Eterno

1. Luna de California

2. Nina

3. Cierra la Puerta con Llave

4. Rosas y Espinas

5. Enamorado de Tu Corzaon

6. Si Me Quidieras

7. Cuando Te VI

8. Lo Decides Tu

9. Si Me Dejaras Hoy

10. Desde el Fondo de Mi Corazon

Eterno,Grupo Eterno,T.H. Rodven,Latin,Mexican,Mexico

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Average customer rating: Thoroughly enjoyable One of the Greatest voices silenced, but never forgotten Rocio Durcal una cantante eterna. "Como quisiera que tus ojitos jamás se hubieran cerrado...." Eternamente, Rociýo.

Amor Eterno: Los Exitos Rocío Dúrcal Manufacturer: Sony International ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music Mexico | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Lo Mejor de lo Mejor Alma Ranchera Entre Tangos y Mariachi Serie Platino, Vol. 2: 20 Exitos Rocio Durcal - En Concierto Inolvidable ASIN: B000DZ7YEM Release Date: 2006-01-31

Tracks:

1. Amor Eterno
2. Para Toda La Vida
3. Si Nos Dejan
4. Me Nace del Coraz
5. Como Tu Mujer
6. Qute Conmigo Esta Noche
7. Gata Bajo La Lluvia
8. Me Gustas Mucho
9. Si Piensas... Si Quieres... - Roberto Carlos, RocD,
10. No Me Vuelvo a Enamorar - RocD, ,
11. Te Sigo Amando
12. JamTe Dejar
13. Infiel
14. No Lastimes M- RocD, , Arturo Mendoza & Mariachi Los Vargas,
15. Vestida de Blanco
16. CHan Pasado Los A

Customer Reviews:

Thoroughly enjoyable.......2007-06-08

Rocío Durcal puts her soul into Mexican music. She gives personality to each and every song, and her rendition of Amor Eterno is second to none. Her Spanish pronunciation of the z's or c's doesn't take anything away from the Mexicanity of the music.

One of the Greatest voices silenced, but never forgotten.......2006-07-19

Early 1970's heard an angelic voice not knowing whot it was, found out it was Rocio, Just heard of the loss and am deeply saddened , our hearts are with her and her loved ones. Greatest love song ever "amor eterno", is know played for her in her honor!!

Rocio Durcal una cantante eterna........2006-03-28

Hoy día el mundo de la música se viste de luto porque ha perdido una gran señora de la canción. Roció era de esa persona que hoy en día son muy escasas. Era de esa persona que su belleza interior sobresalía en todo lo que hacia. Sus canciones era como su nombre un roció de bonita palabras para nuestra vida. Le canto al amor, desamor, tristeza e alegrías. Pero siempre sobresalía que cantaba sus canciones con mucho corazón y sentimientos. Aunque hoy no esta aquí, nos as dejado un tesoro eterno que gracia a la tecnología de hoy podremos disfrutar eternamente de el, como tu canción amor eterno.

Se te extrañara.

"Como quisiera que tus ojitos jamás se hubieran cerrado....".......2006-03-28

Se nos ha ido una de las mejores voces de todos los tiempos, la talentosa, clasica, la irremplazable Rocío Dúrcal. Una mujer fina en toda la extension de la palabra que nos hacia vibrar con la elegante interpretacion de la musica ranchera que siempre la caracterizó. En esta recopilacion se encuentran solo 16 de sus mejores exitos y canciones. Estas no son solo simples canciones sino recuerdos que todos tenemos de alguna o distintas epocas de nuestras vidas. El tributo a esta exceptional mujer es su propia voz, voz que siempre va a hondear en nuestras mentes y nuestros corazones. Adiós Rocío, dama y señora de la canción mexicana.

Eternamente, Rociýo........2006-03-27

Se ha ido la Gran Diva Ranchera, Rocio Durcal y, Que mejor manera de recordarla cuando derrochaba talento y simpatia en partes iguales?. Este album recoge los grandes exitos de su carrera desde los 80 hasta nuestros dias, con su voz potente siempre llena de presencia, juventud y vida. Asi es como hay que recordarla, en plenitud de accion. No en una ida sin adioses, ni despedidas, ni publicidad. Ni pensando que de su presencia fisica, quedan "Solo cenizas".

"Ayer Murio" y solo deseo que ella tenga un buen viaje hacia otro nivel, en la Eternidad donde quiera el Creador que su voz resuene "Para Toda La Vida"...Amen.

Average customer rating: warning: no libretto Excellent in every way, yet another ignored Verdi Voice! Musical Sheet Lightning

Verdi: La Forza del Destino Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Verdi: Macbeth Verdi: Il Trovatore Donizetti: Lucrezia Borgia Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera Verdi - Un ballo in maschera / Arroyo · Domingo · Cappuccilli · Cossotto · Grist · NPO · Muti ASIN: B000BO0GPO Release Date: 2006-01-10

Tracks:

1. Overture - Philharmonia Orchestra
2. Introduzione-Scena: 'Buona Notte, Mia Figlia' - John Tomlinson
3. Recitativo: 'Temea Restasse Qui Fino A Domani' - Jean Rigby
4. Romanza: 'Me Pellegrina Ed Orfana' - Rosalind Plowright
5. Scena: 'M'aiuti, Signoria' - Jean Rigby
6. Duetto: 'Ah, Per Sempre, O Mio Bell'angiol...Seguirti Fino Agl'ultimi' - Jose Carreras
7. Scena-Finale I: 'E Tardi...Vil Seduttor' - Various Artists
8. Coro-Ballabile: 'Hola, Hola, Hola! Ben Giungi, O Multattier' - Mark Curtis
9. Scena: 'La Cena E Pronta'/Recitativo: 'Viva La Guerra' - Various Artists
10. Canzone: 'Al Suon Del Tamburo' - Various Artists
11. Preghiera: 'Padre Eterno Signor...Pieta Di Noi' - Various Artists
12. Scena: 'Viva La Buona Compagnia'/Recitativo: 'Poich'imberbe E L'incognito' - Various Artists
13. Ballata: 'Son Pereda, Son Ricco D'onore' - Various Artists
14. Scena, Coro E Ripresa Della Danza: 'Sta Bene' - Various Artists

Tracks:

1. Aria: 'Son Giunta! Grazie, O Dio!...Madre, Pietosa Vergine' - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
2. Scena: 'Chi Siete?' - Juan Pons
3. Scena E Duetto: 'Chi Mi Cerca?...Infelice, Delusa, Reietta' - Paata Burchuladze
4. Finale II: 'Il Santo Nome Di Dio Signore...La Vergine Degli Angeli' - Various Artists
5. Scena: 'Attenti Al Gioco' - Jose Carreras
6. 'La Vita E Inferno All'infelice' - Jose Carreras
7. Romanza: 'Oh, Tu Che In Seno Agli Angeli' - Jose Carreras
8. Scena E Duettino: 'Al Tradimento...Amici In Vita, In Morte' - Jose Carreras
9. Scena: 'All'armi!'/Battaglia: 'Arde La Mischia!'/Scena: 'Piano...Qui Posi' - Various Artists
10. Duettino: 'Solenne In Quest'ora' - Renato Bruson
11. Scena: 'Morrir! Tremenda Cosa!' - Renato Bruson
12. Aria: 'Urna Fatale Del Mio Destino...Egli E Salvo! Oh Gioia Immensa' - Jose Carreras

Tracks:

1. Ronda: 'Compagni, Sostiamo' - Abrosian Opera Chorus
2. Scena E Duetto: 'Ne Gustare M'e Dato Un'ora Di Quiete...Oh Tradimento!' - Renato Bruson
3. Coro: 'Lorche Pifferi E Tamburi' - Abrosian Opera Chorus
4. Strofe: 'Venite All'indovina' - Agnes Baltsa
5. Scena: 'Que, Vivandiere, Un Sorso' - Agnes Baltsa
6. Arietta: 'A Buon Mercato'/Coro: 'Pane, Pan Per Carita' - Various Artists
7. 'Che Vergogna!' - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
8. Coro-Taratella: 'Nella Guerra, E La Follia' - Various Artists
9. Predica: 'Toh, Toh! Poffare Il Mondo'/(Recitativo): 'Lasciatelo Ch'ei Vada' - Juan Pons
10. Rataplan: 'Rataplan' - Various Artists
11. Coro Ed Aria Buffia: 'Fate La Carita...Che? Siete All'osteria?' - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
12. Scena E Duetto: 'Auf! Pazienza Non V'ha Che Basti...Del Mondo I Disinganni'/Scena: 'Giunge Qualcun..Aprite' - Paata Burchuladze
13. Scena E Duetto: 'Invano, Alvaro, Ti Celasti Al Mondo...Col Sangue Sol Cancellasi L'infamia' - Renato Bruson
14. Melodia: 'Pace, Pace, Mio Dio' - Jean Rigby
15. Scena E Terzetto Finale: 'Io Muoio...Confessione!...Non Imprecare, Umilitati' - Various Artists

Customer Reviews:

warning: no libretto.......2007-02-22

This is a good recording, no doubt about it, but costumers should be aware of the fact that there is no libretto included, but only a detailed synopsis.

Excellent in every way, yet another ignored Verdi Voice!.......2007-01-06

Fortunately, we do not have too many recordings of Forza to choose from. It is hard to cast those roles, so dramatic and long winded and phrases requiring piano and fortissimo and Rosalind Plowright was up to the challenge, but you need more than a big voice to justify Forza, you need TEXTURE too - depth, width, and sheen! No wonder, the opera has vanished from the repertory.

According to what I've heard, she was a Verdi soprano par excellence! Her tendency to cut the top notes short, play with the rhythm at times, and bottle up the tone can't detract from that awesome exciting voice AND that excellent Verdi beat. HOWERVER, Rosalind Plowright seemed to assiduously avoid the typical Verdian soprano sound a la Milanov, Price, Dunn, and Arroyo etc but opted for a brighter sound every bit as huge and crisp as Crespin and as veiled as the Callas of the 1960's. All this makes for an avalanche of a voice that must have raised the roof. She is very very thrilling to hear and this explains why she was a Verdi soprano of choice in Europe during the Milllo and Dunn years. I assume her voice didn't please everyone because it was unwieldy at the top, again like Crespin and also the tone hardened at times; in fact, i must repeat, she sounds exactly like a combination of Callas and Crespin. But make no mistake, those great divas never wrapped their great voices around Verdian phrases like Plowright, especially in .."Son Giunto, grazie o Dio" for in this regard she joins that long line of Verdians going way back to Arangi-Lombardi, Ponselle, and Milanov -- this is Art and anyone who has studied Verdi can identify a Verdian of this caliber. You Verdians out there know what I mean.

Carerras is close to the microphone, and this forcing does not do well in Verdi. Nevertheless, there is an honesty with this man, a passion, an innate truth. I prefer him dead or alive to Domingo, but he is not at the technical level of Domingo or Aragall. Preziosilla is Ms. Baltsa, and how well she sings. I am a FAN of RENATO BRUSON so its not fair to sing his praises!

Giuseppe Sinopoli is intense and he achieves a noble Verdi sound appropriate for Forza, nice and warm sounding but rhythmic indeed. I do like his work in this Forza and I think his work as a Verdian has NOT been bettered, not even by Jimmy Levine who I also really like. However, Trovatore belonged to Zubin Mehta and Humberg (I think I spelled it right - he is on the Naxos Trovatore)

TOP MODERN VERDI -- THAT IS MY ASSESSMENT!

Musical Sheet Lightning.......2006-10-11

Although Verdi's basic style was established early in Nabucco (1842), he keeps getting better down through the 1860s with the spectacular La Forza del Destino and Don Carlo. In listening to his operas after 1870, I am too familiar with Aida and Otello to be deeply impressed with them; and I have never cared for Falstaff. The progress toward "true music drama" climaxing in Otello does not concern me although Boito's brilliant libretto makes that 1887 opera one of Verdi's best. The setting and plot of La Forza del Destino interest me more than any other Verdi opera. The accidental killing of a father, the brother's irrational but deadly vendetta and ,above all, the role played by Italian monasticism capture my imagination. Verdi's supercharged music is convincing at every point. What could be more electric than the brooding overture with its mournful clarinet melody? Leonora prays convincingly to the Virgin and then with a group of monks in Act II. I recall the role played by Italian monasticism in Ann Radcliffe's striking novel The Italian published in the 1790s, the same decade that Cherubini's Medee set the pattern of "grand opera," a basic element in Verdi despite all the talk about "music drama" without arias. Ewen observes, "With its pronounced dramatic content and enriched harmonic and orchestral writing, La Forza del Destino represents a gradual departure from the style of La Traviata toward that of Aida." I prefer to see this brilliant opera as a end in itself apart from any progressive scheme.

I appreciate most the interaction of keen drama with religion in a form preferable to the rather morbid religious-secular dualism of Wagner's Tannhauser. Although Verdi's monks may sing quietly, the religious element blends with the plot more convincingly than in Wagner's schematically opposed Pilgrim's Chorus and Venusberg music. Even more striking is the contrast between Verdi's opera and Tchaikovsky's frantic Eugen Onegin where the protagonist's stupid egotism results in a tragic duel. In Act IV of La Forza del Destino the noble lover Alvaro tries to convince the vengeful Carlo that "God alone can bring retribution." Although Carlo murders his sister and Alvaro is weak enough to curse his "destiny" (secular language for the overruling sovereignty of God), the last word goes to Padre Guadiano in "Non imprecare, umiliati." In addition to all these features the performance gives us Agnes Baltsa as an entertaining gypsy Preziosilla. Verdi measures out just the right amount of this change of pace rather than making us wallow in it as does Bizet's Carmen. In his great tragic opera, Verdi proves once for all that one of the best forms of opera is high-tension theater. His work forms a perfect complement to the operas of Meyerbeer.

Average customer rating: A Classic Set Callas is okay- Price the ONLY VERDI SOPRANO???? An excellent "Forza" but not the best all round performance Brilliant Forza and a stupid reviewer Brilliant - But I also love Tebaldi

Verdi: La Forza Del Destino (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Richard Tucker, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Verdi: Un Ballo In Maschera (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Antonino Votto, 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 Verdi: Il Trovatore (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Herbert von Karajan, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Verdi: Aida (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Richard Tucker, Tito Gobbi, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Ponchielli: La Gioconda (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Fiorenza Cossotto, Antonino Votto, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan ASIN: B000002RY5 Release Date: 1997-08-19

Tracks:

1. La forza del destino: Sinfonia
2. La forza del destino: Act One: Buona notte, mia figlia (Leonora)
3. La forza del destino: Act One: Temea restasse qui fino a domani! (Leonora)
4. La forza del destino: Act One: Me pellgrina ed orfana (Leonora)
5. La forza del destino: Act One: M'aiuti, signorina, piu presto andrem (Leonora)
6. La forza del destino: Act One: Ah, per sempre, o mio bell'angiol (Alvaro, Leonora)
7. La forza del destino: Act One: Vil seduttor! Infame figlia! (Leonora, Alvaro)
8. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Hola, hola, hola! Ben giungi, o mulattier
9. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: La cena e pronta (Carlo)
10. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Che vedo! Mio fratello! (Leonora, Carlo)
11. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Viva la guerra! (All)
12. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Al suon del tamburo (All)
13. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Padre Eterno Signor (Leonora, Carlo)
14. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Viva la buona compagnia! (Carlo, Preziosilla)
15. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Poich'e imberbe l'incognito (Carlo)
16. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Son Pereda, son ricco d'onore (Carlo)
17. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Sta bene (Preziosilla, Carlo)
18. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene Two: Sono giunta! Grazie, o Dio! (Leonora)
19. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene Two: Madre, pietosa Vergine (Leonora)
20. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene Two: Chi siete? (Melitone, Leonora)
21. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene Two: Chi mi cerca? (Guardiano, Leonora, Melitone)
22. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene Two: Infelice, delusa, rejetta (Leonora, Guardiano)
23. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene Two: Il santo nome di Dio Signore sia benedetto (Guardiano)
24. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene Two: La Vergine degli Angeli (Guardino, Leonora, All)

Tracks:

1. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene One: Attenti al gioco, attenti, attenti al gioco
2. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene One: La vita e inferno all'infelice
3. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene One: O tu che in seno agli angeli (Alvaro)
4. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene One: Al tradimento! (Carlo, Alvaro)
5. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene One: All'armi!
6. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Two: Arde la mischia!: Piano...qui posi...approntisi il mio letto (Alvaro, Carlo)
7. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Two: Solenne in quest'ora (Alvaro, Carlo)
8. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Two: Morir! Tremenda cosa!
9. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Two: Urna fetale del mio destino (Carlo)
10. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Two: E s'altra prova rinvenir potessi? (Carlo)
11. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Compagni, sostiamo
12. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Ne gustar m'e dato un'ora di quiete (Alvaro, Carlo)
13. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Lorche pifferi e tamburi par che assordino la terra (Preziosilla)
14. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Qua, vivandiere, un sorso
15. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: A buon mercato chi vuol comprare?
16. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Pane, pan per carita!
17. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Nella guerra e la follia (Preziosilla)
18. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Toh! Toh! Poffare il mondo! Che tempone! (Melitone, Preziosilla)
19. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Rataplan, rataplan, della gloria (Preziosilla)

Tracks:

1. La forza del destino: Act Four: Scene One: Fate la carita, e un'ora che aspettiamo! (Melitone, Guardiano)
2. La forza del destino: Act Four: Scene One: Giunge qualcuno, aprite (Guardiano, Melitone)
3. La forza del destino: Act Four: Scene One: Invano Alvaro ti celasti al mondo
4. La forza del destino: Act Four: Scene One: Le minaccie, i fieri accenti (Alvaro, Carlo)
5. La forza del destino: Act Four: Scene Two: Pace, pace mio Dio! (Leonora)
6. La forza del destino: Act Four: Scene Two: Io muoio! Confessione! (Carlo, Alvaro, Leonora)
7. La forza del destino: Act Four: Scene Two: Non imprecare, umiliati a Lui ch'e guisto e santo (Guardiano, Leonora, Alvaro)

Amazon.com

If it were not for Maria Callas, we would all think that La Forza del Destino is essentially a prime exercise and showcase for great soprano voices, with a few goodies thrown in for the rest of the cast and the chorus. In this recording, Callas's voice is not technically great, though it is usually good.She makes most of her points by other means: close attention to the value of words, subtle nuances of tone and phrasing, an uncompromising determination to confront the emotions in the text and convey them honestly and strongly, even when they reach a terrifying intensity. We have here, under the absurdities of plot, a compelling psychological portrait of a woman driven beyond her limits--a woman whose brother wants to kill her lover, who has killed her father. The supporting cast is skilled and Serafin shapes a powerful interpretation. -- Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews:

A Classic Set.......2006-11-09

Despite the few cuts and the mono recording this is still one of the most desirable sets of "La Forza del Destino". The main reason is of course Maria Callas's traversal of the role of Leonora. She was still in pretty good voice at this stage in her career and, though there are moments more comfortably vocalised by some of her rivals ("la vergine degli angeli" for instance), she is the complete Verdi heroine. No other soprano sets before us so well a character torn between conflicting feelings in the first act - on the one hand, love and filial duty, and on the other, love for Don Alvaro. Her very first utterances have a thrill unmatched on other recordings. Later, in the second scene of Act II, she is absolutely superb. Whenever she is before the microphone, we are aware of the greatness of the score as music drama. Here she is helped immeasurably by Serafin's command of the dramatic impulse of the music, and the magisterial, kindly and protective Padre Guardiano of Nicola Rossi-Lemeni. Others may have sung the role with better technique and more beautiful tone, but few, if any, are more interesting in the role. Of the other principals, Richard Tucker is almost their equal. With a voice so splendid and so suitable for the role, it seems a pity that he occasionally feels the need to make up for the fact that he is not Italian, by breaking the line of his singing with unmusical aspirate and sobs. In all other respects he is ideal. Carlo Tagliabue is a little past his best (he was 56 at the time of the recording), but he sings with authority, if without great immagination. Elena Nicolai is, if not the best or most accurate of Peziosillas, at least a spirited and involved performer. Both Plinio Clabassi as Il Marchese di Calatrava and Renato Capecchi as Melitone give strong accounts of their roles.
I have never quite been able to understand why in some of EMI's Callas recordings from this time the mono sound is pretty open and in others quite constricted. This, like the De Sabata "Tosca" is really pretty good. I hardly missed stero at all. And Serafin is superb. He is still, to my mind, a severely underrated conductor. Seen as a singer's conductor, he is somehow thought of as being a little anonymous, but for me, he allows the music and the drama to unfold in a completely natural way, without drawing too much attention to himself, as so many modern conductors tend to do. His "Otello", after all, is considered one of the best conducted versions in the catalogue.
As the previous reviewer noted, this is probably the most expensive way of acquiring this set, but it does come with full notes, libretto and translation. If they are not important to you, you may wish to wait until it is issued at super bargain price, as it inevitably will be, by Naxos, Regis and EMI themselves.

Callas is okay- Price the ONLY VERDI SOPRANO????.......2006-09-06

Callas, not my favorite, could sing Verdi well so could Leontyne Price. Any statements suggesting that these were the only Verdi sopranos - Opera Lover's refusal to acknowledge anyone but Price suggests either very limited listening experience- what about Ponselle, or Milanov or poor hearing.
In this role Tebaldi is as good as I ever heard although she did not sing as much Verdi as the above mentioned divas. CAVEAT!!!! Unfortunately, I did not hear Ponselle either live or in the whole opera or all bets might be off with Tebaldi. Ponselle was a unique vocal and dramatic presence.

An excellent "Forza" but not the best all round performance.......2006-08-24

I'm saddened by the intemperate nature of some of the preceding reviews of this recording, so let's try to keep it objective and fair. First, no-one inflects the text and caresses those glorious melodies as affectingly as Callas although Price in 1964 and Tebaldi in the (pretty raw!) live Mitropoulos recording run her close. The infamous "flap" in Callas' voice is only occasionally in evidence and she more than compensates with heart-wrenching portamenti and thrilling excursions into her lower register. Tucker is very, very good, if occasionally guilty of his besetting fault of being too lachrimose, but the top rings out magnificently. The rest of the cast, with the exception of Capecchi's firm, characterful Melitone, is not up to their standard, though Nicolai is wholly acceptable in the essentially irritating role of Preziosilla, with her silly tub-thumping music. Tagliabue is clearly past his best but does not disgrace himself, despite some rather nasal, laboured sounds. My one real bugbear is Rossi-Lemeni; I have never understood why he was so esteemed. The voice is woolly, unsteady, lacking centre and without the true bass gravitas the role of Padre Guardiano requires - although he certainly sounds old! Serafin's conducting is typically well-judged, in turn both pacy and intense as this gloomily beautiful music demands and you soon forget that the recording is mono, the sound being so clear, clean and brilliant. My favourite "Forza" is still the 1964 Schippers for the all-round excellence of the cast, though the 1947 Marinuzzi (available cheaply on Naxos) is worth having as it's a real period recording with a pulsating sense of live theatre about it (and you can hear Tancredi Pasero sing the role of Padre Guardiano as it should be sung). The above-mentioned live Mitropoulos contains the single most exciting piece of tenor singing I have ever heard in Del Monaco's "O tu che in seno" - the audience go wild and start mooing their appreciation like demented cattle - so you have quite a choice, the Schippers being the safest.

Brilliant Forza and a stupid reviewer.......2004-11-22

What does such drivel give you? Do you have to bash a devoted artist in order to have a life? What a shame this is! This Sills-sycophant accuses Callas' fans of bashing while HE is the one who posts profane, unmusical and tasteless nonsense. I've worked with singers and conductors for over 50 years and am appalled by such awful manners and stupidity. This is a great La Forza del Destino. Even IF one were not to "get" Callas, how [...] he rate the work of a Tullio Serafin who experienced Verdi himself in such a horrenduous way? Go, listen to your Sills and leave the reviewing to those who have taste and musical knowledge!

Brilliant - But I also love Tebaldi.......2004-10-18

The Callas-Forza is brilliant. Wonderful. But Callas was neither a mezzo (Well, with an F in her throat?) nor was her voice ugly IMHO but had a very unique beauty to it, very bittersweet, not all whipped cream like Tebaldi or today Fleming. But hey, I love many flavours. That's why I can heartily recommend both sopranos' Leonoras here.

Average customer rating: Great performance spoiled by the sound engineers

Verdi: La forza del destino Manufacturer: EMI ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Verdi: Il Trovatore ASIN: B000026CZ4 Release Date: 1993-01-01

Tracks:

1. Ov - Orch Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Riccardo Muti
2. Act One. Intro - Scena: Buona Notte, Mia Figlia - Giorgio Surian/Mirella Freni
3. Act One. Recitativo E Romanza: Temea Restasse Qui Fino A Domani - Francesca Garbi/Mirella Freni
4. Act One. Recitativo E Romanza: Me, Pellegrina Ed Orfana... - Mirella Freni
5. Act One. Scena E Duetto: M'aiuti, Signorina, Piu Presto Andrem - Francesca Garbi/Mirella Freni
6. Act One. Scena E Duetto: Ah, Per Sempre, O Mio Bell'angiol... - Placido Domingo/Mirella Freni/Francesca Garbi
7. Act One. Finale I: Vil Seduttor! Infame Figlia! - Giorgio Surian/Mirella Freni/Placido Domingo
8. Act Two. Chor Ballabile: Hola, Hola, Hola! Ben Giungi, O Mulattier - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
9. Act Two. Scena: La Cena E Pronta - Silvestro Sammaritano/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Giorgio Zancanaro
10. Act Two. Scena: Che Vedo! Mio Fratello! - Mirella Freni/Silvestro Sammaritano/Giorgio Zancanaro/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano...
11. Act Two. Recitativo E Canzone: Viva La Guerra! - Dolora Zajic/Giorgio Zancanaro/Silvestro Sammaritano/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano...
12. Act Two. Recitativo E Canzone: Al Suon Del Tamburo - Dolora Zajic/Giorgio Zancanaro/Silvestro Sammaritano/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano...
13. Act Two. Prayer: Padre Eterno Signor... - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Giorgio Zancanaro/Silvestro Sammaritano...
14. Act Two. Scena: Viva La Buona Compagnia! - Giorgio Zancanaro/Dolora Zajic/Silvestro Sammaritano/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano...
15. Act Two. Scena E Ballata: Poich' E Imberbe L'incognito... - Giorgio Zancanaro/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Silvestro Sammaritano
16. Act Two. Scena E Ballata: Son Pereda, Son Ricco D'onore - Giorgio Zancanaro/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
17. Act Two. Scena, Coro E Ripresa Della Danza: Sta Bene - Silvestro Sammaritano/Dolora Zajic/Giorgio Zancanaro/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano...
18. Act Two. Aria: Sono Giunta! Grazie, O Dio! - Mirella Freni
19. Act Two. Aria: Madre, Pietosa Vergine... - Mirella Freni/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
20. Act Two. Scena: Chi Siete? - Sesto Bruscantini/Mirella Freni
21. Act Two. Sena E Duetto: Chi Mi Cerca? - Paul Plishka/Mirella Freni/Sesto Bruscantini
22. Act Two. Sena E Duetto: Infelice, Delusa, Rejetta... - Mirella Freni/Paul Plishka

Tracks:

1. Act Two. Finale II: Il Santo Nome Di Dio Signore Sia Benedetto - Paul Plishka/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
2. Act Two. Finale II: La Vergine Degli Angeli - Sesto Bruscantini/Paul Plishka/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
3. Act Three. Scena E Romanza: Attenti Al Gioco, Attenti, Attenti Al Gioco... - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
4. Act Three. Scena E Romanza: La Vita E Inferno All'infelice... - Placido Domingo
5. Act Three. Scena E Romanza: O Tu Che In Seno Agli Angeli... - Placido Domingo
6. Act Three. Scena E Duettino: Al Tradimento! - Giorgio Zancanaro/Chor Del Teatro All Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Placido Domingo
7. Act Three. Scena E Battaglia: All'armi! - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Frank Hadrian
8. Act Three. Scena E Duettino: Piano...Qui Posi...Approntisi Il Mio Letto - Giorgio Zancanaro/Frank Hadrian/Placido Domingo
9. Act Three. Scena E Duettino: Solenne In Quest'ora - Placido Domingo/Giorgio Zancanaro
10. Act Three. Scena Ed Aria: Morir! Tremenda Cosa! - Giorgio Zancanaro
11. Act Three. Scena Ed Aria: Urna Fatale Del Mio Destino... - Giorgio Zancanaro
12. Act Three. Scena Ed Aria: E S'altra Prova Rinvenir Potessi? - Giorgio Zancanaro/Frank Hardian
13. Act Three. Ronda: Compagni, Sostiamo... - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
14. Act Three. Scena E Duetto: Ne Gustare M'e Un'Ora Di Quiete - Placido Domingo/Giorgio Zancanaro/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
15. Act Three. Chor E Strofe: Lorche Pifferi E Tamburi Par Che Assordino La Terra - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Dolora Zajic
16. Act Three. Scena Ed Arietta: Qua, Vivandiere, Un Sorso - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
17. Act Three. Scena Ed Arietta: A Buon Mercato Chi Vuol Comprare? - Ernesto Gavazzi/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
18. Act Three. Chor: Pane, Pan, Per Carita! - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Dolora Zajic
19. Act Three. Chor - Tarantella: Nella Guerra E La Follia... - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Dolora Zajic
20. Act Three. Predica: Toh! Toh! Poffare Il Mondo! Che Tempone! - Sesto Bruscantini/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Dolora Zajic
21. Act Three. Rataplan: Rataplan, Rataplan, Della Gloria... - Dolora Zajic/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Dolora Zajic

Tracks:

1. Act Four. Chor Ed Aria Buffa: Fate La Carita, E Un' Ora Che Aspettiamo! - Sesto Bruscantini/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Dolora Zajic
2. Act Four. Scena E Duetto: Auf! Pazienza Non V'ha Che Basti! - Sesto Bruscantini/Paul Plishka
3. Act Four. Scena E Duetto: Del Mondo I Disinganni... - Paul Plishka/Sesto Bruscantini
4. Act Four. Scena: Giunge Qualcuno, Aprite... - Paul Plishka/Sesto Bruscantini
5. Act Four. Scena E Duetto: Invano Alvaro Ti Celasti Al Mondo... - Giorgio Zancanaro/Placido Domingo
6. Act Four. Scena E Duetto: Le Minaccie, I Fieri Accenti... - Placido Domingo/Giogio Zancanaro
7. Act Four. Melodia: Pace, Pace Mio Dio! - Mirella Freni
8. Act Four. Scena E Terzetto Finale: Lo Muoio! Confessione! - Giorgio Zancanaro/Placido Domingo/Mirella Freni
9. Act Four. Scena E Terzetto Finale: Non Imprecare, Umiliati A Lui Ch'e Giusto E Santo... - Paul Plishka/Mirella Freni/Placido Domingo

Customer Reviews:

Great performance spoiled by the sound engineers.......2006-12-13

This recording features a terrific cast of singers, all in very good voice. And Riccardo Muti conducts the forces of La Scala in a great outpouring of passion. So why only three stars? Quite simply, the recording is irreparably marred by poor sound quality. There are two problems. First, the microphones are placed way too far from the performers--and second, the recording studio is painfully deficient in natural reverberation. Increase your playback volume, and the resultant sound becomes strident, even harsh. I assure you that no amount of fiddling with your stereo's settings will substantially ameliorate this situation. The performance lacks all sense of presence. My ear simply could not adjust--and I therefore cannot recommend this otherwise fine performance.

Your best bet for "La Forza del Destino" will undoubtedly be the Levine recording, which features great sound, the only drawback being Leontyne Price in a voice that is just slightly past its prime.

All in all, a terrible shame--because Freni and Domingo are both just terrific here in this recording . . . singing somewhere out there in the distance.

Average customer rating:

Amor Eterno: Los Exitos Rocío Dúrcal Manufacturer: Sony International ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music Mexico | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music ASIN: B000DZ7YF6 Release Date: 2006-01-31

Tracks:

1. Amor Eterno
2. Para Toda La Vida
3. Si Nos Dejan
4. Me Nace del Coraz
5. Como Tu Mujer
6. Qute Conmigo Esta Noche
7. Gata Bajo La Lluvia
8. Me Gustas Mucho
9. Si Piensas... Si Quieres...
10. No Me Vuelvo a Enamorar - RocD, ,
11. Te Sigo Amando
12. JamTe Dejar
13. Infiel
14. No Lastimes M- RocD, ,
15. Vestida de Blanco
16. CHan Pasado Los A

Tracks:

1. Caricias [DVD]
2. Sombras Nada M[DVD]
3. Caramelito [DVD]
4. Porque Te Quiero [DVD]
5. Desaires [DVD]
6. Amor Eterno [DVD]
7. Qute Conmigo Esta Noche [DVD]
8. Gata Bajo La Lluvia [DVD]
9. Bonus Material [DVD][*]

Average customer rating: What a combination! Juan Gabriel and Pandora! Simplemente perfecto Pandora lo vuelve a lograr

Con Amor Eterno Pandora Manufacturer: EMI Latin ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Tejano | Latin Music | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Latin General | Latin Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Latin General | Latin Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Latin Pop | Latin Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Latin Pop | Latin Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Tejano | Latin Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Tejano | Latin Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | International General | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music ASIN: B000000VKP Release Date: 1991-02-28

Tracks:

1. Con Tu Amor
2. Costumbres
3. El Farsante
4. El Dia Que Me Acaricies Llorare
5. Popurri
6. Nadie Baila Como Tu/El Noa Noa
7. Amor Eterno
8. No Lastimes Mas
9. Yo No Naci Para Amar
10. Lagrimas Y Lluvia
11. Se Me Olvido Otra Vez

Customer Reviews:

What a combination! Juan Gabriel and Pandora!.......2004-07-14

My favorite group singing songs by my favorite composer...Sheer Heaven! There is not a bad song nor a bad performance on this entire album.

Simplemente perfecto.......2001-12-02

This album is really great. Very good choices of songs and you can tell at once they do like what they're singing 'cause they do it with such power and emotion it melts you.
You won't be dissappointed listening to it.
This is a great latin group, I own all their Cds and never got any disliking

Pandora lo vuelve a lograr.......2001-02-17

Interpretando lo mejor de Juan Gabriel. Las voces de estas 3 damas de veras que captan al oido. Todas las canciones son interpretadas con unas "ganas" y con muy buena voz. Les recomiendo este disco, es de lo mejor.

Average customer rating:

Mantler: Cerco un Paese Innocente Manufacturer: Ecm Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music ECM Classical | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ECM Jazz & World | ECM Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Ulysses' Gaze ASIN: B0000031Z7 Release Date: 1996-06-18

Tracks:

1. Part I: Introduzione
2. Part I: Girovago
3. Part I: Intermezzo 1
4. Part I: Eterno/Stasera
5. Part I: Intermezzo 2
6. Part 2: Perche?
7. Part 2: Sempre Notte
8. Part 2: Inizio (1): Solitudine/Lontano
9. Part 2: Inizio (2): L'Illuminata Rugiada/Proverbi (Uno)
10. Part 2: Intermezzo 3
11. Part 2: Destino/Rilucere Inveduto/Un' Altra Notte
12. Part 3: Se Una Tua Mano
13. Part 3: Intermezzo 4
14. Part 3: Vanita
15. Part 3: Quando Un Giorno
16. Part 4: E Senza Fiato
17. Part 4: Intermezzo 5
18. Part 4: Non Griadte Piu
19. Part 4: Tutto Ho Perduto

Average customer rating: She's the queen of Italy.

L'Eterno Movimento Anna Oxa Manufacturer: Import [Generic] ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Rock | International | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Senza Pieta Io Canto La Musica E Niente Se Tu Non Hai Vissuto ASIN: B00005M999 Release Date: 2002-01-01

Tracks:

1. L'Immenso E Il Suo Contrario
2. Uomo Dove Sei
3. Controvento
4. Sister
5. L'Eterno Movimento
6. Take A Little Trip
7. Notte D'Immagini
8. Io Saro Con Te
9. La Vita Dove Va
10. Un'Emozione Da Poco

Customer Reviews:

She's the queen of Italy........2003-04-04

Anna Oxa is one of the best singers of Italy. She started her career back in 1978 and sience then she had released successful albums and big hits in Italy. She is also a two time winner of San Remo Festival.
After the success of her 1999 release "Senza pieta" she returned with this album that has 10 songs. One of the songs is in English (Take a little trip)(she has a perfect English) and another song is an old hit of her's (Un'emmozioni da poco) that Anna re-recorded for this cd.
Anna has a beautiful strong voice. Her style is soft pop and her voice and style make a wonderful mix.
If you know her and have another album of hers you must have this tittle and of corse her big hit album "Senza pieta".
I'm going to translate the songs in English in case if you don't speak italian.
1-L'immenso e il sou contrario. (The immense and its contrary)
2-Uomo dove sei. (Man where are you)
3-Controvento. (Against the wind)
4-Sister.
5-L'eterno movimento. (The endless moment)
6-Take a little trip.
7-Notte d'immagini. (Night of images)
8-Io saro con te. (I'll be with you)
9-La vita dove va. (Where does life goes)
10-Un'emozioni da poco. (An emotion little by little)
P.S I wonder why Anna doesn't make the crossover and releases an album internationally because she has the voice, the style, the talent and the record company to do it. I hope that she do this kind of work someday.

Average customer rating: Who are all these people? * * * * * * 6 stars out of a possible 5 Exquisite, culturally broad, delightful to ears and soul Magical Music Some Wonderful Music at the Crossroads

New World Symphonies: Baroque Music from Latin America Manufacturer: Hyperion UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Lobo | Lobo, Alonso | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: Moon, Sun & All Things Bolivian Baroque [includes DVD] [Hybrid SACD] Bolivian Baroque Vol. 2 [Hybrid SACD] La Noche Buena: Christmas Music of Colonial Latin America Mexican Baroque ASIN: B00008OP2L Release Date: 2003-06-10

Tracks:

1. Hanaq Pachap Kusikuynin
2. Kyrie (Missa Ego Flos Campi)
3. Gloria (Missa Ego Flos Campi)
4. Xicochi Conetizntle
5. Credo (Missa Ego Flos Campi)
6. Los Coflades De La Estleya
7. Angus Dei (Missa Ego Flos Campi)
8. Versa Est In Luctum
9. Angus Dei (Missa Ego Flos Campi)
10. Salve Regina
11. Qhapaq Eterno Dios (Symbolo Catholico Indiano)
12. Ut Queant Laxis
13. Kyrie (Missa San Ignacio)
14. Gloria (Missa San Ignacio)
15. Gloria (Missa San Ignacio)

Customer Reviews:

Who are all these people?.......2007-05-28

That was what I thought when I saw the concert's program (in Santiago de Compostela, 2007, they are also very good live performers). I had never before heard of Jeffrey Skidmore, Ex Cathedra... and the repertoire, excepting three pieces, was also new to me. But the concert was a marvellous discovery.

What may have happened all this time? Why have we ignored these musical treasures? They were "buried" in cathedrals' archives, and access to them was very restricted. A group of enthusiastic musicologists and musicians, like Jeffrey Skidmore, are bringing them to life again. God bless you all!

* * * * * * 6 stars out of a possible 5.......2006-05-23

This record was my first taste of the Renaissance and Baroque music from Latin America. The dates of the pieces range from roughly 1500 to 1750.

The range of styles is quite broad - from pieces that sound very close to the masterpieces from Europe during those time periods, to pieces that have a very strong influence of native music.

The pieces with a relatively 'traditional' sound include, e.g., the Masses by Padilla and Zipoli.

In my feelings, the one thing that characterizes this music is a sense of the spirit dancing.
Note as an obvious example tr. 6: Araujo's "Los Coflades de la Estleya" - but that sense of ecstatic dancing also comes through in the other pieces.

The performances by Ex Cathedra are close to perfection.

I also highly recommend Ex Cathedra's companion album "Moon, Sun & All Things".

Exquisite, culturally broad, delightful to ears and soul.......2005-06-19

This performance by Jeffrey Skidmore's Ex Cathedra is perhaps the very best of many purchases of liturgically related music that we have made. I write not as one who is musically trained, but just one who knows when he hears something that is absolutely excellent. One can discern in these pieces the development of Church music throughout the ages, the distinctive influence of the Baroque period, and the strong Latin American flavor derived from the Spanish and native cultures. It is simply uplifting, and we don't tire of listening to it again and again. I would not have known about this recording, or even Ex Cathedra, had I not heard the first track, "Hanaq pachap kusikuynin" on London's Classic FM station on the internet. I am surprised that this work is not yet more popular in here in the States. Certainly it deserves to be.

Magical Music.......2003-12-17

For those who enjoy early baroque music, (especially that of Spanish origin), this is magical stuff. The accompanying notes and translations are interesting and helpful. The performance by Skidmore & Ex Cathedra is professional and exciting. The melodies and rhythms are infectious. A previous review (which seems to have been removed) strongly criticized this CD because the reviewer claimed that this music glorifies the actions in the New World of the 16th century Spanish invaders and missionaries. If you hold rigid PC views about the impact of Christianity on indigenous cultures then maybe you might agree with that view. People with a knowledge of history recognize that much evil has been done in the name of the Christian God, but that is not the issue here. If you enjoy beauty, open your mind and ears and listen. You will hear music of great beauty and originality that will uplift you.

Some Wonderful Music at the Crossroads.......2003-10-24

Here is superb compendium of works from the Latin American Baroque that shows how well composers of the New World melded the art music of Europe with native strains. Juan de Araujo, Gaspar Fernandes, Juan Zespedes, and the ubiquitous Anonymous supply the native elements, some of the music based on words and undoubtedly melodies of the native Indian people of Latin America, while Araujo and Zespedes look to the folk dances of Africa to commemorate the Nativity in a beguilingly earthy fashion.

Interspersed with this folk-inspired music are the liturgical works of Juan de Padilla, Hernando Franco, and Domenico Zipoli, including all of Padilla's dignified "Missa Ego flos campi" and the lovely Kyrie and Gloria from Zipoli's "Missa San Ignacio." Franco's "Salve Regina" is a little classic of the late Renaissance, complete with mannerist harmonies in the fashion of Gesualdo or Monteverdi.

Juan Zespedes' "Convidando esta la noche" comes last on the disc. Skidmore and his producers know what must be the musical highpoint of the CD no matter how sophisticated the efforts of the European-trained musicians, like Zipoli and Padilla, represented here. Short though it may be (only four minutes), "Convidando" is the perfect little Christmas cantata. It starts with a tender hymn to the new-born Jesus sounding very much like the Reformation folksong-turned-Christmas carol "Es ist ein Ros ensprungen." The hymn gives way repeatedly to celebration in the form of the guaracha, a dance of African origin apparently still popular in Cuban today. Accented with traditional Latin American rhythm instruments and high "yip-yips" from the chorus, it is a joy to the ear and to the heart, as it must have been to listeners when it was written over three hundred years ago.

This wonderful disc garnered praise when it appeared in Europe and deserves a big audience on this side of the Atlantic. All praise to Jeffrey Skidmore, Ex Cathedra, and Hyperion.

Average customer rating: Like You Just Stepped Into A Salon

Il Sibilo (The Whisper) Manufacturer: Opera Rara UK ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Pacini, Giovanni | ( P ) | 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 Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00005RT4X Release Date: 2002-02-12

Customer Reviews:

Like You Just Stepped Into A Salon.......2002-03-10

Opera Rara's Il Salotto series documents the salon music of the 19th century. It's a change from Opera Rara's usual heady fare, and this edition is perhaps the most light-hearted so far. It focuses on music that would have been performed by amateurs and not by the operatic stars that often were invited to the salons of the fabulously wealthy. Of the 32 songs documented here, 27 appeared in a forgotten and short-lived Neapolitan journal "Il Sibilo" from 1843-1845. Every second issue had a song by a well-known composer printed on the back page. Among the composers represented were Donizetti, Pacini, and Mercadante. Other figures such as Cammarano, Lillo, and Crescentini, who are less familiar, were also featured.

Since the songs were printed on a single page, they are very short-only a few of the tracks actually make the two minute mark. They are great fun, and demand very little of the listener. Yet they are not insubstantial as artistic accomplishments. The words and music are invariably clever, and more than one of them has the barbed point of an O. Henry story - witness the charming little melody that accompanies a wish for the singer's ex-lover to choke to death on a morsel of food, or the fervent ode to a woman's beauty that ends with an accusation of frigidity.

The singers approach these little delicacies with such enthusiasm that one can almost close one's eyes and imagine being in a warm, inviting salon surrounded by laughter, animated conversation, and of course, good music. Sopranos Nuccia Focile and Donata D'Annunzio Lombardi sing with grace and beauty while still capturing the light-heartedness and intimacy of these ditties. Paul Charles Clark is a rather whiny tenor of the Maurice Arthur ilk, but his captivating hamminess in his selections more than compensates for what he may lack in vocal beauty. Bass Ildebrando d'Arcangelo, the excellent and strikingly handsome Opera Rara regular, uses his rich and expressive voice to advantage. The pianist, David Harper, who is also featured in the other Salotto releases, continues in this series his tasteful and highly expressive accompaniment of this forgotten fare. He coaxes melodies from the keyboard with sensitivity and emotional intelligence; yet there is genuine humor and a sense of mischievous fun in his playing - which makes him the perfect choice to accompany these tongue-in-cheek pieces.

Jeremy Commons provides detailed and interesting notes, which not only discuss the fascinating history of `Il Sibilo', but also chronicle his own accidental rediscovery of the journal and these very songs in 1972. English translations and commentaries are provided on all the songs. The booklet and box are most luxurious, with beautiful, brilliantly colored art reproductions and vibrant color photography of the recording sessions in progress. Even the CD itself is embossed with the music from one of the Pacini songs. This is a sumptuous release that spares no expense, but you can listen to it in bite-sized morsels or - more likely - to the whole thing in a sitting. And you may find yourself thinking of converting a room in your own home into a salon.

Salsa Music:

1. Exitante Ritmos de Tito Puente
2. Exitos
3. Exitos con Banda
4. Fiebre del Merengue, Vol. 1
5. Fiesta De Caballito
6. Flamenco, Salsa, Rumba
7. Gran Pachanga, Vol. 5
8. Hits De Rana
9. Hot Club Mixes
10. Jam Session With Feeling

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Sail Away Jazz

Bull's Eye

Scranton County Fair

Revolucion Musical

Sings the Gospel

Slingshot [Explicit Lyrics]

Os Saltimbancos [Import]

Music for the Movies [Soundtrack]

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