Azzurro [Import]

1. Una Carezza in un Pugno

2. 30 Donne del West

3. Canzone

4. Eravamo in 100.000

5. Torno Sui Miei Passi

6. Lotta Dell'amore

7. Azzurro

8. Piu' Forte Che Puoi

9. Tre Passi Avanti

10. Bimbo Sul Leone

11. Buonasera Signorina

12. Coppia Più Bella del Mondo

13. Angelo Custode [*]

Tracks:

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

Tracks:

'O Sole Mio
La Serenata
La Danza
Aprile
Mattinata
Torna A Surriento
L'Ultima Canzone
La Vita E Inferno...O Tu Che In Seno
E La Solita Storia Del Pastor
Un Di All'Azzurro Spazio
Andrea Chenier...Corragio!...Si, Fui Soldato
Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
Di' Tu Se Fedele
Forse La Soglia Attinse...Ma Se M' E Forza Perderti
Rachel, Quand Du Seigneur
Puisqu'on Ne Peut Flechir...Vainement, Ma Bien-Aimee
Io Son Sol...Ah! Dispar, Vision
Ah! Non Mi Ridestar
Quanto E Bella - Chorus
Nessun Dorma - Chorus

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Artists Of The Century - Caruso, The Greatest Tenor In The World

Average customer rating:

A nice overview of Caruso's legacy
Unearthly
If You Only Buy One Caruso . . .

Artists Of The Century - Caruso, The Greatest Tenor In The World

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Great Caruso
The Legendary Enrico Caruso: 21 Favorite Arias
Italian Songs: The Digital Recordings
Match Point
Beniamino Gigli: Historical Recordings 1927 - 1951

ASIN: B00000J913
Release Date: 1999-05-25

Tracks:

Act II: Amor Ti Vieta
Act II: Che Gelinda Manina
Act III: Salut Demeure Chaste Et Pure
Act III: Di Quella Pira
Act IV: Spirto Gentil, Ne' Sogni Miei (Romanza)
Act III: Solenne In Quest'Ora
Act IV: Mi Batte Il Cor...O Paradiso!
Act I: Un Di All'Azzurro Spazio (Improvviso)
Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba
Act I: Questa O Quella
Act IV: La Donna E Mobile
Act III: Ah Si, Ben Mio
Act I: Celeste Aida
Act I: Recondita Armonia
Act III: E Lucevan Le Stelle
Act III: Della Natal Sua Terra Il Padre... O Tu Che In Seno Agl' Angeli
Act II: Magiche Note
Act II: La Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee
Act I: Ah, Qual Soave Vision...Bianca Al Par Di Neve
Act II: Cielo E Mar
Act II: Nell'Ore Arcane Della Sua Lussuria... Ora E Per Sempre Addio
Un Ballo In Maschera: Act I: Di' Tu Se Fedele
Act II: Una Furtiva Lagrima

Tracks:

Act III: Je Suis Seul... Ah, Uyez, Douce Image
Act II: Chi Mi Frena In Tal Momento? (Sextett)
Act I: O Soave Fanciulla
Act III: Ella Mi Fu Rapita!...Parmi Veder Le Lagrime
Act I: Donna Non Vidi Mai
Cujus Animam
Act II: Oh! Mostruosa Colpa!... Si, Pel Ciel
Act I: Libiamo, Libiamo (Brindisi)
Ingemisco
Act II: Faiblesse De La Race Humaine!... Inspirez-Moi, Race Divine
Act III: Ah! Tout Est Bien Fini!... O Souverain, O Juge, O Pere!
Act IV: O Figli, O Figli Miei... Ah, La Paterna Mano
Act II: Pour Moi Ce Jour Est Tout Mystere
Act I: A Cette Voix Quel Trouble...Je Crois Entendre Encore
Act IV: Bella Figlia Dell'Amore (Quartett) - Giuseppe De Luca
Act II: Chi Mi Frena In Tal Momento? (Sextett) - Amelita Galli-Curci
Act I: Frondi Tenere E Belle...Ombra Mai Fu (Largo)
Act I: Studenti! Udite!
Crucifixus

Customer Reviews:

A nice overview of Caruso's legacy.......2007-01-04

Enrico Caruso was one of the first "media stars," with his recordings selling widely in the early twentieth century; he helped popularize the recording industry. He was one of the leading tenors of his day, and is regarded as one of the tops of the twentieth century (although he began serious singing in the late 19th century).

This CD features some of his "greatest hits," among which are his well reputed version of "Vesti la giubba" (from I Pagliacci, one of his signature operas); arias from Verdi's Rigoletto, including the bold "Questa o quella" and "La donna e mobile"; some of his most popular recordings from Puccini, including "E lucevan le stelle," "Recondita armonia," and "Che gelida manina." Nice additions to the CD are wonderful ensemble pieces, such as the sextet from Lucia di Lammermoor (including the voice of Luisa Tetrazzini) and the quartet from Rigoletto (with Amelita Galli-Curci).

Interesting tidbits include his first recording, from 1902, and his last, from 1920.

All in all, this is a very nice representation of his work. I'm not sure that it compares with the old LP (with him in clown outfit) that includes Rossini's nearly unsingable "La danza," among other items. But it is a terrific introduction to the art of Caruso. Anyone who has not listened to this tenor's works before would be well advised to use this as their entree to his oeuvre.

Unearthly.......2002-12-23

Forget toiling for a BMW, enjoy finer things in life.One of my personal favorites is ''Le pecheurs de perles'', but the offer is overwhelming.

If You Only Buy One Caruso . . ........2001-01-03

let this be it! Wonderful, generous selection of his singles for Victor, most of them solos, but a few duets, quartets, quintets, and a sextet. The accompanying booklet makes a great deal of including his first and last recordings, but by far the most important here is Caruso's 1907 recording of Vesti la giubba, the first classical recording to sell over a million copies in the United States. If you listen to it, you'll know why--it's every bit as melodramatic as the minstrel show singles with which it shared the top of the early twentieth-century charts.

Mario Lanza ~ Opera Arias & Duets, from Andréa Chenier · La Bohème · I Pagliacci · Madama Butterfly · Otello

Average customer rating:

Mario Lanza Opera
Outstanding
Unsurpassed!
BMG Needs to hire Folks in the Know
Mario Lanza WAS a trained opera singer

Mario Lanza ~ Opera Arias & Duets, from Andréa Chenier · La Bohème · I Pagliacci · Madama Butterfly · Otello

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Mario Lanza: At His Best!
The MARIO LANZA Collection
Lanza: Greatest Hits
Mario Lanza Sings Songs From The Student Prince & The Desert Song / Romberg
Live at Hollywood Bowl: Historical Recordings (1947 & 1951)

ASIN: B00000JMH3
Release Date: 2001-10-08

Tracks:

Celeste Aida
Amor Ti Vieta
Di All'azzurro Spazio [From "Andrea Chenier]
O Soave Fanciulla
Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee
O Paradiso
Tal Giocco/Vesti la Giubba
Stolta Paura l'Amor - Mario Lanza,
Donna E Mobile
Vesti la Giubba
M'Appari
Nessun Dorma
Testa Adorata
Come un Bel Di Maggio
Lamento Di Federico
Dio Ti Giocondi - Licia Albanese, Mario Lanza

Customer Reviews:

Mario Lanza Opera.......2007-05-12

This CD of mario is absolutely fabulous. It is the only recording I have managed to find of him singing Nessum Dorma. It is not to be missed. One of operas greatest.

Outstanding.......2006-11-06

Hey, this is Mario Lanza, it can't get any better. A great collection of the best Arias!

Unsurpassed!.......2005-12-13

I am sick and tired of all these technical reviews and critical remarks leveled against everything Mario Lanza did in his short life!

True, musically Mario made some mistakes....but so has every other great tenor in history....from Caruso to Pavarotti and beyond!
And perhaps he sang some arias with too much fortissimo....so what?
Every single song on here, be it among his best or worst work, is a masterpiece when compared to renditions of the same arias by other, more legit and operatically acclaimed tenors.

In order to "get" Lanza one must discard all notions of "finesse", "grace" and " elegance" for Lanza operated, and sang on raw, unadulterated, gut wrenching emotion.
THAT was the genious of Mario Lanza.

We can argue for another 40 years as to his operatic legitimacy...for nought!
Lanza was a VOCAL master and his approach to song was as unconventional and idiosyncratic as was his life.
That's what makes these songs so special and unique.

No one other than perhaps Corelli had the voice and the balls to sing with such uninhibited emotion and that's what this CD is all about.
It is a testament of a great voice.
The fact that Lanza did not have the benefit of a great conductor or teacher guiding him through most of his career, makes these recordings all the more great.

He sang the music as he felt it and that's a big no-no in the stuffy, overbearing and self-righteous world of opera.
Lanza earned millions of dollars because his voice touched all who heard it. His art brought more people to opera than all the leading tenors of his day combined....and this during the golden age of tenors and opera as a whole!

The only word of lesser praise I can offer is the inclusion of the duets. Mario did not have the temprament for duet singing, and subsequently he ended up drowning his partners out, or engaging in a sort of vocal warfare which was the case with much of what he and Grayson recorded during his MGM days.
The arias are great....the duets are medicore on all accounts.

In closing, I apologize for not having spen time on the actual songs. It's been done to death.
All I can say is that, if you wish to hear opera arias sung in a way such as will never be heard again in our lifetime, then this is a CD for you.
If you want proper, technically proficient opera, sung by some big name opera jerk, then stick to that....you'll only end up feeling like all the other good people who have so much negative to say about this CD.

BMG Needs to hire Folks in the Know.......2004-06-15

There are several cuts on this CD that Lnaza did in fact record much better at other times. I have all his records LPs, 78s and movies and I wish BMG would consult a Lanza fan,or me,for the cuts would make the perfect CD. I think its great that we have such a wonderful collection of recordings of Lanza and this one warts and all is still one of the best. The best Lanza set was the RCA LP 2 record set put out in the 70s with Lanza on the cover in M. Butterfly. Where oh where can it be??? Long live Mario Lanza!

Mario Lanza WAS a trained opera singer.......2003-11-13

To the reviewer from Michigan who said Mario never performed an opera on stage, you are wrong. He did two performances as Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly before going off to Hollywood.

Mario had extensive operatic training from some top teachers. He was sought after by many opera companies, including the Met in New York.

Tracks:

Fedora: Amor Ti Vieta
L'Elisir d'Amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima
Lucia de Lammermoor: Fra Poco A Me Ricovero
La Traviata: De' Miei Bollenti Spiriti (Domingo)
Rigoletto: Questa O Quella
Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile
TOSCA: E Lucevan Le Stelle
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina
Gianni Schicchi: Firenze E Come Un Albero Fiorito
Madama Butterfly: Addio, Fiorito Asil
Pagliacci: Vesti La Giubra
Andrea Chenier: Un Di All' Azzurro Spazio
Andrea Chenier: Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
Le Cid: O Souverain, O Juge, O Pere
Der Rosenkavalier: Di Rigori Armato Il Seno
Iris: Apri La Tua Finestra!
Luisa Miller: Quando Le Sere Al Placido
Adriana Lecouvreur: L'Anima Ho Stanca
Turandot: Non Piangere, Liu!
Turadot: Nessun Dorma

Customer Reviews:

One Of The Best.......2005-08-07

This album has got to be one of the best compilations in its genre. If you are into male opera singers, specifically tenors, then you should definitely buy this CD. Imagine their hearty expressive voices coming out of your home stereo system. It might make you cry! (in a good way)

outstanding CD and great introduction to these great works.......2000-05-12

These three are amazing and this CD gives you a great introduction to their talent. The music is soothing and relaxing. The Arias chosen for this CD are awesome, however my only complaint would be that most of them are short (2 to 3 minutes). There are few arias that are longer (more than 4 minutes). I found the short arias to be a bit distracting because I'd just start relaxing into a song and then it would be over. Notwithstanding, a great CD and definitely worth owning.

Average customer rating:

The Complete Caruso

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0001TSWQO
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Average customer rating:

A masterpiece compilation of Bel Canto

The #1 Tenor Album

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The #1 Soprano Album
The #1 Opera Album
The #1 Choral Album
The Most Famous Opera Duets
The Most Famous Opera Arias

ASIN: B00005M0NB
Release Date: 2001-07-10

Tracks:

Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile - Luciano Pavarotti
Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai - Jose Carreras
Carmen: Flower Song - Placido Domingo
L'Elisir D'Amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima - Roberto Alagna
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina - Carlo Bergonzi
Aida: Celeste Aida - Jon Vickers
Martha: M'Appari - Luciano Pavarotti
La Gioconda: Cielo E Mar - Jussi Bjorling
I Pagliacci: Vesti La Giubba - Mario Del Monaco
The Magic Flute: Dies Bildnis Ist Bezaubernd Schon - Fritz Wunderlich
Tales Of Hoffmann: O Dieu! De Quelle Ivresse - Placido Domingo
Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle - Franco Corelli
Manon Lescaut: Tra Voi Belle, Brune E Bionde - Jose Carreras
Rigoletto: Questa O Quella - Luciano Pavarotti
Luisa Miller: Quando Le Sere Al Placido - Carlo Bergonzi
Werther: Pourquoi Me Reveiller - Giuseppe Di Stefano
Girl Of The Golden West: Ch'ella Mi Creda - Jussi Bjorling
Il Trovatore: Di Quella Pira - Luciano Pavarotti/London Opr Chor
Andrea Chenier: Un Di All'Azzurro Spazio - Mario Del Monaco
Turandot: Non Piangere Liu - Giuseppe Di Stefano
La Traviata: Lunge Da Lei - De' Miei Bollenti Spiriti - Giacomo Aragall
Fedora: Amor Ti Vieta - Jussi Bjorling
L'Africaine: Mi Batte Il Cor... O Paradiso - Placido Domingo
L'Arlesiana: Lamento Di Federico - Jose Carreras
Madame Butterfly: Addio, Fiorito - Luciano Pavarotti

Tracks:

La Traviata: Brindisi - Placido Domingo/Dame Joan Sutherland
Tosca: Recondita Armonia - Giuseppe Di Stefano
Il Trovatore: Ah Si Ben Mio - Mario Del Monaco
La Favorita: Spirto Gentil - Luciano Pavarotti
Faust: Salut! Demeure Chaste Et Pure - Franco Corelli
Die Walkure: Wintersturme Wichen Dem Wonnemond - Jon Vickers
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg: Morgenlich Leuchtend - Rene Kollo/Norman Bailey
Adriana Lecouvreur: La Docissima Effigie - Carlo Bergonzi
Turandot: Nessun Dorma! - Luciano Pavarotti/John Alldis Chor
'O Sole Mio - Luciano Pavarotti
La Mia Canzone Al Vento - Luciano Pavarotti
Take Me Back To Sorrento (Torna A Surriento) - Giuseppe Di Stefano
Parlami D'Amore, Mariu - Giuseppe Di Stefano
O Surdato 'Nnamurato - Giuseppe Di Stefano
Caro Mio Ben - Luciano Pavarotti
La Danza - Luciano Pavarotti
Chitarra Romana - Giuseppe Di Stefano
Era Di Maggio Matenatta - Giuseppe Di Stefano
Santa Lucia - Luciano Pavarotti/David Romano
Mattinata - Luciano Pavarotti
Funiculi-Funicula - Luciano Pavarotti
Granada - Jose Carreras
Core 'Ngrato - Jose Carreras
La Taberna Del Puerto - Zarzuela In 3 Acts: No Puede Ser - Placido Domingo
Das Land Des Lachelns: You Are My Heart's - Placido Domingo

Customer Reviews:

A masterpiece compilation of Bel Canto.......2003-11-27

The #1 Tenor album is basically, a compilation of the most popular opera arias. But it's a must buy for two simple reasons:
For anyone who enjoys listening to classical music (specifically opera), this albums contains probably, many of the greatest male voices in opera history (we miss Enrico Caruso), such as:
Mario Del Monaco
Giusseppe Di Stefano
Jon Vickers
Plácido Domingo
Jussi Björling
José Carreras and
Luciano Pavarotti
singing arias from Il Trovatore, Rigoletto, Pagliacci, Carmen, Die Walküre, Aida, among others, plus many traditional napolitean songs as O sole mio, Torna a Sorrento and Santa Lucia.

Highlights:
La donna é mobile/ Pavarotti
Le fleur que tu m'avais jetée/ Domingo
Recitar...Vesti la giuba/ Del Monaco
Winterstürme wichem dem Wonnemond/ Vickers
'O sole mio/ Pavarotti
Das Lands des Lächelns/ Domingo
Non piangere Liú/ Di Stefano
Coren'grato/ Carreras
plus many others.

Album Description

The Complete Caruso: Volumes 1 - 12

The Italian tenor Enrico Caruso holds a unique place in musical history, as the first operatic singer whose recordings sold in millions, and who created an international reputation on the strength of these. Caruso's robust tone and musical sincerity made him both an ideal stage and recording artist, whose voice the primitive acoustic recording technology of the early twentieth century was able to reproduce with startling fidelity. The Naxos Historical Caruso edition constitutes the complete cycle of all Caruso's recordings issued in chronological order. In addition, the transfers have been immaculately undertaken by top sound engineer Ward Marston, unrivalled for his knowledge of the specialized world of acoustic opera recordings, and his rare ability to retrieve all of the music lying in the grooves of the original recordings. Naxos Historical's incredible price (12 CD'S FOR THE PRICE OF 10) puts this unique legacy of great singing within the reach of all music-lovers. This! complete cycle of recordings represents a major document in the history of sound recording, and one which no collector and enthusiast of great singing will wish to be without. "There is no series of vocal records that have a greater documentary value, that meant more to the development of the phonograph record, or that are as consistently capable of providing pleasure to lovers of great singing. ...One of the most significant recording industry events of the decade." Fanfare

Customer Reviews:

Get It While You Can.......2006-10-13

This may not be easy to get in the USA for very long.....don't miss it.

Essential edition for opera lovers.......2005-02-01

This set gives you the opportunity to follow the entire recording career of one of the greatest singers in Operatic History. Enrico Caruso was the first superstar of the 20th century -- and this without the benefit of mass media. His person and his records were his greatest publicity.

The set begins with Caruso's Italian made recordings. They show a great raw talent. The artistry is lacking with many sobs, over acting and mistaken cues. The 1902 and 1903 clearly show a tenor with a lot to learn. But learn it he did. His 1904 sessions show a mature artist on par with any heard since. His voice matures before your very ears and by 1910, you wonder if you will ever listen to any other tenor the same way again.

The engineering used for this set is wonderful. There is no attempt at all to use the soundstream process of computer sound enhancement as heard on the RCA issued sets. These are near perfect mint conditioned discs copied by engineer extraordinary Ward Marston. They sound like natural 78s, they way Caruso himself must have heard the playbacks at the (RCA) Victor studios.

Also included are outtakes and extra takes. There is a "Celeste Aida" from 1908, complete with a broken high note, previously released by RCA in a 1973 set commemorating the tenor's centenary birthday. But there are new treasures here as well, including extra takes of two of Caruso's greatest recordings, the Italian song "L'Alba separa dalla l'uce ombra" and an aria from Rubinestine's Nerone. Listening to them, one wonders what Caruso could have possible thought inadquate in those long lost altenative takes.

Finally, there is the simple joy of hearing so many things so well sung. Caruso was the pinnacle of the tenor art. He can be compared to no other single tenor since ... he has the brilliant ring of Bjorling, the passion of Gigli, the beauty of Gedda, the youthful enthusiasm of Lanza, the warm tonal quality of Tucker, the pure strength of Corelli, the charasma of Pavarotti and the artestry of Domingo.

Whether you are an opera fan, a voice fan or just a music lover. This set is worth every penny.

Todd Kosovich

Average customer rating:

The best version we'll ever get?
A bit shallow, yet still thrilling
Best studio version

Giordano: Andrea Chénier
Umberto Giordano , James Levine , Plácido Domingo , Renata Scotto , Philharmonic Orchestra , Sherrill Milnes , Stuart Harling , Gwendolyn Killebrew , Malcolm King , Jean Kraft , Maria Ewing , Allan Monk , Enzo Dara , and Isser Bushkin
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana
Verdi - Otello / Domingo, Studer, Leiferkus, Vargas, D. Graves, Schade, D'Arcangelo, Chung
Leoncavallo: I Pagliacci
Verdi: Macbeth
Verdi: Il Trovatore

ASIN: B00000JPBR
Release Date: 1999-08-10

Tracks:

Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Questo azzurro sofa la collochiam (Marjordomo)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Compiacente a colloquii (Gerard)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Son sessant' anni, o vecchio (Gerard)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Il giorno intorno gia s'insera lentamenta! (Maddalena, Gerard, Countess, Bersi)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: L'orribile gonnella (Maddalena, Countess)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Commosso.. lusingato (Fleville, Countess, Maddalena, Abbe)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Debole e il Re (Abbe, Feville, Countess, Guests, Maddalena)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: O pastorelle, addio (Singers, Guests)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Signor Chenier? (Countess, Guests)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Al mio dire perdona ed al mio ardire (Maddalena, Friends Of Maddalena, Chenier, Countess, Guests)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: Un di all'azzurro spazio (Chenier, Maddalena, Countess )
Opera In Four Acts: Act 1: La notte il giorno (Voices, Gerard, Countess, Majordomo)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Per l'ex inferno (Mathieu, Bersi, L'Incredibile)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Temer?...Perche? Perche? Perche temer dovro? (Bersi)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: No, non m'inganno! (L'Incredilbile, Chenier, Roucher)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Credo a una possanza arcana (Chenier, Roucher)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Calligrafia in vero femminil (Roucher, Chenier, Crowd)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Viva Roberpierre! Evvival (Matthieu, Citizens, L'Incredibile, Chenier, Gerard, Roucher, Crowd, Bersi)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Ecco l'altare (Maddalena, Chenier, L'Incredibile)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Eravate possente (Maddalena, Chenier)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Ora soave, sublime ora d'amore! (Maddalena, Chenier)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 2: Maddalena di Coigny! (Gerard, Maddalena, Chenier, Roucher, L'Incredibile, Mathieu, Crowd)

Tracks:

Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Dumouriez traditore e girondino (Mathieu, People, Gerard)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Lacrime e sangue da la francial (Gerard)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Prendi! E un ricordo (Women, L'Incredibile, Gerard, Offstage Newsboy)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Amici, ancor cantiam, beviam (L'Incredibile, Gerard)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Donnina, innamorata (L'Incredibile, Gerard)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Nemico della patria?(Gerard, L'Incredibile, Maddalena, Mathieu)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Se ancor di me vi sovvenite non sol (Maddalena, Gerard)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: La mamma morta (Maddalena)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Perduto! La mia vita per salvarlo (Gerard, Maddalena)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Mamma Cadet! (Market Women, Mathieu, Crowd, Gerard, Maddalena, Dumas, Fouquier - Tinville)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Si, fui soldato (Chenier)
Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Udiamo i testimoni! (Fouquier - Tinville, Gerard, Crtowd, Chenier, Dumas, Maddalena)
Opera In Four Parts: Act 4: Cittadino, men duol, mae tardi assai (Schmidt, Roucher, Chenier)
Come un bel din maggio (Chenier)
Opera In Four Parts: Act 4: Viene a costei concesso (Gerard, Schmidt, Maddalena)
Opera In Four Parts: Act 4: Vicino a te s' acqueta (Maddalena, Chenier, Schmidt)
Opera In Four Parts: Act 4: La nostra morte (Maddalena, Chenier)

Customer Reviews:

The best version we'll ever get?.......2006-09-26

I agree with both reviewers below: this 1977 performance of Andrea Chenier is the best studio version, and given the absence of tenors with Domingo's charisma, it may be the best we can expect for a long time. but this isn't just the familiar Domingo-Milnes show. By a long stretch Scotto is the best Maddalena I've ever heard. Even though she never had the strong chest tones of a true verismo soprano like Tebaldi, Milanov, or Magda Olivero, Scotto had the right attitude--she seems to be tearing her heart out. Milnes is blustery, as usual, but domingo couldn't be better as the ardent Chenier, and Levine's vigorous pacing helps to disguise the weaknesses in the music (although an audience favorite, this opera is disdained by critics, one of whom called it a garbage can filled with verismo cliches).

Among the competition, I'm aware of the Callas mono recording, a live aircheck in dreadful sound, and the Chailly-conducted set on Decca with Pavarotti and Caballe, which features the tenor is less than best voice and the soprano a bit too droopy for my tastes. So this RCA set holds it onw.

A bit shallow, yet still thrilling.......2002-02-09

This recording came near the end of the famous Domingo/Milnes RCA recordings when they made a flurry of operas with Price, Caballé and Scotto. Here they are paired with Scotto, and led by the young James Levine with the National Philharmonic which was much used at that time by RCA and Decca.

The main reasons for purchasing this album is for the leading trio in their prime, and for the enthusiastic conducting of Levine. Dramatically, it's more enthusiastic than anything else, and that can be heard right from the opening bars. The freshness and vitality is quite brilliant, and the voices are all healthy and vigorous. However, a first impression only lasts so long, for this is basically a good, but routine Chenier that merely scratches the surface of good theater. For a late 70's recording, it's quite good and worth owning, but it lacks the dramatic punch to put it over the edge.

Perhaps the most notable reason to hear this is for a document of how exciting Levine's conducting used to be, before his Bayreuth years and subsequent deification at the Met. An early review stated that this Chenier sounded as fresh as if the ink were still wet on the score. What a contrast to what we have today....

Best studio version.......2001-02-23

Here we have Domingo & Milnes at their absolutely best. Scotto also is great, landing somewhere between Tebaldi and Callas. It's heard from the very start, Gérard's "son sessant'anni..." gives the tone to the whole performance - blood red and white hot as it is. Thereafter we're spoilt with at least ten - how often are there such a number in one opera - of melodic, dramatic and not least lovely tunes - here greatly sung by some of the last centurys greatest voices. Although I find Bjorling, Corelli and Bastianini great in their respective parts, this is THE over all best studio performance. Feel perfectly assured with this one - the only one to compete is a obscure live version with Del Monaco & Callas on the record label of Melodram (or 'Verona'). Nore Pavarotti's, nore Carreras' versions comes even close to the impact and theatrical reliability of this recording.

Average customer rating:

Showcase for a powerful voice
Bravo Mario!!!
A force of Nature!

Mario del Monaco: Opera Arias

Manufacturer: Testament UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Mario del Monaco: Historical Recordings 1950 - 60
Grandi Voci: Mario del Monaco
The Very Best of Franco Corelli

ASIN: B000003XIL
Release Date: 1994-09-13

Tracks:

Aida: Celeste Aida
Otello: Esultate!
Otello: Ora E per Sempre Addio
Otello: Dio Mi Potevi Scagliar
Otello: Niun Mi Tema
La Boheme: Testa Adorata, Piu Non Tornerai
I Pagliacci: Vesti La Giubba
I Pagliacci: No, Pagliacci Non Son
Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai
Turandot: Nessun Dorma
L'amico Fritz: O Amore, O Bella Luce Del Cor
Cavalleria Rusticana: O Lola Ch'hai Di Latti La Cammisa
Cavalleria Rusticana: Mamma, Quel Vino E Generoso
Andrea Chenier: Un Di All'azzurro Spazio
Andrea Chenier: Si, Fui Soldato
Andrea Chenier: Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
Adriana Lecouvreur: La Dolcissima Effigie
Adriana Lecouvreur: L'anima Ho Stanca
L'africana: O Paradiso
Marta: M'appari Tutt'amor
Carmen: Il Fior Che Avevi A Me To Dato
Werther: Ah! Non Mi Ridestar
Lohengrin: Da Voi Lontan

Customer Reviews:

Showcase for a powerful voice.......2007-02-26

Mario del Monaco reached his professional peak in the 1950s, as analog recording technologies approached their golden age. This cd remasters excellent recordings of del Monaco's truly magnificent voice.

Bravo Mario!!!.......2002-06-18

The Greatest Tenor of Them All. Del Monaco is in wonderful voice here, a voice filled with both Power and Beauty. Just listen and you will hear why Del Monaco is the Tenors Tenor.
Bravo Mario!!!!!!

A force of Nature!.......2001-01-31

This is the most commonly used sentence when someone wants to describe the voice of Mario Del Monaco.Not many tenors can sing those high notes which del Monaco reaches, with such ease!

Loathed by many for this high sound and accused for not being able to sing below forte, especially in the late stages of his carreer, no one can deny the fact that he has performed and recorded operas with some of the greatest singers of all times:Renata Tebaldi, M.Callas, J.Sutherland, M.Olivero, A.Cerquetti, G.Simionato, E.Bastianini, C.Siepi and many others. The list is long. Perhaps not the best tenor choice for all the roles he performed, Mario del Monaco was sublime when the role suited his voice. Such examples are Ottelo, Andrea Chenier, Canio (Pagliacci), Des Grieux (Manon Lescaut), Johnson (Fanciulla del West) and many of these performances are heard on this collection. He had a certain sound that made his voice very dramatic thus so good for these roles.

Tracks:

Mamma, quel vino e generoso
Vesti la giubba
Ma se m'e forza perdeti
Cielo e mar!
LA dolcissima effgie
Neussun dorma!
Amor ti vieta
Tombe degli avi miee...Fra poco a me ricovero
Celeste Aida
Ah si, ben mio
Un di all'azzurro spazio

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