Festa Judaica [Import]

1. Violinista

2. Casamento

3. Bar E Bat Mitsva

4. Valsas

5. Hallelujah

6. Israelense

7. Românticals

8. Ladino

Festa Judaica,Shimon Lavie,Mcd World Music,Int'l & World Music,Jewish: Trad. & Klezmer,Klezmer,Pop,World,World Music

Average customer rating: Highest Level of Artistry Displayed "Behold the Tomb" Well-sung Shakespearean travesty beautiful and moving opera Wonderful nostalgia

Bellini: I Capuleti e i Montecchi Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rossini: L'Assedio di Corinto Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor: Complete Opera (with full libretto and translation) Verdi: La Traviata / Sills, Gedda, Panerai; Ceccato Handel - Julius Caesar / Treigle · Sills · Forrester · Wolff · NYCO · Rudel Massenet: Manon ASIN: B0002XV2XO Release Date: 2005-02-15

Tracks:

1. Sinfonia
2. Aggiorna Appena...
3. O Di Capellio, Generosi Amici
4. E Serbata A Questo Acciaro
5. Si: M'abbraccia
6. L'amo Tanto, E M'e Si Cara
7. Vanne Lorenzo
8. Lieto Del Dolce Incarno
9. Ascolta. Se Romeo T'uccise Un Figlio
10. Riedi Al Campo
11. La Tremenda Ultrice Spada
12. Eccomi In Lieta Vesta...
13. Oh! Quante Volte
14. Propizia E L'ora
15. Si, Fuggire: A Noi Non Resta
16. Odi Tu? L'altar Funesto
17. Vieni, Ah! Vieni

Tracks:

1. Lieta Notte, Avventurosa
2. Deh! Per Pieta, T'arresta
3. Tace Il Fragor
4. Che Miro?
5. Soccorso, Sostegno Accordagli
6. Accorriam...Romeo!
7. Ne Alcun Ritorna!
8. Morte Io Non Temo Il Sai
9. Prendi, Gl'istanti Volano
10. Deh! Padre Mio, Deh Padre Mio!
11. Deserto E Il Luogo
12. Chi Sei Tu?
13. Qua' Voci! Oh Dio!
14. Ella E Morta, O Sciagurato
15. Siam Giunti
16. Ecco La Tomba
17. Tu Sola, O Mia Giulietta
18. O Tu, Mia Sola Speme
19. Ah! Crudel! Che Mai Facesti?

Customer Reviews:

Highest Level of Artistry Displayed .......2007-02-13

This isn't the Shakespearean version, in case you get disappointed, but is based on an Italian source. In spite of the obvious fact the Sills and Gedda were already past their prime by the time of this recording, they still have plenty to give us, and their musical insight makes this recording better than other well-sung performances recorded in the studio. Baker is absolutely fantastic throughout and gave a very satisfying performance both musically and artistically.

Now coming to the comparison made by a reviewer between Bellini and Verdi. Well, even if Bellini had lived to 80, it would not be his aim to write like Verdi. Bellini stood alone amongst the great opera composers of Italy. Even his contemporaries recognized it and called his music 'filosofico'. Bellini's aim was not to create dramas with music like Donizetti or Verdi, but rather music drama - a fact which Wagner recognized. Only that Bellini's aim was to realize it via the voice (think Norma), while Wagner did it with the orchestra. It is note-worthy that Wagner spared Bellini the usual bashing he gave to the Italians. Not only that - he admitted to Cosima that the love duet from Capuleti was the source of his inspiration for his own in Tristan. In his old age, he was proud to say that he learned from 'these pages' what Messrs Brahms etc had failed to learn. One should approach a Bellini opera as one does a Chopin Ballade or Wagner's Tristan, not Verdi. That is not to say that Verdi is inferior, but just different.

And regarding Bellini's orchestration, Wagner and Bizet were on separate occasions, were tasked to 'improve' the orchestration of Norma. Both eventually gave up the job as impossible and concluded that the orchestration written by Bellini was the most suitable. Comparing the orchestration between the early Il Pirata (with its almost Wagnerian finale!) with Norma, it dawns upon one that the decision to thin out the orchestra by Bellini was deliberate, in line with his purpose of using the voice as the primary tool to express the drama.

"Behold the Tomb".......2006-09-30

I find it difficult to evaluate Bellini's work because it depends so heavily on performance. Never a connoiseur of performances, I leave it to others to tell one bel canto aria from another. It is discouraging to realize that Bellini, who died young, never took much interest in orchestral music, making him a lesser counterpart to Verdi, who combines the Italian devotion to the voice with powerful dramatic effects from the orchestra. Even the cover of the EMI CD is disappointing because it slaps a mod-erotic photograph on an opera where the lovers are too traumatised to make love. The libretto is so poor that the recording does not bother to supply it, confirming the view that Bellini's operas are for connoiseurs of vocal sound only.

I have downoaded the text from Karadar Classical Music as well as a synopsis from Opera japonica. We learn that the Capuleti and Montecchi are local versions of the Guelph and Ghilbelline parties respectively. The Ghibelline Dante would have been allied with the Montecchi, Romeo's party. Capellio, Juliet's father, seeks to avenge the death of a son at the hands of Romeo. Romeo's part is sung by a mezzo-soprano, adding further to the absurdity of the EMI cover photo. Although Romeo and Juliet are already lovers, she refuses to elope with him out of loyalty to her father. These lovers really seem more interested in dying than in making love. Juliet does manage to declare that she breathes easier when she learns that Romeo has survived a fight. We know that Romeo has reached his appointed place when he sings, "Ecco la tomba." Janet Baker, as Romeo, shines in the slow, heart-broken singing that follows, interspersed with sympathetic passages by the chorus of Montecchi. There is no doubt that Bellini's operas allow top performers to sing as beautifully as they can. The instrumental accompaniment in this concluding scene is reduced to a bare minimum.

Well-sung Shakespearean travesty.......2005-10-15

Source: Studio recording made at Abbey Road Studio, London, June 16-25, 1975.

Sound: Analog stereo. The engineering is competent, I suppose, but as a matter of personal taste I do not care for the distant and echo-y soundscape. It sounds as though the opera were taking place at the far end of a Gothic cathedral.

Documentation: No printed libretto, although there is a reference to an on-line libretto available at the EMI Classics website, (which failed to download in five tries over two days) just in case I want to listen to this opera while I am working at my computer. The accompanying essay by James Harding is the most useless I have ever found in a CD case--and that is by no means an easily earned distinction. Harding is vitally interested in Bellini's lame love life but indifferent to such trifles as the plot of the opera he is supposed to be writing about.

Format: Disk 1, Act I, Scenes 1 and 2; 60:42. Disk 2, Act I, Scene 3; Act II, Scenes 1-3; 74:23.

Bellini premiered "I Capuleti e i Montecchi" at Teatro La Fenice in Venice exactly one month before his twenty-ninth birthday. It was a success but it was not without critics. In his essay, Harding writes, "It was unfair of Berlioz to denounce I Capuleti e i Montecchi as a travesty of Shakespeare." Berlioz clearly had a point, for where the Bard had twenty characters, the librettist "Romani made do with only five. You will look in vain," Harding gushes on, "for the Nurse and Friar Laurence" and, I must add, for Mercutio, Benvolio and Paris, too. In the opera, Paris and Tybalt become a single character, Tebaldo, to the great detriment of the plot.

"I Capuleti e i Montecchi" came about midway in Bellini's too short career. The really big hits on which his fame rests were yet to come. The music is competent but somehow lacking that indefinable ping that makes "La Sonnambula," "Norma" and "I Puritani" extraordinary.

Overall, the performance is good. Best by far in the cast is Janet Baker. She does not generate overt excitement but she offers an overwhelming sense of rightness when she essays any part in the narrow range that she made her own. This recording is a little late for the best of Sills but she is still very bright and amazingly agile. As always, I feel that her voice is just a little too cool and too thin, but that is purely a matter of personal taste. It is also late for Nicolai Gedda, who sounds unexpectedly baritonal as Tebaldo, a part that any other 19th Century composer would surely have written for a baritone. (I know, I know, Gounod's Tybalt is a tenor. I sang the role, myself, back in college days. But Gounod's Tybalt is markedly different in character from Bellini's Tebaldo-Paris.) Gedda is very good, but I am not at all sure that I would have recognized him if his name had not been on the cover.

"I Capuleti e i Montecchi" is not a great opera, but three famous and very fine singers offer intelligent and entertaining performances. That's worth five stars as far as I'm concerned.

FOR THE HISTORICALLY MINDED: William Shakespeare wrote his "Romeo and Juliet" in the 1590s, in the early days of his career. As was usual for him, he based his play on older materials. The first literary mention of the Montagus and the Capulets is in Dante's "Purgatorio," vi, lines 106-108. The Montagus lived in Verona and the Capulets in Cremona. They were used by Dante as examples of warring factions that had been exterminated. About 1530, Luigi da Porto mistakenly assumed that the Montagus and the Capulets had both resided in Verona and had feuded with one another. He worked up a tale that involved two young members of his warring clans, Giulietta and Romeo. In 1554, Matteo Bandello published a novella called "Romeo e Giulietta" which proved to be an international hit. A French version was adapted from Bandello by Pierre Boaistuau in 1559. This, in turn, was translated into English in 1562 by Arthur Brooke as a "tragical history" in verse form called "Romeus and Juliet," later to be pounced on by Will Shakespeare in search of a popular hit. The only major changes that Shakespeare made in Brooke's plot were to compress the time frame and to introduce Tybalt into the story at an earlier point in order to build him up as a worthy adversary for Romeo. And, oh, yes, he created an array of living characters such as had never been conceived before.

A number of commentators have taken note of the much simplified plot of "I Capuleti e i Montecchi." They have accounted for it by declaring that Shakespeare's version was not yet well-known in the world, so Romani must have based his work on an earlier version of the story, by which I presume they mean by Bandello or even by da Porto. I don't buy that explanation. By 1830, the cult of Bardolatry was firmly established. The standard German translations (that the Germans to this day hold to be superior to the English originals) were well along. Two generations earlier, the tourist industry of Stratford Upon Avon had been given a kick start by the great actor, Garrick (in a bicentennial celebration conceived by David Garrick, written by David Garrick, produced by David Garrick, directed by David Garrick and starring David Garrick--additional dialogue by W. Shakespeare.) Just seventeen years later, Verdi would write his "Macbeth" and make sketches for a "King Lear," that greatest of all operatic might-have-beens. One of the twenty or so books that Verdi kept close to himself until the day he died was an Italian translation of the works of Shakespeare.

No, I do not think that Romani dealt with any obscure 16th Century originals. I think that he exercised a hack's privilege to pillage a respectable source for his convenience. Berlioz was correct. In both the literal and the figurative senses of the word, this is a travesty.

beautiful and moving opera .......2005-08-12

One may regret that Beverly Sills and Nicolai Gedda did not
record this opera earlier in their careers (1975) yet still
be glad they did. Though there are some audible signs of vo-
cal wear their artistry and commitment are never in doubt and
they offer memorable performances. Janet Baker is on the other
hand in splendid voice and sings superbly - she portrays a
somber Romeo and is supremely moving in the tomb scene.
Robert Lloyd and Raimund Herincx offer excellent support.
Very well recorded and beautifully conducted by Maestro
Patane - a very welcome release !

Wonderful nostalgia .......2005-05-20

Back in the 1970's I was a very intense fan of both La Sills and La Baker. The very idea of both of them coming together for an opera recording sent this rapid fan into a severe swoon! Therefore, this recording sent me into a state of ecstasy! I along with other Sills and Baker fans would gather around my stereo listening to this recording with Baker and Sills weaving their vocal magic which always elicited from us many tears and bravos.
At the time Beverly was a known commodity in Bell Canto operas; however, Janet was mainly known as a song recitalist. Nevertheless, Janet Baker, in this opera, proves that she could sing opera with the best of them showing her great operatic credentials-she is up to every vocal challenge Bellini throws at her. She tackles the role with great artistry and beauty of tone. Her last scene STILL dissolves me to copious tears.
In this recording Beverly sings a little cautiously not throwing out high E's with abandon as before; however, her years of experience being a sublime singer of Bell Canto operas comes through. Her singing is gorgeous, sweet and touching to the highest degree, I truly believe that this recording was one of her best.
It truly is great to hear this recording again-ah the memories. Time has NOT diminished its appeal!

Average customer rating: Phenomenal! Definetly A Must Have! Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice, Vesta!!!!! A Welcome Return Vesta's comeback CD and an inspired covers' album. Vesta - Distant Lover

Distant Lover Vesta Manufacturer: Shanachie ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: It Can Happen to Anyone Love, Niecy Style Pillow Talk Collaborations Feel the Fire ASIN: B000JUB8VQ Release Date: 2007-01-30

Tracks:

1. Use Me
2. Whip Appeal
3. Distant Lover
4. If You Want Me To Stay
5. With You I'm Born Again
6. Knock Me Off My Feet
7. No Ordinary Love
8. Free
9. Ooh Baby Baby
10. Could It Be I'm Falling In Love

Customer Reviews:

Phenomenal! Definetly A Must Have!.......2007-04-19

The title says it all. I've always appreciated Vesta's vocal capabilitiesand how she's always been able to wrap herself any musical composition. She's proven why she has been able to maintain the longevity as an artist as she have. Now its time for her to start touring again! This is it Vesta!

Niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiice, Vesta!!!!!.......2007-03-27

I have always appreciated the uniqueness of Vesta though she suffered terribly in the beginning because of obvious and unavoidable comparisons to Chaka. Slowly but surely she carved out her own niche and showed us there is indeed room for two similar female vocalists whose range in many instances simply defies boundaries. Vesta is now among sought-after upper echelon session musicians having worked with the likes of such heavyweights as George Duke.

I first listened to this on a beat-up work radio and was not all that impressed. Then while downloading music at home ran across it again and I was NOT well!!!

Vesta is indeed bringing it with this set. She displays the vocal acrobatics she has become known for and delivers some excellent performances on tried and true R&B classics. Interestingly enough, when initially reading the list of selections, they appear rather lackluster.

But just put this bad boy on!!!!

I highly recommend as a viable cover project with a freshness and vitality that is not necessarily easy to do with the selections here. Standout cuts include "Use Me" (yep, THAT one), "If You Want Me To Stay", "Could It Be I'm Falling in Love", "Whip Appeal", "Free", "Distant Lover" - gee - the whole project IS that good.

Highly recommend!!!!

A Welcome Return.......2007-03-24

Vesta - where have you been hiding? We missed you! Die hard Vesta fans such as myself have been waiting patiently for many years for new material. I am happy to report this CD was worth the wait, but I must admit I do love the "Jazz" side of Vesta and I hope she continues to make guests appearances on recordings of the many smooth jazz artists that love & adore her.

Distant Lover is well produced and most of the arrangements hit the mark. Vesta is in fine voice, yet we do not get to hear the upper register that often nor the infamous wailing that is present on the albums from the 90's. Nevertheless, Vesta shines on this CD and you will be very happy with this purchase.

Vesta's comeback CD and an inspired covers' album........2007-03-12

It's just wonderful to have Vesta bring us some new music--and an inspired covers' album at that!!! Her remakes of "Whip Appeal", "Knocks Me Off My Feet" and "Distant Lover" are all fresh and exciting and it's all too obvious that Vesta still has a lot to offer. Sadly, both the production and overall musicianship/orchestration are lacklustre and merely acceptable at best (a recurring problem on most recent Shanachie R&B releases) but Vesta is an artist with whom it's quite difficult to make a bad album--as such, the pluses far outweigh the minuses. Not perfect but one of 2007's best R&B CDs thus far...

Vesta - Distant Lover.......2007-03-09

A couple of songs are good; a couple are just alright; and a couple missed the mark completely for me.

Average customer rating: Vesta's most accomplished CD. Feelin' Vesta! Very underated singer indeed!!!! Here's Vesta 4 U ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED R&B DIVAS IN HISTORY

Vesta 4 U Vesta Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Disco | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music $7.99 and Under | Blowout Music | Stores | Music R&B | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Dance & DJ | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music $7.99 and Under | Prices | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Miki Howard The Very Best of Shirley Murdock Distant Lover So Intense Ultimate Collection ASIN: B000002GI9 Release Date: 1993-09-21

Tracks:

1. Here Say
2. All On You
3. 4 U
4. Sweet, Sweet Love
5. How You Feel
6. Best I Ever Had
7. Hunger
8. Congratulations
9. Running Into Memories
10. Make It With You

Customer Reviews:

Vesta's most accomplished CD........2007-03-12

Vesta's second album was arguably her strongest seller and the one that made her (briefly) a household name. While not released as singles, the gorgeous ballads "Running Into Memories", "Hunger" and the somewhat-bluesy "Best I Ever Had" remain standout tracks. Of course, the timeless Quiet Storm gem "Congratulations" became Vesta's signature song and the major hits "Sweet Sweet Love" and "4U" helped further expand Vesta's popularity. Sadly, like her contemporaries (Phyllis Hyman, Angela Bofill, Jean Carne, Allyson Williams) Vesta never became the superstar she should have been.

Feelin' Vesta!.......2007-02-24

Vesta offers a taste of what music used to be! Her sound is soulful and jazzy with just the right amount of sassiness to make you love her. I ordered the CD specifically for the title cut but found myself grooving to many of the other songs on there. Many of today's so-called artists could learn a lot from this talented performer! A good CD to take you back home to real music.

Very underated singer indeed!!!!.......2006-05-31

When I first heard Vesta voice (like everyone else) I thought it was Chaka Khan. But still she had a singing style different from Chaka. Not only that, but I thought Vesta could really blow just as well. The track that, I always liked off this CD 4 U is "Sweet, Sweet Love." A very mellow, relaxing, grooving song with good singing of course by Vesta.

Here's Vesta 4 U.......2005-12-02

What I cannot fathom is why Vesta is not huge? The fire and gusto that shoots out through this CD is enough to sell out concerts and break record sales but why such a limited success? I have been looking into some of R&B/soul/funk/pop's finest misbegotten (it's members: Lisa Fishcer, Miki Howard, Angela Winbush, Cherrelle, Millie Jackson...just to name a few) and it boggles my mind as to why these songstresses, Vesta included, have gotten minimal to no accolades. Vesta is no exception but the comparison to Chaka Khan is evident. Vesta, like Lisa Fischer (whom was compared to Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston in her time), was compared to the legendary graveled voice diva Chaka Khan. Vesta, like Chaka, was heavy set, big haired and had the same gruff and melodic voice as Miss Khan. And if to not further mention that Vesta sung backup for Chaka as well.
So why didn't Vesta achieve the same amount? One can only wonder and blame the music industry for marketing more flashier, thinner and glamorous singers. Still Vesta's 1988 sophomore effort can hang with the tops of 1988 (Paula Abdul's "Forever Your Girl", Bobby Brown's "Don't Be Cruel", Pebbles "Pebbles" etc.)
Vesta pulls of an incredible album. It's chock filled with funky New Jack influence R&B jams and slow sultry smokin' ballads. And Vesta's vocals are not to be dissed. The woman can SING and she SINGS!
I tend to love songs that start off with conversation (like Alexander O'Neal's "Hearsay" for example) and on the opening track, "Here/Say" we hear Vesta arguing with her man about "sneaking around", then the full blast of sound pops with the opening chords. A swinging song that's heavy on the keyboards and drum machine (Vesta even breaks it down in rap!) and perfect for opening the album with. "All On You" starts off with a skittsh Vesta singing over, "Na na na na". Great opener! And a slinker dance vibe is on this track. The mid-tempo dance number title track is a good track, though at times it's lacks some depth but it has that New Jack swing thang going. "Sweet Sweet Love" is the first ballad and it's a very pretty, lush R&B tune. The jumpy "How You Feel" is verry 80's, the syncopated vocals and rhythms, drum machines...yep, great 80's stuff here! "Best I Ever Had" is gritty, raw and down right funky. Vesta really tears it up here! The standout track is the sultry smooth mid-tempo ballad, "Hunger". What a fabolous song! It starts slow and then crescendoes and leaves ya, well "hungry" for more. Great song and lovely flute solo. Vesta yearns and churns with this baby. Her big hit off of this is "Congratulations", a lush 80's styled ballad. To tell you the truth, I don't really like this. I mean it's an okay song but the strident trickle of keyboards at the beginning is what started EVERY 80's ballad back then and this song is just kinda cheesy and generic to me. The next track, "Running Into Memories", is by far better with it's smooth vocal stylings by Vesta. Her remake of Bread's 70's classic, "Make It With You" is a great recreation. I never much liked the original (too bland and uninspired for me)but Vesta made me realize what a pretty song this is. She really sings this song with passion and she made it better than the original!
The reason to grab up Vesta's "4U" is for the sole purpose to hear an album filled with just GOOD music, which is something hard to find these days. I'm 19 years old and a freshman at college, it amazes me how music has changed drastically since I was a child (when this album was released!) and now that music has become so commericialized it's hard to find a genuine female vocalist now. I'm glad that people like Vesta have made MUSIC, something that soothes the soul, makes you think and let's you enjoy. Pick this up if you love New Jack, soul, R&B or want to hear a vocalist really give it all "4U". Highly recommend!

Jennifer's Top 5
1. Hunger
2. Here/Say
3. All On You
4. How You Feel
5. Running Into Memories

ONE OF THE MOST UNDERRATED R&B DIVAS IN HISTORY.......2004-01-23

After wowing listeners with her 1986 debut and as a former background singer for Stephanie Mills and many other singers. Vesta Williams returned in 1988 with the smash hit cd 4U that won the ears of many radio stations with the lovely ballad Congratulations that was a top ten hit on the 80's charts and quickly became Vesta's {as she was better known as} trademark hit and becoming an instant classic. In the 90's Vesta followed up 4U with the underrated Special and Everything and More both of which did poorly on the charts and are now out of print. She Then tried again in 1997 with a album of ballads titled Relationships which only produced one minor single Someone For Me and failed to connect with radio and R&B listeners. Vesta should connect more with other fans and perhaps make a comeback album AND should bring back her cds in print which is why I don't have 4U yet. But someday maybe somehow she'll try again for a place on the R&B hotseat very soon but until then Vesta has left behind a album that will be a instant R&B classic

Average customer rating: Music for the masses Beautiful but perhaps overly solemn for some selections A tasteful and beautiful collection

Olde English Madrigals & Folk Songs at Ely Cathedral Manufacturer: American Gramaphone ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Gibbons, Orlando | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Holst | Holst, Gustav | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music A Cappella | Folk | Styles | Music Britain | British Isles | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Folk Songs | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Madrigals | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals; The King's Singers English and Italian Renaissance Madrigals English Madrigals and Songs The Fairie Round Madrigal History Tour ASIN: B0000005MB Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Come Away, Sweet Love
2. Weep, O Mine Eyes
3. Fair Phyllis I Saw
4. Now Is The Month Of Maying
5. Fairwell, Dear Love
6. April Is In My Mistress' Face
7. Draw On, Sweet Night
8. Sing We At Pleasure
9. My Bonnie Lass She Smileth
10. The Silver Swan
11. Mother, I Will Have A Husband
12. Dainty Fine Bird
13. As Vesta Was From Latmos Hill Descending
14. I Love My Love
15. My Sweetheart's Like Venus
16. Bushes And Briars
17. The Turtle Dove
18. The Three Ravens
19. Dashing Away With The Smoothing Iron
20. O Waly, Waly
21. Greensleeves

Customer Reviews:

Music for the masses.......2005-09-25

This disc is a bit different from many of the Cambridge Singers' discs in that it is exclusively secular songs. They have retained one of their favourite recording spaces, the Lady Chapel at Ely Cathedral, a structure well atuned to a capella singing (it has a natural nine second delay in the cathedral). This recording was John Rutter's first album on American Gramaphone Records.

--Music--
Madrigals are songs that have various purposes. They can be for private or public entertainment; they can be together with dramatic performances or played on their own. Petrarch is the inspiration of many madrigal texts, and folk songs also feature significantly. The English Madrigal School took full bloom during the golden age of Elizabeth; by the middle of the seventeenth century, the era of composition of the madrigal was essentially over. However, they have remained a popular pieces for performance, and many modern composers have arranged them, including on this disc Holst, Vaughan Williams and the Cambridge Singers director, Rutter.

Madrigals are often upbeat, happy, sometimes poignant, and lively. Some madrigals incorporate humour and jokes. There are exceptions to all of these, to be sure, including among the songs on this disc. Perhaps the best known madrigal in modern times, Greensleeves, is presented as the last piece on this disc, here in an arrangement by Vaughan Williams. There are lively emotions and sombre tones here, all sung with grace and consistent quality.

--Liner Notes--
Unlike many of the Cambridge Singers' CDs' liner notes, this one has a biographical sketch of John Rutter, a description of the setting at Ely Cathedral, a listing of the singers, and an essay about madigrals. Also unlike other CDs of theirs, this one does not include the words to the songs, a missing piece that would be helpful for many of the songs.

--John Rutter--
Rutter was born in London and educated at Clare College, Cambridge. This was where his career as a composer, arranger and conductor began. His early work was with groups at King's College Chapel at Cambridge as well as the Bath Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra. He has worked for the BBC providing music for educational series such as 'The Archaeology of the Bible Lands', until in 1979 he began forming the Cambridge Singers, and has continued a remarkable career of performance and recording as their director ever since.

--The Cambridge Singers--
The Cambridge Singers are a mixed choir of voices, many of whom were members of choir of Rutter's college, Clare College, Cambridge. While they specialise in English and Latin liturgical pieces, they have a wide range of recordings that span from modern compositions (including a remarkable requiem by Rutter) to English folk songs of the Middle Ages. Many are former members of the choir of Clare College and other Cambridge collegiate choirs (hence the name, Cambridge Singers). In the quarter-century since the founding, the Cambridge Singers have produced an impressive body of recordings.

This is a fun and fabulous recording.

Beautiful but perhaps overly solemn for some selections.......2002-10-19

The splendor of these arrangements and the setting confer on all of these traditional madrigals (and some newer arrangements: Side B is dominated by twentieth century arrangements) a certain solemnity and a certain stately pace (so the lyrics are not lost in the echo of the cathedral).

This leaves a strange effect on some selections, such as "Now Is The Month of Maying," which is about, um, springtime urges and here sounds oddly like a mass.

A tasteful and beautiful collection.......2001-08-21

This disc furthers my belief that madrigals are the best forum for a capella voice. Each song is unique and beautiful, and the sequencing allows a very smooth flow. Better-known works such as "Month of Maying" or "April is in my Mistress' Face" are perhaps most representative of the style, but included here are many lesser-known gems that you're sure to enjoy. The Cambridge Singers use their obviously well-honed skills to great results, from the more frivolous tracks to the darker, more solemn ones. Very highly recommended.

Average customer rating: Vesta Williams at Her Best! Pick This Up! Totally Underrated! Better Material Needed! SOULFUL SEXY AND JAZZY

Relationships Vesta Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: Everything-N-More Special Vesta 4 U Distant Lover It's the Real Thing ASIN: B00000AFDV Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

1. Can You Feel Me
2. Somebody For Me
3. I'll Be Alright
4. Like Today
5. You And I
6. I Have To
7. For Old Time Sake
8. You Still Do It
9. Who
10. Just Fine
11. All Because I'm Free

Customer Reviews:

Vesta Williams at Her Best!.......2006-03-14

I made a purchase of this CD back when it was first released. I remember at the time thinking to myself why was it not getting the exposure and airplay that it so rightfully deserved. I am here again to make a purchase of this CD again before it goes out of print. The one that I have is worn out due to getting much play (I plan to take better care of this one). Vesta put her foot in this one bringing in a the album concept. It shows Vesta really singing and interpreting a song, as it should be song with out all the overkill and drama that she can some time do to a song. For those of you who rate this Relationship CD one star maybe your looking for the acrobatic of her Congratulations and Special which is fine but a real singer need not sing every song to the extreme to get message across. This CD starts out mellow and ends mellow and can be appreciated in the true Quit Storm tradition. Her cover of You and I penned by Stevie Wonder is one of the best renditions of this song I've ever had the pleasure to hear.

Pick This Up!.......2005-10-18

This is a very good offering from a singer that has been around for a little. I can't understand what some people were listening to in order to give this CD only 1 star. This CD is a mature, soulful and jazzy. My favorite cuts are I Have To, Somebody For Me and You Still Do It.
Pick up this CD and it will be in heavy rotation in your CD player.

Totally Underrated!.......2004-12-09

I can't believe this album received bad reviews. It's one of the few that still stay in rotation on my CD player in my house and Car. Vesta gives you something to bop your head to, snap your fingers at and contemplate about. This is a grown folks CD, so if you're use to the screaming, R&B or Pop-wanna be divas, then don't bother because you surely will be disappointed. Kudos to Vesta for letting her sounds and voice grow.... this is a great driving CD too... cruise on...

Better Material Needed!.......2003-03-05

Other than "You Still Do It" this one's
not a great album. Here's the solution:
Hire one great songwriter, one great
producer and try again Vesta. Try Brian
McKnight or Leon Ware.

SOULFUL SEXY AND JAZZY.......2003-03-03

I like this relaese the best of all...its got so much soul with a hint of Jazz..Vesta sizzles on this realese from start tio finish.

U just put it on and let it play there is no need to skip any tracks.....lets have many more Vesta........its HOT...

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

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

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Average customer rating:

Flora Gave Me Fairest Flowers Manufacturer: Collegium ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Byrd, William | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Dowland | Dowland, John | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Gibbons, Orlando | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Gospel | Christian & Gospel | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Madrigals | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Partsongs | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: There Is Sweet Music: English Choral Songs, 1890 - 1950 Cambridge Singers a Capella All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals; The King's Singers English and Italian Renaissance Madrigals Beyond Chant: Mysteries Of The Renaissance ASIN: B0000952VP Release Date: 2003-08-01

Tracks:

1. Thomas WEELKES: Hark, all ye lovely saints above
2. William BYRD: Though Amaryllis dance in green
3. John BENNET: Round about in a fair ring
4. Thomas TOMKINS: Adieu, ye city-prisoning towers
5. Thomas WILBYE: Flora gave me fairest flowers
6. Thomas VAUTOR: Sweet Suffolk owl
7. Thomas WEELKES: As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending
8. William BYRD: Lullaby
9. William BYRD: This sweet and merry month of May
10. Thomas MORLEY: Now is the month of maying
11. John FARMER: A little pretty bonny lass
12. Thomas MORELY: Fyer, fyer!
13. Thomas TOMKINS: Too much I once lamented
14. Thomas MORLEY: My bonny lass she smileth
15. Thomas WEELKES: Ha ha! this world doth pass
16. Michael EAST: Quick, quick, away, dispatch
17. Orlando GIBBONS: Dainty fine bird
18. John DOWLAND: Come again! Sweet love doth now invite
19. Thomas VAUTOR: Mother, I will have a husband
20. Thomas WILBYE: Draw on, sweet night
21. Robert RAMSEY: Sleep, fleshly birth
22. Thomas WILBYE: Weep, weep, mine eyes
23. Thomas WEELKES: Death hath deprived me
24. Orlando GIBBONS: The silver swan
25. Thomas WILBYE: Adieu, sweet Amaryllis

Album Description

"an absolute joy" - Music and Musicians Hi-Fi News and Record Review Record of the Month The sixteenth-century madrigal was an Italian form. The term `madrigal' was loosely applied to a wide variety of music, but generally denoted a polyphonic setting for four or more voices of an amorous or pastoral text which was closely depicted in the music. Thomas Morely transplanted the form into England in the 1590s; this marked the beginning of the brief but brilliant flowering of the English madrigal. Between the 1590s and the early 1620s, twenty composers published a total of 36 books of madrigals, after which the form virtually disappeared. Some of these composers, such as Morely and Weelkes, followed the Italian model closely; others, such as Byrd and Gibbons, mostly stayed with the simpler English form of the consort song, where the tune remains in one voice, word-painting is not used, and strophic form is preferred to the continuous structure of the madrigal proper. Among the twenty-one items selected for this recording there are examples of several types of piece,! ranging from true Italianate madrigals such as Too much I once lamented, via more popular `balletts' such as Fyer, fyer!, to the simple part-songs like A little pretty bonny lass. The variety, imagination, and inspired blending of poetry and music characteristic of the best of the `English Madrigal School' afford a particular kind of delight in performance, shared equally by singer and listener

Average customer rating: The best of the best! Where's a real singer when ya need one??? Vesta's Third CD !

Special Vesta Manufacturer: A&M ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Disco | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music Quiet Storm | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: Everything-N-More Vesta 4 U Relationships Blackface Distant Lover ASIN: B00000DNCB Release Date: 1994-01-26

Tracks:

1. Special
2. I Don't Wanna Cry Anymore
3. Person to Person
4. Can't Get Enough of Your Love
5. Where Does the Love Go?
6. Thank You for the Chance
7. Rib Joint
8. TLC
9. Do Ya
10. Don't Trip
11. Compassion
12. I Promise Love

Customer Reviews:

The best of the best!.......2007-01-17

Half of the tracks are upbeat grooves and the rest are slow grooves. I saw an interview at the time this cd came out and what it meant to her. I agreed with her and even how she was able to pass on some social issues at the time that have never left us. She is coming out with an album later this month of old songs renewed. Check it out.

Where's a real singer when ya need one???.......2004-07-07

The late Phyllis Hyman. Regina Belle. Mikki Howard. Stephanie Mills. Jennifer Holiday. Lisa Fischer. Five singers that transcend others but yet are left "out in the cold" because of pop music's obsession with tinny, bland, cookie-cutter ingénues that can't sing their way out of a paper bag.

To that group of overlooked "divas", I would add Vesta; a talent with a major set of pipes but is remembered only by those of us that know talent when we hear it. The thirteen-year-old "Special" shows the singer at her most magnificent as she goes through a series of diverse songs.

The best of the slow jams are the title cut, "I Don't Wanna Cry Anymore", "Person to Person", "Where Does the Love Go?" and "I Promise Love".

On "TLC" and "Don't Trip", the singer shows that she can "get down" with the best of them. And she gets downright funky on "Do Ya", completing the trio of dance tracks.

This fan and so many others longing for a real singer to be found on the charts would welcome Vesta's return to the music spotlight.

Vesta's Third CD !.......2003-09-07

This album is another excellent effort that shows her continuing maturation. She gives an engaging vocal proformace throughout. It has beautiful ballads and excellent club worthy up-tempo tracks. Highlights include the ballad "Special" (the second single) and the up-tempo dance track "Do Ya" (the first single). If you don't already have this cd, buy it!

Average customer rating: Truly A Winning Combination she is the best

Winning Combinations: Ce Ce Peniston & Vesta Williams Cece Peniston & Vesta Williams Manufacturer: A&M Super Budget ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Dance Pop | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | R&B | Styles | Music General | Soul | R&B | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | R&B General | R&B | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | R&B General | R&B | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Dance & DJ | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Pop | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 R&B | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Vesta 4 U The Very Best of Miki Howard Essential Everything-N-More 20th Century Masters - The Millennium Collection: The Best of Ce Ce Peniston ASIN: B00004YX3V Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

1. Finally - Cece Peniston
2. I'm In The Mood (East 87th St. Mix) - Cece Peniston
3. Before I Lay - Cece Peniston
4. Hit By Love - Cece Peniston
5. We Got A Love Thang - Cece Peniston
6. Sweet Thang - Vesta Williams
7. Do Ya - Vesta Williams
8. Congratulations - Vesta Williams
9. Special - Vesta Williams
10. Once Bitten Twice Shy - Vesta Williams

Customer Reviews:

Truly A Winning Combination.......2001-08-03

If you are looking for a comprehensive overview of either Vesta's or Ce Ce Peniston's careers, this is not the way to go. Although the song choices are very good, A&M just did not cover enough ground on this CD. Luckily, for Ce Ce Peniston fans, a Best Of package was recently released. A&M has failed to give Vesta that same honor. While Vesta's career has been longer and far more successful than Ce Ce's, we have yet to see a Greatest Hits package from the singer. Which is really a shame. Vesta is one of the best vocalists in the music industry. All you have to do an take a listen to "Congratulations", "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" and "Special" to see why Vesta's four A&M albums were so popular among R&B music fans. This CD is noteworthy because it contains a couple of long out of print songs from Vesta's 1986 self-titled debut CD. "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" and "Sweet Thang" are some of the best songs she has recorded and it refreshing to see them finally available again on CD. You won't be dissappointed with this CD. There is some fabulous music contained here and for such a cheap price, you can't beat it!

she is the best.......2000-11-06

Ce Ce Peniston is some best singer to dance music. If you want to feeling star listening the music - Ce Ce.

Average customer rating: no need for pessimism Fantastic soprano, good CD. a fine CD for collector I tried Beautiful voice, flawed album

Bel Sogno: Italian Arias & Scenes Münchner Rundfunkorchester , Giacomo Puccini , Vincenzo Bellini , Alfredo Catalani , Giuseppe Verdi , Francesco Cilea , and Gaetano Donizetti Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B000059QWD Release Date: 2002-01-29

Tracks:

1. Cilea: Ecco... Io son l'umile ancella
2. Donizetti: Piangete voi... Al dolce guidami
3. Catalani: Ebben, ne andro lontana
4. Bellini: Eccomi in lieta vesta... O quante volte
5. Verdi: E strano... Ah, fors'e lui...Sempre libera
6. Verdi: Teneste la promessa... Addio, del passato
7. Verdi: Come in quest'ora bruna
8. Verdi: Ave Maria
9. Puccini: Un bel di vedremo
10. Puccini: Si, mi chiamano
11. Puccini: Donde lieta usci
12. Puccini: In quelle trine morbide
13. Puccini: Senza mamma
14. Puccini: O mio babbino caro

Customer Reviews:

no need for pessimism.......2005-04-23

it's surprising to see so many negative reviews here, since I remember GRAMOPHONE magazine gushing about the "sheer pleasure" of reviewing Gallardo-Domas' album, which made me risk the purchase despite a tired old song selection (NOT another "Sempre libera"! NOT another "Un bel di"!). and I was converted. the technical aspects aside (of which I don't know enough to discuss knowledgeably), her singing is so emotional, so heart-on-sleeve, it breathes life into age-old arias. her Violetta is truly overwhelming, and even if one takes into account the differences in taste that might be prejudiced against a voice like hers, she deserves better. I vote 5 stars.

Fantastic soprano, good CD........2004-11-08

Cristina Gallardo-Domas is one of the best sopranos around in her repertoire. She has a solid technique, a good musicality, an amazing sense of interpretation. She is very expressive. I also love her vocal timbre.
I would say that Bel Sogno is a good CD, very enjoyable, specially for the excerpts from Adrianna and Puccini operas. Cristina is at her best in other recordings, specially from live performances (for example, her Butterfly from Covent Garden is simply fantastic), but this CD has some very high points, and it deserves to be listened.

a fine CD for collector.......2004-07-22

Cristina Gallardo-Domas has a very beautiful voice and fine technique. though she did not did well in all the works here, but some are outstanding~! for example the "Ecco... Io son l'umile ancella" is flowing and expressive, diction is very clear.

the reason for collect this CD is that she gave many new idea in singing those arias, so that i am pleased when i listen to those 14 famous arias againi in this cd.

to record these famous arias is not easy... since she has to be compared by the people to many opera superstars. i think to compare is good, but we should think of how much new ideas she gave to us (for these arias), and for this i think she did a really good job.

I tried.......2004-02-02

I tried with this soprano, I really tried. I wanted so badly to love her, but the truth is this; she is no better than any undergrad student anywhere. At times she sounds like an old lady in a church choir! If she is such an accomplished artist why is she in such bad vocal shape. Don't buy this, you will be mad at yourself!!

Beautiful voice, flawed album.......2002-04-15

I have waited for a recital album to come from this young soprano ever since I heard her Angelica in the recent recording of Il Trittico. I was disappointed in the resulting album, however--Gallardo-Domas's voice is large and beautiful, but she doesn't quite have the vocal technique or ability to sing some of these arias. In the verismo pieces, such as the Puccini selections or the Catalani aria, she is quite good, although her "Senza Mamma" was much better in the Trittico recording. In the previous recording, she demonstrated an ability to float a beautiful pianissimo high note, but she seems to have lost a little of that on this album. Her vibrato is uncontrolled and sometimes seems to take over her voice. The Verdi and Bel Canto selections are much worse--the less-than-perfect technique that is permissable in Verismo is unacceptable here. Her coloratura on "Sempre libera" is simply painful to listen to, and why she would choose to record this aria is beyond me.

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