished producer of the singer's Romanza and Sogno albums. Bocelli's shrewd taste and vocal prowess here not only again redeem an oft-maligned genre, but elevate it considerably in the bargain. --Jerry McCulleyCustomer Reviews:
HOW DO YOU SAY,"WOW," IN ITALIAN?.......2007-06-22
A FEW YEARS AGO I HAD HEARD ANDREA DO, "CON TE PARTIRO," ON A PBS SPECIAL AND MY EYES FILLED WITH TEARS THAT ANY HUMAN COULD MAKE SUCH SOUNDS. I WAS ASTOUNDED; MORE ASTOUNDING, STILL, WAS TO HEAR THIS ALBUM AND FIND THAT HIS VOICE HAD ACTUALLY VASTLY IMPOVED OVER TIME. HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? " CON TE..," PALES IN COMPARISON TO THE QUALITY OF THIS WORK; THE TRACKS ON THIS CD ARE PERFECT, FULL, RICH, AND MORE MOVING THAN ANYTHING I HAVE EVER HEARD. I HAVE HAD IT A WEEK, NOW, AND I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO LISTEN TO ANYTHING ELSE FOR VERY LONG, AND I PLAY IT OVER AND OVER. IT HAS BEEN MANY YEARS SINCE I HAVE BEEN AFFECTED LIKE THIS BY ANY VOCAL CD. IF HE NEVER RECORDED AGAIN HE WOULD HAVE MADE A MARK ON THE WORLD OF AUDIO NEVER TO BE ERASED OR FORGOTTEN. WHAT A VOICE! WHAT SONGS! THE CUT, "LIBERTA," ABSOLUTELY KILLS ME WITH FEELINGS OF JOY AND MARVEL. I HAVE EVEN TAKEN UP STUDYING ITALIAN BECAUSE OF IT.
TREAT YOURSELF, AND A GOOD FRIEND, TO THE SOUNDS ON THIS CD. SIT AND WATCH A SUNSET WITH IT ON... I MEAN NOW!
Just buy it........2007-05-30
Teamo, Andrea Bocelli .......2007-03-08
A new style from Andrea........2007-02-24
Un Nouvo Giorno stunned me the first time I heard it.It was so unlike anything I had heard from Andrea- very pop.But it soon grew on me.
Liberta is amazing.Very catchy and upbeat.
Sempre O Mai is my favorite.It keeps its tempo up and has the best of Andrea and pop.Great song.
So this album was really a double album with pop and classical songs interspersed.A good mix from the master.
Not happy with delivery (or non delivery) of this item.......2007-01-16
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Io Canto
Laura Pausini Manufacturer: Warner Music Latina ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000IY04OU Release Date: 2006-11-14 |
Tracks:
- Io canto
- Due
- Scrivimi
- Come il sole all 'imporovviso
- Destinazione paradiso
- Stella gemella
- Il mio canto libero
- Cinque giorni
- La mia banda suona il rock
- Spaccacuore
- Anima fragile
- Non me lo spiegare
- Nei giardini che nessuno sa
- Una stanza quasi rosa
- Quando
- Strada Facendo
Amazon.com
Italian, Spanish, or English: Laura Pausini's edgy, electric vocals are some of the most vibrant in contemporary pop. The endearing diva has been around for more than a decade, but the 2004 disc Escucha found her enjoying a newfound musical independence and worldwide success. Yo Canto is a long-brewing project dear to Pausini's heart: a collection of Italian pop covers spanning her lifetime. As with most of Pausini's releases, the disc is available in Italian and in Spanish. Yo Canto veers from dramatic balladry to fiery rock moments, anchored by Pausini's swooping, powerful vocal work. Several songs will be unfamiliar to fans outside of Italy, but it hardly matters. Pausini makes every moment her own, from the triumphant title track to the bittersweet "Escribeme." She's joined by international rock star Juanes during the lovely, lilting "Mi Libre Cancion." And fellow Italian pop idol Tiziano Ferro joins in for a new take on his brooding 2003 hit, "No Me Lo Puedo Explicar." There are many moments of sublime loveliness here. In other words, just another day in the musical life of Pausini. --Joey GuerraAlbum Description
This album is a compilation of classic Italian songs by Laura Pausini.Customer Reviews:
Me encanta!.......2007-05-26
Outstanding CD - Her Best Yet.......2007-05-13
Not her best.......2007-04-19
Nice Cover. Great songs.......2007-04-13
LAURA AT HER BEST.......2007-04-04
If you like italian music this is a must. With "covers" from great italian singers like Cocciante, Baglioni among others.
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Josh Groban Live at The Greek (CD/DVD)
Josh Groban Manufacturer: Reprise / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00063LTH4 Release Date: 2004-11-30 |
Tracks:
- Oceano
- Mi Mancherai (il postino)
- Mi Morena
- Canto Alla Vita
- Remember When It Rained
- Remember
- America
- Never Let Go
Tracks:
- Oceano
- Per Te
- To Where You Are
- Mi Mancherai (il postino)
- Mi Morena
- Alejate
- Canto Alla Vita
- Nocturne/Bohemian Rhapsody (performed by Lucia Micarelli)
- Alla Luce Del Sole (special guest artist: Bela Fleck)
- My December
- Caruso
- Remember When It Rained
- Vincent (Starry, Starry Night)
- Remember
- You Raise Me Up
- America
- Never Let Go
Amazon.com
If Josh Groban's unabashedly melodramatic musical fusion inspires grousing on both sides of the classical/pop pundit divide, the screams of the (mostly) young female fans that punctuate these 2004 performances at L.A.'s historic Greek theater better underscore the real point. This set's CD and more expansive DVD complement each other well; if anything, supplemented by a live string ensemble and crack backing band, they're a warmer, more focused showcase for the singer's talents than the studio albums that made his meteoric fame. In peak form, Groban variously delivers forceful renditions of his pop-operatic powerhouses "Canto Alla Vita" and "Anna Luce Del Sole" (the former featuring a drum solo [!] from Groban, the latter a fine guest turn by Bela Fleck on banjo), takes a surprising solo piano break on Paul Simon's "America," waxes Central Asian on Troy's "Remember" and brings the crowd to its feet with the heart-on-his-sleeve dramatics of Closer's "Never Let Go." They're all informed by the singer's insouciant, youthful enthusiasm, arguing that Groban is gifted with more than just a magnificent voice; he's a complete natural as a performer as well. The DVD also includes a tour diary narrated with typical charm by the singer, as well as bonus live performance of "Believe" from the Polar Express soundtrack. --Jerry McCulleyAlbum Description
Josh Groban's 2002 PBS "Great Performances" special was a #1 selling DVD and the best-selling long-form music video of 2003. His second "Great Performances" special was taped at L.A.'s Greek Theater in the summer of 2004. For fans of the young sophisticated pop phenomenon who has sold more than 8 million albums, this CD+DVD package is just the latest great performance in the career of Josh Groban. DVD Extras: On the road with Josh for Summer 2004 Tour and a special performance of "Believe" from The Polar Express (it's PBS footage mixed w/ film footage).Customer Reviews:
Josh is even better in live!.......2007-04-14
Very Good!.......2007-02-09
Let me explain..........2007-01-14
The waving of the light sticks was started at the very beginning of his first tour, mainly to show him how much the fans appreciated the concerts. The first idea was to wave them during the last verse of "You Raise Me Up," when the choir came out. Later, fans added another show of support by waving blue light sticks during "Vincent (Starry Starry Night."
OK, if you still find that annoying, that's your right. However, the flag waving at the end of "To Where You Are" was special. This concert was filmed on September 11, and the flags were waved at the end of "To Where You Are" for those who were lost, and the families of those who were lost, on 9/11/2001.
It's your right if you still find these things annoying. I just thought I'd try to help you to understand.
Since this is a forum for giving our opinions of the DVD, I have to say that I love it. He has a beautiful voice and I love listening to him under any circumstance. The DVD is wonderful, IMHO.
Re-Live the Concert Experience!.......2007-01-09
DVD is so worth the price.......2007-01-08
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Luciano Pavrotti: The Best (Farewell Tour)
Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0007V5WB4 Release Date: 2005-09-13 |
Tracks:
- La donna obile
- Una furtiva lagrima
- "Libiamo ne'lieti calici (Brindisi)
- Donna non vidi mai
- Che gelida manina
- O soave fanciulla
- Mi batte il cor...O Paradiso!
- M'appari
- Quando le sere al placido chiaror d'un ciel stellato
- Se quel guerrier io fossi!..Celeste Aida
- Forse la soglia attinse
- Recitar! - "Vesti la giubba"
- Come un bel di maggio
- Ah mes amis - Pour mon
- Di quella pira
- Nessun dorma!
Tracks:
- Torna a Surriento
- Santa Lucia luntana
- La Danza
- L'ultima canzone
- Non t'amo pi
- Mattinata
- 'O sole mio
- 'A vucchella
- Core 'ngrato
- Nel blu, dipinto di blu
- Vivere
- Il Canto
- Caruso
- Buongiorno a te
- Ti adoro
- E lucevan le stelle
- Questa o quella (Ballata)
- Parmi veder le lagrime
Customer Reviews:
Luciano Pavrotti: The Best (Farewell Tour).......2007-06-27
Luciano Pavorotti.......2007-02-17
Luciano is the best!.......2007-01-20
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The Anna Russell Album
Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000027JD Release Date: 1991-07-26 |
Tracks:
- Introduction To The Concert (By the Women's Club President)
- How to Write Your Own Gilbert And Sullivan Opera
- Coloratura Aria 'Canto Dolciamente Pipo'
- British - Pure But Dull: 'I Love The Spring'
- Russian Folk Song: 'Da, Nyet, Da, Nyet'
- For Loud Singers With No Brains: 'Ah, Lover!'
- For Singers With Tremendous Artistry But No Voice: 'Schlumph; Je N'ai Pas La Plume De Ma Tante'
- For The Dramatic Soprano: 'Schreechenrauf'
- The Ring Of The Nibellungs (An Analysis)
Amazon.com
This set of Anna Russell's inspired satirical monologues should be labeled with a warning notice. Why? Because after listening to her whirlwind explication of Wagner's Ring Cycle, even the most confirmed Wagnerite will be unable to listen to the Ring for weeks to come. Just listening to Russell declare in an incredulous voice: "I'm not making this up, y'know" is enough to induce you to shed bucketloads of laughter-induced tears. Gilbert and Sullivan fans will find their heroes savaged in her concoction of a typical G&S product, complete with a soprano lead who "loves below her station." Other targets include "the nymphs and shepherds" style of quavery English singing, complete with "hey-nonny-nonny's," coloratura mad scenes, and much else, including Russian folk songs, like her "Da, nyet, da, nyet." This disc is packed with laughs, chuckles, smiles, and everything. --Dan DavisCustomer Reviews:
Intelligent and musical fun.-.......2007-01-13
The Genius of Anna Russell.......2006-03-15
If you enjoy laughing.........2006-02-23
This CD can probably also be enjoyed by those who have only a nodding acquaintance with opera, but may not be enjoyed by those who take opera with 100% seriousness.
Anna Russell strikes again!.......2005-10-14
Anna Russell is a SCREAM!.......2005-08-05
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Summon the Heroes
Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00004WK4E Release Date: 2000-08-29 |
Tracks:
- Summon The Heroes - John Williams/Boston Pops Orchestra
- Carmina Burana: O Fortuna - Tanglewood Festival Chorus/John Oliver
- Bugler's Dream/Olympic Fanfare And Theme - John Williams/Boston Pops Orchestra
- Canto Olympico: Ode To Zeus - Tanglewood Festival Chorus/John Oliver
- Javelin - John Williams/Boston Pops Orchestra
- Olympic Hymn - Tanglewood Festival Chorus/John Oliver
- Festive Overture, Op.96 - John Williams/Boston Pops Orchestra
- Conquest Of Paradise (Theme) - Tanglewood Festival Chorus/John Oliver
- Ben Hur: Parade Of Charioteers - John Williams/Boston Pops Orchestra
- Toward A New Life - John Williams/Boston Pops Orchestra
- Chariots of Fire (Theme) - John Williams/Boston Pops Orchestra
- The Olympic Spirit - John Williams/Boston Pops Orchestra
Customer Reviews:
Loved "Summon the Heroes".......2007-03-17
Inspirational music during awards.......2007-01-22
Rousing but...........2006-02-24
In an amazing oversight, however, this CD does not include the Olympic Theme.
Enjoyable romp through Olympic Themes.......2005-09-01
On the whole, the music is well done, but I'm more used to the faster pace of the Parade of the Charioteers found on Eric Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops' Hollywood's Greatest Hits Vol. 1.
One other quibble (minor, really) is that people tend to think of the 1984 Olympic Fanfare as being always merged with the traditional Olympic Fanfare, but you can find it separately on By Request by John Williams and the Boston Pops. You'll also have to hunt around for the full composition of what people consider the traditional Olympic Fanfare on another disc, but that's a minor issue.
One nice item on the disc is The Olympic Spirit, which was composed for the NBC Broadcast of the 1988 Olympics in Seoul, but never used. My children really like that piece a lot, and usually request it to be replayed when it finishes.
One of the most uplifting and motivating albums!!!.......2005-07-19
Track One-Summon the Heroes
Track Three-Bugler's Dream/Olympic Fanfare and Theme
Track Twelve-The Olympic Spirit
Bottom Line: BUY THIS ALBUM!!!!!!!! A TREASURE!!!!!
Average customer rating:
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Cecilia Bartoli ~ Opera Proibita (Handel · Scarlatti · Caldara) / Les Musiciens du Louvre · Minkowski
Cecilia Bartoli , George Frideric Handel , Alessandro Scarlatti , Antonio Caldara , Marc Minkowski , and Les Musiciens du Louvre Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B000A6T1HC Release Date: 2005-09-13 |
Tracks:
- All'arme si accesi guerrieri (Aria dell Pace)
- Mentre io godo (Aria della Speranza)
- Un pensiero nemico di pace
- Vanne pentita a piangere
- Sparga il senso lascivo veleno
- Caldo Sangue
- Come nembo che fugge col vento
- Ecco negl'orti tuoi...Che dolce simpatica
- Qui resta...L'alta Roma
- Lascia la spina cogli la rosa
- Ahi qual cordoglio...Doppio affetto
- Si piangete pupille dolente
- Ahi quanto cieca...Come foco allo splendore
- Disserratevi oh porte d'Averno
- Notte funesta...Ferma l'ali
Amazon.com
Cecilia Bartoli's new CD features a collection of music that could not be heard in her native Rome at the start of the 18th century due to Papal censorship. Theaters, the Church felt, were places of evil and corruption and operas led people to immorality. But some music-loving senior members of the priesthood asked composers to write oratorios and cantatas--indeed, operas without staging, essentially--for their own private entertainment. Call it what you will, the music is sensational--by turns virtuosic, gentle, and playful--and always expressive: just right, it seems, for Cecilia Bartoli's temperament. The opening aria on the CD, a call for peace in the name of Jesus, is, in fact, a dazzling martial air with trumpets blaring and the voice going through an amazing array of coloratura fireworks. It shows Bartoli at her most aggressive. The listener is practically hurled back from the speakers when she begins, with rapid-fire runs and trills and cascades of notes, all perfectly in place. Showy arias are offset by several tender ones ("Lascia la spina" from Handel's Il trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno returns in the composer's Rinaldo, four years later, as the now-famous "Lascia ch'io pianga"), and Bartoli exhibits again, her many, many levels of pianissimo and sensitive phrasing. Marc Minkowski and his Musiciens are just right for this repertoire and back Bartoli up superbly. This is a fascinating project, rivetingly performed and presented. --Robert LevineAlbum Description
Limited Australian pressing. An extraordinary album of dramatic arias written in Rome at a time when opera performance was forbidden by the Church, and female singers were forbidden from singing in public. Decca. 2005.Customer Reviews:
Only one diva, only Bartoli........2007-06-19
In Opera Proibita, Bartoli's repertoire not only reflects on her as a consummate vocal artist but also as the ultimate scholar. Rarely an opera singer would dig this dip and go that far to unearth great scores from total obscurity. Even more uncommonly a singer would take the challenge of singing these arias without the risk of ridiculing herself, but to the contrary establishing a new record and precedent.
Her execution of the Handel arias is truly astonishing in coloratura and melismas probably not heard for three hundred years when only the best castrati commanded the virtuosity to tackle these arias. Also surprising and refreshing was to hear works by Handel that show his wild side.
Bartoli brings this album to a high climax with the arias from Il Trionfo del Tempo e del Disinganno. This is really her realm and true medium. Her vocal runs in "Un pensiero nemico di face" sound like a first violin, and as if this was not difficult enough she ornaments the da capo melismas in tempo from allegro to presto molto vivace, and transitions into a note crescendo with great ease and certainty. Wonderful!
Amazing disc.......2007-03-03
Beautiful Music, but vocally unmusical........2007-02-09
Alas, starting from her Vivaldi Album, I do not find her singing that beautiful any more. True, the songs picked there are technically very challenging, used to be sung by male castrato singers. The songs picked here are even more difficult.
BUT - is singing just about technique?
There are some songs in the Vivaldi Album that have the vocal musical lines broken in places. Here in Opera Proibita, almost every song has this problem, even the slow ones of Caldara. Compare her singing in the earlier part of her career, her early Mozart operas, I could not help but wonder if Ms. Bartoli has taken the correct turn in her career: her forced high notes, though squarely hit, do not sound at all pleasing; her runs and trills, though taken accurately at great tempi, is no longer truly musical. Compare her singing with the other two great baroque mezzo-sopranos Bernarda Fink and the tragically short-lived late Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, you would understand what I mean.
With the latest turn in Ms. Bartoli's singing, I am being forced to admit that this is a singer of great technical brilliance and enormous fame, but not at all pleasing to the ear.
Not to my taste.......2006-11-05
Exciting, moving, beautiful, energetic, heart-felt, fantastic..........2006-09-02
Cecilia Bartoli just "does it" for me almost every time. She is just fantastic in my books. I love her dearly. She can give one an adrenalin rush with her bravura singing and then break one's heart with her pathos.
This is a superb collection of Baroque arias from "almost" operas! ;-))
I also liked the cheeky and none-too-subtle references to La Dolce Vita on
cover and the images inside the disc. Nice to see an opera singer with a playful sense of humour!
I am listening to this disc as I write this review and all I can say is that I love this disc and it is clearly one of the best Signorina Bartoli has released, although I like all of her recordings. Listen to track 12 and you will buy this disc.
More, please!
PS: How about DECCA getting Cecilia Bartoli and Andreas Scholl together for a musical project? I'd love to see two of my favourite singers together on the one disc.
PSPS: If you like Opera Proibita, buy Andreas Scholl's Arcadia and Arias for Senesino, too!
Rock Music:
- Caribbean Dreams
- Caribbean Party
- Casa Babylon
- Chasing the Sun
- Cibelle
- Classic Jewish Holiday & Shabbat Songs
- Congo to Cuba
- Dança Ma Mi: Dance With Me
- Deb (Heartbroken)
- Desert Roses & Arabian Rhythms II
Recommended Music:
Beethoven: Symphony No. 3; Geschöpfe des Prometheus
Life in Music: Ultimate Collection [Import]
CBS Dinner Classics: Just Desserts
Bendishon Disfrasa: Blessing in Disguise
Bigga Than Da Game [Explicit Lyrics]