Burguesia [Import]

Product Description
Cazuza's Last Recording and an Important Document of Brazilian Rock. He Passed Away in 1990.

Burguesia,Cazuza,Universal,World Music

Average customer rating: Jersey Boys Like being there A step back in musical time Great music, but missing too much Jersey boys win my heart

Jersey Boys (2005 Original Broadway Cast) Ronald Melrose , Ken Dow , Anik Oulianine , Stephanie Cummins , Deborah Hurwitz , Kevin Dow , Joe Payne , Larry Saltzman , Dave Spier , Bill Hayes , Randall Andos , Bob Milikan , Debra Shufelt , Maxine Roach , Belinda Whitney , Cenovia Cummins , Eric de Gioia , Louise Owen , Robin Zeh , Sarah Schwartz , Shinwon Kim , Christian Hoff , Daniel Reichard , Donnie Kehr , Erica Piccininni , J. Robert Spencer , Jennifer Naimo , John Lloyd Young , Sara Schmidt , Tituss Burgess , Steve Orich , and Bob Gaudio Manufacturer: Rhino / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Rhino Records | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Pop | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Soundtracks | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Classical | Styles | Blowout Music | Stores | Music All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 25% Off | Blowout Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Very Best of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast) Spring Awakening (2006 Original Broadway Cast) The Color Purple (2005 Original Broadway Cast) ASIN: B000BFH2QY Release Date: 2005-11-01

Tracks:

1. Ces Soirees la'
2. Early Years Medley
3. Cry For Me
4. Backups Medley
5. Sherry
6. Big Girls Don't Cry
7. Walk Like A Man
8. December, 1963
9. My Boyfriend's Back
10. My Eyes Adored You
11. Dawn (Go Away)
12. Big Man In Town
13. Dialog: A Little Trouble
14. Beggin'
15. Dialog: See How You Handle It
16. Medley Listen Listen
17. c'mon marianne
18. Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You
19. Working My Way Back To You
20. Fallen Angel

Amazon.com

Although it squarely falls in the "jukebox musical" category, Jersey Boys doesn¹t try to integrate its songs in an artificial plotline. The show tells the story of the early-1960s group the Four Seasons, and the musical numbers tend to be introduced in context, as when songwriter Bob Gaudio comes up with a tune, or the quartet performs a show. This allows Jersey Boys to flow better than some of ill-fated peers, and the actors can shine without having to bend backward to accommodate an inane book. The show's most (only) daring move is to start with a hip-hop-tinged French-language version of "December 1963 (Oh, What a Night)," an actual hit in France in 2000. After that it's all VH1-biopic territory, but it's done with so much flair, taste and energy that the ride's a fun one. The Four Seasons had enough hits ("Sherry," "Big Girls Don't Cry," "Rag Doll," etc.) to easily fill an evening at the theater, so it's left to the cast to do right by them. And it does, particularly John Lloyd Young as the band¹s star lead, Frankie Valli. Young hits all the falsetto notes and brings real freshness to the part. His "Can¹t Take My Eyes Off You," a second-act peak, is signed, sealed and delivered with a star's acumen. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Album Description

Recounting the rich history and reliving the timeless sounds of the phenomenal Frankie Vallie & The 4 Seasons, the new Broadway musical Jersey Boys answers the musical-and philosophical question, "How did four would-be wise guys from Newark, NJ, become one of the greatest chart-topping successes in pop music history?" Jersey Boys celebrates legendary Rock and Roll Hall of Famers Frankie Valli, Bob Gaudio, Tommy DeVito, and Nick Massi who, as the 4 seasons, wrote their own songs, invented their own identity, and sold 175 million records worldwide-all before they were 30.

Customer Reviews:

Jersey Boys.......2007-07-08

Purchased CD prior to seeing the show when visiting USA in '06. A fun lively show - the CD now captivates those fond memories of not only the foot tapping music & show but also our special time in New York.

Like being there.......2007-07-05

Have seen the play twice. This album lets me relive the experience anytime anyplace. A great piece of Rock n roll history.

A step back in musical time.......2007-07-05

My wife and daughter didn't know about the Four Seasons but I did. When I told them I wanted to see the musical on stage, there was no interest so I bought this product and they heard it in the car. We went to the stage musical soon after and we have listened to the entire disk so many times I've lost track. I created a Four Seasons monster in my daughter. She's fifteen and has memorized most of the songs and sings along while we are driving somewhere.

Great music, but missing too much.......2007-07-04

I saw this play at age 16 with no idea who the Four Seasons were, but instantly fell in love with it. The problem is, this soudntrack cuts a two hour play into less than an hour on CD. Most of the dialouge is missing, only including enough to let each member of the group at least say something. I know many play soundtracks cut out dialouge, but what confuses me is why this stretches to the music as well. What is there is amazing, but I don't understand why most of the songs are cut to half, and sometimes even a third or fourth of their original lengths. I love this CD, just be aware that you are hardly getting any story, just clips of lots of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons songs. So, great music and dialouge, just not enough for a musical soundtrack.

Jersey boys win my heart.......2007-07-03

what a wonderful album-brings back such wonderful memories
they don't write songs like this enough today

Average customer rating: Superb with just one reservation Go ahead, test your intelligence... The definitive recordings. Sound Splitting Music An aural knockout

Varèse - The Complete Works / Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra · Asko Ensemble · Chailly Edgard Varese , Riccardo Chailly , Mireille Delunsch , Sarah Leonard , Royal Concertgebouw Orhcestra , and Asko Ensemble Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Percussion | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Anton Webern: Complete Works, Opp. 1-31 Varese: Arcana; Ameriques; Ionization; Offrandes; Density 21.5; Octandre; Integrales Penderecki: Anaklasis; Threnody; etc. Xenakis: Orchestral Works & Chamber Music Arnold Schoenberg: Serenade/Five Pieces For Orchestra ASIN: B00000AFR8 Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

1. Tuning Up
2. Amques (Original Version)
3. Po ectronique
4. Arcana
5. Nocturnal
6. Un Grand Sommeil Noir (Orchestral Version)

Tracks:

1. Un Grand Sommeil Noir (Original Version)
2. Offrandes: Chanson de laut
3. Offrandes: La Croix du Sud
4. Hyperprism
5. Octandre: Assez lent
6. Octandre: Trvif et nerveux
7. Octandre: Grave - Animt jubilatoire
8. Intales
9. Ecuatorial
10. Ionisation
11. Density 21.5
12. Drts: 1st Episode
13. Drts: 1st interpolation of organized sound
14. Drts: 2nd episode
15. Drts: 2nd interpolation
16. Drts: 3rd episode
17. Drts: 3rd interpolation
18. Drts: 4th episode
19. Dance for Burgess

Amazon.com essential recording

For a composer who is (now) recognizably part of the 20th-century classical canon, the French émigré Edgard Varèse's output was astoundingly meager. Just 15 compositions from his entire life (he destroyed the compositions from his early years, and was a merciless editor of his own material in general) made it out to the listening world. Varèse was caught in the chasm between the music of yesterday and the music of tomorrow: scoring music for modified theremin, steamboat whistles, or air sirens, all balanced with the force of a large orchestra; writing pieces based on the flows of water and wind because that's what shapes the earth; using the concepts of chemical reactions and specific gravity as a basis for his music. Using extremes of contrast, dissonance, and variety in sound, Varèse's pieces had power in the way he attacked and shaped the sound he imagined. From Ionisation (1929), scored almost entirely for unpitched percussion, to the electronic-only, three-dimensionally produced Poeme Electronique (1958), he's provided a foundation that many genres, musicians, and composers were to build from not only for the next 40 years, but inevitably beyond. --Robin Edgerton

Customer Reviews:

Superb with just one reservation.......2006-11-10

This complete works of Varèse, superbly performed and recorded, is a fine accomplishment. My only disappointment was its version of Poème Elèctronique being the sole representation of that ground-breaking work that still holds up for me today as one of the finest pieces of electronic music yet created. It is interesting to be able to hear the version in this collection, which appears to be a loving restoration of what must have been primarily the raw, performing version, to be further enhanced during its performances in a very large space? What I miss in the present version is the more clearly heard textures of its huge sound palette; the resonant and often humerous interplay between them, and its dramatic sweep as it was presented on a sparcely documented stereo mix that first appeared on a Columbia Records LP, later reissued on a CD, now out of print. That one is surely more like an actual performance, presumably mixed to re-create as well as possible then what it might have sounded like over its four hundred loudspeakers in the Philips Pavillion. I hope there will be further reissues. To me the CBS version's drama and energy are more like that of the performances of the other pieces in this wonderful Complete Works set. -Curt Wittig

Go ahead, test your intelligence..........2006-06-18

Frank Zappa used to play Varese to test the intelligence of his friends, and most of them used to look at him like he was "out of his f---ing mind" as he put it. As a major Zappa fan, I bought this compliation, and I love every minute of it. This 2 CD set contains all of Varese's work (needless to say, Edgar wasn't very prolific). You really hear Varese's influence in Zappa's work. Some favorite pieces are Deserts, Poem Electronique, and Un Grand Sommeil Noir (Original Version). Varese's music reminds me of universes being created, in all their violence, beauty, and glory. Instruments crashing down upon one another. This music is reminiscent of Zappa's Weasels Ripped My Flesh and his orchestral work especially. Varese is one of the great American composers, like Aaron Copland, John Cage, and Conlon Nancarrow. Superb....

The definitive recordings........2005-11-09

Riccardo Chailly once said Varèse was going to be the Brahms of the XXI Century. I really don't know if he will be right or wrong, specially because of the very conservative auditoriums we have all around the world, but it should be this way, as the french composer has died too many years ago and his music should be understood but most of the public. It's sad to know that composers, like the own Mahler said, use to be years, decades, even centuries in advance to the general public .

Anyway, it's very important for the popular knowledge of this composers to have recordings like this, in which everything works perfectly as if it was a clock. After many years having some good recordings conducted by Boulez (Sony) and Nagano (Erato) mainly, we have now the possibility of listening one of the most musical and technical orchestra & baton of this time: The Concertgebouworkest and Riccado Chailly.

Most of the versions in this 2CDs set are the best I know, specially the orchestral works, played with conviction and precision by the Concertgebouworkest, an orchestra that had some problems with Mr.Chailly when they begin to play this, for them, `rare' music. The way Arcana sounds its incredible, full of power, mistery and perfection, the performing of Ameriques is breathtaking and I can only compare it with the truly outstanding version by Pierre Boulez with the CSO for DG. Deserts is a new dimension in Chailly's hands, really terrible and full of dark emotions.

Of course, there are little things that could be a bit better, like the Spanish sung in Ecuatorial, better sung in Nagano's version, but generally the performing is marvellous and the instrumental and ondes Martenot's playing in this piece is perfect in Chailly's version.

The ASKO Ensemble versions are outstanding too, showing a very modern Varèse. The performing of Ionisation, that great jewel, listened with a good Hi-Fi system is a experience not to be lost.

The recordings are very good, not outstanding, as it sounds like distant sometimes, but clear and with good definition, of course better with good electronics.

Booklet and presentation of the box is marvellous too; as it has to be in real event in recorded music in the last decades.

Sound Splitting Music.......2002-06-25

First, let me state that I am a long-time Varese fanatic. I first heard Ionisation live at a contemporary music concert in my town when I was 12, and I was hooked. I immediately bought the old Robert Craft double album on Columbia and played it until there were scratches on the scratches. So I was overjoyed to see a modern "complete" recording with up to date sonics. For the most part, I haven't been too disappointed with the performances either.

Chailly is great on much of this music. Ameriques and Arcana are sonic extravagazas. And this is the best recording I've heard of Nocturnal and Ecuatorial. Chailly does a good job with the chamber pieces of the 20s and 30s, though I agree with other reviewers, Boulez is much clearer on Ionisation. Chailly misses some of my favorite parts, and I find it hard to hear the first snare drum theme. (I'm also quite partial to Craft's version, but I don't think it's available anymore.)

I also must add to the chorus of exceptions on the questionable material. The orhestrated version of the solo song has no place on this CD. It doesn't sound like Varese, more like Debussy, and though the song is quite impressionistic, I think we presume too much to orchestrate it and pass it off as "complete" Varese. And neither Tune Up nor Dance for Burgess really add much to our understanding of Varese, and are of questionable value. I suspect that Varese would have destroyed them completely had he been able. Much better to have a recording of the revised version of Ameriques. The revision is so extensive, that a side by side comparison would be illuminating.

All in all, I like this CD. Chailly's take on Varese is big and passionate, something that I think both Boulez and Craft miss. Abravanel comes close to this passion, but Chailly wins because of the gorgeous sonics. I highly recommend this CD to those interested in exploring the unique sound world of Varese.

An aural knockout.......2002-02-01

Here are two discs with some of the most exciting 20th-century music around. Chailly and the Concertgebouw give definitive readings of Varèse's complex pieces, some written for a huge orchestra, and recorded in typically opulent London sound.

My favorites are, without a doubt, "Ameriques" and "Arcana," two explosive showpieces that will give your sound system quite a workout. But far from being merely loud, the scores have many beautiful textures (including quiet ones) scattered throughout the orchestra, and Chailly captures much of the glittering detail.

I even like "Tuning Up," which may seem like a less substantial work to most ears. To be fair, if the piece is not the last word in Varèse's imagination, it is clever enough for its short duration, and as with everything on this disc, the orchestra sounds superb and totally undaunted. Their virtuosity is both satisfying and thrilling, especially in such seldom-performed music.

Make sure your neighbors are away before turning up the performance of "Ameriques," though - the last few pages will blow your roof off.

I suspect Varèse would have loved this collection.

Average customer rating: Ahh, Florence!! Best Italian Renaissance disc available. Munrow is magnificent boccacio would be proud

Early Music Festival / David Munrow, Early Music Consort Antonio Zaccara da Teramo , Giovanni Da Firenze , Lorenzo da Firenze , Jacopo da Bologna , Claudio Monteverdi , Luca Marenzio , Cristofano Malvezzi , Emilio de' Cavalieri , Costanzo Festa , Bartolomeo Tromboncino , Giovanni Domenico del Giovane da Nola , Marchetto Cara , David Munrow , John Beckett , James Bowman , Nigel Rogers , Martin Hill , John Frost , Janita Noorman , and Grayston Burgess Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Monteverdi | Monteverdi, Claudio | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Marenzio | Marenzio, Luca | ( M ) | 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 Ballets & Dances | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music ( E ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music | Eaglen, Jane | Emerson String Quartet | Ensemble Galilei | Ensemble Organum | Eroica Trio | Eschenbach, Christoph General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Folk | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | 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 Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Sinners & Saints: The Ultimate Medieval and Renaissance Music Collection Henry VIII & His Six Wives Panorama: Dances of the Renaissance Music Of The Crusades Codex Faenza: Instrumental Music of the Early 15th Century ASIN: B000009DFX Release Date: 1998-07-14

Tracks:

1. Ecca la primavera
2. Lamento di Tristano
3. Giuinta vaga bilta
4. Questa fanciull'amor
5. Trotto
6. De! dinmi tu
7. Con dolce brama
8. Due saltarelli
9. Rosetta
10. Quan ye voy le duc
11. Cara mie donna
12. La bionda trecca
13. La Manfredina
14. Donna 'l tuo partimento
15. Chon bracchi assai
16. Istampita Ghaetta
17. Da, da, a chi avaregia
18. Fenice fu' e vissi
19. Biance flour

Tracks:

1. Music For Ferdinando de' Medici: Toccata ('Orfeo')
2. Secondo intermedio: Sinfonia
3. Secondo intermedio: Belle ne fe' natura
4. Secondo intermedio: Chi dal delfino
5. Secondo intermedio: Se nelle voci nostre
6. Secondo intermedio: O figlie di Piero
7. Sesto intermedio: Dal vago e bel sereno
8. Sesto intermedio: O qual risplende nube
9. Sesto intermedio: Godi turba mortal
10. Sesto intermedio: O fortunato giorno
11. Sesto intermedio: O che nuovo miracolo
12. Quando ritrova
13. Allemana-ripresa: Quando ritrova
14. Io son l'occello
15. Pavana 'La cornetta'
16. Gagliarda 'Giorgio'
17. Tri ciechi siamo
18. Io non compro
19. Ahime sospiri
20. Pavana 'Forze d'Ercole'
21. Orsu, orsu, car' Signori
22. Pavana 'El colognese'
23. Dance Songs: Era di Maggio
24. Dance Songs: El marchese di Salluzzo
25. Dance Songs: In questo ballo
26. Dance Songs: Noi ci vogliam' partire
27. Dance Songs: Bussa la porta
28. Dance Songs: La pastorella
29. Dance Songs: E su quel monte
30. Dance Songs: Maggio valente
31. Dance Songs: Sorella mia piacente

Customer Reviews:

Ahh, Florence!!.......2002-10-14

Italian culture during the period from the 14th to the 16th centuries was a whirlwind of developing literature and art, and during this period of history Florence was a political and cultural center to rival Milan or Verona.
I love medieval and renaissance music. They are the "roots" of the great classics centuries later. One does not cultivate a complete education of art by studying only such Masters as Van Gogh, Renoir, Picasso, Dali etc. So it is with fine music.
These CD's contain examples of Florentine musical composition from the 1300's and 1500's. The first CD, performed by David Munrow and the Early Music Consort, covers compositions from the 1300's, with many of the works of Francesco Landini, the most prolific Florentine composer of this period. The second covers music from the 1500's and is performed by John Beckett and the Musica Reservata. Here we can see the early development of both symphonic structure and opera.
Both discs are wonderful examples of different periods in the history of musical development, and performed by different conductors and artists. Therefore a comparison between the two is unfair and misplaced. David Munrow and the Early Music Consort are superb, as I have always found them to be, and John Beckett and the Musica Reservata are equally enjoyable.
If you appreciate early music you will find this recording to be a fantastic addition to your collection, and perhaps the definitive collection of early Italian music. If you are unfamiliar with early music or with Italian Renaissance music then these CD's would be a wonderful introduction.

Best Italian Renaissance disc available........2002-06-28

This re-issue of recordings from the early 70's by the Early Music Consort Of London is,in my opinion,the best recordings of Italian Renaissance works.It is the favorite of my eary music discs,and includes music treasures from 14th and 16th century Florence. Great listening on both discs,and worth the money!

Munrow is magnificent.......2001-11-20

The first disc in this collection is delightful. David Munrow's recorder is a genuine treat. The vocal parts blend well and create a festive atmosphere. The Early Music Consort of London offer a splendid performance. By contrast, the second disc, which features Musica Reservata, is a bit disappointing. Two of the solo voices on disc two are harsh, detracting from an otherwise pleasant recording. They may fairly represent the performing style of sixteenth century Florence, but that is small consolation for the twentieth century ear. Nonetheless, the virtues of the first disc are sufficient to warrant purchasing this collection. Munrow is magnificent.

boccacio would be proud.......2000-04-23

this is a superb recording of early music it is well performed and played. the first cd is all music from the 1300,s and the second is from the 1500,s if you like the kind of music this is the cd to get well worth it.

Average customer rating: An excellent introduction to Rigoletto Verdi Lovers's Dream: A Superb Recording

Verdi - Rigoletto / Sills · Milnes · Kraus · M. Dunn · Ramey · PO · Rudel Giuseppe Verdi , Julius Rudel , Beverly Sills , Sherrill Milnes , Philharmonia Orchestra , Ambrosian Opera Chorus , Alfredo Kraus , Mignon Dunn , Samuel Ramey , Ann Murray Sally Burgess , and Malcolm King Dennis O'Neill Manufacturer: Angel Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Rossini: The Barber of Seville (Complete opera); Beverly Sills; Nicolai Gedda; James Levine; London Symphony Orchestra Verdi: La Traviata / Sills, Gedda, Panerai; Ceccato Bellini - I Puritani Verdi - Giovanna d'Arco (Joan of Arc)/ Caballé · Domingo · Milnes · LSO · Levine Massenet: La Navarraise / Horne, Domingo, Milnes, Bacquier, Zaccaria, Davies, LSO, Lewis ASIN: B000002S7K Release Date: 1996-09-10

Tracks:

1. Act One: Preludio - Phil Orch/Julius Rudel
2. Act One/Scene One: Della Mia Bella Incognita Borghese - Alfredo Kraus/Dennis O'Niell
3. Act One/Scene One: Questa O Quella - Alfredo Kraus
4. Act One/Scene One: Partite? Crudele! - Afredo Kraus/Sally Burgess
5. Act One, Scene One: In Testa Che Avete - Sherrill Milnes/Dennis O' Neill
6. Act One, Scene One: Gran Nuova! Gran Nran Nuova! - Rawnsley/O'Neill/Kraus/King/Milnes
7. Act One, Scene One: Ch'ioGli Parli - Ramey/Kraus/O'Neill/Milnes/Rawnsley/King
8. Act One, Scene One: O Tu Che La Festa Audace - Kraus/O'Neill/Milnes/Rawnsley/King
9. Act One, Scene Two: Quel Vecchio Maledivami! (Rigoletto/Sparafucile) - Sherrill Milnes/Samuel Ramey
10. Act One, Scene Two: Pari Siamo! (Rigoletto) - Sherrill Milnes
11. Act One, Scene Two: Figlia!...Mio Padre! - Sherrill Milnes
12. Act One, Scene Two: Ah, Veglia, O Donnna (Rigoletto/Gilda) - Sherrill Milnes/Beverly Sills
13. Act One, Scene Two: Giovanna, Ho Dei Rimorsi (Gilda/Giovanna/Duca) - Sills/Murray/Kraus
14. Act One, Scene Two: E Il Sol Dell Anima - Kraus/Sills /King
15. Act One, Scene Two: Addio! Speranza Ed Anima - Alfredo Kraus/Beverly Sills
16. Act One, Scene Two: Gaultier Maide!...Caro Nome - Sills/O'Neill/King/Rawnsley
17. Act One, Scene Two: Riedo! - Milnes/O'Neill/King/Rawnsley
18. Act One, Scene Two: Zitti, Zitti, Moviamo A Vendetta - O'Neill/Rawnsley/King
19. Act One, Scene Two: Soccorso, Padre Padre Mio! - Sills/O'Neill/Rawnsley/King/Milnes

Tracks:

1. Act Two: Ella Mi fu Rapital - Sills/O'Neill/Rawnsley/King/Milnes
2. Act Two: Parmi Veder le Lagrime - Alfredo Kraus
3. Act Two: Duca, Duca...Ebben? - Alfredo Kraus
4. Act Two: Possente Amor Mi Chiama - O'Neill/Rawnsley/King/Kraus
5. Act Two: Povero Rigoletto! - Rawnsley/Milnes/O'Neill/King/Smith
6. Act Two: Cortigiani, Vil Razza Dannato - Sherrill Milnes
7. Act Two: Mio Padre! Dio Mia Gilda! - Sherrill Milnes
8. Act Two: Tutte Le Feste Al Tempio - Beverly Sills/Sherrill Milnes
9. Act Two: Compiuto Pur Quanto - Milnes/Sills/Watt/Ramey
10. Act Two: Si, Vendetta, Tremenda Vendetta - Sherrill Milnes/Beverly Sills
11. Act Three: E L' Ami? - Milnes/Sills/Kraus/Ramey
12. Act Three: La Donna E Mobile - Kraus/Ramey/Milnes
13. Act Three: Un Di, Se Ben Rammentomi - Kraus/Ramey/Milnes
14. Act Three: Bella Figlia Dell 'Amore - Kraus/Dunn/Sills/Milnes
15. Act Three: Venti Scudi Hai Tu Detto - Milnes/Ramey/Kraus/Dunn
16. Act Three: E Amabile Invero - Dunn/Ramey/Sills
17. Act Three: Della Vendetta Alfin Giunge I' Istante! - Milnes/Ramey/Kraus
18. Act Three: Chi Mai, Chi E Qui In Sua Vece? - Sherrill Milnes/Beverly Sills

Customer Reviews:

An excellent introduction to Rigoletto.......2004-09-01

I bought this opera several months ago as my first Rigoletto. This was my introduction to the opera and it serves as an extreamly worthy one. This may not be the best RIGOLETTO out there, but it does come close.

We have Julius Rudel at the helm here, in firm terriotory as a Verdi conductior. The Cast is uniformally excellent. He and the Philharmonia orchestra turns the music into a whole other world, a threatinging prelude, an act one party where you almost can see the debauchery in the air and the music, a dark confrontation between Rigoletto and Sparafucile. Rudel lets the tragedy spiral downwards at a breakneck (but not too hasty) pace that works well for the last two acts, but lets the lyrical moments hang on the edges of your memorymost efectivley.

Alfredo Kraus is somewhat past his prime here, but still gives a exhilarating performace of the duke. His high D at the end of Possintene Amour" is thrilling. Sills is likewise edging the end of her career but she is still Sills, still excellent, and still beautiful. Sherrill Milnes here holds his place as the successor to Tito Gobbi as the greatest Bass-Baritone of the Day. His Rigoletto is amazing, a Chilling, dark sound that can only be rivaled by Gobbi. He shocked me into cold stone silence several times durrring the opera. Samuel Ramey, one of my personal favorite singers, is caught here at the early stage of his greatness, singing both a Dark and frightening Sparafucile and an anguished, threatining Montarone. Mignon Dunn is a senusal Maddeleana, and the smaller parts are handeled expertly as well. 10/10

Verdi Lovers's Dream: A Superb Recording.......2004-02-09

For Verdi fans, this 1979 studio recording is a must have, even if you already own other recordings of Rigoletto. There are many fine, outstanding recordings in the market - among them a classic recording featuring Bjussi Bjorling and Roberta Peters, but a good Rigoletto should not be limited to mere novelty and flashy singing -this opera is full of such great arias as the famous tenor aria "La Dona E Mobile" and many singers like Pavoratti merely show off their voice. It requires really great acting and convincing passions. Fortunately,there are some singers who do get into the characters and provide us with real drama - names that come to mind for terrific Rigolettos are Robert Merill, Juan Pons and in this recording Sherill Milnes and there have been many fine Gildas as this recording's Beverly Sills, the forementioned Roberta Peters, Sumi Jo and Andrea Rost most recently. The good thing about Rigoletto is that for once, a baritone is the star and the character with most substance. Usually baritones in opera are fatherly figures or villains. The character of Rigoletto the hunchback jester was the inspiration for the troubled clown in I Pagliacci. Rigoletto is a man of contrast and conflict. He is a loving father as well as a man consumed by revenge. He comes off like a lost Shakespearean tragic hero.

THE STORY was sensational for its time. Verdi drew plot from a Victor Hugo play. Rigoletto is the court jester of the corrupt and immoral Duke of Renaissance Mantua, Italy, and his fawning court are sycophants. Rigoletto is himself a man of questionable virtue since he was as bad as the courtiers who helped in bringing the lusty Duke new female sexual victims. In Act 1, Monterrone, whose daughter has been raped by the Duke, is insulted by Rigoletto- his biggest mistake. Monterrone puts a curse on Rigoletto. The curse theme music is played significantly in the score. Soon, the curse takes effect. Rigoletto's daughter Gilda falls for the Duke's trap when he disguises himself as a poor student only to have her courtiers abduct her and bring her into his bed chamber where he rapes her. Rigoletto learns about the incident and swears revenge. He hires a hitman Sparafucile to kill the Duke. But by the end of the opera, Gilda gives up her life willingly for the Duke and Sparafucile accidentally kills her instead. The evil Duke lives scot-free and Rigoletto mourns the death of his daughter, recalling "La Maldizzione" the curse of Monterrone.

THIS RECORDING was made in 1978-79. By this time, the principal singers were seasoned and veteran opera stars- tenor Alfredo Kraus, soprano Beverly Sills and baritone Sherril Milnes had been singing for years and were approaching retirement from the stage. Nevertheless, they are so well-trained both dramatically as actors and as singers that their age is irrelevant. They do deliver a spectacular opera. Sherill Milnes is one of the best Rigoletto's- full of anguish, despair, vindictive spirit and bitterness. Impressive are his "Vendetta" aria, his duets with Gilda in touching father-daughter moments and his attack on the wicked Duke's court "Cortigiani, vil raza" as well as his powerfully moving final scene. Alfredo Kraus' potrayal of the Don Giovanni-type Duke of Mantua is sensational. Brilliantly sung and brilliantly performed, he comes off as wanton, devil-may-care and degenerate -"Questo E Quella" and "La Dona E Mobile" are greatly delivered as well as his wooing song "E il sol dell'anima". Beverly Sill's Gilda will move you to tears. Her sweet but powerful soprano voice is tinged with pathos and naivete- "Caro Nome" is the best interpretation on my perpective and so is her death scene. The Ambrosia Opera Chorus sings in fine harmony and Julius Rudel as always conducts a fine orchestra. This recording is also available in "Highlights" form on Amazon.com. In fact, this entire recording is out of stock but hopefully it will resurface from the z-shops soon. A must have and absolutely the best Rigoletto there is.

Average customer rating: A Splendid Souvenir to Remember a Spectacular Performance! god moves in a peculiar way.........i am god...... Orpheus in the Underworld Excerpts Highlights or total Opera?

Offenbach: Orpheus in the Underworld / Burgess, Watson, etc (Highlights) Manufacturer: Jay Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Offenbach: Gaite Parisienne; Orpheus in the Underworld; Voyage to the Moon Offenbach - Orphée aux Enfers / Dessay, Naouri, Fouchécourt, Beuron, Podles, Petibon, Smith, Gens, Cole, Minkowski Gluck - Orphée & Eurydice (Berlioz version) / von Otter, Barbara Hendricks, Fournier, Gardiner Gluck: Orphée et Eurydice (Berlioz version) / Larmore, Upshaw, Hagley, Runnicles Léhar: The Land of Smiles; The Merry Widow; The Count of Luxembourg (Highlights) ASIN: B00001O2XK Release Date: 1999-09-14

Tracks:

1. Orpheus In The Underworld: Prelude
2. Orpheus In The Underworld: Hello, I'm Public Opinion
3. Orpheus In The Underworld: Eurydice Is All A-flutter!
4. Orpheus In The Underworld: So That's The Game
5. Orpheus In The Underworld: I Feel A Cool Intoxication
6. Orpheus In The Underworld: We, The Watchdog Of The People
7. Orpheus In The Underworld: Tzing, Tzing, Tzing, Tzing!
8. Orpheus In The Underworld: A Night On The Town
9. Orpheus In The Underworld: Remember What You Did To Leda
10. Orpheus In The Underworld: Look Out, Look Out, Move Over There!
11. Orpheus In The Underworld: He Is Coming, Oh, How Boring
12. Orpheus In The Underworld: Oh, Oh, Look At That Look He's Giving Me
13. Orpheus In The Underworld: Though I Was King Of All Beotia
14. Orpheus In The Underworld: We Can Tell She's In Hell
15. Orpheus In The Underworld: My Little Spies Uncover
16. Orpheus In The Underworld: There You Are, You Look So Neat
17. Orpheus In The Underworld: It's Strange, But A Touch Seemed To Wake...
18. Orpheus In The Underworld: Do Not Look Back Or All Will Be Lost
19. Orpheus In The Underworld: ...He Is The Only God
20. Orpheus In The Underworld: Infernal Gallop

Customer Reviews:

A Splendid Souvenir to Remember a Spectacular Performance!.......2003-10-30

Having been fortunate to have seen the English National Opera's production in 1988 of "Orpheus" with Wilson and Pountney's outrageously naughty English text, this highlight CD serves as an audio souvenir. Too bad the ENO didn't have the foresight to film the production-would have made a great DVD. The CD booklet does have a few photos of the sets designed by Gerald Scarfe (who also designed Pink Floyd's "The Wall" album artwork) so you get a taste, combined with the CD selections, of what the production was like.

god moves in a peculiar way.........i am god.............2002-01-17

Offenbach is great anyhow, but this recording is riotous. The translation into English is first-rate, really funny stuff, and the singing is pretty good, too. Very worthwhile.

Orpheus in the Underworld.......2000-03-17

The rewritten lyrics, in English, are some of the wittiest and wicked in operetta. Wilson and Pountney have recaptured the spirit of naughtiness, not a small accomplishment in our licentious times. Though delighted to have the highlights, I wished a CD set or video of the full production were available.

Excerpts.......1999-12-23

This is a collection of excerpts. It is in English and is quite good. The performance of the entire operetta has been discontinued and it is a pity.

Highlights or total Opera?.......1999-11-01

I would like to know if this is highlights from the opera or the total opera.

Average customer rating: What an Ego... Better than any other Pop Stars' Efforts The second star is for effort Ok stuff, Not bad but nothing special McCartney Classical, take one

Paul McCartney's Liverpool Oratorio Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Hadley, Jerry | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Royal Liverpool Philharmonic | ( R ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Working Classical: Orchestral and Chamber Music by Paul McCartney Standing Stone Paul McCartney: Ecce Cor Meum Liverpool Sound Collage Paul McCartney: Ecce Cor Meum ASIN: B000002RSK Release Date: 1991-10-11

Tracks:

1. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement I - War: Andante (Orchestra)
2. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement I - War: 'Non nobis solum'
3. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement I - War: 'The Air Raid Siren Slices Through...' (Shanty)
4. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement I - War: 'Oh Will It All End Here?' (Shanty)
5. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement I - War: 'Mother And Father Holding Their Child'
6. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement II - School: 'We're Here In School Today To Get A Perfect Education'
7. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement II - School: 'Walk In Single File Out Of The Classroom' (Headmaster)
8. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement II - School: 'Settle Down'
9. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement II - School: 'Kept In Confusion' (Shanty)
10. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement II - School: 'I'll Always Be Here' (Mary Dee)
11. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement II - School: 'Boys, This Is Your Teacher' (Headmaster, Miss Inkley))
12. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement II - School: 'Tres conejos' (Miss Inkley, Headmaster, Shanty)
13. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement II - School: 'Not For Ourselves' (Headmaster, Miss Inkley, Shanty)
14. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement III - Crypt: 'And So It Was That I Had Grown' (Shanty)
15. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement III - Crypt: Dance
16. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement III - Crypt: 'I Used To Come Here When This Place Was A Crypt' (Shanty, Preacher)
17. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement III - Crypt: 'Here Now' (Shanty)
18. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement III - Crypt: 'I'll Always Be Here' (Mary Dee, Shanty)
19. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement III - Crypt: 'Now's The Time To Tell Him' (Mary Dee, Shanty)
20. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement IV - Father: Andante Lamentoso
21. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement IV - Father: 'O Father, You Have Given...' (Chief Mourner)
22. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement IV - Father: '(Ah)'
23. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement IV - Father: 'Hey, Wait A Minute' (Shanty)
24. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement IV - Father: 'Father, Father, Father' (Shanty, Chief Mourner)

Tracks:

1. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement V: Wedding: Andante Amoroso - 'I Know I Should Be Glad Of This' (Shanty, Mary Dee)
2. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement V: Wedding: 'Father, Hear Our Humble Voices' (Preacher)
3. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement V: Wedding: 'Hosanna, Hosanna' (Mary Dee, Shanty)
4. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VI: Work: Allegro Energico
5. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VI: Work: 'Working Women At The Top' (Mary Dee)
6. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VI: Work: Violin Solo
7. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VI: Work: 'Did I Sign The Letter...' (Mary Dee)
8. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VI: Work: Tempo I
9. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VI: Work: 'When You Ask A Working Man' (Shanty, Mr. Dingle)
10. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VI: Work: 'Let's Find Ourselves A Little Hostelry' (Mr. Dingle)
11. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VII: Crises: Allegro Molto
12. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VII: Crises: 'The World You're Coming Into' (Mary Dee)
13. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VII: Crises: Tempo I
14. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VII: Crises: 'Where's My Dinner?' (Shanty, Mary Dee)
15. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VII: Crises: 'Let's Not Argue' (Shanty, Mary Dee)
16. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VII: Crises: 'I'm Not A Slave' (Mary Dee, Shanty)
17. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VII: Crises: 'Right! That's It!' (Mary Dee)
18. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VII: Crises: 'Stop. Wait.'
19. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VII: Crises: 'Do You Know Who You Are...' (Nurse)
20. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VII: Crises: 'Ghosts Of The Past Left Behind' (Nurse, Shanty, Mary Dee)
21. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VII: Crises: 'Do We Live In A World...' (Mary Dee, Nurse, Shanty)
22. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VIII: Peace: 'And So It Was That You Were Born' (Shanty)
23. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VIII: Peace: 'God Is Good'
24. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VIII: Peace: 'What People Want Is A Family Life' (Preacher)
25. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VIII: Peace: 'Dad's In The Garden' (Nurse, Mary Dee, Preacher, Shanty)
26. Liverpool Oratorio: Movement VIII: Peace: 'So On And On The Story Goes' (Shanty, Mary Dee)

Customer Reviews:

What an Ego..........2006-08-01

There was a time when oratorios were about religioss figures -- usually Bible stories like Handel's Messiah and Esther -- or classical Greek mythologies...usually lofty themes. Not this. This is about a working class Liverpool kid who becomes a demi-god -- or so he thinks. What great heroic values does this demigod and his oratorio espouse? None -- this is a typical "me, me me" Paul McCartney ego trip -- what serious composer would write an oratorio to himself? Was Te Kanawa really that hard up for money that she would record this mess? Skip this please. Even "Ram" is better.

Better than any other Pop Stars' Efforts.......2005-08-08

I'll admit that I dislike opera, and the only reason I was exposed to this work was because it was McCartney (and also, I suppose, because I love classical music). There are certain elements that are common to all good music, no matter what genre;one such is melody. McCartney has built a career on intoxicating tunes, and he doesn't stop here. I've listened to classical music for a long time, and these are some of the best melodies I've ever heard. McCartney doesn't seem too worried with "Oh, this is Classical, and my my, I mustn't disturb the English caste system of 'how things are supposed to be'". He basically just does what he does best, only he puts it into a classical context. I'm somewhat surprised he pulled it off so well for a first-timer, but then again, McCartney's works from very early on suggest an uncommon ability to write well in a multitude of styles. More so than John Lennon, he seems to be able to step outside himself and indulge in whatever role is needed to write a great song. If Lennon and McCartney had been actors and not Beatles, Lennon would have been a Sean Penn or Alan Alda or Gary Cooper-type, playing basically an extension of himself, but playing it passionately, and playing it very well. McCartney would've been more like Dustin Hoffman or Meryl Streep, with a broad range, amazingly different in every role.
McCartney's sophomore effort, "Standing Stone," was one I found very uninteresting. The next one, "Working Classical," is outstanding.
That stated, I find the first CD (the Oratorio is 2 discs) to be five-star, and the second to drag somewhat, about a 3 1/2. So let's call it a four or 4 1/2.

The second star is for effort.......2005-06-11

This man's been playing Silly Love Songs ever since the contrast between that and the late John Lennon's pre-punk ethos formed the nucleus of the Beatles. But you have to remember that the main reason this freshman effort at symphonic music reached the mass market at all was because McCartney had made his mark many years ago. Already being famous helps, believe me. The arrangements are courtesy of Sir Paul laying out the basic threads using MIDI computer sequencing, at which point an arranger steps in and transcribes the result into real orchestral parts. And the libretto here are more than just a tad weak. One scene deals with a quarrel between Our Hero and his newly-pregnant wife. He makes that one statement in such situations that one regrets as soon as he says it, and gets this response;

Wife: "Right!"
(dramatic rchestral hit)
Wife: "I'm off!"
(repeat of same chord)
Wife: (spoken) "And by the way, you're going to be a father."

And she promptly storms out into the street and gets hit by a car. Oh buh-rother! Unless I miss my guess, operatic work is not McCartney's long suit. Aparently that occurred to him as well, because his followup work is "The Standing Stones", a much stronger work that is instrumental. If you're a follower of Paul as "the cute one" of the Beatles, both of these works will be but pieces in a collection. If you're curious about Sir Paul's musical visions, you're better off with the later work.

Ok stuff, Not bad but nothing special.......2003-12-05

This is ok stuff. Very soothing and easy going stuff, may be an initiation for those new to choral works. The music is too simple, you can make out it's by Paul. The complete school section is good. Basically it has some 5 sections, each depicting a period of pauls life. It feels more like paul wrote a few pop ballads and then he extended it for an oratoria. Not bad, but you dont need to include it in you collection, unless you want very much to see what Paul sounds like in the classical vein

McCartney Classical, take one.......2003-11-10

Best to look at this now in hindsight. This is where McCartney began his Classical Music career - one can point to The Family Way soundtrack, the Eleanor's Dream score based on Eleanor Rigby's string accompaniment which is on Give My Regards To Broad Street, but this is where it begins in earnest. If you've heard the more realized works that followed (Standing Stone, the pieces on Working Classical or the work on Garlands for Linda), you will better appreciate this full length concert work in its proper context. It is not pop music. And it is not fully realized classical either, but it has its moments which are brilliant. Lyrically, it is comical at times and you have to wonder (aside from the Spanish Lesson) how much Sir Paul might have found "funny" at the time, especially hearing august operatic voices singing them. Melodically, phrases will stay with you long after the recording is over. There is some beautiful music here if you will give it a chance. If you are only interested in giving McCartney's classical writing an ear, try starting with Standing Stone or Working Classical (which includes quartet arrangements of many familiar songs).

Average customer rating: Cyrano Seriously Sorry Ho-hum Cyrano Necessary! Necessary! Necessary! Beautiful music I Love Cyrano!

Cyrano (1973 Original Broadway Cast) Michael J. Lewis , Anthony Burgess , and Christopher Plummer Manufacturer: Decca Broadway ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Musical Theater | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Baker Street, A Musical Adventure of Sherlock Holmes (1965 Original Broadway Cast) Two's Company The Drowsy Chaperone (2006 Original Broadway Cast) The Mad Show (1966 Original Off-Broadway Cast) A Family Affair ASIN: B0007KIGIG Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

1. Overture
2. Scene I - A Theatre, Paris, 1640, Pt. 1
3. Scene I - A Theatre, Paris, 1640: Nose Song
4. Scene I - A Theatre, Paris, 1640, Pt. 2
5. Scene I - A Theatre, Paris, 1640: Tell Her
6. Scene I - A Theatre, Paris, 1640, Pt. 3
7. Scene I - A Theatre, Paris, 1640: From Now Till Forever
8. Scene II - Ragueneau's Bakery, Paris, Pt. 1
9. Scene II - Ragueneau's Bakery, Paris: Bergerac
10. Scene II - Ragueneau's Bakery, Paris, Pt. 2
11. Scene II - Ragueneau's Bakery, Paris, Pt. 3
12. Scene II - Ragueneau's Bakery, Paris: No Thank You
13. Scene II - Ragueneau's Bakery, Paris, Pt. 4
14. Scene III - The Balcony of Roxana's House, Paris: Roxana
15. Scene III - The Balcony of Roxana's House, Paris, Pt. 1
16. Scene III - The Balcony of Roxana's House, Paris: It's She and It's Me
17. Scene III - The Balcony of Roxana's House, Paris, Pt. 2
18. Scene III - The Balcony of Roxana's House, Paris, Pt. 3
19. Scene III - The Balcony of Roxana's House, Paris: You Have Made Me ...
20. Scene III - The Balcony of Roxana's House, Paris, Pt. 4
21. Scene III - The Balcony of Roxana's House, Paris: Thither, ...
22. Scene III - The Balcony of Roxana's House, Paris, Pt. 5
23. Scene III - The Balcony of Roxana's House, Paris: Pocapdedious
24. Scene IV - A Battle Camp Near Arras, Pt. 1
25. Scene IV - A Battle Camp Near Arras: Paris Cuisine
26. Scene IV - A Battle Camp Near Arras, Pt. 2
27. Scene IV - A Battle Camp Near Arras: Love Is Not Love
28. Scene V - A Convent, Paris, 14 Years Later: Autumn Carol
29. Scene V - A Convent, Paris, 14 Years Later, Pt. 1
30. Scene V - A Convent, Paris, 14 Years Later, Pt. 2
31. Scene V - A Convent, Paris, 14 Years Later: I Never Loved You
32. Scene V - A Convent, Paris, 14 Years Later, Pt. 3 (Epilog)

Amazon.com

Not to be confused with Richard Maltby, Jr. and David Shire's 1958 version nor with the Dutch one that briefly played Broadway in 1994, this musical take on Edmond Rostand's classic tale opened on Broadway in 1973. Christopher Plummer plays the titular man with the nose, while Mark Lamos (who'd go on to become a celebrated stage director) and Leigh Beery complete the love triangle at the heart of the show. It's easy to see why this Cyrano, by composer Michael J. Lewis and lyricist Anthony Burgess (yes, the novelist), doesn't get revived much. The songs aren't that memorable. Except, that is, for Beery's splendid "You Have Made Me Love," which should be picked up more often by adventurous cabaret singers. More interestingly, the CD documents almost the entire performance, meaning you get huge chunks of dialogue in addition to the songs. This should be of particular interest to theater students interested in studying Plummer's impressive take on an iconic part. --Elisabeth Vincentelli

Customer Reviews:

Cyrano Seriously Sorry.......2007-04-17

With a leading man who can't sing, lyrics that are no better than the title of this review and a score that is like paint by numbers, "Cyrano" is as great a musical as were the Emperor's New Clothes. I saw this show and was bored and appalled that it was even considered a musical. I saw Cyrano at the Palace Theatre where I also saw Yul Brynner in "Home, Sweet Homer." The two shows should play on adouble-bill--The Demise of the Broadway Musical.

Ho-hum Cyrano.......2007-02-05

I saw this Cyrano and have the CD and it has some awful music. Why take a classic and add tuneless music?
The CD sits on my shelf unplayed. A must
for the curious Broadway Seeker. All else, will be disapponted.

Necessary! Necessary! Necessary!.......2006-07-10

1. There were two Broadway shows that somehow unfairly did not get the "press & praise", or whatever, to get the attention of the theatre-going public to catch on and become smash hits.

2. Luckily for us, there were recordings of these two Broadway shows on lp.

3. Sadly, for those of us who enjoyed those old lp albums and wished and waited for years and years for them to be remastered to cds, it seemed we would never be able to enjoy these "lost" scores ever again.

4. Now, through some lucky stroke of unlikely chance, we have recently been twice blessed with the remastering and release of BOTH of them on compact disk! All I can say is "There IS a God!" and also "Thank You", "Thank You", "Thank You" to those responsible for the "saving" and "preservation" of these two works by digitizing and releasing them for us again.

One of these two works is "Cyrano" with the great portrayl by Christopher Plummer of certainly one of the greatest characters in all literature. This show sadly closed after only a very few performances. The songs, while not really "great" are certainly quite listenable--but ONE, is spectacular and makes it worth the cost of the whole album, and that is "You Have Made Me Love"--what a winner it is!

The second of these works is "Baker Street" with Fritz Weaver and Inga Swenson. Luckily, I was fortunate enough to see this one before it closed, also, shortly after it opened. I could never understand why it did not catch on. Weaver and Swenson were simply marvelous, it was exciting, funny, and had great tunes and catchy lyrics. I dispaired for years over the non-release of this show on compact disc. I even wrote Universal, who has the rights to Decca's catalogue, and they blew me off. Then, out of the blue this spring there it was listed as a pre-release on amazon here! I immediately went to my local music shop and ordered a copy. And guess what.......there is a bonus track of the Great Richard Burton singing the best song from the show "A Married Man"!

If you love Broadway Cast albums, you need these two disks. If you remember the shows, you need these two disks. And lastly, if you are totally unfamiliar with these two works, you need these two disks. In short--You Need These Disks! Period!

Take my word, both of these albums are wonderful "keepers" that you will listen to over and over, both because they are unusual and not so well known, and also because they are truly great works. I wish you much happy listening to them. ~operabruin

Beautiful music.......2006-02-27

This is a little-known score but it is quite a jewel. It includes songs and dialogue and it is quite faithful to the original play. The songs are old-fashioned but very appropiate to the story and to the tragic romance. It was truly worth the wait.

I Love Cyrano!.......2005-08-26

I am one of the blessed who actually saw one of the 49 performances of this musical on Broadway. Cyrano + Christopher Plummer = an unbeatable combination. After all, it was my favorite play, I revered Christopher Plummer and musicals have always been my favorite genre. The production was positively galvanizing. Some wonderful teacher took us to it for a class trip, bless her! (Could it have been Mrs. Cerruti from French Class? Just trying to give credit to hopefully the proper party!) I have to go look for that Playbill soon.
I was uplifted by the theatrical experience, I cherished the album later (I still have it), and now I am ecstatic about owning the CD as well. I received it yesterday, and listened to it once last night, and five times in my car today.
The composer, lyricist and talent scouts should be happy to know that I am currently learning the lyrics to "From Now Till Forever" (I just love the line, "The atoms within me have been rearranged"!!!) and also to "You Have Made Me Love"...just be glad I keep the windows closed!

"A man fights for more than the mere hope of winning."
Here's to panache!

Average customer rating:

The John Dowland Collection Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Dowland | Dowland, John | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Lute | Instruments | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Renaissance (c.1450-1600) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Lute | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Solo Instrumental | New Age | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Instrumental | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: All At Once Well Met: English Madrigals; The King's Singers Songs from the Labyrinth (Music by John Dowland) ASIN: B000LSA7WC Release Date: 2007-04-10

Tracks:

1. Lachrimae Antiquae
2. If My Complaints Could Passions Move
3. Can She Excuse My Wrongs
4. Come Away, Come Sweet Love
5. My Lady Hunsdon's Allmande
6. A Piece Without Title
7. The Shoemaker's Wife: A Toy
8. Lachrimae Antiquae Novac
9. Come Again: Sweet Love Doth Now Invite
10. Come, Heavy Sleep
11. Mr. Dowland's Midnight
12. Sir John Smith, His Almain
13. Semper Dowland Semper Dolens
14. Lachrimae Gementes
15. I Saw My Lady Weep
16. Flow My Tears
17. Fine Knacks For Ladies
18. Shall I Sue
19. Lachrimae Tristes

Tracks:

1. Me, Me, And None But Me
2. Forlorn Hope Fancy
3. Weep You No More, Sad Fountains
4. Lachrimae Coactae
5. Go Nightly Cares
6. The Right Honourable Ferdinando, Earl Of Derby, His Galliard
7. The Most Sacred Queen Elizabeth, Her Galliard
8. Tell Me, True Love
9. Lachrimae Amantis
10. In Darkness Let Me Dwell
11. A Fantasia
12. My Lord Chamberlain His Galliard
13. Far From Triumphing Court
14. I Shame At Mine Unworthiness
15. Lachrimae Verae

Average customer rating: HAUNTING ANTI-WAR AMERICAN OPERA BY KURT WEILL .. . . .

Johnny Johnson (1956 Studio Cast) Manufacturer: Polydor ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Similar Items: Curtains (2007 Original Broadway Cast) Grey Gardens - A New Musical (2006 Original Broadway Cast) House of Flowers (1954 Original Broadway Cast) Pipe Dream (1955 Original Broadway Cast) Candide (1974 Broadway Revival Cast) ASIN: B00000E5KV

Customer Reviews:

HAUNTING ANTI-WAR AMERICAN OPERA BY KURT WEILL .. . . . .......2006-12-12

March 2, 2007: Thanks to ArchivMusic, I now have a CD version of this masterful musical in my collection. David Wolf, when comparing the two existing versions in "The TheateMania Guide of Musical Theater Recordings, says that this one, " . . . has an extraordinary cast of singing actors, a more theatrical feel, and sharper musical direction. . . . this genuinely exciting album may remain the best was to full appreciate Weill's considerable achievement."

Original December, 2006 Review: It's been several years since I've listened to this recording, since the only version I own is on vinyl. However, the music and the performances haunt me to this day, especially the final scene: Johnny (Burgess Meredith), recently released from the mental hospital, has become ". . . a peddler of the toys he learned to make in the madhouse. But he will not sell toy soldiers and this prevents a sale to a little boy on the street who then runs off with his mother." (His mother is Minny Belle, once Johnny's sweetheart.) So, "Johnny Johnson wanders off, crying his wares, and singing his belief (JOHNNY'S SONG) that 'we'll never lose our faith and hope and trust in all mankind.'" (from the LP sleeve) Goosebump time.

Kurt Weill's great musical was first produced on November 17, 1936, and "The time seemed ripe for it. Out of the Depression years had come both a new optimism and an unprecedented social consciousness--including the belief that war could be outlawed. There had been a number of anti-war plays reflecting a still simmering disillusionment with World War I, but JOHNNY JOHNSON capped them all by treating the subject in a mordantly humorous, expressionistic and often farcical manner that drove the point home vigorously. As a kind of burlesque counterpoint to such books as Barbara Tuchman's THE GUNS OF AUGUST, it is no less pertinent in its story today." (liner notes by C.G.)

Why such an important piece of theater has been virtually ignored is one of life's great mysteries. Perhaps "anti-war" is not as profitable as "pro-war?" (STRIKE UP THE BAND is hardly among the Gershwin's most popular shows. The act two finale ultimo is another of those goosebump-inducing theater moments.) Why has it taken 37 years for Richard Attenborough's film version of "Oh! What a Lovely War" to make it to DVD? Why did it take 31 years for the London Cast recording of Joan Littlewood's production of the same show to make it to CD? Why did the CD version of JOHNNY JOHNSON have such a limited release?

To say that this is a great recording is an understatement, and it's a shame that it is no longer commercially available. However, it is available as an ArchivCD (CD-on demand) from Archiv Music at its website. Liner notes are not included with the CD, but I would be more than happy to send copies of the LP notes to anyone who contacts me. Guess you can see how strongly I feel about this recording.

Besides the remarkable Burgess Meredith, the cast includes Lotte Lenya (Mrs. Kurt Weill and star of most of his operas), international opera stars (and husband & wife) Evelyn Lear & Thomas Stewart, Scott Merrill (MacHeath on the Decca THREE PENNY OPERA), & Jane Connell (Agnes Gooch in MAME). In addition to writing the music, Weill also orchestrated the score. Samuel Matlowsky conducts, and the chorus is under the direction of Joseph Liebling.

The only other recording of JOHNNY JOHNSON (ERATO, 1997), conducted by Jeol Cohen with Donald Wilkinson as Johnny, is also now out of print. Excellent in its own right, it nevertheless pales next to the Burgess Meredith recording. Contact Archiv Music right away and experience this incredible recording. Very, very highly recommended.

Average customer rating:

Britten Conducts Britten Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Cantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Choruses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Britten Conducts Britten Britten Conducts Britten: Operas 2 Britten Conducts Britten: Operas 1 Elgar: Orchestral Works Janácek: Operas ASIN: B000AC5AY4 Release Date: 2006-05-16

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