In Viaggio [Import]

1. Mia Macchina

2. Giulia

3. E' Festa

4. Quando Non Ci Sarai

5. Provaci Tu

6. Poveri Noi

7. In Trattoria

8. Caffettino Caldo

9. Canzone Di Laura

10. Provaci Tu

Customer Reviews:

Excellent performance and recording.......2007-02-02

If you like Rossini, this is an a must-have recording. Sure, he tended to write the same pieces over and over again, but they are utterly delightful. These performances by Neville Marriner and his personal orchestra are precise, and the fun inherent in many of these works does not get lost in the shuffle. The orchestra is blessed with excellent woodwind players; just listen to the oboe on some of the really fast passages.

Nice recorded sound. I really don't have anything bad to say about this entire package. It's almost a desert island recording for times where Mahler or Beethoven might be a little (or a lot) heavy.

Very Nice.......2005-03-17

Yes, these overtures may be cliched, but every classical collector should probably have them. Marriner, as usual, gives great performances, and the sound quality is very good.

Sparkling Performances.......2003-09-15

I only have glowing things to say about this set of Rossini overtures. First of all, Rossini's overtures are brilliant gems. They are light, fun and full of life!! Secondly, Marriner's conducting is marvellous. The performance sparkle like precious diamonds. Everything is very enjoyable, there's not a single boring number, unlike many other discs you purchase. And to top it off, it comes at a terrific bargain price. 3 very full CDs - 75 mins, 30 mins and 65 mins - of top notch music at seven dollars a piece is incredible.

Average customer rating:

King of overtures on display
Dynamic Rossini
High Excitement
Amuse-Bocuse for the Ears!
All the Rossini I need!

Rossini: Overtures (14)

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Famous Overtures
William Tell & Other Favorite Overtures
Suppe: Overtures
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Strauss: The Best of Vienna

ASIN: B00000425N
Release Date: 1995-06-13

Tracks:

Overtures: Guillaume Tell - G. Rossini
Overtures: Il signor Bruschino - G. Rossini
Overtures: Il viaggio a Reims - G. Rossini
Overtures: La scala di seta - G. Rossini
Overtures: La gazza ladra - G. Rossini
Overtures: Il turco in Italia - G. Rossini
Overtures: L'Italiana in Algeri - G. Rossini

Tracks:

Overtures: Il barbiere di Siviglia - Gioacchino Rossini
Overtures: Torvaldo e Dorliska - Gioacchino Rossini
Overtures: La cambiale di matrimonio - Gioacchino Rossini
Overtures: Otello - Gioacchino Rossini
Overtures: Semiramide - Gioacchino Rossini
Overtures: La Siege de Corinthe - Gioacchino Rossini
Overtures: Tancredi - Gioacchino Rossini

Amazon.com essential recording

Rossini's Overtures are absolute jewels of the Classical period. He used them as his musical "calling cards," and with the exception of William Tell, there's absolutely no relationship between the overture and opera it introduces. The famous Barber of Seville overture, for example, was used previously for two tragic operas, including one called Elizabeth, Queen of England! All they were supposed to do was entertain the audience and let them know that the real business was about to begin. And that's just what they've been doing ever since. This comprehensive collection, at two discs for the price of one, will keep you in Rossini for a good, long time. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

King of overtures on display.......2007-03-07

This 2-disc set contains 14 overtures by the master of this musical form himself, G. Rossini. The music quality is good - standard for digital, the orchestration is clear, and each CD provides about 1 hour of good, lively music. The choice of music is also great, making this set a great buy.

Dynamic Rossini.......2005-04-26

For Rossini lovers, this album gives you a sample of Rossini at his best. The dynamic range of the composer, his verve and vitality delivered in the most popular overtures ever written.
The quality of the recordings is very good, and should satify any and all Rossini fans. I love to kick back, with a set of ear phones and absorb the incredible sound and muscularity of Rossini. Well worth the price of admission.

High Excitement.......2005-03-02

I originally bought the LP versions way back before CDs were introduced. High excitement is the best way I can describe the performances. I have heard nothing since to equal Chailly's energetic read. I haven't gotten this CD version yet, but the first volume one did have better quality miking then the second volume. The price makes it worth just buying the CD instead of trying to digitize my LPs.

Amuse-Bocuse for the Ears!.......2004-09-10

Just as amuse-boche is meant to entertain and tempt the tastebuds for the coming courses in a gourmet meal, so does the overture function in the operatic banquet.

Rossini is one of the greatest overture composers, and here is collection of fourteen of his best!

They are soaring and delightful. Especially captivated by some that were new to me, causing one to want to followup with the opera-- a brilliant way to cause interest in operatic world. These included the likes of Otell, Semiramide and Le Siege de Corinthe.

Amazing and vibrant double CD collection!

All the Rossini I need!.......2003-06-30

As far as I'm concerned, I don't need to search the field for any other Rossini overture CDs--this 2-CD set has it covered. Chailly's interpretations of these pieces are wonderfully exuberant, and the National Philharmonic plays with precision and flair. These CDs have become the standard I use to judge other recordings of Rossini overtures. Granted, they're not perfect: As another reviewer pointed out, Chailly takes some passages differently than we're used to hearing them (the end of the Barber of Seville overture is faster than usual, for example). However, the orchestra is so competent and the conductor so assured that these small, occasional differences are refreshing rather than annoying. As well, there are (very) occasional moments where the orchestra slips a little out of synch, but only because they're having so much fun playing the music. This is Rossini the way it was meant to sound--playful, melodious and energetic to the end.

Average customer rating:

Great CD and Voices.
The young tenors.
UNEXPECTED
Pop Op
Fabulous!

Duetto

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Salvatore Licitra - The Debut
Alessandro Safina
Sometimes I Dream
Follow Your Heart
Forbidden Love

ASIN: B00009QG9Z
Release Date: 2003-06-24

Tracks:

Oltre La Tempesta
Siempre Adorarla
Odissea
Il Volo
Fantasma D'Amore
Dovunque Sarai
Solo Amore
Maria
Son Gli Occhi Tuoi
Je Crois Entendre Encore
Mia Per Sempre
Viaggio
Vita Mia
Au Fond Du Temple Saint
Beyond The Storm (Oltre La Tempesta)

Amazon.com

The Italian Salvatore Licitra and the Argentinian Marcelo Alvarez are, arguably the two most exciting, promising (they're in their 30s), big-voiced, bread-and-butter (or steak-and-potatoes) "Italian" tenors around. Yhey have proved themselves on the stages of the great opera houses of the world and on recordings. This CD is designed to present them to a wider audience--it is clearly meant to appeal to Three Tenors and Andrea Bocelli fans. And, in fact, it succeeds. These guys have glorious voices: Licitra's is darker and somewhat heavier than Alvarez's, but the latter's shine is irresistible; one might compare them to Domingo and Pavarotti, respectively, to make that point. Neither has any problem throughout his entire range; each has big, secure top notes, and there's an innate musical intelligence at work at all times. Opera fans will relish the fantastic singing--listening to them trade high B naturals in the CD's third song, "Odissea," is thrilling--but will probably be disappointed by the music. It's soupily arranged, sentimental background drivel with catchy melodies (parts of "Salut demeure" from Gounod's Faust show up in something called "Son gli occhi tuoi," complete with a stellar high C from Alvarez), and even the gorgeous duet from Bizet's Les Pêcheurs de Perles (one of two "classical" pieces on the CD, if one doesn't count an instrumental piece by Bach to which trite lyrics have been added) has been re-arranged to include a tinny chorus, when singing it as written would have been a magnificent treat. Their voices are bathed in a phony-pop glow which will please the Bocelli market while continuing to horrify purists. Yet it is impossible not to be bowled over by the singing--a few off-pitch-at-low-volume moments and a mess of a "Je crois entendre encore" aside. In short, two high-power, world-class operatic tenors in their prime, singing, for the most part, music in which the treacle level is obnoxiously--even dangerously--high. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Great CD and Voices........2005-10-18

I love tenors and Italian music. Groban, Safina, Bocelli, Frangolis. These two men are in their category, and one of them even sounds like Safina. Very pleasant to listen in the car and in my office. I can listen more than once a day. You have to listen more than once. Don't expect to fall in love from the first sound.

Some critisizm:
a)One of the tenors is using to much vibrato, since it's popera... otherwise it's sounds great.
b)Duetto needs to be a Tenor - Soprano. These two guys should make separate CDs with two ladies. Groban does it very well!

The young tenors........2005-09-12

The amazing part of this album is that two young tenors can make as much music as three tenors (Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti) have in the past. Salvatore Licitra and Marcelo Alvarez are the future - there is a balance in how they sing together, adding strength to rather than competing with one another.

UNEXPECTED.......2005-08-09

I bought this CD on suggestion from Amazon.com...I am thrilled with the music. The songs are emotional, beautiful, and well done. It was a great choice.

Pop Op.......2004-05-15

Their voices blend well and the opera duets are a little out of the ordinary. Unfotunately,they have been orchestrated with a Hollywood flair and sung with synthetic flamboyance. What a pity that it is only nice background music. I had hoped for excitement.

Fabulous!.......2004-02-24

I LOVED this CD. I'm a fan of tenors, but not a serious student of their voices, so I can't attest to the flawlessness of phrasing, etc. However, I found the music to be soulful and stirring, and Licitra and Alvarez's voices full and rich. I have given this CD to everyone I know - my parents, cousins, great aunts and friends, even my massage therapist, and everyone has enjoyed it. I listen to it often, pretending to sing along!

Average customer rating:

You've never heard "The Godfather" like this
Italian Scala and Muti feels Rota!

Nino Rota: Music For Film
Nino Rota , and Riccardo Muti
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Nino Rota: Concerto for Strings; "La Strada" Suite; Dances from "Il Gattopardo"
The Essential Nino Rota Film Music Collection
Nino Rota: La Strada; Il Gattopardo; Concerto Soirée
Fellini Rota: Music from the Classic Films of Federico Fellini
Film Music of Nino Rota

ASIN: B0000029ZF
Release Date: 1998-01-13

Tracks:

The Godfather: I. Sicilian Pastorale
The Godfather: II. The Immigrant (The Godfather II)
The Godfather: III. The Pickup
The Godfather: IV. Kay (The Godfather II)
The Godfather: V. Love Theme
The Godfather: VI. A New Carpet (The Godfather II)
The Godfather: VII. Godfather's Waltz
The Godfather: VIII. End Title (The Godfather II)
8 1/2: La passerella di addio
La Dolce Vita: La tromba di Polydor
Prova D'Orchestra: I. Risatine Maliziose (Malinconiche)
Prova D'Orchestra: II. I Gemelli allo Specchio
Prova D'Orchestra: III. Valzerino No. 72
Prova D'Orchestra: IV. Attesa
Prova D'Orchestra: V. Galop
Prova D'Orchestra: VI. Risatine Maliziose (Finale)
Rocco E I Suoi Fratelli: I. Titoli
Rocco E I Suoi Fratelli: II. Canzone Barese ('Paese mio')
Rocco E I Suoi Fratelli: III. Milano e Nadia
Rocco E I Suoi Fratelli: IV. Terra Lontana
Rocco E I Suoi Fratelli: V. Finale - Nadia
IL GATTOPARDO: I. Titoli
IL GATTOPARDO: II. (No.6) Viaggio a Donnafugata
IL GATTOPARDO: III. (No.19) Angelica e Tancredi
IL GATTOPARDO: IV. (No.11) Angelica e Tancredi
IL GATTOPARDO: V. (No.7) I Sogni del Principe
IL GATTOPARDO: VI. (No.3) Partenza di Tancredi
IL GATTOPARDO: VII. (No.21) Amore e ambizione
IL GATTOPARDO: VII. (No.22) Quasi in porto
IL GATTOPARDO: IX. Finale

Customer Reviews:

You've never heard "The Godfather" like this.......2003-08-13

For me the highlight of this disc is a short suite from "Rocco and His Brothers," with some pungent accordion work and 1950's jazz influences. This is glorious and rarely performed music, and conductor Riccardo Muti and the fine La Scala musicians should be thanked for presenting it so beautifully. (The film itself, available on DVD, is one of Visconti's best and well worth seeking out.) But there isn't a stale moment anywhere.

The melancholy themes from "The Godfather" have probably never been played so well. The famous opening trumpet solo, combining loneliness and menace in equal parts, is beautifully done, as are the relatively upbeat selections from "8-1/2" and "La Dolce Vita." Throughout the production, it is marvelous to hear these scores played with such passion and commitment, and the La Scala musicians sound sweepingly involved.

But for many listeners the highlight will be the dazzling and haunting waltzes from "The Leopard," with their melodic arcs echoing the grand scale of Visconti's masterpiece. This is truly evocative film writing.

An excellent introduction to Rota's music, played with suave intensity by one of the best conductors in the world. (For those interested, Muti and La Scala recorded another Rota CD with additional dances from "The Leopard," as well as music from "La Strada" and the "Concerto for Strings" -- also highly recommended.)

Italian Scala and Muti feels Rota!.......2001-07-25

Perhaps this is the most powerfull collection of film music of Nino Rota, and Muti knows and feel this music. Splendid perfomance and sound.

Average customer rating:

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

Kathleen Battle - Bel Canto Arias
Vincenzo Bellini , Gioachino Rossini , Gaetano Donizetti , London Philharmonic Orchestra , Bruno Campanella , Kathleen Battle , Richard Croft , John Constable , Pal Christian Moe , Randi Stene , Mark S. Doss , and Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Kathleen Battle Sings Mozart
The Bach Album
Kathleen Battle Sings Mozart
Kathleen Battle · Wynton Marsalis ~ Baroque Duet / Anthony Newman · Orch St. Luke's · Nelson
Kathleen Battle at Carnegie Hall

ASIN: B000001GH1
Release Date: 1993-10-12

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Average customer rating:

Martha Masters - Viaggio in Italia

Manufacturer: Gsp Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Musings
Martha Masters: Guitar Recital
Angels in the Street: The Solo Guitar Works of Eduardo Martin
Paul Galbraith: French Impressions
Si ji (Four Seasons)

ASIN: B000I0QJS4
Release Date: 2006-09-12

Tracks:

Giuliani: Gran Sonata Eroica, Op.150
Regondi: Etude #6 in D minor
Regondi: Etude #8 in G major
Scarlatti: Sonata in D major, K. 277
Scarlatti: Sonata in A major, K. 208
Scarlatti: Sonata in D major, K. 178
Johanson: Ciaccona
Gilardino: Colloquio con Andrés Segovia
Iannarelli: Variazioni - en Mémoire de S. Rachmaninoff

Average customer rating:

FINALLY we have THE event

Rossini Gala
Rockwell Blake , Chris Merritt , Thomas Hampson , Kathleen Kuhlmann , Melanie Feld , Samuel Ramey , and Frederica Von Stade
Manufacturer: Virgin Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005TNNE
Release Date: 2002-08-13

Tracks:

La Gazza Ladra: Sinfonia - Orchestra Of St. Luke's
La Donna Del Lago: Mura Felici - Marilyn Horne
Stabat Mater: Inflammatus - Deborah Voigt
La Cenerentola: Nacqui All'affanno... Non Piu Mesta - Jan Opalach
Zelmira: S'intessano Agli Allori... Terra Amica - Rockwell Blake
Bianca E Falliero: Cielo, Il Mio Labbro Ispira - Marilyn Horne

Tracks:

Guillaume Tell: Ne M'Abandonne Point... Asile Hereditaire - Chris Merritt
Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum - Thomas Hampson
Petite Messe Solennelle: Agnus Dei - Kathleen Kuhlmann
L'Italiana In Algeri: Pappataci! Che Mai Sento - Jan Opalach
Zelmira: Perche Mi Guardi, E Piangi - Deborah Voigt
Le Siege De Corinthe: La Flamme Rapide... La Gloire Et La Fortune - Samuel Ramey
Il Viaggio A Reims: A Tal Colpo Inaspettato - Jan Opalach

Customer Reviews:

FINALLY we have THE event.......2003-11-20

I shall have to go back to my video of the gala to see if virtually very number sung is there (though I am sure a couple are missing as Marilyn Horne sang an aria from Tancredi to replace June Anderson, who was ill; this is not on this recording). Still, in this recording we are getting a better representation of the wonderful night of great and glorious singing. All of the singers were sublime! I don't know what the hold up is to just releasing the entire concert as it was sung. Why companies think they need to "edit" the gala is beyond me, for it was fabulous and it didn't have a dull moment. Fortunately, we are now able to listen to the selection that ends the first section and drove the audience wild. The trio from Bianca e Fallieri. This piece was virtually unknown to the public at the gala at that time. Did it ever drive them wild, and did the artists ever do a fabulous job.

The sound is fine, but this is a live performance, so you will hear the clapping and a few (but very few) audience noises. In the original broadcast of the gala when Thomas Hampton sang the Largo di factotum from Barbiere he had some funny interactions with the members of the chorus and was quite a personality. That comes through wonderfully, and the audience responded with excitement.

In the closing number from the Voyage to Reims, the audience actually laughed, not because of the singing, but because in a very specific place Horne and Merit, I believe, were singing a part, immitating each other, and their expressions were priceless.

Sadly, as I said, once again it is not complete. However, what you get is a wealth of wonderful Rossini singing at its best. Some of the numbers that were issued on the original released CD of this event (limited to only one CD, and even then the numbers were sometimes cut) are not included in this one. I guess the only way to get the entire thing is to buy both versions of the gala, even then a few very excellent numbers are left out. It is worth the money, and it is enjoyable, but like I said, "WHEN WILL THE RECORDING COMPANIES STOP FOOLING AROUND WITH THE GALA AND SIMPLY RELEASE THE WHOLE OF IT!" When that happens, rush out and get it, you won't be disappointed.

Puccini: Le Villi
Average customer rating:

Grammy Award Nominee - Best Opera Recording 1981

Puccini's first more enjoyable than Verdi or Wagner debuts.

Scotto and Domingo Shine

Puccini: Le Villi

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Maazel, Lorin | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B0000025J1
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Customer Reviews:

Grammy Award Nominee - Best Opera Recording 1981.......2003-02-11

I would think that this recording would be more readily available, given the accolades it has received.

Puccini's first more enjoyable than Verdi or Wagner debuts........2001-11-12

Puccini's first opera 'Le Villi', even in the revised version recorded here, bears all the marks of having been rushed in a few months for a competition deadline (he lost), and being based on a sloppy, almost comically inept libretto. As 'Suor Angelica' would later prove, the supernatural never suited Puccini's prosaic temperament (although, effectively, the ghost of the dead heroine here inspires ghostly remembrances of the earlier part of the score); the eerie atmosphere the Villi (restless spirits of women who died before marriage, revenging themselves by dancing their faithless men to death) should evoke is botched by abrupt plotting; and the climax, in which the anti-hero Roberto is chased in a ballet by furious spirits, after a 'Tannhauser'-like reunion scene, verges on the ridiculous.

What saves this opera is its intimations of future greatness; the epic, orchestrally rich melodies synonymous with Puccini; the communal, dancing jubilation that opens the work, anticipating the heady second act of 'La Boheme'; the gloomy funeral dirge looking to the famous 'Intermezzo' of 'Manon Lescaut'; the plot about a woman abandoned by a fickle man, and an extraordinary, extended love duet hinting at 'Madama Butterfly'. further, the bulk of Act 2 is taken up with an amazing, long, broken series of anguished arias by Roberto, lamenting his moral weakness, the loss of his betrothed and communal warmth, and the intolerable weight of remorse figured ironically in the wispy sprites tormenting him.

With this cast - Renata Scotto, a superbly harried Placido Domingo, a sardonic Tito Gobbi as Narrator - could make a radio jingle sound emotionally overwhelming; with Loren Maazel creating great gusts with his orchestra, this flawed but promising little work is a must-have.

Scotto and Domingo Shine.......1999-08-15

This is the best recording of Puccini's first opera. The music is beautiful and powerful. There are so many great moments in this opera, and Scotto and Domingo show great artistry in this recording. Their duet at the begining is very moving and their exchange at the end of the opera is thrilling. Domingo's aria at the end has never been sung better by anyone. Cura, and Alagna can't touch him.

Average customer rating:

Exceptional recording - full marks to all concerned
Luminous, radiant and colourful !!!
bad taste
Il Gardino Armonico Viaggio Musicale

Viaggio Musicale

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004Y31C
Release Date: 2001-01-02

Amazon.com

Baroque ensemble Il Giardino Armonico take a step away from Bach, Biber, and Vivaldi to create this intriguing disc of lesser-heard 17th century compositions from Italy. These short instrumental pieces--Dario Castello's Sonata IV is the longest, at over seven minutes, while Monteverdi's Sinfonia de Il ritorno d'Ulisse in Patria clocks in at under a minute--were all composed during the era of Monteverdi's operatic output, and they each seem to mimic the drama and intonation of the human voice. But the young ensemble's creative programming doesn't stop in the selection of compositions. This disc seamlessly melds Tarquino Merula's multilayered Ciaccona to a harpsichord improvisation (there are also wonderful improvisations for solo lute and violin scattered about the disc). From the jazzy opening of Uccellini's weird Aria sopra "la Bergamasca" for flute, cello, harp, and citerone to the slow-paced melancholy of Giovanni Battista Riccio's Sonata a 4, there's a treasure trove of great Baroque music here. These left-field works sound completely fresh and vibrant, a testament both to the composers and the sprightly playing of Il Giardino Armonico. Highly recommended. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Exceptional recording - full marks to all concerned.......2003-08-11

Do not listen to any unfavourable reviews of this album - it is simply one of the best of its kind.
The violin, recorder, cornett, mute cornett, dulcian,lute, harpsichord and cello playing is first rate, imaginative and daring. All of the music on this recording is wonderfully alive and vibrant. The violin playing is particularly good and the two mute cornetts and dulcians in the Riccio Sonata A 4 make soft and sensual sounds - unlike anything you'll ever hear from later Baroque music.

Every lover of Early Baroque instrumental music should investigate this fabulous disc.

Luminous, radiant and colourful !!!.......2003-07-20

I can't understand the one star critic made by "a music fan from Italy". He said and I quote : " Every piece of music can become banal in the hands of "Il giardino armonico".

I am surely dreaming.

All the recording by this little ensemble are far away from banality. Sometimes deranging and extravagant, they gave to the listener real pleasure because they are playing without any formal constraint. The contrast and the diversity that whe can heared in their recording is the main mark identification of their ORIGINALITY.

Enrico Onofri is brilliant as usual on the violin. All the musicians plays with vigour.

Of couse, this is quiet music. Don't wait for little tornado like it was the case in the "Seasons" or in "La Notte". This is almost charming music with some moments of great intensity.

I owned already most of the music recorded there with "La sonatori de la Gioisa Marca"( two albums on Divox Antiqua- with bad sound- sold at high prices with a lot of rewards from the press...)

Nevertheless, I prefer this recording. Sound is suberb and the music is played by very talentuous musicians. From my heart, 5 stars.

bad taste.......2003-02-10

Every piece of music can become banal in the hands of "Il giardino armonico". We already know all the cheap tricks that made this group famous: sudden dynamics changes, bizarre rhythmical choices & tempos, and ugly sounds in search of an improbable Italian early baroque authenticity. I would like to point out here the very poor conception of phrasing shown by the violin and recorder, very short phrases without any idea of the piece as a whole, with a particular attention given to frequents distasteful effects, as for example in the Cima sonata (recorder and BC), where every cadence resolution is preceded by a disturbing interruption (ups, I got there too early), and in the unnecessary display of aimless virtuosity in Rognoni's variation of "vestiva I colli", knowing well the piece I have to point out I'm deeply conviced that the tempo should be slower and the overal caracter very melancolic. The violin playing is particularly weak, from a sound production point of view, please notice the trembling pianissimos, and the lack of colors in the sound itself and constant interruption of the melodic line (ups the jumping bow its alive!) . A high peak of poor taste in cd is Ucellini's La Bergamasca, where once again we are just abused with this kind of annoying cartoon music. The only good things I can say about the cd are about the fine playing of the cornettos (Jean Tubèry,Gebhard David), dulcian (alberto Guerra), and viola da gamba (Vittorio Ghielmi), so bad that the main part of the group (recorder,violin, lute) didn't listen to them, may be they would had learn something.

Il Gardino Armonico Viaggio Musicale.......2001-01-20

Magnificent, the arrangement and interpretation! Italy and the 'Seicento' is arising. I recommend it for times with a glimpse of happiness.

Rossini, Auber, Berlioz: Overtures [SACD]

Average customer rating:

Rossini, Auber, Berlioz: Overtures [SACD]

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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