Magica

1. E Se Domani

2. Anno d' Amore

3. Angel Eyes

4. Insensatez

5. Non Illuderti

6. Sabor a Mi

7. Buco Nella Sabbia

8. Citta' Vouta

9. Ta Ra Ta Ta (Try Your Luck)

10. Tu Non Mi Lascerai

11. Ora O Mai Piu'

12. Breve Amore (You Never Told Me)

13. So Che Mi Vuoi (It's for You)

14. Se Tornasse Caso Mai (If He Walked into My Life)

15. Nel Fondo del Mio Cuore (En un Rincon del Alma)

Magica,Mina,Saar,Euro-Pop,Int'l & World Music,Italian,Italian Pop,Italy,Pop

Average customer rating: Here's what the fuss was all about! Beverly Sills - The Best Beverly Sills' highs are breathtaking! THE 2005 OPERA CD OF THE YEAR EMI Does It Again: Beverly Sills - A Tribute

The Very Best of Beverly Sills Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | 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 Sills, Beverly | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music New York Philharmonic Orchestra | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Massenet, Jules | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Rossini, Gioacchino | 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 Lehar, Franz | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Great Recordings Beverly Sills: Made in America Art of Beverly Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor: Complete Opera (with full libretto and translation) Verdi: La Traviata / Sills, Gedda, Panerai; Ceccato ASIN: B0006VYELE Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

1. Una Voce Poco Fa - Sherrill Milnes
2. Dunque Io Son - Sherrill Milnes
3. Contro Un Cor - Sherrill Milnes
4. Ah, Qual Colpo Inaspetatto! - Sherrill Milnes
5. E Il Sol Dell'anima... Addio! Speranza Ed Anima - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
6. Gualtier Malde... Caro Nome - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
7. Tutte Le Feste Al Tempio... Compiuto Pur Quanto... Si, Vendetta - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
8. V'ho Ingannato... Lassu In Cielo - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
9. Quel Guardo Il Cavaliere... So Anch'io La Virtu Magica - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
10. Pronta Io Son... Vado, Corro - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
11. Via, Caro Sposino - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
12. Tornami A Dir Che M'ami - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
13. La Morale In Tutto Questo - Ambrosian Opera Chorus

Tracks:

1. Vilia - Beverly Sills
2. Ah! Je Suis Seule... Dis-Moi Que Je Suis Belle - Beverly Sills
3. Cielo! Che Diverro?... Si, ferite... Dal Soggiorno... Ah! Che Spiegar - Beverly Sills
4. Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici - John Alldis Choir
5. Un Di Felice, Eterea - John Alldis Choir
6. E Strano... Ah, Fors'e Lui... Follie! Follie!... Sempre Libera - John Alldis Choir
7. Pura Siccome Un Angelo... Ah! Dite Alla Giovine - John Alldis Choir
8. Che Fai? - John Alldis Choir
9. Addio Del Passato - John Alldis Choir
10. Parigi, O Cara - John Alldis Choir

Amazon.com

Beverly Sills hardly needs an introduction. She sang on the radio as a child and on the operatic stage as a teenager; her meteoric international career was launched by appearances in several virtually unknown bel canto operas at the New York City Opera. This compilation of arias and ensembles from some of her signature roles, recorded in the 1970s, with splendid partners like Nicolai Gedda, Alfredo Kraus, and Sherrill Milnes, displays her unique vocal and dramatic artistry at its peak. Her voice, effortlessly produced over an enormous range, is bright, pure, infinitely variable in color, inflection and intensity. Her intonation is impeccable even in huge leaps, and her breath is endless. The coloratura roulades are like strings of perfect, luminous pearls, clearly articulated in seamless legato. But this stunning technique (whose only flaw is a sometimes wide, wobbly vibrato) is never used for show; every note has life and expression, serving the music and the dramatic situation. Indeed, her characters are flesh-and-blood human beings, whose thoughts, emotions and interactions, from inwardness to ecstasy, from lamentation to overflowing joy, she projects with riveting concentration. Rosina in Rossini's The Barber of Seville is a charming, mischievous minx who succumbs to delighted tenderness; Pamira's great scene from his Siege of Corinth shows clearly why her Metropolitan Opera debut in that role was a sensation. In Verdi's Rigoletto, Gilda's hopeful innocence turns into hopeless despair: she dies, palpably, on a floating, celestial pianissimo. In his La traviata, Violetta's initial cool, hesitant restraint gradually melts as she opens herself (and her voice) to Alfredo's ardor and the bliss of love. The vocal balance in their final duet is uncanny; its tremulous tenderness in the shadow of death breaks the heart, as does her duet with Germont. Massenet's Thais is sensuous; Donizetti's Don Pasquale and Lehár's The Merry Widow provide comic relief. --Edith Eisler

Album Description

Details TBA. EMI. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Here's what the fuss was all about!.......2007-07-17

It would have been even better if they had included at least one Cleopatra aria and something from Baby Doe, but it doesn't really matter, because this collection will allow younger listeners especially to hear what the fuss was all about! There are moments listening to Sills, especially from Traviata or Manon, that are so beautifully sung and so genuine that they are heartbreaking. I feel so fortunate to have heard her Queen of the Night, Manon, Violetta, and Baby Doe. She was so generous as a performer and as a humanitarian, and she really brought opera into the American mainstream.

Beverly Sills - The Best.......2007-04-01

What a voice. No coloratura can compare, and she makes it seem so easy.

Beverly Sills' highs are breathtaking!.......2006-09-18

Adio del Passato is incredible! Beverly's high, floating coloratura is no less than ethereal which takes you to another world. Her voice has given me so much joy that it is hard to say one recording is better than another because I love her Mozart album equally with her Bellini/Donizetti. It is so wonderful to have these recordings captured on CD! Enjoy!

THE 2005 OPERA CD OF THE YEAR.......2006-08-19

THIS CD WAS THE BEST OPERA CD ISSUED LAST YEAR, AND HAS CAUGHT THE WORLD'S EAR IN NO TIME. I WAS BUSY WRITING IN SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL, WHILE THE STATEOWNED FM RADIOSTATION, DEDICATED TO CULTURE, WAS SOFTLY PLAYING OPERA ARIAS IN THE BACKGROUND. SUDDENLY I HEARD THE MOST FANTASTIC RENDERING OF "SEMPRE LIBERA" FROM "LA TRAVIATA". I GOT UP, SAT BY THE RADIO AND WAITED TO KNOW WHO WAS SINGING... THEN GOT BACK TO THE COMPUTER TO ORDER THIS CD FROM AMAZON! INCREDIBLE: ONLY 17 BUCKS FOR THIS, WHILE QUITE A BIT OF TRASH IS SOLD FOR 30.40 AND MORE...
A LADY FRIEND ONCE TOLD ME SHE COULD NOT LISTEN TO THE DUET IN "MADAMA BUTTERFLY" WITH MIRELLA FRENI AND LUCIANO PAVAROTTI (RECORDED IN 1974, BY VON KARAJAN) WITHOUT CRYING. WELL, YOU CANNOT LISTEN TO SILLS IN "LA TRAVIATA" DRY-EYED, NO MATTER WHO THE TENOR IS. SHE PROJECTS THE SAME DRAMATIC FEELING OF "LA DIVINA" CALLAS WITHOUT THOSE SHRIEKED HIGHNOTES; SHE OFFERS THE SAME COLORATURA VOCAL GYMNASTICS AS "LA STUPENDA" SUTHERLAND BUT WITH WARMTH... WHEN BEVERLY SANG, AS IN EVERYTHING ELSE SHE DID, SHE ALWAYS GAVE HER UTMOST. SHE WAS "LA GENEROSA" TO BE SURE.
DON'T JUST SIT THERE READING WHAT OTHERS THINK.
ORDER THIS CD NOW AND MARVEL AT HOW THIS GREAT AMERICAN LADY, IN SO MANY OTHER WAYS, ALSO COULD SING!

EMI Does It Again: Beverly Sills - A Tribute.......2005-07-22

EMI's "Very Best Of" series are perfect introductions to operatic singers of the 20th century. Once you hear these artist tribute albums (much like The Singers series) you will get hooked on the singer and seek out their full-length studio recordings. Beverly Sills was the first truly famous American opera star. One may argue that she was not, that she was merely a continued tradition of American divas such as Mary Garden and Lily Pons and which still continues today with Renee Fleming, Elizabeth Futral and Susan Graham. Beverly was raised in New York City, which is still her home, and which is the home of the New York City Opera and the Met, opera houses which rocketed her to fame. Her first success (not featured in this recording...UH WHY ?) was Cleopatra of Handel's Julius Caesar, a performance she sang opposite the illustrious baritone Norman Treigle. Those performances were legendary because coincidentally at the same time the Met was opening its new theatre and season with what became a disastrous Samuel Barber's Antony and Cleopatra starring Leontyne Price in an overblown, big-budget, epic fiasco. The great roles that followed the 1965 Cleopatra were Manon, Queen Elizabeth I in Roberto Deveraux, Maria Stuarda and Anna Bolena in the Donizetti Tudor Queen operas, Pamira in The Siege of Corinth (which were Sill's La Scala and belated Met debut. None of the Queens are featured in this recording, though its supposedly the Very Best Of. An aria from Rossini's Siege of Corinth is featured here however. What we are treated to however are fine lyric roles- Beverly Sills shone brightly and acted convincingly as Gilda in Rigoletto (the final scene is featured here) as Violetta in La Traviata, Thais, The Merry Widow (the beautiful Vilja is featured here)and the ingenue role of Norina in Don Pasquale is also showcased here. To each of these roles, Beverly Sills delivered an authenticity and dramatic interpretation, not ot mention beautiful, sweet tone. I love her pianissimos, her high notes, her chest register. It was the voice of Beverly Sills who first hooked me into opera. For a recording that should showcase her best work, Manon is not featured nor any of her prized French heroines- Marie in The Daughter of the Regiment and the heroines in Tales of Hoffman. Also not in here is the role that was her first success- the Broadway opera Ballad of Baby Doe. Even as such, the arias here are gorgeous. The Barber of Seville is in here and as Rosina she is playful and charming. Sills was a modern singer, with a voice that was beautiful but willing to sacrifice beauty for the sake of dramatic content. When Sills was once asked what she thought of the supposed rivalry with Joan Sutherland (which was never real and only gossip from partisan fans) Beverly said something to this effect -Joan and I are apples and oranges in our take on opera, we are Picasso and Monet. She would do anything for the effect of beauty and tone, I'd sacrifice beauty for the sake of dramatic text. Even as such, I see no ugliness to any of the roles here. All of them are beautiful to hear, full of rich floating celestial tones. It would have been nice to hear the roles that did call for Sills to step up the tense drama - Norma, will her recording ever be reissued by EMI ? Also, few people know that Beverly Sills sung role most would consider dangerous for her voice (though she sang them long before her career even took off)- Aida and Carmen!!

Average customer rating: If only one...this is the one to have. who scratched my album? All titles! Where's "La Paix Verde"? Wonderful music

Caverna Magica Andreas Vollenweider Manufacturer: Kin Kou ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music General | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Down to the Moon Behind the Gardens-Behind the Wall-Under the Tree White Winds Magic Harp Dancing with the Lion ASIN: B0009VBTA0 Release Date: 2005-07-12

Tracks:

1. Cavergna Magica
2. Mandragora
3. Lunar Pond
4. Schajah Saretosh
5. Sena Stanjena
6. Belladonna
7. Angoh!
8. Huiziopochtli-Con Chiglia
9. Geastrum Coronatum
10. Pace Verde (Bonus Audio Track)
11. Rilaex (Bonus Audio Track)
12. Hey You! Yes, You... (Bonus Audio Track)

Customer Reviews:

If only one...this is the one to have........2007-05-17

This one flows. It is intricate and the transitions from cut to cut are seamless. Really enjoyable and doesn't get old or tired. Down To the Moon and White Winds are good but this is a 5 star to their 4's.

who scratched my album?.......2007-03-06

Still love the music, but this disc is not true to the original. Between tracks you will hear sounds Andreas never intended. Maybe I just got a bad copy, but it is a lot like getting a much loved album back from a friend and finding little pops where there had been none. Good music, bad transfer to the digital world.

All titles!.......2007-01-19

I'm a huge fan of Andreas Vollenweider, in fact I purchased "Caverna Magica" when it was first released on vinyl. I have several of his albums which I've recently purchased on cd. The sound of his harp is truly mesmerizing!

Where's "La Paix Verde"?.......2005-12-03

My original version of Caverna Magica from 1983 on Columbia Records has after "Geastrum Coronatum" a 0:45 track called "La Paix Verde." It began with the sound of something heavy being dropped in a large tank of water, followed by the sound of whales. Why did they leave that off? This is not to be confused with "Pace Verde." Also, "Huiziopotchli" and "Con Chiglia" as one track?! What were they thinking? It's two separate tracks on my CD. One more thing--why is "Hey You, Yes You" on virtually every Andreas CD as a bonus track? It's already the starting track for "Vox." Why the overkill?

Wonderful music.......2005-09-25

If you like electronic music and a great feeling of a concert given within the cave then this is a must have.

Listen to the samples for a very understated example of how wonderful the album is.

Andreas at his best.

Average customer rating: Dio's Masterwork 4 and 1/2 stars-a very important release! Dio's best album? Yes. A step back in the right direction! finally

Magica Dio Manufacturer: Spitfire ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Metal | Hard Rock & Metal | Rock | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Killing the Dragon Dream Evil Strange Highways Lock up the Wolves Sacred Heart ASIN: B00004RJ1C Release Date: 2000-03-21

Tracks:

1. Discovery
2. Magica Theme
3. Lord Of The Last Day
4. Fever Dreams
5. Turn To Stone
6. Feed My Head
7. Eriel
8. Challis
9. As Long As It's Not About Love
10. Losing My Insanity
11. Otherworld
12. Magica (Reprise)
13. Lord Of The Last Day (Reprise)
14. Magica Story

Amazon.com

With the emergence of a new generation of heavy bands spearhead by Korn, Slipknot, and that lot in the 1990s, few expected to ever hear again from Ronnie James Dio. Yet he and his band have soldiered on defiantly. Magica is all big hair, big guitars, old-school metal. A concept album inspired by the Book of Magica, this is good-and-evil, swords-and-sorcery stuff, the musical equivalent of a game of Dungeons & Dragons--and likely to share the same fans. With its guitar solos, stadium anthems, and lyrics about wizards and demons, Magica feels dated, but promises a good time for a certain segment of heavy-music fans. --Robert Burrow

Album Description

Domestic edition of the album already being heralded as the best album from Dio since 'Holy Diver'. 14 tracks including 'Discovery', 'Magica Theme' & 'Lord Of The Last Day'. 2000 release. Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews:

Dio's Masterwork.......2007-01-18

After all these years and several mediocre albums Ronnie James Dio pulls out all the stops to produce what is in my opinion the best album of his career. "Magica" is a concept album that tells a story from beginning to end. Although the songs are broken down into individual tracks the album is really one long story. I have always thought the Dio would be great at it if he ever tried to move in this direction and I am not disappointed. Being a fan of progressive rock, this album for me is the culmination of the potential Dio has shown over the years. The album is not a pure prog-metal album, but certainly leans in that direction with expanded use of keyboards and several tunes that stretch out musically in a more complicated direction. The storyline of the album concerns a fantasy world in which would rival many of our modern fantasy novel writers. The story is included in written form with the album and Ronnie also reads the whole thing as a spoken word piece as a bonus at the end of the album. In all it is just over 18 minutes long. I am not going to go into the particulars of the story here, but suffice to say it is complicated and well thought out. The music on the album is also very good with Craig Goldie putting in by far his best studio effort on a Dio album. Jimmy Bain is back in the fold on bass and Simon Wright is allowed a much more expansive roll on drums that we ever heard in his AC/DC days. Scott Warren completes the lineup on keys. Dio's voice is as strong as ever and the album contains his best vocal work since "Lock Up The Wolves" a decade earlier. I caught Dio on this tour and he had the guts enough to do this entire album live from start to finish. Some of the fans, just there to hear the hits, seemed disappointed, but for those of us who are a bit more musically adventurous it was an incredible musical journey. Fans looking for the more straight ahead metal Dio might be disappointed in this release, but given a few spins you realize just how strong an album this is. Along with "Lock Up The Wolves" this album is essential listening to my ears.

4 and 1/2 stars-a very important release!.......2006-12-29

First off, I want to stress again the four "and a half" rating I am giving to Magica, as I gave to Lock Up The Wolves; both are "near classics" that IMO just barely miss the classic/five star rating I granted to Dio's first four solo albums (Holy Diver, Last in Line, Sacred Heart and Dream Evil). After two dissapointing releases in the 90s (Strange Highways, Angry Machines), Ronnie James again shook up his band line up and not only managed to produce a highly original and successful CONCEPT album (a first for Dio), but possibly his band's best effort since Dream Evil. However, a warning to old school Dio loyalists: if you have read all the rave reviews and are expecting another Holy Diver or Last In Line, beware, you will be dissapointed, as I was at first. Put aside your preconceptions as to what Dio should be, give Magica at least a few spins before you judge it, and you will most certainly walk away happy after experiencing this very impressive release.

Dio's best album? Yes........2006-08-07

This is the best album Dio has ever recorded. After two lesser albums, Dio comes back with Magica. I know it isn't another Holy Diver or Last In Line, it's totaly different, but also better, if you ask me. It's a concept album, which makes the music interesting. The soundquality is very high, much better then the older Dio albums. Ronnie James Dio sings as good as on Holy Diver, maybe even better. Simon Wright does a very good job here, I like him a lot better then Vinni Appice. The keyboardplay is also a lot more on this album then on other Dio-albums. it's great. You can really feel the magic when you're listening to this masterpiece. Every song is great, no metal fan should be without this album.
The band is:
Ronnie James Dio - Vocals
Craig Goldy - Guitars
Simon Wright - Drums
Jimmy Bain - Bass
Scot Warren - Keyboard

If you don't have it yet, then buy it today! Like I said before, no metal fan should be without this masterpiece.

A step back in the right direction!.......2006-05-05

A lot of people will tell you that MAGICA was a glorious comeback for Dio after several lackluster albums in the 1990s. Personally, I think this album was more the BEGINNING of a comeback which continued with KILLING THE DRAGON and culminated with the awe-inspiring MASTER OF THE MOON.

MAGICA is a great album that is in some ways very similar to classic '80s Dio, but very different in other ways. The vocals, lyrics and the lead guitar style are very much in the classic Dio vein. Gone are the industrial/modern metal tendencies from the Tracy G era. Dio has also toned down his use (overuse) of dissonance from the last two albums, opting for a more pleasingly melodic vocal approach. The songwriting is very different, much more dramatic and complicated than the straight-forward Dio albums of old. The songs are very good but not quite as easy to rock out to as some of the simpler, older material. Also, the use of synthesizers tends to add atmosphere at the expense of heaviness at times.

The guitar riffs and solos are back to the classic style thanks to Craig Goldie's return. Goldie's solos are melodic and tasteful without sacrificing speed and energy. Overall he puts in a masterful performance. My only complaint is that his guitar tone seems overly processed at times: I would have preferred a more classic and natural tube tone, but that may have hindered the whole sci-fi/fantasy atmosphere Dio was going for with this album.

The songs "Lord of the Last Day" and "Fever Dreams" are my two favorites from this album. Both are absolute 5-star Dio classics in my opinion. "Fever Dreams" in particular reminds one of classic '80s Dio, yet is still fresh and original. The lyrics, vocals, riffs, solo, bass, and drums are all absolutely perfect. In fact, "Fever Dreams" is probably my choice for the best Dio song of all time. Every other song on the album is good in my opinion, but none of them are really "greatest hits" material. If there were just one or two more truly great songs, this would have been a five star album. Still, MAGICA is a classic on the album level, with the lyrics, musical interludes, and brief narrations between tracks bringing the individual songs together into a very pleasing whole. The only caveat to my rating is Ronnie's 14+ minute narration of the story of Magica. The story is interesting enough within the context of the songs, but seems a bit silly on its own. Also, unfortunately and unexpectedly, Ronnie is not a very good narrator. We all know he can sing lyrics in a song just the right way to bring home the point and the emotional content, but this ability just doesn't cross over to his narrating skills. Sorry Ronnie!

MAGICA stands alone in Dio's catalog as a unique album stylistically speaking. Yet it has enough in common with classic Dio, and its experimental aspects are carried out well enough, that any Dio fan should thoroughly enjoy MAGICA!

A final addendum: the bonus track "Annica" found on the Japanese edition of MAGICA, while only an instrumental, is absolutely fantastic, and features some of my favorite guitar work ever by Craig Goldie!

finally.......2006-02-02

After Lock Up the Wolves DIO went on a different musical direction. That could be very good, but I could not follow him into the direction went. Strange Highways and Angry Machines are both very bad. But this album is a step into the right direction. Although this album is very slow, the music is very good. After this album it even gets better with Killing The Dragon!! But okay. This album has a very interesting concept, and the music is of high quality. Sometimes a little bit plodding, but still very good. I was so happy with this album, DIO IS BACK AGAIN!

Average customer rating:

Magica/Killing the Dragon Dio Manufacturer: Recall Records UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Hard Rock | Hard Rock & Metal | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Dio Years United Abominations Angry Machines Black Rain Dream Evil ASIN: B000NA2PR8 Release Date: 2007-07-03

Tracks:

1. Discovery
2. Magica Theme
3. Lord Of the Last Day
4. Fever Dreams
5. Turn To Stone
6. Feed My Head
7. Eriel
8. Challis
9. As Long As It's Not About Love
10. Losing My Insanity
11. Otherworld
12. Magica - Reprise
13. Lord Of the Last Day - Reprise
14. Magica Story

Tracks:

1. Killing the Dragon
2. Along Comes a Spider
3. Scream
4. Better In the Dark
5. Rock & Roll
6. Push
7. Guilty
8. Throw Away Children
9. Before the Fall
10. Cold Feet

Average customer rating: This is a beautiful voice My dream woman This will get me crucified Amazing! Breathing Beautiful Life into Characters Commonly Dismissed

Kathleen Battle - Bel Canto Arias Vincenzo Bellini , Gioachino Rossini , Gaetano Donizetti , London Philharmonic Orchestra , Bruno Campanella , Kathleen Battle , Richard Croft , John Constable , Pal Christian Moe , Randi Stene , Mark S. Doss , and Ambrosian Opera Chorus Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Battle, Kathleen | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Battle, Kathleen | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Kathleen Battle Sings Mozart The Bach Album Kathleen Battle Sings Mozart Kathleen Battle · Wynton Marsalis ~ Baroque Duet / Anthony Newman · Orch St. Luke's · Nelson Kathleen Battle at Carnegie Hall ASIN: B000001GH1 Release Date: 1993-10-12

Tracks:

1. I Capuleti Ed I Montecchi: Recitativo E Romanza (Atto I): 'Eccomi In Lieta Vesta...Oh! Quante Volte'
2. Tancredi: Recitativo Ed Aria (Atto II): 'Gran Dio! Deh, Tu Proteggi...Giusto Dio Che Umile Adoro'
3. Don Pasquale: Cavatina (Atto I): 'Quel Guardo Il Cavaliere'...So Ancho'io La Virtu Magica'
4. Linda Di Chamounix: Recitativo E Cavatina (Atto I): 'Ah! Tardai Troppo...O Luce Di Quest'anima'
5. La Sonnambula: Scena Ed Aria Finale (Atto II): 'Oh! Se Una Volta Sola...Ah! Non Credea Mirarti'
6. Il Viaggio A Reims: Aria (Atto I): 'Partir, O Ciel! Desio'

Customer Reviews:

This is a beautiful voice.......2007-07-15

Kathleen Battle has been the best soprano in her repertoire. She is always exquisite singing opera arias, lieder, chansons, spirituals or jazz.

My dream woman.......2007-01-10

Another great recital by my dream woman. Battle's voice and style is not to everyone's taste, but that's why we can compare and choose which singers we love and adore! This CD has provided me with endless listening pleasure and I love every minute of it.

This will get me crucified.......2007-01-05

She drops instead of leaping to the last note in arias, like Caballe does. When she doesn't drop, she slides to the last note in arias, like Gruberova does. Never (at least on this disc) does she make a clean break and leap like Jo, Sills, Sutherland, Pons and Callas do. To name the few I'm familiar with. It's a drag. She sings like a dream. She has a warm facility during the song. I've had her Mozart album for years and loved it. Not anymore. I got this CD ("Bel Canto") a couple days ago, ripped the wrapping off eagerly, listened hopefully for the 56 minutes or whatever it was (twice to be sure I hadn't missed something), then said to hell with it. There are lots of beautiful voices out there (Studer, Ricciarelli, Tebaldi, Gheorghiu, - it's endless). And I love them all up to a point. But when it comes to someone who calls herself bel canto, which she is, just a coloratura cop-out, and has an attitude like I've heard that she does to boot, I say why bother. Both her CDs are in my sack of classical rejects that one of these days I'm going to try to sell on eBay. Phooey! What a rip!

Amazing!.......2006-05-22

This is my first Bel Canto album and Kathleen Battle has a new fan. Her voice is so powerful and clear. Now I have to upgrade my stereo system to listen to her nusic 8-).

Breathing Beautiful Life into Characters Commonly Dismissed.......2001-06-13

At last! This is the disc I have waited my whole life for: famed soprano Kathleen Battle showing her awesome talents in the bel canto repertoire. After glimpsing her coloratura abilities as Donizetti's Adina (L'ELISIR D'AMORE) and her ability to soar over ensembles as Mozart's Pamina (DIE ZAUBERFLOTE), we all knew that Ms. Battle was tailor-made for these arias and extended scenes. Miraculously, she never strains, her voice is creamy throughout its two and half octave range (listen to those high E's melt in her Amina's mouth), and her diction is remarkably intelligible. The above-mentioned gifts do not even hint at her ability for expression and gift for improvisation. One thing I have always loved about Kathleen Battle is the fact that she DOES improvise, breathing her own unique life into a characterization (listen to her Semele or Rosina for proof of this). This 56 minute CD has her tackle 2 apiece from Bellini, Donizetti, and Rossini. Once again she shows her affinity for Rossini but, like the previous reviewer, I have to express my surprise and delight at how beautifully SONNAMBULA sits in her throat. In fact, in my own humble opinion, her version is even more impressive than Dame Joan's and Sumi Jo's for its sheer vocalism! In this 15 minute scene, she is lent admirable support from Richard Croft, Randi Stene, and Mark S. Doss but make no mistake: this is Ms. Battle's show. Consider me converted... then again, who am I kidding? I'm one of her biggest fans and supporters! Enjoy this gem of a disc--sit back and be astounded.

Average customer rating:

Respighi: La Boutique fantasque; Arrangement of Bach's Prelude & Fugue in D major; La pentola magica Manufacturer: Chandos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Respighi | Respighi, Ottorino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Respighi: Orchestral Works Ottorino Respighi: Belkis, Queen of Sheba (Orchestral Suite) / Metamorphoseon (Theme & Variations) Respighi: String Quartets Respighi: Church Windows, Brazilian Impressions/Simon Ottorino Respighi: Concerto Gregoriano / Poema Autunnale / Ballata delle Gnomidi ASIN: B00009V903 Release Date: 2003-07-22

Tracks:

1. Overture. Tempo Di Marcia-Allegretto-Meno Mosso-Meme Mouvement-Vivo-
2. Tarantella. Allegro Con Brio-Vivo-
3. Mazurka-Vivo-Lento-Moserato-Piu Vivo-Poco Meno-Vivacissimo-
4. Cossack Dance. Allegretto Marcato-Animando Un Poco-Vivo-Allegretto Brillante-Vivace-
5. Cancan. Allegretto Grottesco-Vivacissimo-Poco Meno Vivo-Andantino Mosso-Andantino Mosso-
6. Valse Lente. Andantino Moderato-Un Poco Piu Mosso-Con Brio-Tempo I-Piu Animato-Tempo I-Allegretto Moderato-Allegretto Moderato-
7. Nocturne. Andantino-Allegretto-
8. Galop. Vivacissimo-Allegro Brillante-Prestissimo-Tempo I
9. 1 Prelude (Grechaninov). Andante Con Moto-
10. 2. Armenian Song. Andante Lento-
11. 2bis Dance. Moderato-Piu Animato-
12. 3. Entry Of The Tsar With The Bridegrooms
13. 4. Scene Of The Tsarevich. Andante-Allegro
14. 5. Dance Of The Tartar Archers-Allegro Non Troppo
15. 6. Introduction. Allegro Vivacissimo-Khorovod Dance. Tempo Di Gavotta-
16. 7. Cossack Dance. Allegretto Vivace-Piu Vivace E Sempre Animando-In Uno-Presto-
17. 8. Dance Of Seduction By The Tsarevna And Her Retinue. Allegretto-
18. 9. Scene Of The Kisses And Arrival Of The Tsar. Allegro-Moserato-Allegro Vivo-Allegretto-
19. 10. Finale. Lento-Piu Mosso-Piu-Mosso-Lo Stesso Tempo/Allegretto-Tempo I
20. [Prelude.] Allegro-Meno Mosso-Alla Breve (Allegro)-Adagio-
21. [Fuge.] Allegro

Average customer rating: Wild Variations of Quality Wonderful A real winner with plenty of talent.

Masters of the Voice: Soprano Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( 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 General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | 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 Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | 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 Academy of Ancient Music | ( A ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | 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 Studer, Cheryl | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | 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 Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Masters of the Voice: Tenor Masters of the Keyboard Masters of the Guitar Masters of the Bow: Cello Masters of the Trumpet ASIN: B0002IQAR2 Release Date: 2004-07-13

Customer Reviews:

Wild Variations of Quality.......2006-12-15

While many selections on this disc are enjoyable, some are absolutely execrable. Leontyne Price's performance of "He shall feed his flock/Come unto him" from "Messiah" is almost unbearably embarrassing to listen to, as is Mirella Freni's horrible "O Mio Babbino Caro." Equally baffling is the choice of Renata Tebaldi's "Un bel di", when there are far better performances of it available. A late recording of Birgit Nilsson's "Komm, o Hoffnung" does not do justice either to her or to Beethoven. One wonders why there are multiple tracks of Joan Sutherland, Cheryl Studer, and Montserrat Caballe, yet equally fine singers such as Margaret Price, Luciana Serra, and Hildegard Behrens are unrepresented. Get a pair of earplugs before listening to June Anderson's off-pitch, shrill quacking, hooting, and shrieking rendition of "Glitter and Be Gay," surely a lowlight of the album.

Wonderful.......2006-07-31

I picked up this cd at the library and it just blew me away! What a great collection! I highly recommend it.

A real winner with plenty of talent........2004-10-06

This 2-CD selection from Deutsche Grammophon, "Masters of the Voce, Soprano" follows a review we did earlier on the "Masters" series for tenors in which we rated the tenor package a success. This offering succeeds on multiple levels as well and proves to be an equally enjoyable listen. DG has put together 30 popular and diverse arias that not only give us a good sampling of some of the finest opera music being performed, but provides a sampling of some of the greatest operatic talent to sing those arias. We state at the outset that when reviewing a CD selection such as this, we don't set out to review the talent; the performers are first in their class and need only be acknowledged. Their work is neither new nor novel here. Rather, it is in the way the package is put together that earns either praise or criticisms - and no other. And that's what we offer here. First, with regard to the technical aspects of the recording: it is as you would expect from a digital transfer - smooth, clear and even throughout. This is a major plus when you consider that the performances were all recorded under differing circumstances, with different orchestras and choruses. Next, there is the selection of music. This can be tricky if not done well, but it was done well here and as a result gives us a pleasurable listening experience that offers continuity - meaning you don't have to sit with a clicker in hand waiting for that one cut that just seems out of place. There's none of that here; it's an enjoyable listen throughout. Lastly, but certainly not least, and what elevates this selection is the diversity of truly superstar singers. Joan Sutherland's lyric beauty truly shines when singing Rossini's "Bel raggio lusinghier" from "Semiramide" and "Ah, je veux vivre" from Gounod's "Romeo & Juliet", and the "Bell Song" from Delibes "Lakme". And it isn't just Sutherland's delivery that gets our attention. Brigit Nilsson's dramatic power in "Battle Cry" from Wagner's "Die Walkure" raises the hair on the back of ones neck. They're all here: Cheryl Studer, Kathleen Battle, Leontyne Price, Renee Fleming, Mirella Freni, Renata Tabaldi, Angela Gheorghu and more. Throughout, "Masters of the Voice: Soprano" offers a nice cross section from the lyric coloratura to the dramatic soprano, and a solid display of technical expertise in the way that the music is blended such that this 2 CD set can be added to anyone's collection with assurance that it will be enjoyed and listed to for years to come - and why not, it's some of the best.

Average customer rating: Beautiful...

Songs for the Good Life Ruth McGinnis Manufacturer: Ruth McGinnis Productions ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Music Of Life Breathing Freely ASIN: B000CAFG7A Release Date: 2005-06-14

Tracks:

1. Flower Of Scotland
2. Canon In D
3. Amazing Grace
4. Of Foreign Lands and Peoples
5. Neil Gow's Lament
6. Pennington Bend
7. Ashokan Farewell
8. The Good Life (JoJo's Dream)
9. Celebrated Air
10. Be Thou My Vision
11. Midnight On The Water
12. As The Deer

Album Description

A richly textured, beautifully produced album of instrumental classics featuring the elegant, reflective, golden toned violin artistry of Ruth McGinnis; an orchestral mix of Celtic, Folk, Sacred and Classical melodies.

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful..........2006-08-14

Ruth McGinnis is a very talented musician, and Songs for the Good Life is chock full of serene, beautiful, calm & lovely instrumental music. Songs include "Flower of Scotland" (the Scottish national anthem), the traditional song "Amazing Grace", "Be Tough My Vision" (an Irish folk melody), and more. Amy Grant and Vince Gill both make special appearances.

This is lovely music for creating art - I listen to it while painting or making jewelry - or doing yoga. My sister, a massage practitioner, uses it when giving her clients a massage.

Truly lovely. And don't miss the companion book, "Living the Good Life."

Average customer rating: Baroque music at it's best Stunning new twist on classical music....

Magica Melodia Rondó Veneziano Manufacturer: Bmg Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Progressive Rock | Progressive | Rock | Styles | Music General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music Orchestral Pop | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music New Age | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Fantasia d'Estate Misteriosa Venezia Fantasia di Primavera The Very Best of Concerto Per Vivaldi ASIN: B0000073EX Release Date: 1991-10-21

Tracks:

1. Magica Melodia
2. Rever Venise
3. Venezia Lunare
4. Gentil Tenzone
5. Larmes de Pluie
6. Estasi Veneziana
7. Barocco
8. Damsels
9. Controcanto
10. In Fuga
11. Orion
12. Canto d' Addio
13. Incontro

Customer Reviews:

Baroque music at it's best.......2001-11-14

I just love this cd. I heard them perform in Epcot in January of '91 and I just had to have the cd. My husband & I, along with our 9 year old son, would listen to it every sunday morning while we made breakfast. It brought me great delight. However, I say brought because somehow I've lost or misplaced the cd & I am longing to hear it again. Fortunately, I was able to find it here on Amazon.com & I am going to place an order right now and if I do happen to find the original one, that'll be fine because I can keep one in my car!

Stunning new twist on classical music...........1999-05-09

While sitting in an outdoor cafe in Bermuda having sushi (!), the Bose system was playing this CD. My husband and I were mesmerized enough to stop eating in order to ask the maitre d' about this music. This music is lovely, enchanting, passionate and calming all at once. If you've never listened to Rondo Veneziano, you've missed something special.

Average customer rating: Deuter: Planet of Light (Terra Magica) DEUTER'S BEST

Terra Magica: Planet of Light Deuter Manufacturer: Higher Octave ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ambient | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music Healing | New Age | Styles | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Ecstasy Sun Spirit Land of Enchantment East of the Full Moon Nirvana Road ASIN: B000003Z16 Release Date: 1995-04-18

Tracks:

1. Flowers Of The Amazon
2. Tree Of Light
3. Afrique
4. Heaven & Earth
5. Chi
6. Night In Ubud
7. Grey Wolf
8. Magic Island
9. Shen
10. City Of Light

Customer Reviews:

Deuter: Planet of Light (Terra Magica).......2002-02-19

Very great CD by Deuter!
The style of this CD is a new musical Style (direction) of Deuter!
The music is more like the musical style of Richard Burmer !
Very Rythmic with much flutes and beautiful Keyboard-Spheres!

DEUTER'S BEST.......2001-11-06

I discovered Deuter's music through a digital cable music channel a little over two years ago, and this was the first CD of his that I purchased. It's a terrific collection of New Age music that shows off most of the numerous moods and instrumental talents that he has shown over the last thirty years. I have since added nearly all of his CD's to my collection, and Terra Magica is, in my opinion, his best effort. In the ten tracks on this tribute to "The Planet of Light", Deuter has leaned heavily toward his "celebration" side as opposed to his "meditative" side. This is a must buy for all New Age music fans. So far the only recording he has done for the Higher Octave label, it plays like a "best of" album, but is all new music. Deuter is one of the fathers of the New Age genre, and this is definitely a choice offspring not to be missed.

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Rock Music

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