La Prima Vez [Import]

Track Listings

 
1. Scalerica De Oro
2. Daile A Cenar
3. Novia Destrenza El Peolo
4. No Me Puso Mi Madre Cosa
5. Ashuar Nuevo
6. Durme Mi Alma Donzeya
7. Avre Tu Perta Cerrada
8. Prima Vez
9. Serena
10. Mes De Mayo
11. Buena Semana
12. Ha Mavdil
13. Kol Ha Neshama Tehalel'ya
14. Ani Le Dodi Ve Dodi Li
15. Chichi Bunichi
16. Durme Durme
17. Tres Hermanikas
18. A La Una Yo Nasi
19. Una Tarde De Verano
20. Ken Supiesse Y Entendiess
See all 21 tracks on this disc

La Prima Vez,Fortuna,Fortu,Rock/Pop,World Music
The Antiphonal Music of Gabrieli
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Antiphonal Masterpiece
  • All-star brass
  • Instant playing
  • A VERY special album
  • I think Gabrieli would like this album
The Antiphonal Music of Gabrieli

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Gabrieli, GiovanniGabrieli, Giovanni | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
FantasiesFantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
$7.99 and Under$7.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
All Classical Music BlowoutAll Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Gabrieli, GiovanniGabrieli, Giovanni | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
InstrumentalInstrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Classical MusicClassical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Classical Instrumental MusicClassical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Music Of Gabrieli
  2. Gabrieli · Monteverdi · Vivaldi - Venetian Church Music / Taverner Consort, Choir & Players · Andrew Parrott
  3. The Chicago Principal: First Chair Soloist Play Famous Concertos
  4. Glorious Sound of Brass
  5. Gabrieli: The Canzonas and Sonatas from Sacrae Symphoniae 1597

ASIN: B0000029PE
Release Date: 1996-10-01

Tracks:

  1. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Septimi Toni No. 2
  2. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Duodecimi Toni
  3. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon A 12
  4. Giovanni Gabrieli: Sonata Octavi Toni
  5. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Per Sonare No. 27
  6. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Quarti Toni
  7. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon A 12
  8. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Per Sonare No. 28
  9. Giovanni Gabrieli: Sonate Pian'e Forte
  10. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Primi Toni
  11. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Septimi Toni No. 1
  12. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Noni Toni
  13. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Per Sonare No. 2
  14. Giovanni Gabrieli: Primo Tono
  15. Giovanni Gabrieli: Secondo Tono
  16. Giovanni Gabrieli: Terzo E Quarto Tono
  17. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Per Sonare No. 1 La Spiritata
  18. Giovanni Gabrieli: Ottavo Tono
  19. Giovanni Gabrieli: Nono Tono
  20. Giovanni Gabrieli: Decimo Tono
  21. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Per Sonare No. 3 Intonazioni D'organo
  22. Giovanni Gabrieli: Undicesimo Tono
  23. Giovanni Gabrieli: Duodecimo Tono
  24. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Per Sonare No. 4
  25. Giovanni Gabrieli: Fantasia In The Sixth Tone
  26. Giovanni Gabrieli: Tocata In D Minor
  27. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Prima In G Major
  28. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Seconda In C Major
  29. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Terza In A Minor
  30. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Quarta In G Minor
  31. Giovanni Gabrieli: Canzon Quinta In G Minor
  32. Giovanni Gabrieli: Toccata In G Major

Amazon.com

Venice was a good place to be in the 17th century if you liked to hang out in church--not that you had much choice in those days. Gabrieli's reputation rests on his "polychoral" compositions: works for several choirs, a choir being any size group of voices or instruments. For example, a sacred composition for three choirs might have two brass groups and one chorus, or two choruses and one brass ensemble. The idea was to keep things flexible to allow for changing local conditions. The result, in any case, was a magnificent "question and answer" style of writing, in which great blocks of harmony challenged each other from opposite sides of San Marco Cathedral. If this sort of thing intrigues you, then you owe it to yourself to hear this terrific collection. It's a cosmic experience. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Antiphonal Masterpiece.......2007-05-16

This recording unifies arguably the 3 best brass sections from American Brass orchestras in a performance of the antiphonal music of Giovanni Gabrieli. The Chicago, Philadelphia, and Cleveland brass sections are used here and they work together as groups as well as they ever did with their corresponding orchestras. This was recorded without conductor, rehearsal, or even a tuning note, however, this is irrelevant when looking at the result. Given performers of the caliber of Adolph "Bud" Herseth, Arnold Jacobs, and Gilbert Johnson it is little wonder that this fine quality could be achieved with minimum preparation. I have looked at a number of other examples of this music including recordings by the Empire Brass and the Canadian Brass (and friends) and neither comes close to the emotion and beauty of this performance.

The different groups played directed off the vocal and instrumental parts written by Gabrieli making any adjustment for transposition in their head on sight, thus allowing them all to be as much focused on the music as possible as they were not looking at 3rd generation arrangements which always tend to leave out markings. These possibly were the best brass performers in America at the time and their interpretations are unified through exceptional listening across the ensemble for intonation, style, and tempo. A slightly non-justifiable reason that I hold for this album's excellence is the raw energy and beauty of this unprepared collaboration. In the time of Gabrieli, rehearsals were rare, and musicians would, on a daily basis, sit down and perform music that they hadn't studied, and while these are not the original instruments for which Gabrieli wrote, the quick pacing of this production (one weekend) to me lends more on the positive side for the enjoyment of the listener.

In short, this is a remarkable collaboration of some of the best performers on fantastic Renaissance literature and worthy of owning merely for that fact, and when combined with live and engaging performances where the music is played expertly from one section to the next off of each individual, this album becomes a gem for anyone with an interest in the brass ensemble sound.

5 out of 5 stars All-star brass.......2007-01-17

If you like antiphonal music or even just music, it doesn't get any better! With the best brass players in the world playing Gabrieli, you couldn't want more musically!

3 out of 5 stars Instant playing.......2006-07-11

I very like the diversity of instruments used in this recording, and it is shure something special to have all the first brass of so many US orchestras together. But they play on first sight, without preparation, and this results in lack of precision, it is just not the right kind of music to do "ad-hoc". They would do very well with Jazz, but not with Gabrieli. Nevertheless the performance is by far better then the one of Empire Brass. Overall I would recommend the complete Gabrieli Works on Naxos played by London Brass. They lack diversity of instruments because they play on Trumpets and Trombones only, but there is the precision adn musicality.

5 out of 5 stars A VERY special album.......2005-08-03

If you've been into brass for 40 years, you probably already know that this is a very unusual gathering of the top of the top!
My only complaint is with the web site sound samples being MONO !
This album is in STEREO and really portrays the placement of the 3 major antiphonal quintets! You won't be disapointed.

5 out of 5 stars I think Gabrieli would like this album.......2005-04-28

The purists have a good point - this recording is not historically accurate. In Gabrieli's time most written music was for sacred events. I'm sure the church officials would have objected to the volume level and intensity of this recording. Composers in the Renaissance and Baroque periods were pretty much slaves to their employers. I think that if Gabrieli had present day instruments and full performance control he would have performed his works differently.
If you love quality brass music read the five star reviews and buy this album!
Mob Hits - Music From and a Tribute to the Great Mob Movies
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • How can people fall for this? Would never play at my wedding
  • Fun songs
  • What a rip...
  • Fun listening...
  • "Blast From The Past"
Mob Hits - Music From and a Tribute to the Great Mob Movies
Various , Dean Martin , Jerry Vale , Louis Prima , Al Martino , Julius La Rosa , Rosemary Clooney , and Lou Monte
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Swing GeneralSwing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
Vocal Jazz GeneralVocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
Traditional PopTraditional Pop | Oldies | Pop | Styles | Music
Traditional VocalistsTraditional Vocalists | Compilations | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
ClassicClassic | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Soundtracks | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Mob Hits II: More Music from the Great Mob Movies
  2. Eh, Paisano! 100% Italian-American Classics
  3. Mob Hits Christmas
  4. Jerry Vale Sings the Great Italian Hits
  5. Viva Italia! Festive Italian Classics

ASIN: B00000IGQI

Amazon.com

As you may already know from seeing it hawked incessantly on late-night TV by Jerry Vale, Mob Hits is a compilation CD that attempts to capture the ambience of the modern gangster pic by assembling songs heard in key scenes of such films as The Godfather, GoodFellas, Donnie Brasco, and Casino. While licensing restrictions keep the music of Frank Sinatra from being part of this collection (odd, as the address on this package is the address for his long-time label Capitol Records), the selection and sequencing of well-known Italian "hits" by Vale, Dean Martin, Louis Prima, Lou Monte, Al Martino, and Julius LaRosa gets the job done with discretion and honor. And the liner notes even offer a toll-free number for homemade pasta sauce. --Gregg Turkington

Album Description

The ultimate collection of songs from the best mob movie soundtracks. Includes hits from legendary crooners like Dean Martin, Jerry Vale, Louis Prima & Al Martino. Featuring the most memorable & loved songs from classic mob movies such as 'The Godfather', 'Goodfellas', 'Casino' & 'Donnie Brasco'. 22 tracks in all. 1998 release. Standard jewel case.

Customer Reviews:

1 out of 5 stars How can people fall for this? Would never play at my wedding.......2007-04-13

I would have never personally bought this CD, just because I would never financially contribute to a product that makes money off of putting down a culture (I happen to be Sicilian American and proud of it). A well-meaning friend gave me the CD for my birthday, since I am getting married next year. I can't believe he paid so much for this compilation of a bunch of old Italian songs you could find anywhere, and for so much less (try the library!) I can't believe people are still paying top dollar for a bunch of crappy songs, just because Mob is in the title and the Sopranos are back on HBO. Come on people. Don't you see you are being ripped off?

3 out of 5 stars Fun songs.......2006-11-06

Lots of the classics on CD no.1. Great for setting the mood if you want to throw a red-sauce Italian dinner party. CD no. 2 definitely has lesser "side B" kinds of stuff.

2 out of 5 stars What a rip..........2006-09-01

Yeah, the music is good (excepting the crappy "Godfather" remake), but this is a little over 60 minutes of music released on two CDs, for no good reason other than to charge the unwitting consumer more money. You could fit the entire collection on one disc, and have room for 8 more songs (they're saving those for "Mob Hits 2", ripping you off at store near you!). There are better compilations out there... and better deals.

5 out of 5 stars Fun listening..........2006-08-13

This is the second set I have purchased....I wore the other set out. My cousin in Italy laughed for an hour after hearing it. We call it our happy music. It tugs at my Italian heart.

5 out of 5 stars "Blast From The Past".......2006-06-01

Wow...Good Old Dago Songs...Feel like I'm back in old Atlantic City...You know - Steel Pier...500 Club etc.
Music Of The Crusades
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • This one'll get ya going.
  • TIME TRAVEL
  • Interesting variety
  • A trip through history
  • Overrated
Music Of The Crusades

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Walther v. der VogelweideWalther v. der Vogelweide | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
The Decca Records StoreThe Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Sinners & Saints: The Ultimate Medieval and Renaissance Music Collection
  2. Music for a Medieval Banquet
  3. Codex Faenza: Instrumental Music of the Early 15th Century
  4. Music of the Troubadours
  5. Medieval Dance Music

ASIN: B0000041XJ
Release Date: 1991-04-05

Tracks:

  1. Music Of The Crusades: La quinte estampie real
  2. Music Of The Crusades: Pax in nomine Domini!
  3. Music Of The Crusades: Parti de mal - Third Crusade
  4. Music Of The Crusades: Chevalier, mult estes guariz - Second Crusade
  5. Music Of The Crusades: Chanterai por mon corage - Third Crusade
  6. Music Of The Crusades: Danse real
  7. Music Of The Crusades: Sede, Syon, in pulvere
  8. Music Of The Crusades: Palastinalied - Sixth Crusade
  9. Music Of The Crusades: Condicio - O nacio - Mane prima
  10. Music Of The Crusades: O tocius Asie - Crusade of 1248
  11. Music Of The Crusades: La uitime estampie real
  12. Music Of The Crusades: Cum sint difficilia - Crusade of 1248
  13. Music Of The Crusades: Li noviaus tens - Le Chatelain de Coucy - Third Crusade
  14. Music Of The Crusades: Fortz chausa es (Gaucelm Faidit) - Lament On The Death Of Richard Coeur - de - Lion
  15. Music Of The Crusades: Je ne puis - Amors me tienent - Veritatem
  16. Music Of The Crusades: Ahi! Amours - Third Crusade
  17. Music Of The Crusades: La tierche estampie real
  18. Music Of The Crusades: Ja nus hons pris - Song Of Captivity
  19. Music Of The Crusades: Au tens plain do felonnie - Crusade fo 1239

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars This one'll get ya going........2007-05-19

For early music people, this is another great compilation of stuff you just like to put on in the background while doing your daily routine. Good times.

5 out of 5 stars TIME TRAVEL.......2006-08-15

LIKE A TRIP BACK IN TIME. FROM THE FIRST NOTES, I WAS TRANSPORTED.

4 out of 5 stars Interesting variety.......2006-03-28

One of the problems I have with many early music CDs is an emphasis on one place in a time period. This reissue manages to avoid that flaw by including minnesinger, troubador, trouvere, and instrumental pieces, though the liner notes could easily have told us which of the pieces were troubador, and which trouvere, instead of just the tantalizing "two are troubador (written in langue d'oc)" without identifying which.

As a sampler, it is excellent, though the vocal pieces tend to be somewhat slow--not all the lyrics seem consistent with that delivery, so this is probably an artist's choice. It would be interesting to hear the same pieces performed now, 30 years later, with 30 years of new scholarship. Ah well, nothing is perfect!

5 out of 5 stars A trip through history.......2005-09-29

The time of the Crusades spanned several centuries, from the time Pope Urban II called upon Christendom to fight for Jerusalem until the thirteenth century (this does not include the numerous minor, unnumbered crusades, sometimes against other Christians). The Crusades became for many in the Middle Ages a romantic ideal; the appeal for those who would join the Crusades was two-fold, both riches in this world and salvation in the next.

In this collection, the texts of the songs are primarily contemporary with the Crusades, although a few come from later troubadour and folk songs. Some songs here directly relate to the Crusades in content (for example, Pax in nomine Domini!), whereas others are songs contemporary with and popular among the Crusaders, but have no direct relation to the Crusades. 'Ja nus hons pris' is one such song, which has origins attributed to one of the most famous of the Crusaders, Richard the Lionhearted.

One of the problems with music from this time period is that very little written material exists. What music notation there is often is reminiscent of Gregorian chant - there are markers for pitch, but nothing for rhythmic values, melodies, etc. Similarly, the types of instruments are often not listed for particular songs, so it becomes educated guesswork as to the instruments used - lutes, rebec, wind instruments, percussion, etc.

The performances here are wonderful and full. The Early Music Consort of London recorded this first for vinyl in 1970; this CD is a reissue, well engineered. David Munrow was the director as well as performer on recorder, fluet, shawm, crumhorn and bagpipes. Munrow's talents are well suited to this kind of medieval music. Among the other performers are soprano Christina Clarke, counter tenors James Bowman and Charles Brett, tenor Nigel Rogers and baritone Geoffrey Shaw. Musicians include Eleanor Sloan on treble rebec, Oliver Brookes on bass rebec, James Tyler on lute and citole, Gillian Reid on the bells, Christopher Hogwood on harp, organ, nakers and tabor, and James Blades on nakers and tabor.

This recording is superb, a great addition to an early music library, and a joy to have as a CD - I had the vinyl of this, but over time it warped in storage, and I was very sad to have lost such a brilliant collection of music. Here it is again, restored and full of power and life.

2 out of 5 stars Overrated.......2005-03-03

Note that I am a harsh reviewer, especially for music... but there are a lot of problems with this CD and there are better other there.

It is certainly interesting music and it does have historical value, but it is by no means unique.

Here are my criticisms:

1)
All of the 19 tracks are short. They range from 1-4 minutes with an average of around 2 1/2 minutes per track.

2)
This wouldn't be all that bad, except that none of those 19 tracks really stood out. They are all slow-paced and generic with little feeling of variety. Essentially, despite being a fan of the genre, I just couldn't get 'into' any of the music. It was not at all inspiring.

3)
One of my favorite things about medieval/renaissance music is the excellent balance and combination of voice talent and instruments.
This CD did not come through at all in that area, however.
The majority of this CD was the mellow, slow-paced singing that many people associate with the genre.
However, whenever the singers got going, the relatively few instruments all disappeared entirely, leaving you with just the singers (who weren't powerful enough to carry the show alone).


If you are a fan of the genre, then you might want to add this to your collection just because it isn't very expensive.

However, if you are merely interested in trying out the archaic music genre, then I defintely would recommend:
"Sinners & Saints - The Ultimate Medieval and Renaissance Music Collection"
*instead* of this one.
I gave Sinners & Saints a 5/5 - It was the CD that this one should've been.
Luciano Pavarotti - Nessun dorma (Arias & Duets)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Luciano Pavarotti - Nessun dorma (Arias & Duets)
    Luciano Pavarotti , Mirella Freni , and Katia Ricciarelli
    Manufacturer: Decca
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    All Works by DonizettiAll Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by MassenetAll Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by MeyerbeerAll Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by PonchielliAll Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by PucciniAll Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by VerdiAll Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by RossiniAll Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    RequiemsRequiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works Featuring Luciano PavarottiAll Works Featuring Luciano Pavarotti | Pavarotti, Luciano | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    RomancesRomances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    FrenchFrench | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    MassesMasses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    RequiemsRequiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    The Decca Records StoreThe Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
    4-for-3 Opera & Vocal4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco...
    2. Luciano Pavarotti - Passione - Neapolitan Songs
    3. O Sole Mio: Favorite Neapolitan Songs
    4. The Best of Luciano Pavarotti: 20th Century Masters/The Millennium Collection
    5. Great Duets & Trios / Sutherland, Horne, Pavarotti

    ASIN: B00004Z32N
    Release Date: 2001-03-27

    Tracks:

    1. La Traviata: Libiamo ne' lieti calici (Brindisi)
    2. Werther: Pourquoi me reveiller
    3. L'Elisir d'Amore: Una parola ... Chiedi all'aura
    4. La Gioconda: Cielo e mar
    5. La Traviata: Parigi, o cara
    6. L'africana: Mi batte il cor ... O paradiso
    7. Turandot: Nessun dorma
    8. Petite Messe solennelle: Domine Deus
    9. Requiem: Ingemisco
    10. La Traviata: Lungi da lei ... De' miei bollenti spiriti
    11. Macbeth: Ah, la paterna mano
    12. I lombardi: La mia letizia infondere
    13. Otello: Gia nella notte densa
    Andrea Bocelli: Verdi
    Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
    • Not as good as Amore
    • a voice teacher and early music fan
    • Verdi
    • The triumph of mediocrity
    • no expert
    Andrea Bocelli: Verdi
    Zubin Mehta , Israel Philharmonic Orchestra , and Zubin Mehta
    Manufacturer: Philips
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    All Works by VerdiAll Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Bocelli, AndreaBocelli, Andrea | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Bocelli, AndreaBocelli, Andrea | A to B | Featured Performers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Vocal Works by VerdiVocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Adult Contemporary | Pop | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Andrea Bocelli - The Opera Album ~ Aria
    2. Cieli di Toscana
    3. Andrea
    4. Sentimento: Andrea Bocelli with Lorin Maazel and the London Symphony Orchestra [Limited Edition w/ Bonus Track]
    5. Romanza

    ASIN: B00004X16D
    Release Date: 2000-09-12

    Tracks:

    1. Il Trovatore: Di quella pira (Il Trovatore)
    2. Il Trovatore: Ah si, ben mio (Il trovatore)
    3. Rigoletto: La donna e mobile (Rigoletto)
    4. Un Ballo in Maschera: Di'tu se fedele (Un ballo in maschera)
    5. Un Ballo in Maschera: Ma se m'e forza perditi (Un ballo in maschera)
    6. Rigoletto: Ella mi fu rapita (Rigoletto)
    7. Rigoletto: Possente amor mi chiama (Rigoletto)
    8. Aida: Celeste Aida (Aida)
    9. La Traviata: De' miei bollenti spiriti (La traviata)
    10. La Traviata: oh mio rimorso (La traviata)
    11. I lombardi: La mia letizia infondere vorrei (I lombardi)
    12. Ernani: Merce, diletti amici (Ernani)
    13. Don Carlo: Io la vidi e il suo sorriso (Don Carlo)
    14. Luisa Miller: Quando le sere al placido (Luisa Miller)
    15. La forza del destino: La vita e inferno all'infelice (La forza del destino)

    Amazon.com Classical Music Reviews

    With this CD devoted solely to operatic arias--by none less than Giuseppe Verdi, the greatest Italian opera composer of all time--pop crossover phenomenon Andrea Bocelli throws his hat into the operatic ring with the big boys. The hat occasionally fits, and occasionally it doesn't. The beauty of the voice is undeniable, as is the relative ease in all registers. But, regardless of what the engineers do, it is clearly a small voice. For "Celeste Aïda"--Radames's great aria from Aïda--Bocelli opens with fine, as-big-as-possible exclamation and sounds confident; the long diminuendo on the aria's final high B-flat is stunning (whether or not the engineers were twiddling with the knobs, we'll never know). The tenor is more at home with Alfredo's Act Two music from La Traviata; he sings with grace and charm, ending the rarely performed cabaletta (a brief and showy piece that usually follows an aria) with one of the longest, most solid high Cs ever recorded. Elsewhere, there are mixed results: "Di' tu se fedele" from Un ballo in maschera is so free of feeling that it seems digitally produced. A big, unnecessary high D at the close of the Duke's cabaletta "Possente amor" from Rigoletto is screamed, and Bocelli sounds at times as if he's about to collapse from exhaustion during a heavy aria from Ernani. But "Ah si, ben mio" from Il Trovatore is beautiful, as is the Luisa Miller aria; Don Carlo also seems to fit Bocelli well. Needless to say, the singer's fans will certainly want to have this--and it might encourage them to try other recordings of music by Verdi. Newcomers and the curious will find plenty to admire, too. The sound itself remains alluring, and Bocelli has taken steps also towards improving his technique. In short, some nice surprises for the opera lover, and many for the Bocelli fan. --Robert Levine

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Not as good as Amore.......2007-03-24

    This CD came perfectly, I just prefer the Amore CD better.

    4 out of 5 stars a voice teacher and early music fan.......2007-02-14

    It is said that from the age of eleven years, Guiseppe Verdi (1813-1901) wanted to write operas. He left his post as organist to study music in Milan, a move made possbile by his patron,Barezzi, whose daughter he eventually married in 1836. Shortly thereafter he composed his first opera 'Oberto" which was so successful that his future seemed secure. However, the death of his wife and two babies some time later forced him into a state of depression. The impressario Mirelli gave him the book 'Nabucco' (Nebuchadnezzar) to read, and he immediately began to write music for it. Therewith he embarked on the career which eventually made him the "Grand Old Man" of Italian opera. In modern slang, he was a "natural".From "Oberto", written in his twenties, to "Falstaff", completed when he was eighty, his characteristic integrity and intensity persisted; as he wrote his 30 operas, his powers of expression broadened and deepened. By the time he wrote 'Aida', commissioned by the Khedive of Egypt, Verdi was 56. 'Aida' is often named as his greatest opera. The live elephants used in the production, the authentic costumes and musical instruments copied from ancient Egyptian tombs made an attractive picture, and his music made a "Celeste Aida" of the whole.
    Lets face it; Bocelli is no Pavoratti, and perhaps it was not wise to choose some of the arias associated with tenors of his ilk, but Bocelli makes the best of his talents, which are considerable. And he has done a lot to create interest among young voice students,(male) and as a voice teacher I make use of his appearance and his youthfulness to engage their interest, and he does that!!!!I think his record sales tell the tale.

    5 out of 5 stars Verdi.......2007-01-03

    Excellent Verdi selections. As usual, top tonal quality with excellent breath control. The best tenor to come along with such diversification as to sing just about anything presented to him. A superb choice for the connoisseur of italian operas.

    1 out of 5 stars The triumph of mediocrity.......2006-02-04

    No, Bocelli is not an awful singer, he is an awful OPERA singer, and it shows here. His colorless, uneducated and bland voice make me wonder why people like him so much. As a baritone in training I'm able to say that my voice teacher's STUDENTS sing much better than this guy.
    His tessitura is nowere near adequate for singing any of the arias from Rigoletto, "La donna è mobile" sounds much like a kid would sing it. "Celeste Aida" is one of the worst selections, and one of the most electronically enhanced, as it requires a precise voice placement (which Bocelli doesn't posses) since much of it lies very high in the register, and a heavier, rounder voice; if the role is not adequate for many REAL tenors, it is much less adequate for a pop singer. The "feeling" raving reviewers talk about is nothing more than a voice coming (incorrectly) from the throat, and the "beautiful" high D in "Possente amor" is a beautifully screamed falsetto, the same could be said about "Di quella pira"'s C; what's amazing about all this is the fact that electronic enhancement doesn't make his voice sound better. Some have ludicrously compared him to the likes of Vargas, Domingo, and Corelli, even saying he's better; this is nothing more than ignorance and bad taste.
    Maybe his fans are tired of detractors bringing out the big names in their defense, so let's be honest: he's one of the WORST opera interpreters out there, I wish great singers like Mariusz Kwiecen, Matthew Polenzani, and René Pape received the publicity he gets, though it won't happen; at least some consolation lies in the fact that these people are true artists willingly and GLADLY offering their art to the people in order to make a living; I'm sure if Andrea didn't make so much $$$$ with his opera experiment, he would've dropped this travesty long ago.

    4 out of 5 stars no expert.......2005-12-17

    I'm not a genuine, dyed-in -the-wool opera fan. The sound of the soprano voice makes me grit my teeth. Some of the great tenors are very pleasing, but mostly I'm just not especially enthusiastic or impressed. Actually, I think it's rather stupid for good singers to abuse their voices by bellowing. This was necessary before the invention of amplification, but not any more.
    So, obviously, I'm not in the position to compare Bocelli's arias to those of the tenors considered the greats. I can hear that his voice lacks the robustness of the Pavarottis of this world. BUT - I like many of the famous arias, and to my ear, Bocelli's performances, electronically enhanced or not, are melodic and pleasant to the ear. As a result of listening to Bocelli, I've become familiar with some great music that I would otherwise be likely to ignore.
    So I listen and enjoy and really don't care about all the criticism.
    Essential Verdi
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • OKAY, TAKE ME AWAY.
    • Great music...stunning recording quality
    • Incredible
    • Just Stunning!
    Essential Verdi

    Manufacturer: Decca
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    All Works by VerdiAll Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    RequiemsRequiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    Berlin Philharmonic OrchestraBerlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    London Philharmonic OrchestraLondon Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    National Philharmonic Orchestra LondonNational Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Paris Symphony OrchestraParis Symphony Orchestra | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Vienna Philharmonic OrchestraVienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    RequiemsRequiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    The Decca Records StoreThe Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
    More Titles at Least 20% OffMore Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
    All Classical Music BlowoutAll Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
    Verdi, GiuseppeVerdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
    Berlin Philharmonic OrchestraBerlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
    London Philharmonic OrchestraLondon Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
    National Philharmonic Orchestra LondonNational Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
    Paris Symphony OrchestraParis Symphony Orchestra | ( P ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
    Vienna Philharmonic OrchestraVienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
    Opera & VocalOpera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. The Ultimate Puccini Collection
    2. Essential Puccini
    3. Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco...
    4. The Most Famous Opera Duets
    5. The #1 Opera Album

    ASIN: B000056JSW
    Release Date: 2001-02-13

    Tracks:

    1. Rigoletto: La donna e mobile - Luciano Pavarotti
    2. Nabucco: Va pesiero - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
    3. La forza del destino: Overture - Kirov Orchestra
    4. La Traviata: Un di felice - Joan Sutherland
    5. I Vespri Siciliani: Merce dilette amiche - Maria Chiara
    6. La Traviata: Libiamo ne' lieti calici - Joan Sutherland
    7. Il Trovatore: Di quella pira - Jose Carreras
    8. Il Trovatore: Vedi! le fosche notturne spoglie - Chicago Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
    9. Il Trovatore: Stride la vampa! - Stefania Toczyska
    10. Aida: Ritorna vincitor! - Leontyne Price
    11. Don Carlo: Dio che nell'alma infondere - Carlo Bergonzi
    12. La Traviata: Prelude - Orchestra E Coro Del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
    13. Rigoletto: Caro nome - Joan Sutherland
    14. Don Carlo: O don fatale - Olga Borodina
    15. Aida: Se quel guerrier io fossi! Celeste Aida - Carlo Bergonzi
    16. Emani: Ernani! Ernani involami - Joan Sutherland
    17. Un Ballo in Maschera: Di tu se fedele - Jussi Bjorling
    18. Un Ballo in Maschera: Morro ma prima in grazia - Margaret Price
    19. Luisa Miller: Quando le sere al placido - Luciano Pavarotti
    20. Aida: Gloria all'Egitto - Chicago Symphony Orchestra

    Tracks:

    1. Requiem: Dies irae - Wiener Philharmoniker
    2. La forza del destino: Pace pace mio Dio - Angela Gheorghiu
    3. Rigoletto: Questa o quella - Carlo Bergonzi
    4. Rigoletto: Bella figlia dell'amore - Luciano Pavarotti
    5. Otello: Ave Maria - Renee Fleming
    6. La Traviata: Parigi o cara - Frank Lopardo
    7. Macbeth: Ah la paterna mano - Luciano Pavarotti
    8. Il Trovatore: Squilli echeggi la tromba guerriera - Chicago Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
    9. Don Carlo: O Carlo ascolta - Dmitri Hvorostovsky
    10. Requiem: Ingemisco - Luciano Pavarotti
    11. Simon Baccanegra: Come in quest'ora bruna - Kiri Te Kanawa
    12. Macbeth: Salve o Re! Si colmi il calice - Lucia Aliberti
    13. Aida: O patria mia - Leontyne Price
    14. I lombardi: La mia letizia infondere - Placido Domingo
    15. Aida: Lo sguardo avea degli angeli - Montserrat Caballe
    16. La forza del destino: Solenne in quest'ora - Nikolai Putilin
    17. Macbeth: Patria opressa - Chicago Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
    18. Il Trovatore: Tacea la notte - Katia Ricciarelli
    19. I due Foscari: Dal piu remoto esilio - Odio solo ed odio atroce - Jose Carreras
    20. Don Carlo: Spuntato ecco il di esultanza - Orchestra E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala Di Milano

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars OKAY, TAKE ME AWAY........2006-01-20

    I don't know opera.

    Last summer we had an incredible 20th anniversary trip to Italy. As a side trip from Venice, we planned a night in Verona. Neither my wife or I had been to an opera.

    Is this how its supposed to be...

    ...an incredible star filled night with a three quarter moon, the largest stage and outdoor theatrical production on the planet, all taking place in a roman colleseum (arena) built in 180 a.d., an incredible colorful set and production with a full symphony orchestra and voices that don't come easy. Aida.

    Now I know what all the hpye is as you opera fans sure are lucky to have such a beautiful setting for all your productions.

    Okay, we got spoiled. But I also found myself getting spoiled on the Italian composer Verdi.

    For me, this set is not only a "take me back to Verona" trip, but a great introduction to Verdi's other works. With some of the biggest names in the opera world in starring roles, I listened to both discs twice the first night they arrived.

    And, of course, we are planning a return trip to Verona in the very near future to see some more Verdi...perhaps Nabucco or Otello or Macbeth...I'll even settle for Aida again. It was such a magical experience and a superb introduction to opera and Verdi.

    This set continues that magical moment for us and provides a great introduction to a master of the opera...Verdi.

    5 out of 5 stars Great music...stunning recording quality.......2002-11-01

    This is a marvelous compendium of Verdi's opera works that even the serious opera fan wouldn't turn his nose up at. These are the top contemporary soloists singing with first tier orchestras. When I saw the Decca label, I expected reasonable quality, but this disk is stunningly well engineered. Most of the vocals match the best jazz cds for immediacy and intimacy, and the orchestras are equally well done.

    5 out of 5 stars Incredible.......2002-06-05

    I don't say incredible about too many things, but Verdi was the zenith of Italian Opera and Solti and the Chicago Symphony and the Vienna Philharmonic are the quintessential ensembles for modern classical performance. Not to mention that most of the voices showcased have their own lines of CDs (Pavarotti, etc.) This CD is the best Verdi album available, and it has EVERYTHING. BUY THIS CD!

    5 out of 5 stars Just Stunning!.......2002-01-26

    In my opinion this recording is stunning. I am not usually a fan of compilations in classical music, as they're usually watered down representations made under the presumption that the listener would find the full-blown version intimidating or boring. This one, however, is not only an exception in my view, but a recording that deserves a high place of honor in every serious listener's collection. The representation of artists, both vocal and orchestral, is breathtaking and impressive for the span of years. A great big thank you to the people at Decca responsible for putting this collection together, as it is obvious to this listener that a great deal of thought and care went into looking for the most beautiful version of every piece on here. I have purchased two copies, one for home and one for the office, and have gotten two friends similarly hooked. I am also feverishly searching for more pairings of Joan Sutherland and Carlo Bergonzi. In the meantime, I'm on to Essential Puccini!!
    Italian Renaissance Dances
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Thoroughly enjoyable
    • Disappointed
    • Gratzi for the Italian Renaissance
    • refreshing, sprightly and fun
    Italian Renaissance Dances

    Manufacturer: Hmf Classical Exp.
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    Baroque Dance SuitesBaroque Dance Suites | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music | Allemandes | Courantes | Gigue | Sarabande
    GalliardesGalliardes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by GesualdoAll Works by Gesualdo | Gesualdo, Carlo | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by MonteverdiAll Works by Monteverdi | Monteverdi, Claudio | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Baroque (c.1600-1750)Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    CDs Under $7CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    ClassicalClassical | Imports | Stores | Music
    $6.99 and Under$6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
    All Classical Music BlowoutAll Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
    Gesualdo, CarloGesualdo, Carlo | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
    Monteverdi, ClaudioMonteverdi, Claudio | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
    Opera & VocalOpera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Italian Renaissance Dances, Vol. 2
    2. English Country Dances
    3. Baroque Lute Music, Vol. 1
    4. Early Venetian Lute Music
    5. Lute Music, Vol. 2

    ASIN: B000059WLF
    Release Date: 2001-05-08

    Tracks:

    1. Galliard III Based on "La Mantoana"
    2. Galliard
    3. Non Ha'l Ciel Cotanti Lumi - David Douglass, Ellen Hargis, Andrew Lawrence-King
    4. Qual Cadavero Spirante - David Douglass, Ellen Hargis, Andrew Lawrence-King
    5. Pavane II
    6. Se Pur Ver
    7. Dances from il Scolaro:Aria del Gran Duca
    8. Dances from il Scolaro:Gagliarda Di Santino Detto la Muzza
    9. Dances from il Scolaro:la Bergamesca
    10. Dances from il Scolaro: Basso Delle Ninfe
    11. Dances from il Scolaro: Bassa Gioiosa
    12. Dances from il Scolaro: Il Ceferino
    13. Gagliarda Falsa
    14. Lagrime d'Erminia - David Douglass, Ellen Hargis, Andrew Lawrence-King
    15. Sonatae Concertate, Book 2:Sonata XVI a 4
    16. O Durezza Di Ferro - David Douglass, Ellen Hargis, Andrew Lawrence-King
    17. Galliard
    18. DSoletto
    19. Galliard I, Known as "The Gallant One"
    20. Consonanze Stravaganti

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyable.......2005-01-28

    I have listened to this CD a great deal and I love it. I just want to answer vvic's point below: it's true that not all the tracks on this disc are rumbustious romps, but Renaissance dance had many different forms, genres and functions. It was an important means of personal expression and social interaction - you only need to think of the formal and ritualised minefield that surrounded love and courtship (especially in the higher strata of society) to be able to see dance's potency as an emotional outlet. In fact, dancing quickly was the one thing that would have been difficult because costume was often bulky and ungainly, especially for ladies.

    So give these performances a chance, because this disc is bursting with life and musicianship: The King's Noyse play like a group of old friends together; Andrew Lawrence-King's harp playing is enchanting, and Ellen Hargis produces richly nuanced, beautifully coloured and poignant performances of the laments. The whole mixture is delighful.

    It's also superbly engineered: the sound is detailed, rich, vibrant and delicate. (It's set in a fairly warm acoustic, which may partly account for vvic's feeling of 'churchiness'.) A pity there are no sound samples here on Amazon.

    I presume this is a re-release of an earlier disc. The budget savings come from corners cut in packaging - the booklet is fairly perfunctory, but as my Dad says, 'you pays your money. you takes your choice'!

    ps. I'm a really terrible dancer!

    2 out of 5 stars Disappointed.......2003-05-04

    I am a big fan of renaissance instrumental music, and since these are dances, I was expecting some pleasant, spirited melodies, like on the excellent English Country Dances. Although there are several tracks like this on this CD, many are slow and dirgy. These, combined with the tracks with soprano vocals, make one feel as if they were in church, which is not a bad thing, if that's what you're looking for.

    5 out of 5 stars Gratzi for the Italian Renaissance.......2002-03-24

    The sounds of the Italian Renaissance are very uplifting, beautiful and rational. The songs have structure and melody and flow very naturally. This collection is a pleasing variety of instrumental and vocal music with period instruments and authentic arrangements. The performances and sound quality are extremely good.

    I don't know if I should feel guilty for having spent so little on this CD or irritated that more CDs of this quality are not available at this price. The other releases I have heard from the Classical Express label have been as good. (e.g. Mozart Horn Concertos, French Love Songs)

    5 out of 5 stars refreshing, sprightly and fun.......2001-07-12

    THis is a sprightly and thoroughly well performed arrangement of Renaisaaance music. If you think there is no place for such period music think again. I snuck this on while entertaining and everyone began complimenting it. They loved the joyful upbeat quality it posseses and as I, were delighted with the quality of musicianship and recording. Give that next dinner party a historical twist or just give yourself this wonderful CD
    Leontyne Price: The Ultimate Collection
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • The Incomparable LEONTYNE PRICE: "The Stradivarius of Singers"!!
    • Leontyne Price: The Ultimate Collection
    • The true prima donna asoluta
    • Fabulous singing, Overblown orchestras
    • Fabulous!
    Leontyne Price: The Ultimate Collection

    Manufacturer: RCA
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    All Works by BarberAll Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by BerliozAll Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by GershwinAll Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by MassenetAll Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus MozartAll Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by PucciniAll Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Purcell, HenryPurcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by StraussAll Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by VerdiAll Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    Price, LeontynePrice, Leontyne | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    RomancesRomances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Modern & 20th CenturyModern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Barber, SamuelBarber, Samuel | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Berlioz, HectorBerlioz, Hector | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Gershwin, GeorgeGershwin, George | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Massenet, JulesMassenet, Jules | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Mozart, Wolfgang AmadeusMozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Puccini, GiacomoPuccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Purcell, HenryPurcell, Henry | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Strauss, RichardStrauss, Richard | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Vocal Works by VerdiVocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    EnglishEnglish | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    FrenchFrench | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GermanGerman | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Price, LeontynePrice, Leontyne | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Classical MusicClassical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
    Opera & VocalOpera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. The Essential Leontyne Price: Spirituals, Hymns & Sacred Songs
    2. Rediscovered (Dig)
    3. Leontyne Price Christmas Songs Chants de Noel.Weihnachtslieden Wiener Philharmoniker Herbert Von Karajan
    4. Verdi: Aida/Il trovatore/Puccini: Madama Butterfly/La Rondine/Tosca/Turandot
    5. In Concert

    ASIN: B00000J912
    Release Date: 1999-05-25

    Tracks:

    1. Aida: Ritorna vincitor
    2. Turandot: Signore, ascolta
    3. Le nozze di Figaro: Porgi amor
    4. Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di
    5. Manon: Adieu, notre petite table
    6. Manon Lescaut: In quelle trine morbide
    7. Dido & Aeneas: Thy hand...when I am laid
    8. Il Trovatore: Che piu... Tacea la notte ...Di tale amor
    9. Les Nuits D'ete: Sur les lagunes
    10. Porgy & Bess: Summertime
    11. La rondine: Chi il bel sogno
    12. Carmen: Habanera
    13. La forza del destino: Son giunta...Madre.
    14. Vier letzte Lieder: Im Abendrot
    15. Ariadne auf Naxos: Es gibt ein Reich

    Tracks:

    1. Aida: O Patria Mia
    2. TOSCA: Vissi d'arte
    3. Turandot: Tu che di gel cinta
    4. Le nozze di Figaro: Susanna
    5. Il Trovatore: Siam giunti
    6. Un Ballo in Maschera: Morro ma prima in grazia
    7. Carmen: Sequidille
    8. Il re pastore: L'amero
    9. Don Carlo: Tu che la vanita
    10. Suor Angelica: Senza Mama
    11. Anthony and Cleopatra: Give me my robe
    12. Madame Butterfly: Tu? tu?
    13. La forza del destino: Pace, pace mio Dio

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars The Incomparable LEONTYNE PRICE: "The Stradivarius of Singers"!!.......2006-08-14

    This collection is a wonderful, affordable, and welcome overview of one of Opera's greatest and beloved aritsts:the phenomenal American Superstar soprano LEONTYNE PRICE.

    For those Opera-lovers who first encountered Ms. Price's magical vocalism from the recording studio, this collection includes the the entire legendary "Blue Album" which many operaphile consider to be one of the finest recordings ever. The selections gathered here vividly demonstrate the reason why Leontyne Price is regarded as the supreme VERDI soprano of her generation (30 years to date) a renowned PUCCINI specialist, and one of the greatest artists of all time. Recorded in the early 60's, Ms. Price's instrument was, in her own words "a juicy lyric". The intrinsic lyricism of her voice was aligned to warm, lustrous tone that pulsated in the middle voice, yielded a dark, uniquely sensuous sound in the lower regions, and gleamed with a distinctive, fast, liquid vibrato in the upper voice. That unique vibrato was elemental to this diva's ability to infuse Verdi and Puccini's most dramatic phrases with surging power (without pushing), and still produce lovely pianos in alt - soaring there with an ease that was singular to her, and that continued to her retirement in the 2002. Elsewhere the listener is treated to the rewards of Ms. Price's natural vocal evolution, wherein her voice developed into a full spinto with the middle throbbing, creamy, and lush, the low voice alternately chesty or breathy, slightly weaker -but retaining its smoky quality. It is in her upper voice, already superb, however, that Ms. Price revealed the rewards of maturation. The upper voice became rounder, less vibrant perhaps but refulgent with greater strength at the top, meeting the out-sized demands of STRAUSS and WAGNER (missing in this compilation) amongst others, while spinning out soft, exquisite pianos, and luxuriating in the long phrases of any number of composers, not the least of which were MOZART, VERDI and PUCCINI.

    Leontyne Price recorded arias and scenas from every standard repertory VERDI opera with few exceptions (Nabucco/Luisa Miller/Vespri/Falstaff) in superlative fashion. Her onstage roles included the "Il Trovatore" Leonora, the role of her sensational MET debut (that resulted in a record 42 minute ovation), thrice recorded by her, and a signature role throughout her career. The selections on this recording were culled from her first complete recording of the opera. Here Ms. Price soars effortlessly to the heights repeatedly in "Tacea la notte", and sings the cabaletta fluently. "D'amor sull ali rosee" (once the sole property of Ms. Price's Verdian predecessor Zinka Milanov) is enhanced by the soprano's expert trills, musical nuances, and the glorious vibrato that carries her gossamer tones to the floated high C in alt. She was also the leading interpreter of Verdi's other Leonora -di Vargas- in "La Forza del Destino" which the diva recorded twice. There is also a Live MET performance available on DVD, recorded when the diva was nearing her retirement from Opera. (The two selections here also hail from her first complete recording of this work) "Son giunta!...Madre pietosa Vergine" is one of Verdi's most demanding scenas for soprano, but THIS soprano was a mistress of Verdian sweep, and supplies a wealth of dynamic shadings that illustrate the desperation of the hapless Leonora. Ms. Price produces silvery, vibrant, pulsing tone with amplitude that rises to the forte climaxes, riding them without overpowering the orchestra. This role was one of her most riveting potrayals from a dramatic viewpoint. The second "Forza" aria is the great lament "Pace, pace mio Dio" and is synonymous with Leontyne Price to this day. The diva sang this aria onstage more often than any other Verdi aria throughout her long career. Here she infuses the music with sorrow and despair, her voice in service to the text, and caps the aria with her stirring cries of "Maledizione!!" on a sustained forte high Bflat. Ms. Price's successful outings as Amelia are represented by the Act II aria "Morro, ma prima in grazia" from her stellar complete recording of "Un Ballo in Maschera". She sings the aria in a hushed, somber manner, climaxing on a brilliant high C, and with a lovely diminuendo at its end. One of the several operatic roles Ms. Price sadly did not assume onstage was Queen Elisabetta from "Don Carlo". We must be grateful for her warm, glowing, majesterial account of "Tu che le vanita", replete with burnished, opulent tone throughout. The leading newspaper of Italy said of Ms. Price that "..our great Verdi would have her the ideal Aida" and that sentiment has been adopted the world over. The "Aida" selections here are the first ones recorded by the American diva, and remains a revelation. In "Ritorna vincitor" the soprano's lyric instrument is indeed "juicy", declaiming her fierce opposition to the Egyptian invaders of her Ethiopian homeland with energetic and powerful vocalism. She then masterfully delineates the young princess' dilemma with fervent and youthful passion, ending with a prayerful "Numi pieta" suffused by warm, sable-colored tone. "O Patria mia" is another of Ms. Price's most revered performances, indeed the aria that garnered her a (5) five minute ovation on live television at her "farewell to Opera" performance in the same opera. The soprano injects Aida's farewell to her homeland with rich, smoky, plangent tones that rise effortlessly to a shining high C that bedeviled some of her most illustrous rivals, and would be bettered in the future only by the wonderful Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballe - and Ms. Price herself!!

    Leontyne Price performed the veristic music of PUCCINI onstage in a number of his operas that included "Manon Lescaut"/"Tosca"/Madama Butterfly"/"La Faniculla del West"/"Il Tabarro"/ and "Turandot", albeit with less frequency than with Verdi. She brought a luminous, womanly quality to all of the composer's music. Here, she sings with particular intensity and emotion as the geisha girl Cio-Cio San (her favorite Puccini role)and offers limpid, melting tone as the fiery Roman prima donna Floria Tosca -the complete opera twice-recorded and highly-acclaimed. Puccini's music for the doomed Chinese slave-girl Liu are exquisitely sung, while "In quelle trine morbide" and "Senza mamma" benefit from the voluptuous, sensuous vocalism of the more mature Price. The most outstanding qualities of this diva in Puccini's music was a femininity and humanity, inherent in all of her singing, but most pronounced with this composer. She also fearlessly sang his highest phrases with a vocal splendor and freedom unrivalled by anyone, nowhere more than as the tragic Butterfly. However, until she retired from public singing, one aria remained a trademark for this diva: Chi bel sogno di Doretta" from Puccini's rarely performed operetta "La Rondine". The performance here was her first recording of it, and is a classic in its own right. Ms. Price's voice shimmers throughout, singing the high C with astonishing purity, and caressing, velvety tone elsewhere.

    MOZART's operas also brought deserved glory to Ms. Price. Her plush-toned voice was considered to be almost too rich for some early in her career. This was amply belied by the rapturous reception her onstage performances brought her, most notably as Donna Anna, the leading lady of "Don Giovanni", ironically not included in this collection. Another aria Ms. Price enjoyed singing in concert, "Come scoglio" ("Cosi Fan Tutte") is missing here as well, though she performed the role of Fiordiligi at the MET. The soprano never performed in "Le Nozze di Figaro", but sang the scena "Dove sono" often in her live concerts, understandably, because of the smooth, elegant vocalism she lavished on this music. It is truly a pity that she didn't either record or perform the entire role. "Porgi amor" (also from Le Nozze) and "L'amero" (Il Re Pastore) were extracted from a Mozart aria recording, and are well-sung, if not as memorably as other Mozarteans.

    It is good that RCA included several French selections, for Ms. Price's talents were marvellously well-suited to the Gallic idiom. Leontyne Price sang the leading role of Madame Lidoine in the American premiere of POULENC's "Dialogues des Carmelites", a few performances of MASSENET's "Thais" onstage (both sadly missing from this compilation) in addition to her celebrated recordings of BIZET's "Carmen" and BERLIOZ's song cycle "Nuits D'ete". She lent a deliciously silken tone to the more nuanced passions of the French repertoire. The "Carmen" excerpts are exceptionally vivid in Price's hands, successfully capturing the earthy, sultry qualities of one of Opera's more mercurial creatures. Ms. Price's lower register is richly displayed in the Berlioz song, while Manon's wistful, poignant "farewell" is sung with delicacy and shimmery tone.

    The German wing is represented by music that Ms. Price sang onstage, and recorded as well. While the diva recorded Richard STRAUSS' entire "Four Last Songs" song cycle as well as the title heroine in a complete opera recording of "Ariadne auf Naxos" , the listener gets a good sampling of the potency, range, and the "dunkel" qualities she brought to this music. Fortunately, there is a CD of Richard Strauss arias sung by Ms. Price mid-career that is impressive in its breadth, and vocally sumptuous.

    Versatility was a Price by-word. In the recording studio she stylishly performed the music of composers that ranged from the early music of PURCELL's "Dido & Aneas" to the 20th Century musings of Samuel BARBER, who wrote the opera "ANTONY & CLEOPATRA" for Ms. Price to open the New MET in 1966 - another historic milestone. Both selections included here are superbly rendered by the artist. The "Dido" aria is sung with a fuller, richer tone than is usually associated with this period (though it should be noted that two great Wagnerian sopranos Kirsten Flagstad and more recently Jessye Norman have been much admired in this music), but with no loss of style, her vibrato evoking pathos and beauty in this plaintive music. The "Antony" scena is sung with all of the majesty, seductive guile, and courage of Cleopatra, one of history's most storied women - and Ms. Price shines in this music written expressly for her voice. RCA also includes the diva's inimitable performance of "Summertime" the opening aria of GERSHWIN's American opera "Porgy and Bess".

    This compilation is a superb introduction to the glories of this magnificent artist for a neophyte...and a treasure trove of musical excellence for the connoisseur of great voices, and they come no greater than America's diva assoluta soprano LEONTYNE PRICE.

    5 out of 5 stars Leontyne Price: The Ultimate Collection.......2005-07-20

    This was the first time I ordered anything from you. I was very happy with my selection. Delivery was fast and accurate, I immediately played my CD and have enjoyed it since.

    Rolande M. Collins

    5 out of 5 stars The true prima donna asoluta.......2002-05-23

    Ms. Leontyne Price is the quentisential diva. I fell in love with her when I started studying music at the conservatory level. Her phrasing, tone, quality, and endless range are breathtaking. This CD features selections from when she was vocaly at her best. Even though I could go without the Ariadne and Cleopatra, the rest of the CD is simply marvelous. I cannot stop listening to D'amor sull'ali rosee, which I think is the best interpretation and performance of the piece that I have ever heard!!! I prefer Price over Sutherland, Caballe, Freni, and Fleming any day. Her high tones give you the feeling of floating on clouds. This is one of the best CD's in my entire classical/Opera collection. Whoever purchases this CD, it will be worth your while.

    4 out of 5 stars Fabulous singing, Overblown orchestras.......2002-04-10

    When I was first getting interested in opera, during the late 1960s - early 1970s, Leontyne Price was still singing at the Met, but I could never get a ticket because she only sang five performances a year (later, three). She said this was to "preserve" the voice but, as I learned from those who actually did hear her in person, her mid-range was deteriorating at that time until it was practically inaudible (though her high notes and lower range still sounded great). Also, to be honest, as a youngster I was put off by the promotion of her albums...all those fancy pictures of her in diamonds and furs just seemed so ostentatious to me, and listening to her on records was not always a pleasurable experience. Her voice so often sounded swamped by those loud, blaring, overblown orchestras.

    But then I heard a remastering of the famous 1961 "Aida" with Vickers, Gorr and Merrill, and I realized how great a singer she was. That's when I started listening more seriously, and discovered a soprano who had a thorough command of her voice from the late '50s to the late '60s, not only in terms of vocal color but also in terms of phrasing. Listening to Price in her prime is incredible...she almost sounds as if she never breathed, her phrasing is so beautifully bound and poised. At the same time, however, I was disappointed by RCA's choice of partners for her on recordings. ...

    This set goes a long way towards restoring the legend. Stripped of her sub-par partners (with the exception of Corelli's belting in the "Seguidilla" from "Carmen"), one can listen to Price's voice uncompromised, and it is a thrill. Even when the orchestra sounds detached and uninteresting, as it often does, Price seems to be on an entirely different wavelength, giving out with passion and great musicality. As for the selections chosen, they represent an excellent cross-section of Price's best work, even though the Purcell and Berlioz sound awfully heavy by today's standards and I can live without the "Anthony and Cleopatra" selection or the Strauss song.

    One caveat I have is the lack of discographical information. No dates, orchestras or conductors are given. This is a grave injustice, even though the backup does not always meet expectations. On the plus side, all of the legendary "blue album" (her first recital discs for RCA in 1961) is presented complete, including the two selections from the July 1959 "Il Trovatore" that were on that LP...and in MUCH better, more focused sound. For this, and the heavy orchestral sound, I give the set only 4 stars...but for the singing alone I would give it eight!!

    5 out of 5 stars Fabulous!.......2002-01-19

    The only alternative to Joan Sutherland. An equally gorgeous and fabulous voice. A true diva that puts me to tears. Sensational recital of so many gems.
    Prima Donna in Paris
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • IN MEMORIUM - REGINE CRESPIN
    Prima Donna in Paris

    Manufacturer: Decca
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    All Works by BerliozAll Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by GluckAll Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by GounodAll Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by MassenetAll Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by OffenbachAll Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    General ContemporaryGeneral Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    RomancesRomances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    FrenchFrench | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GermanGerman | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    OperettasOperettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    The Decca Records StoreThe Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera
    2. Wolfgang Windgassen singt Wagner
    3. Wagner: Die Walküre, Act 3
    4. Metropolitan Opera Gala Honoring Sir Rudolf Bing [Highlights]
    5. La Nilsson: My Life in Opera

    ASIN: B000KLRUKM
    Release Date: 2007-05-08

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars IN MEMORIUM - REGINE CRESPIN.......2007-06-19

    Decca has reissued the two-disc set "Prima Donna in Paris" to coincide with the Diva's 80th birthday February 23. Much as the complete reissue of the set is welcome to the catalog (previously Decca had a majority of the selections on this set on a single CD), it is not representative of the diva's best work.

    These recordings were made during a transitional point in Madame Crespin's career. According to her autobiography she was rethinking and revising her repertoire (dramatic soprano to mezzo) while dealing with health and personal problems. It's no surprise that much of the singing finds her in less than her best voice. The Marguerite aria from Damnation of Faust pales in comparison with the earlier one she made for EMI (and Madame Crespin has admitted that the Decca engineers pieced this performance together from problematic individual takes). The operetta selections luckily are in a more sympathetic part of her voice and she sings them with style and humor. The selections from Carmen and Werther are still in the blueprint stage. She would later make a stronger mark on these roles when she fleshed them out in the theatre. The best of her "mature" singing career was yet to come, such as her success as Old Prioress in "Dialogues of the Carmelites", the title roles in "Pique Dame" and "The Medium".

    Perhaps Decca will consider a two-CD retrospective set for her as they had for Sutherland, Horne, Lorengar, Resnik and Nilsson. The prime Decca recordings could be excerpted from recitals and complete operas. The selections would include the blue-ribbon Anserment-led Berlioz/Ravel set, the Poulenc songs and German lieder with Wustman, some of the excellent Italian opera arias from her first Decca aria recital, and selections from Walkure (Sieglinde) with Solti, Rosenkavalier (with Varviso from the out of print highlights disc rather than the complete Solti), and maybe even from the Karajan Walkure (Brunhilde). Get this one for the operetta selections alone.

    P.S.: That proposed album will now have to be a tribute set. Madame Crespin sadly passed on July 5 in Paris. Rest in peace, cher Madame, et merci pour le musique.
    Italian Opera Arias
    Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
    • Another supeb tenor.
    • The one.
    • A New Star voice
    • Quite Good
    • Promising debut by new lyric tenor
    Italian Opera Arias

    Manufacturer: EMI Classics
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    All Works by DonizettiAll Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by MascagniAll Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by PucciniAll Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by VerdiAll Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    ItalianItalian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Rolando Villazon - Gounod · Massenet Arias
    2. Rolando Villazon: Opera Recital
    3. Opera Recital [Includes Bonus DVD]
    4. Verdi: La Traviata
    5. Gitano

    ASIN: B00018TIOA
    Release Date: 2004-02-10

    Tracks:

    1. Lamento: E La Solita Storia
    2. Recitativo E Romanza: Inosservato...Angelo Casto E Bel
    3. Aria: Quanto E Bella
    4. Aria: Una Furtiva Lagrima
    5. Recitativo Ed Aria: Tombe Degli Avi Miei...Fra Poco
    6. Aria: Il L'ho Perduta...Io La Vidi
    7. Aria: Io L'ho Perduta...Io La Vidi
    8. Aria: O Figli...Ah! La Paterna Mano
    9. Scena Ed Aria: Ella Mi Fu Rapita...Parmi Veder
    10. Canzone: La Donna E Mobile
    11. Scena, Aria E Cabaletta: Lunge De Iei...De' Miei Bollenti...O Mio Rimorso
    12. Aria: Che Gelida Manina
    13. Aria: E Lucevan Le Stelle
    14. Aria: Anche Tu Beppe Giungi...O Amore
    15. Aria: Vergini, Muse...Quando Al Soave Anelito

    Amazon.com

    This is a glorious debut recital by a tenor, from whom, if he sings the right roles and keeps way from jet-setting and too much singing, might just be the lyrico-spinto tenor we've been waiting for. He has the class of Carlo Bergonzi and a ringing tone which is somewhere between Domingo's big, dark sound and Pavarotti's brightness; he sings with a true mezza voce (not a falsetto); he always obeys the composer's markings and delineates character. He seems incapable of vulgarity, refusing to gulp or sob when a musically expressive gesture will do. The opening aria here--from L'Arlesiana--is so beautifully, touchingly sung that it's a heartbreaker; he doesn't take the usually opted-for high note near the end, but never fear: in the Traviata and Bohème excerpts, Villazon offers big, whopping high Cs. This CD is a knockout; let's hope it's only the beginning of an illustrious career, both recorded and live. --Robert Levine

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Another supeb tenor........2007-05-13

    We can be thankful that the old guard of the opera stage has been replaced by a trio of youthful artists. Villazon along with Calleja and Florez makes a great addition to the world of opera.

    5 out of 5 stars The one........2006-06-24

    He's the real deal. Domingo-like burnished voice, great actor. Not just hype, he's genuinely worthy of all the praise.

    5 out of 5 stars A New Star voice.......2005-09-25

    Rollando Villazon can't fail to impress a listener. He is an enourmous breath of fresh air for people waiting for a new generation of Opera superstars to emerge. Those somewhat dissapointed by the somewhat ncomfortable edge to Salvator Licitra's voice, may take refuge in the freshness of Villazon.
    I don't really want to ruin the magic of his singing, with caddy comparisons, but it is sufficient to say that he excellent. Many compare his to Domingo, to that I would say that Villazon has an ease to his top that Domingo never had, but perhaps lacks the focus and thickness of Domingo's lower registers.
    Overall what hits you most about Villazons performance, is the induviduality of his interpretations and voice. The top of his voice has a ring and tone that sets his apart from the pack.
    To my ear, he sounds at his best in the Mid Period verdi, where the cut of voice come through in the long high-lying passage, (expecially the cut from Traviata,
    Enjoy this incredible singer

    4 out of 5 stars Quite Good.......2005-05-26

    A very promising debut album with some excellent burnished tenor sound. To the reviewer who went on and on about Mr. Villazon only being in his 20's -- I hate to burst your bubble, but he was born in 1972, which makes him 33! And, by the way, the age of the singer is not a "huge" advantage; let us remember that some of our greatest singers didn't come into their element until their 40's (e.g., Flagstad, Milanov...)

    4 out of 5 stars Promising debut by new lyric tenor.......2005-05-05

    Rolando Villazon immediately made himself a name we should all watch out for, after his appearance on a NY City Opera telecast of Boheme, as Rodolfo. Since then he has become a regular artist in leading lyric roles at the Deutsche Oper Berlin, has sung two parts at the Met already, and obviously has much ahead for him. The voice itself has a number of virtues, evenness of tone across the different registers, and the ability to encompass long lines without taking unnecessary breaths and showing the control to taper many lines off softly. It has also taken on perhaps a prematurely dark quality, in contrast with what I remember of the La Boheme telecast.

    This recital of Italian opera arias presents Villazon near the alpha of his career (one appearance as the Steersman on the Barenboim Flying Dutchman before, for Teldec) and the conductor at his omega - the just deceased Marcello Viotti, at the age of 52, who suddenly replaced Sinopoli in Berlin for the second of two performances of Verdi's Aida in 2001. Sinopoli had passed away at 54 the night of the first performance that weekend in Berlin.

    On first impression, Federico's lament from Cilea's L'Arlesiana is taken too slowly, and yet from repeated listening to this disc, it is one of nearly half a dozen selections that contribute the most to making this an interesting recital. The lachrymose manner and delivery here, though, sets a little too much of an overall tone for the rest of the recital, including its several or so lighter numbers. Said to also be a Caruso favorite, the aria from Donizetti's Duca d'Alba is a real highlight as close to being Schubertian in feeling as some Verdi - as late into Verdi's work as Forza and Don Carlo. Villazon's singing here is as warmly ardent as you'll find anywhere on this disc, and his personal identification with the character of Don Carlo, several tracks later, is as complete as that of its best interpreters of the recent past, Placido Domingo especially.

    The two Elisir d'amore selections are pleasant vocally, but too dark, especially the start to so many phrases of "Una furtiva." The remorse felt during the opening aria of the Tomb Scene from Lucia, after a slightly uncertain start, is entirely felt. Oronte's brief aria from Verdi's Lombardi is handled with an easy, pleasant swagger from both Villazon and Viotti, leading one to expect similar lightness in selections that soon follow, and which is not entirely forthcoming; the beginning of the recitative to "Parmi veder" from Rigoletto shows a palpable anxiety in this peculiar moment for the Duke in which he finds himself. Intonation falters momentarily at the end of this aria. "Ah! la paterna mano", after good recitative, gets pushed a little too forward, robbing the crest of several lines in it their full expressive potential. Contrast of expression between Alfredo's aria and cabaletta from Traviata is so minimal, almost to have been erased altogether; Viotti here, so deft and highly musical an accompanist he is for most of the rest of this disc, is similarly disengaged. Connecting music between aria and cabaletta and repeat of the latter both get awkwardly cut.

    That leaves four verismo tracks for the remainder of this disc. Most distinctively sung is "E lucevan le stelle" from Tosca, but frequently quite close to sounding a copy of Domingo's interpretation. The honeyed placement for the top of the staff, once the voice takes on the melodic line, could hardly remind you of anyone else. "Che gelida manina" is also given a fine performance here, but begins to lose all consonants on a couple of words right before the ascent to the high C in the aria. After hearing Dino Borgioli and Cesare Valletti as Fritz, each more of a benchmark than Pavarotti, it is hard to identify the villager Fritz, from how disinteresed Villazon sounds. A slight cut is taken between two portions of recitative before Fritz's Act III aria. "Quando al soave anelito" from Mascagni's Nerone, obviously a rarity, is one for which I can only find a Domingo recital before. Here, the singing is fine, but the youthful sense of wonderment for Nero, in his vision of Venus, as wordly-wise a fellow he is, gets understated. Accompaniments to these four arias are mostly as fine as the others, but all come to abrupt endings, the endings of Boheme and Amico Fritz which lose all their shimmer here.

    Much criticism here, but there is also much hope felt from listening to this disc, for a bright future for Mr. Villazon still. He is only seldom a conscientious and musical performer, but as opposed to what the liner notes might say, part of being musical in singing such selections or opera in general, is being specific for each character being portrayed here. Villazon should also take note that his singing is most interesting and also most easy to distinguish from his widely celebrated mentor, when he sings lightly. First impressions are strong - I first anticipated awarding this disc five stars - but unfortunately it just barely deserves four. Sound quality, if a bit heavily miked for climaxes and a bit recessed for the orchestra, especially at closings to arias, is warm and full.

    International Music:

    1. Le Temps Des Cerises [Import]
    2. Les Années Odéon: 1953-1955 [Import]
    3. Les Annes Odeon 1955-1958 [Import]
    4. Les Grands Succes du Musette [Import]
    5. Los Gitanos Cantan a Federico García Lorca [Import]
    6. Love Takes Time
    7. Megaworld [Box set] [Import]
    8. Meus Momentos [Import]
    9. Meus Momentos [Import]
    10. Mimmo Locasciulli [Import]

    International Music

    International Music