Il Mondo Di [Import]

1. Monica

2. Storie Di Tutti I Giorni

3. Quando Una Lei Va Via

4. Io Ti Prego Di Ascoltare

5. In Silenzio

6. Che Ne Sai

7. L'amore Che Verra'

8. Romanzo

9. Mondo

10. Malinconia

11. Alla Fine Di Un Lavoro

12. Il Mare Che Ti Avevo Rubato

13. Ti Amo Pero' ....

14. Non Mi Lasciare

Il Mondo Di,Riccardo Fogli,Wea,Italian,World Music

Average customer rating: Correction to the entry by "sergiocqh" Fantastic! HATE OPERA? THIS ONE WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND "Ultimate" only if you like your opera "al fresco"! Wonderful Performance but Average Recording Quality

The Ultimate Puccini Collection Giacomo Puccini , Herbert von Karajan , Riccardo Chailly , Stephen Barlow , Tullio Serafin , Lorin Maazel , Sir Edward Downes , Giuseppe Patane , Zubin Mehta , Alberto Erede , John Mauceri , Plácido Domingo , José Carreras , Kiri Te Kanawa , John Alldis Choir , Luciano Pavarotti , London Philharmonic Orchestra , Bologna Community Theater Orchestra , Ettore Bastianini , Carlo Bergonzi , Renato Cesari , Fernando Corena , Cesare Siepi , Renata Tebaldi , Gianna D'Angelo , Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra , Franco Corelli , Alfredo Mariotti , Regine Crespin , Royal Opera House Orchestra Covent Garden , London Symphony Orchestra , Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra , Rome Opera House Orchestra , Pilar Lorengar , Berlin Philharmonic Brass Ensemble , Mirella Freni , Rolando Panerai , Jussi Bjorling , Leontyne Price , and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | 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 Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Caballe, Montserrat | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Crespin, Regine | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Freni, Mirella | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gheorghiu, Angela | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Nilsson, Birgit | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Price, Leontyne | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Sutherland, Joan | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Te Kanawa, Kiri | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Essential Verdi Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... Puccini Without Words Puccini: Great Opera Arias The #1 Opera Album ASIN: B000007OU1 Release Date: 1998-06-09

Tracks:

1. Turnadot: Nessun Dorma!
2. Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro
3. Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai
4. La Boheme: Musetta's Waltz Song
5. Tosca: Recondita Armonia
6. Madame Butterfly: Un Bel Di
7. TOSCA: E Lucevan Le Stelle
8. La rondine: Il Sogno Di Doretta
9. La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina
10. La Boheme: Si, Mi Chiamano Mini
11. La Boheme: O Soave Fanciulla - Love Duet, Act I
12. Ch'ella mi creda libero
13. TOSCA: Ah, Quegli Occhi...Qual'occhio Al Mondo - Love Duet, Act I
14. TOSCA: Vissi D'Arte
15. Madame Butterfly: Vogliatemi Bene - Love Duet, Act I
16. La Boheme: Donde Lieta Usci
17. Turandot: Signore, Ascolta!
18. Turandot: In Questa Reggia

Amazon.com essential recording

Ordinarily, it pays to be wary of collections such as these, which often promise a lot but deliver a mishmash of disconnected excerpts. This disc, however, is something of an exception: you really do get just about all of Puccini's best arias, which is possible, because he didn't write so many operas that choosing the best moments becomes a matter of the producer's personal taste. Also, Puccini's operas are so popular that every major label has excellent complete recordings of all of them, so in making this compilation it was possible to cast from strength: all the singers here are fine. In fact, the only proviso that needs to be made before you rush out and add this disc to your collection is that it's wrong to assume that all of Puccini's best tunes lie in his arias. The opening 10 minutes of any one of his operas will tell you that's not true. So by all means enjoy this disc--then start sampling the operas complete. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Correction to the entry by "sergiocqh".......2005-11-08

"Quando m'en vo" is not omitted from this CD; it is just called "Musetta's waltz song." It is the same aria.

Fantastic!.......2003-10-14

This is one of the first opera CDs I ever got. It's wonderful for just about any body;from the newbies like me or the opera fanatics. I especially like 'In Questa Reggia'. Buy it now!!

HATE OPERA? THIS ONE WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND.......2003-09-04

The Ultimate Puccini Collection features some of Puccini's most arias and will appeal to even the most ardent operaphobes.

A great listening experience featuring some of the greatest opera performers of all time.

"Ultimate" only if you like your opera "al fresco"!.......2002-06-13

The music is without question, among the most beautiful ever written. But the quality of the fidelity tells me that many of the selections were recorded live in concert in outdoor venues. I wish that was clear to me before I bought the disc. So, is the music the ultimate? YES! Is the recording the ultimate? NO!

Wonderful Performance but Average Recording Quality.......2002-02-18

I love opera! I love Puccini! Not only is the vocalism important to me, but the quality of the recording as well. I enjoy my hi-tech sound system. I like to feel as if I am sitting in the front row of the first balcony when I listen to opera. This CD is excellent! The vocalists were well chosen. The technical performances are eloquent and emotional, as Puccini should be. However, the quality of the recording is not very good. No matter how you adjust your sound system, the recording is a bit tinny and as a result, the emotional high points of the arias are not as vibrant as they could be if the recording were of better quality. I would recommend this CD to anyone who loves Puccini and who is not as finicky as I!

Average customer rating: The Music Behind The Grand Opera: Verdi Spectacular Dreadful Sound Engineering Karaoke fans - eat your heart out! Great, but you are not really singing the tune ! HIGHLY RECOMMEDED.....

Verdi without Words: Grand Opera for Orchestra Manufacturer: Telarc ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | 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 $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Indie Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Puccini Without Words Opera without Words Pops Plays Puccini Carmen Without Words Opera Without Words ASIN: B000003D03 Release Date: 1995-01-24

Tracks:

1. Grand Entrance ...'Su! Del Nilo Al Sacro Lido'
2. 'Celeste Aida'
3. Triumphal Scene 'Gloria All'Egitto'
4. 'Ave Maria'
5. 'Vedi! Le Fosche Notturne Spoglie'
6. 'Di Quella Pira'
7. Prelude
8. Introduction To Act I
9. 'Brindisi'
10. Waltz
11. 'Un Di Felice'
12. La Traviata: 'Sempre Libera Degg'io'
13. 'Di Provenza Il Mar, Il Suol'
14. 'Questa O Quella'
15. 'Caro Nome'
16. 'La Donna E Mobile'
17. 'Un Di, Se Ben Rammentomi'
18. 'Tutto Net Mondo E Burla'
19. 'Va, Pensiero' (Prisoners' Chorus)

Customer Reviews:

The Music Behind The Grand Opera: Verdi Spectacular.......2005-10-04

This recording is a delight for fans of classical music. In opera, the singing/words/text is married to the music, but it is the music above all that must create moods and evoke sentiment- whether it is pity, romance, jealousy, rage, pomp, melancholy, heartbreak, ecstasy, passion, mystery, etc. Eric Kunzel and his Pops Orchestra performs a wonderful array of Verdi music scores from his most famous grand operas. This album opens with Aida and there is much to admire here. The Triumphal March is a spectacle-scene which features parades of dancing girls and wild animals as Radames returns victorious. This music is famous for its prominent use of trumpet and chorus. Its orchestral version is equally bombastic. The Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore is another smash Verdi hit, a chorus piece but on orchestra, it is very catchy as well. Further to these fine works, the album features music from Verdi's Otello and La Traviata. This is a fine intro to opera for those who wish to begin by listening to the orchestral music first.

Dreadful Sound Engineering.......2005-06-17

Such beautiful Verdi and tis a shame to have to fiddle with the volume control on every single track (and even within the track). One will be inaudible, the next will blare.

Karaoke fans - eat your heart out!.......2002-12-29

This disc, containing selections of Verdi's most famous operatic works, is a must buy for fans of Opera that want to "try out their pipes".

What Opera fan hasn't at least sung a few bars of "La Donna e mobile" while in the shower? This 70 minutes of Opera greats from the pen of Verdi under the able direction of the Cincinati Pops orchestra under the baton of Erich Kunzel will make most opera fans dreams come true.

There are no words on any of these numbers - making it a cross between a Karaoke disc and Verdi's greatest hits. It contains some selections from "Aida", "Othello", "Il Trovatore", "La Traviata", "Rigoletto", "Falstaff", and "Nabucco".

My only "complaint" is that the lyrics to the numbers were not included in the liner notes. That would have made this the world's first Opera Karaoke.

Still worth listening to for the majesty of the music behind the words - music that is often overshadowed by the singers. Worth a look for inclusion in any opera fan's classical library.

Great, but you are not really singing the tune !.......2002-05-24

"Celeste Aida"
1. Cincinnati Pops did not play the recitativo. Something is missing, if you are an opera freak.
2. The second verse does not include "Il tuo bel cielo vorrei ridarti", which will mislead a whistling person.

"La donna e mobile"
In the second verse, the "refrain" (la donna e mobil qual piu mal vento ...) is replayed. This gives a "queer" feeling for a singing person who is used to practicing singing it "the way it should be sung".

HIGHLY RECOMMEDED............2002-03-13

I LIKE OPERA WITHOUT THE WORDS AND THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST I HAVE
PURCHASED LATELY (AND I HAVE BOUGHT MANY LATELY). CARMAN WITHOUT
WORDS IS ALSO VERY ENJOYABLE, AS ARE ALL THE "OPERA WITHOUT WORDS" CDS OUT TODAY. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CD TO ADD TO ANY
COLLECTION OF CLASSICAL MUSIC..

Average customer rating:

Handel: The Masterworks (Box Set) Manufacturer: Brilliant Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Concerto Grossi | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Trio Sonatas | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Recorder | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Anthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Passions | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Brilliant Classics | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set) Haydn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Mendelssohn: The Masterworks [Box Set] Dvorák: The Masterworks [Box Set] Schubert: The Masterworks [Box Set] ASIN: B00062FLI8 Release Date: 2004-11-30

Average customer rating: Not worth buying! Don't waste your money Perfect for "drop the needle" style tests A CD with Attention Deficit Disorder This sucks...

Only Opera CD You'll Ever Need Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | 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ASIN: B000003GA0 Release Date: 1997-10-14

Tracks:

1. Antony & Cleopatra: 'Give Me My Robe' - Leontyne Price
2. Fidelio: 'In des Lebens Fruhlingstagen...' - Ben Heppner
3. Fidelio: Act II Quartet: 'Ach, du bist gerettet...' - Deborah Voigt
4. Norma: 'Casta Diva' - Rosa Ponselle
5. Candide: 'Glitter And Be Gay' - Harolyn Blackwell
6. Candide: 'Make Our Garden Grow' - Jerry Hadley
7. Carmen: Flower Song - Placido Domingo
8. Carmen: Habanera - Rise Stevens
9. Carmen: Toreador Song - Robert Merrill
10. Les pecheurs de perles: Duet: 'Oui, c'est elle, c'est la deesse...' - Robert Merrill
11. Mefistofele: 'Ecco il mondo' - Samuel Ramey
12. La Wally: 'Eben, ne andro lontana' - ONLY OPERA CD YOU'LL EVER NEED
13. Lakme: Bell Song - Lily Pons
14. L'Elisir d'Amore: 'Una furtiva lagrima' - Tito Schipa
15. Lucia di Lammermoor: 'Chi mi frena in tal momento...' - Carlo Bergonzi
16. Lucia di Lammermoor: 'Spargi d'amaro pianto' - Anna Moffo
17. Martha: 'M'appari tutto amor' - Jussi Bjoerling
18. Porgy & Bess: 'Summertime' - Leontyne Price
19. Porgy & Bess: 'Bess, You Is My Woman' - William Warfield
20. Andrea Chenier: 'Come un bel di di maggio' - Ben Heppner
21. Romeo et Juliette: Juliette's Waltz; 'Je veux vivre' - Ruth Ann Swenson
22. Salammbo: Aria - Kiri Te Kanawa
23. Hansel & Gretel: 'Suuse, liebe Susse - Helen Donath
24. I Pagliacci: 'Vesti la giubba' - Enrico Caruso
25. Cavalleria Rusticana: 'Viva il vino' - Jussi Bjoerling
26. Cherubin: 'Lorsque vous n'aurez rien' - Dawn Upshaw
27. Manon: 'Ah! Fuyez, douce image' - Richard Crooks
28. Cosi fan tutte: 'Come scoglio immoto resta' - Leontyne Price
29. Don Giovanni: 'La ci darem la mano' - Edith Mathis
30. Don Giovanni: 'Deh! vieni alla finestra' - Ezio Pinza
31. Don Giovanni: 'Non mi dir' - Carol Vaness
32. Le nozze di Figaro: 'Non piu andrai...' - Alan Titus
33. Le nozze di Figaro: 'Porgi, amor' - Carol Vaness
34. Le nozze di Figaro: 'Deh vieni, non tardar' - Bidu Sayao
35. Die Zauberflote: 'Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schon' - Fritz Wunderlich
36. Die Zauberflote: Der Holle Rache - Zdislawa Donat
37. Die Zauberflote: Papageno - Papageno Duet - Christian Boesch
38. Boris Godunov: 'I v ljutomgore, nisposlannom Bogom...' - Alexander Kipnis
39. Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle - Montserrat Caballe
40. La Gioconda: 'Cielo e mar' - Beniamino Gigli
41. La Boheme: 'Che gelida manina' - Giuseppe Di Stefano
42. La Boheme: 'Mi piaccion quelle cose...' - Licia Albanese
43. La Boheme: 'Fremon gia nell'anima' - Luciano Pavarotti
44. La Boheme: Musetta's Waltz Song - Judith Blegen
45. Gianni Schicchi: 'O mio babbino caro' - Angela Gheorghiu
46. Madama Butterfly: 'Ah, ti serro palpitante' - Placido Domingo
47. Madama Butterfly: 'Un bel di' - Leontyne Price
48. Manon Lescaut: 'Donna non vidi mai' - Jussi Bjoerling
49. La rondine: 'Chi il bel sogno di Doretta - Anna Moffo
50. TOSCA: 'Recondita armonia' - Placido Domingo
51. TOSCA: 'Vissi d'arte' - Irina Oudalova
52. TOSCA: 'E avanti a lui...' - Zinka Milanov
53. TOSCA: 'E lucevan le stelle' - Mario Lanza
54. Turandot: 'Signore, ascolta' - Renata Tebaldi
55. Turandot: 'In questa reggia' - Birgit Nilsson
56. Turandot: 'Nessun dorma' - Jussi Bjoerling
57. Dido & Aeneas: 'When I Am Laid In Earth' - Leontyne Price
58. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: 'Largo al factotum' - Robert Merrill
59. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: 'Una voce poco fa' - Roberta Peters
60. Samson et Dalila: 'Mon coeur s'ouvre' - Christa Ludwig
61. The Bartered Bride: 'Wenn ich das einmal erfahre' - Teresa Stratas
62. Elektra: 'Agamemnon' - Inge Borkh
63. Der Rosenkavalier: 'Ist ein Traum' - Erna Berger
64. Salome: 'Nicht in der Welt...' - Inge Borkh
65. Eugene Onegin: Lenski's Aria - Placido Domingo
66. Eugene Onegin: Tatiana's Letter Scene - Leontyne Price
67. Aida: 'Celeste Aida' - Jussi Bjoerling
68. Aida: 'Ritorna vincitor!' - Leontyne Price
69. Aida: 'Gloria all'Egitto' - John Alldis Choir
70. Aida: 'O patria mia' - Leontyne Price
71. Un Ballo in Maschera: 'O docezze perdute! O memorie...' - Robert Merrill
72. Don Carlo: 'Dio, che nell'anima infondere' - Placido Domingo
73. Ernani: 'Emani, involami' - Leontyne Price
74. La forza del destino: 'Or muoio tranquillo...' - Robert Merrill
75. La forza del destino: 'Pace, pace mio dio' - Zinka Milanov
76. Nabucco: 'Va, pensiero' - Oleg Reshetkin
77. Otello: 'Credo' - Tito Gobbi
78. Otello: Willow Song - Leonie Rysanek
79. Otello: 'Niun mi tema' - Jon Vickers
80. Rigoletto: 'Qesta o quella' - Alfredo Kraus
81. Rigoletto: 'Caro nome' - Anna Moffo
82. Rigoletto: 'La donna e mobile' - Jan Peerce
83. Rigoletto: 'Bella figlia dell'amore' - Alfredo Kraus
84. La Traviata: Brindisi - Montserrat Caballe
85. La Traviata: 'Di provenza' - Sherrill Milnes
86. La Traviata: 'Sempre libera' - Eleanor Steber
87. La Traviata: 'Addio del passato' - Anna Moffo
88. Il Trovatore: Anvil Chorus - Moscow Classical Chorus & Ensemble
89. Il Trovatore: 'Di quella pira' - Placido Domingo
90. Il Trovatore: 'Tacea la notte placido - Leontyne Price
91. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: 'Morgenlicht leuchtend' - Set Svanholm
92. Die Walkure: Ride Of The Valkyries - Staatskapelle Dresden
93. Die Walkure: Wotan's Farewell - Lawrence Tibbett
94. Siegfried: Song Of The Forest Bird - Norma Sharp
95. Gotterdammerung: 'Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort' - Kirsten Flagstad
96. Lohengrin: Bridal Chorus - Robert Shaw Chorale
97. Lohengrin: 'In fernem Land' - Lauritz Melchior
98. Tannhauser: 'Dich teure Halle' - Waltraud Meler

Customer Reviews:

Not worth buying!.......2007-05-29

I found this recording basically worthless. It contains only very short excerpts of the song. Not enough to get into and enjoy!

Don't waste your money.......2007-01-18

This is the worst purchase I have ever made. It is a truly dreadful piece of work.I was so disgusted with it that I threw it into the trash can.

Perfect for "drop the needle" style tests.......2006-11-19

If you want to hear full recordings of arias, then this disc is not for you. It plays only tidbits of 99 arias. Contrary to the title, this is definitely not the only opera disc you'll ever need. You shouldn't take it seriously. This disc has next to no value for an opera neophyte. But for opera fanatics, there has never been a better test of your knowledge of operatic repertoire and singers. It's a great challenge for opera buffs. Sit down with your opera loving friends for an hour, play this disc, and try to be the first to identify the singer, composer, opera, and piece. If you're a music professor, this disc would make for an awesome pop quiz. Find out how well your students really know their opera repertoire.

A CD with Attention Deficit Disorder.......2006-10-02

I don't know anyone who would enjoy this CD. It will drive opera fans nuts with a hundred exerpts that run about 30 seconds each, then fade out without the singers even finishing a single verse. It's more like an index of arias, or a volume of teasers that hucksters might use to sell opera CDs.

I never realized how much Bernstein's "Glitter and be gay" sounded like Delibes' "Bell Song" until I heard 35 seconds of one, followed 23 seconds of the other.

Maybe the TV show 'Jeopardy' could use this CD. 'What is "Hush little baby don't you..."??'

What a waste of beautiful voices and great music. 38 seconds of Enrico Caruso, followed by 31 seconds of Jussi Bjoerling, followed by 38 seconds of Dawn Upshaw.

My copy is going to go sailing into the wastebasket as soon as I finish this review.

This sucks..........2006-03-31

I should only blame myself for not checking out more reviews... this is a CD filled with short, little snippets of great operas songs... and I mean SHORT, LITTLE snippets of 30 seconds or so, each. Don't buy this CD... it is a complete rip off... and that is saying ALOT since it is only $4.00... Again, my fault for not reading the reviews but I trusted that something called a "Music CD" would actually have complete songs... What else does this company offer? A "Music CD" that only has the intros or applause tracks to great songs...?

Move on to something else... Amazon has a great selection... just not this one.

Average customer rating:

The Very Best of Giuseppe di Stefano Manufacturer: EMI Classics 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 Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( 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 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 General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Franco Corelli The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli Giuseppe Di Stefano Sings Neapolitan Songs Carlo Bergonzi - The Sublime Voice ~ 40 Tracks from the Legendary Tenor The Very Best of Nicolai Gedda ASIN: B0000A5BXQ Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

1. Addio, Mignon
2. Ah! Non Credevi Tu
3. Io Son Solo...Ah! Dispar, Vision
4. E La Solita Storia (Lamento Di Federico)
5. Lunge Da Lei...De' Miei Bollenti Spiriti
6. Fra Poco A Me Ricovero
7. Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti L'Ali
8. Son Gia Lontani!...Corre A Valle
9. Intanto Amici Qua...Viva Il Vino Spumeggiante
10. Mamma, Quel Vino E Generoso
11. Recondita Armonia
12. E Lucevan Le Stelle
13. Dovunque Al Mondo
14. Addio, Fiorito Asil
15. Recitar!...Vesti La Giubba
16. La Vita E Inferno...O Tu Che In Seno Agli Angeli
17. Una Parola Sola...Or Son Sei Mesi
18. Ch'ella Mi Creda Libero
19. Avete Torto!...Firenze E Come Albero
20. Non Piangere, Liu
21. Nessun Dorma

Tracks:

1. Questa O Quella
2. Ella Mi Fu Rapita!...Parmi Veder Le Lagrime
3. La Donna E Mobile
4. Ah Si, Ben Mio
5. Di Quella Pira
6. Di' Tu Se Fedele
7. Teco Io Sto...Non Sai Tu Che Se L'Anima Mia...Oh, Qual Soave Brivido - Maria Callas
8. Forse La Soglia Attinse...Ma Se M'e Forza Perderti
9. Che Gelida Manina
10. In Un Coupe?...O Mimi, Tu Piu Non Torni - Rolando Panerai
11. Donna Non Vidi Mai
12. Oh, Saro La Piu Bella - Maria Callas
13. No! Pazzo Son! Guardate!
14. A La Barcillunisa
15. Cantu A Timuni
16. 'O Sole Mio
17. Marechiare
18. Core 'Ngrato
19. Torna A Surriento

Average customer rating: The Art of Gigli Gigli Is A Wonderful Singer!

The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Franck, César | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Lalo, Edouard | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( 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 Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | 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 Gigli, Beniamino | ( G ) | 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 Giordano, Umberto | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gounod, Charles | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cardillo, Salvatore | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Franck, Cesar | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Denza, Luigi | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Capua, Eduardo di | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Curtis, Ernesto de | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cilea, Francesco | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Mascagni, Pietro | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Massenet, Jules | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Puccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Rossini, Gioacchino | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Halevy, Fromental | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Lalo, Edward | 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 Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Franco Corelli The Very Best of Giuseppe di Stefano Carlo Bergonzi - The Sublime Voice ~ 40 Tracks from the Legendary Tenor Beniamino Gigli: Historical Recordings 1927 - 1951 Giuseppe Di Stefano Sings Neapolitan Songs ASIN: B0000A5BXR Release Date: 2003-09-02

Tracks:

1. Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi...Celeste Aida
2. La Donna E Mobile
3. Una Furtiva Lagrima
4. Qual Turbamento...Salve Dimora
5. O Dolce Incanto...Chiuder Gli Occhi
6. Che Gelida Manina
7. Recondita Armonia
8. E Lucevan Le Stelle
9. Dovunque Al Mondo
10. Recitar!...Vesti La Giubba
11. Intanto Amici, Qua...Viva Il Vino Spumeggiante
12. Mamma, Quel Vino E Generoso
13. Non Colombelle!...Ah! Tu Ch'Odi Lo Mio Grido
14. Che Avvien?...Ah! Non V'Avvicinate...No! Pazzo Son!
15. Cujus Animam
16. Panis Angelicus
17. Ingemisco
18. Ave Maria
19. Core 'Ngrato
20. Funiculi, Funicula - Chorus

Tracks:

1. 'O Sole Mio
2. La Serenata
3. La Danza
4. Aprile
5. Mattinata
6. Torna A Surriento
7. L'Ultima Canzone
8. La Vita E Inferno...O Tu Che In Seno
9. E La Solita Storia Del Pastor
10. Un Di All'Azzurro Spazio
11. Andrea Chenier...Corragio!...Si, Fui Soldato
12. Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
13. Di' Tu Se Fedele
14. Forse La Soglia Attinse...Ma Se M' E Forza Perderti
15. Rachel, Quand Du Seigneur
16. Puisqu'on Ne Peut Flechir...Vainement, Ma Bien-Aimee
17. Io Son Sol...Ah! Dispar, Vision
18. Ah! Non Mi Ridestar
19. Quanto E Bella - Chorus
20. Nessun Dorma - Chorus

Customer Reviews:

The Art of Gigli.......2007-03-09

After Caruso's death, Beniamino Gigli became one of the most renowned tenors in the world. His rich voice well justified his reputation. While some of his mannerisms (the little "cries" and "catches" in his voice) can be a bit overdone, they were not atypical of the time. A few reactions to specific cuts.

"Celeste Aida" from Verdi's opera is smoothly sung; his rich voice serves to good effect. As already noted, the little "cries" are unfortunate, but hardly an issue. His higher notes flow smoothly from lower ones, in a seamless fashion. It would have been nice to hear him try for the piano at the end, but he did not choose to do so. Any way you slice it, a nice version of a glorious aria.

"La donna e mobile" is taken at a rather slow pace. It is smoothly sung but does not really catch the spirit of the wretched Duke. He shows wonderful breath control. This is more a workmanlike than scintillating version. On the other hand, "Che gelida manina" is wonderful. Smooth, elegant singing. A very well done high note. An iconic version.

The twin arias from "Tosca," "Recondita armonia" and "E lucevan le stelle" are very well executed. His rendering of the final "la vita" in the latter aria is, again, noteworthy.

And now for something completely different. . . . "Funiculi funicula" is spritely sung, in good spirits, and it is a lot of fun! Most enjoyable. "O Sole mio," likewise, is well rendered. As previously noted, some "off putting" cries, but the warm, full voice more than makes up for such mannerisms. He does not overpower this song with operatic technique. The end result is most satisfying.

"La danza" befuddled the great Caruso (in his version, his breathing fell apart at one point). But not Gigli. Well sung, good breath control. Bravo Gigli!

Back to opera. . . . "Nessun dorma" is well sung. The vocalization is smooth. Gigli's voice soars over orchestra and other voices. The final "Vincero" rings out.

While this CD is not without some questions, as noted above, it is worth 5 stars for its full portrayal of the work of Gigli. As such, it can be recommended for anyone who wants a comprehensive introduction to this singer.

Gigli Is A Wonderful Singer!.......2006-07-31

It's an honor for me to be "the first" to review this recording for Amazon. As "opera lovers" know, Gigli was "the greatest tenor in the world" for many years after the death of Caruso. If you haven't heard Gigli, a great treat is in store for you! He had "penache" and drama in the way he sang. Plus he had a beautiful tonal quality! I could go on and on but if you "pass this guy up" you'll be missing some beautiful and dramatic singing from a "world class" singing actor.

Besides listening to Gigli on Cd, you'd be doing yourself a favor to buy a movie in which Gigli appears and sings. The movie is called "Non Ti Scordar di Me". I'll try to find it on amazon or from "The Bel Canto Society" and give it a "review" also. It's an "old movie" but it has a VERY touching story, is well acted, and you get to see and hear Gigli which is a great treat since he has been gone for at least 50 years. He "comes alive" in this CD and in the movie. You will "thrill" to the sound of his voice. Enjoy! Email:boland7214@aol.

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

Puccini: Turandot (Complete Opera) Maria Callas; Elisabeth Schwarzkopf: Eugenio Fernandi; Tullio Serafin Eugenio Fernandi , Giuseppe Nessi , Nicola Zaccaria , Giulio Mauri , Mario Borriello , and Milan Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala Theatre Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | 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 Similar Items: Puccini: Madama Butterfly (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Lucia Danieli, Nicolai Gedda, Herbert von Karajan, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Puccini: La Boheme (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Anna Moffo, Antonino Votto, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Bizet: Carmen (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Nicolai Gedda, Georges Pretre, Paris Opera Orchestra Puccini: Tosca (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Victor de Sabata, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Puccini: Manon Lescaut (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan ASIN: B000002RY0 Release Date: 1997-08-19

Tracks:

1. Turandot: Act One: Popolo di Pekino!
2. Turandot: Act One: Padre! Mio padre!
3. Turandot: Act One: Perduta la battaglia
4. Turandot: Act One: Gira la cote! Gira!
5. Turandot: Act One: Perche tarda la luna?
6. Turandot: Act One: La, sui monti dell'est
7. Turandot: Act One: O giovinetto!
8. Turandot: Act One: Figlio, che fai?
9. Turandot: Act One: Fermo! che fai? T'arresta!
10. Turandot: Act One: Silenzio, ola!
11. Turandot: Act One: Guardalo, Pong!
12. Turandot: Act One: Non indugiare!
13. Turandot: Act One: Signore, ascolta!
14. Turandot: Act One: Non piangere, Liu!
15. Turandot: Act One: Ah! per l'ultima volta!
16. Turandot: Act Two: Scene One: Ola, Pang! Ola, Pong!
17. Turandot: Act Two: Scene One: O Cina, o Cina
18. Turandot: Act Two: Scene One: Ho una casa nell'Honan
19. Turandot: Act Two: Scene One: O mondo, pieno di pazzi innamorati!
20. Turandot: Act Two: Scene One: Addio, amore!
21. Turandot: Act Two: Scene One: Noi si sogna
22. Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Gravi, enormi ed imponenti
23. Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Un giuramento atroce mi costringe
24. Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Diecimila anni ai nostro Imperatore!
25. Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: In questa reggia
26. Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Straniero, ascolta! Nella cupa notte
27. Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Guizza al pari di fiamma
28. Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Gelo che ti da foco
29. Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Gloria, o vincitore!
30. Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Figlio del cielo!
31. Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Tre enigmi m'Hai proposto!
32. Turandot: Act Two: Scene Two: Ai tuoi piedi ci prostriam

Tracks:

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

Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Average customer rating: 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: Delightful arias beautifully sung by von stade Frederica = Fantastic! Flicka is wonderful! Devoted Von Stade fans will rate it higher...

Frederica von Stade - Haydn, Mozart, Rossini Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Gioachino Rossini , Franz Joseph Haydn , Lausanne Chamber Orchestra , Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra , Antal Dorati , Edo de Waart , Frederica von Stade , Maurizio Mezzieri , Bas de Jong , George Pieterson , and Teresia Rieu Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Franz Joseph Haydn | Haydn, Franz Joseph | ( H ) | 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 Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Stade, Frederica von | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Von Stade, Frederica | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Frederica von Stade - French Opera Arias A Protrait of Frederica von Stade Frederica von Stade Sings Mozart & Rossini Arias [Hybrid SACD] Frederica von Stade sings Dorumsgaard, Mahler, Ives, Poulenc and others Frederica von Stade - Voyage à Paris ASIN: B0000040YM Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. La fedelta premiata: Per te m'accese amore
2. La fedelta premiata: Vanne...fuggi...traditore!
3. La fedelta premiata: Barbaro conte - Dell'amor mio fedele
4. Il mondo della luna: Una donna come me
5. Le nozze di Figaro: Non so piu
6. Le nozze di Figaro: Voi che sapete
7. La Clemenza di Tito: Ecco il punto - Non piu di fiori
8. Don Giovanni: Vedrai carino
9. La Clemenza di Tito: Parto, parto - Guardami ,e tutto obblio
10. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Una voce poco fa - Io sono docile
11. Otello: Assisa a pie d'un salice - Deh! calma, o Ciel, nel sonno
12. Le Cenerentola: Nacqui all'affanno - Non piu mesta

Customer Reviews:

Delightful arias beautifully sung by von stade.......2004-12-12

This is a very enjoyable CD, von stade's mezzo is so lovely!
It's good to have some rare haydn opera arias along-side the famous mozart and rossini arias.
von stade's rendition of "nacqui allaffanno...non piu mesta" is my favourite, she is dazzling in "non piu mesta" without being exaggerated like Bartoli.

Frederica = Fantastic!.......2001-07-07

First of all, Frederica von Stade is one of my favorite singers. The first time I saw her was in the 1973 production of Le Nozze di Figaro with Kiri te Kanawa and Ileana Cotrubas. She played Cherubino, and was incredible. The first time I listened to her, "Voi che sapete," I was sobbing, the music was so beautiful. Well, I wanted to get her cd a LOT. This one had "Voi che sapete" so I chose it, knowing that I'd hear at least one thing that I liked. Instead, I liked - or loved - everything. Her Haydn is so great to listen to- I love her teasing, "Una donna come me." Her two arias from Mozart's Figaro are great, and her, "Vedrai, carino" from Don Giovanni is the best ever for sure. The arias from, "La Clemenza di Tito" are nice but lack certain emotion. The Rossini pieces are sung swoopingly and happily, especially "Una voce poco fa." Frederica von Stade is one-of-a-kind. Don't miss this cd.

Flicka is wonderful!.......2000-11-23

This is the debut recording for Frederica von Stade, I think. Since I have watched the wonderful "La Cenerentola" with Abbado from DG, I searched for Flicka's Cenerentola. At last I found it! Now I'm very happy to hear it. Her Rossini is very elegant and beautiful. When you hear her Angelina's aria, you may think she is scolded to by her stepfather and stepsister, but she hopes someday she will be happy. She is the Cinderella many people think. Her Cherbino is wonderful and charming, too.

Flicka's voice is mellow and charming, beautiful. You will love it. The former reviewer said she lacked the technique to produce a full, satisfying sound. I agreed with it. But when I listen to this album, I always found myself to love it and know I'll hear this album again.

Also recommend: French Opera Arias from Sony Classical

Devoted Von Stade fans will rate it higher..........2000-08-18

Whether or not you like this CD will likely depend upon whether or not you like the sound of Frederica von Stade's voice from the mid-1970's, which is when these arias were recorded. She has always had a wonderful rapport with audiences; I treasure the memories of a live recital and a master class I attended a few years ago. But earlier in her career, it was the opinion of many (including my voice teachers) that she lacked the technique to produce a full, satisfying sound. Others have always loved her voice (perhaps because her style of production does give her singing an endearingly vulnerable quality), and they will almost certainly love this CD. It does seem to me, though, that her sound could be better. I find it frustrating that, after a ringing recitative on "Ecco il punto", the fluidity of her phrasing in the beginning of the aria "Non piu di fiore" is almost lost in the orchestra. This could be a problem of recording balance, but in listening to her more exposed singing in arias from the Haydn operas and Le Nozze di Figaro, I think it really is the fact that the core of the sound is missing in her production.

The repertoire itself has a lot of interest. The segments from Haydn's "La fedelta premiata" are taken from the first recording of this opera, following a revival in 1970. Haydn's operas in general provide a surprisingly satisfying followup when you have heard and heard all the wonderful Mozart operas and want more in the same style. "Dell'amor mio fedele" is very beautiful music indeed. I was also impressed with the beauty of the aria from Rossini's "Otello", an opera which is not often heard (evidently the libretto is disappointing).

Those who are not enamored of Von Stade's voice will probably feel that the more famous repertoire, such as Rossini's "Una voce poco fa" and "Non piu mesta" and the Mozart arias, is in better hands on other recordings, but I haven't heard enough of the more recently available recordings of these to be able to make recommendations. An obvious alternative would be Bartoli, another specialist in this repertoire who is adored by many and decried by others, and I'm sure it would be worth checking out other artists too.

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.

World Music:

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2. Into the Mystic
3. Inuit Nunangani (Eskimo, Inuit Music)
4. Last Fight [Import]
5. Le Meilleur Des Nouvelles Polyphonies Corses [Import]
6. Leopardefell [Import]
7. Les Indispensables [Import]
8. Listen to My Heart [Import]
9. Lupa [Import]
10. Millennium [Import]

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Ida Haendel plays Baroque Transcriptions

Mozart, Chopin, Shostakovich and others

The Willow

Italian Renaissance: 18 Saifam NRG Classics [Import]

Let Go [Limited Edition] [Import]

Moscow Art Trio

I Robot

How Will the Wolf Survive?

Loose

Keep Them Confused

Journeys by DJ

Lets Get Free [Clean]

The Photographer

Eversound Expressions, Vol. 2