Ricordo [Import]

Product Description
An Album Released after the Untimely Death of this Artist, Probably the Last Singer of Popular Romans Songs. A Collection of Songs by Written by Famous Artists Such as Paolo Conte, Ennio Morricone, Tenco and Others, that She Interprets with her Particular Voice.

Ricordo,Gabriella Ferri,Edel,Italian,World Music

Average customer rating: Unsure A tenor for the masses A wonderful voice Opera for the Masses There will be copycats but Russell Watson is an Original!

Russell Watson · The Voice Russell Watson , Stephen Warbeck , Giuseppe Verdi , Lucio Dalla , Zucchero , Cesar Franck , Ernesto de Curtis , Umberto Giordano , Nigel Hess , Russell Gordon Alistair / Mahoney Gary / Watson , Paul Simon , William / Ure, James Allen Christopher / Cann Warren / Currie , Luigi Denza , Freddie Mercury , Giacomo Puccini , Ennio Morricone , John Themis , Richard Harvey , and Caroline Dale Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Franck, César | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Encore Amore Musica Sometimes I Dream Reprise The Voice: The Ultimate Collection ASIN: B00005B7JD Release Date: 2001-04-17

Tracks:

1. Nella Fantasia
2. Amor Ti Vieta
3. Pelagia's Song (Captain Corelli's Mandolin)
4. Caruso
5. Miserere
6. Panis Angelicus
7. Non Ti Scordar Di Me
8. La Donna E Mobile
9. Saylon Dola
10. Someone Like You
11. Bridge Over Troubled Waters
12. Vienna
13. Funiculi
14. Barcelona (With Shaun Ryder)
15. Nessun Dorma!

Amazon.com

Russell Watson's story is a classic rags-to-riches fairy tale: The former welder, after years of singing in pubs and clubs, traveled from Salford, his hometown, to London. He turned up unannounced at the Decca offices and was promptly signed up by one of the most important classical labels in the world. Vocal coaching followed, as did a number of successful live appearances supporting Cliff Richard. Now, we have this recital CD, which explores a wide range of musical styles. Watson's Italian is a little ponderous in tracks such as "Amor Ti Vieta," but this is more than offset by his captivating and utterly natural-sounding tenor voice. The inevitable popular arias are here, namely "La Donna è Mobile" and "Nessun Dorma," sung with a refreshing and youthful vitality. Pop tracks, including Ultravox's classic 1980s hit "Vienna" and a witty cover version of "Barcelona" sung with former Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder, sit comfortably on the disc. Watson performs them with integrity, not simply paying lip service to the music of his generation. Watson has the potential to do for classical music what Jamie Oliver has done for cookery, and there are few people who won't find this debut CD appealing. --Rebecca Agnew

Album Details

Full Length LP from the British Tenor that Shot Straight to the Top of the UK Classical Charts. Features Many Beautiful Renditions of Classical and E-z Listening Standards, plus a Version of 'nessun Dorma', which Watson Often Sings Before High-profile English Soccer Matches.

Customer Reviews:

Unsure.......2006-01-07

I'm glad that musical artists besides opera singers are encouraging the art of opera. I also like some of his more upbeat selections as well. In my opinion though, I couldn't listen to his CD for very long. A couple of his arias sounded a bit splatty at times, and back in the throat at others. I don't claim to know everything about opera, I'm only in highschool, but his sound seemed quite pushed in places.
When all is said and done,however, I hope more people will come to know and love opera through his music.

A tenor for the masses.......2005-11-07

I hesitate to add my two cents where others have commented in such number. Still, there are a couple of observations I'd like to pass along, hoping they provide further insight into the phenomenon of Russell Watson and his singing.

First of all, I bought this CD never having heard of Mr. Watson--I just liked the looks of it and thought I'd give it a try. So my perception was based solely on what the CD offered. And I liked it! Both the first time and the next several times. (If I want to get analytical, I can find flaws here and there, but somehow I always enjoy hearing it. Period.)

Why do I like it? For a starter, the performances are musical, interesting, exciting, and aesthetically appealing--and that's my first test of quality. (What good is the greatest, most refined, rendition if you find your attention wandering?) Next, I think Watson's musical instincts (and those of whoever else assisted in creating this CD) are pretty much dead-on. There isn't one track I don't like, though some are clearly my favorites.

OK, the operatic bits don't sound like Pavarotti or Domingo, whom I also love very much. So what? Who says there has to be only one way to do an aria? This music is good enough to support a variety of interpretations. (Now if I could only afford one CD, I'd have to be more demanding.)

This is music for regular people, not necessarily for the elite, and I'm enough of a musical democrat to welcome it. If Watson didn't emerge from a high-class musical background, but still found his way to this music, I say more power to him! He must have an inborn feeling for it, and enough of a voice to perform it convincingly.

We've known a few other tenors from humble musical settings who've risen to popular acclaim (e.g., Mario Lanza). They happen to hear some fine tenor singing and find they can imitate it, and not too badly. With a little encouragement they keep at it, take a few lessons, and soon they're on their way. Where they go from there depends on talent, luck, and choices. I don't know where Watson's career will go in the long run, but I like this initial CD (and the two or three following it).

One concern I felt in listening to "The Voice" was for the voice itself. It seemed to me that Watson might have been forcing it too much, in heroically belting out those high notes. From what I now read, that concern was well founded, for Mr. Watson has had to undergo throat surgery. I hope his recuperated voice will retain the excitement and charm we have grown accustomed to and will serve him (and us) for many years.

A wonderful voice.......2005-05-28

I'd just like to say that while most of the opera purist lot criticize his "untrained voice", they are completely neglecting to say that the beauty of his voice is completely NATURAl. He is a man with a naturally beautiful voice, not one worked on for dozens of years in a conservatorium. Personally, that in itself is commendable. Yes, his pronunciation is not exactly perfect, but I think that this adds to his charm - how his gift (and yes, it is a gift) to him from welding to living out his dream.

Opera purists are a dying race. Making opera accessible to other people is not a crime. I have been brought up in a house filled with music, quite a lot of opera. And I do not think that making opera more accessible is a bad thing. Bringing a more youthful image to opera is a very positive thing. We are seeing a whole generation of artists with wonderful voices, ridding opera of its middle aged image.

Bravo, Russell! You're doing a great job.

PS: Opera purist, I can assure you Russell does not spend a sleepless night on account of your whining. So I suggest you learn to deal with the new youth of opera.

Opera for the Masses.......2005-04-25

Talented Watson brings a youthful, casual elegance to opera which will appeal to opera lovers and novices alike.

Some critics are hard on him for pandering to the pop aspects of modern operatics, but I wouldn't call him a sell out at all, as he certainly has the vocal skills to back up his commercial appeal.

There will be copycats but Russell Watson is an Original!.......2005-03-04

One listen to the voice and it will offer you a true appreciation for this hybrid singer. I call him a hybrid singer because he is one of the new generation singers that have the range to sing beatiful, classical pieces as well as pop songs. Russell has the looks of a boy band star but he chose, instead, to follow his heart and bring beautiful, european music to the world's attention. While I have heard comparisons to Josh Groban let me just set the record straight. Russell Watson is the original while Josh Groban, who needs a good barber, is the copy. Russell's first album, the voice, was released in April 2001. Josh Groban's cd was released in May 2002. Both singers have worked with some of the same producers but there is no true comparison when you hear the range and beauty of Russell's voice. He truly could have been an opera singer and has performed in a few operas in europe. I wont bother to get technical about this cd. It truly is one of my favorites in an extensive mixed cd catalog that I own. What I will say is to listen to a few sample tracks and understand what so many of us in the U.S. and abroad already know: Russell Watson is King!

Average customer rating: SImply Untrue an extra star for all the guest artists An Homage to a Great Artist superb vocals

The Very Best of Thomas Hampson Marc Barrard , Thomas Hampson , Csaba Airizer , Georges Bizet , Charles Wakefield Cadman , Stephen Foster , Charles Gounod , Edvard Grieg , Charles Tomlinson Griffes , Imre (Emmerich) Kalman , Erich Wolfgang Korngold , Franz Lehar , Gustav Mahler , Jules Massenet , Giacomo Meyerbeer , Gioachino Rossini , Franz Schubert , Robert Schumann , Johann II Strauss , Ambroise Thomas , Giuseppe Verdi , Richard Wagner , Carl Maria von Weber , Antonio de Almeida , Antonio Pappano , Eugene Kohn , and Fabio Luisi Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Griffes | Griffes, Charles T. | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mahler | Mahler, Gustav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weber | Weber, Carl Maria von | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Hampson, Thomas | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Paris Symphony Orchestra | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Song of America No Tenors Allowed: Famous Duets for Baritone and Bass Arias - Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert Christmas with Thomas Hampson Samuel Ramey - Operatic Arias ASIN: B0006VYEI2 Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

1. La Ran La Lera...Largo Al Factotum
2. O Sainte Medaille...Avant De Quitter Ces Lieux
3. Ce Breuvage...Vision Fugitive
4. C'est Toi...Au Fond Du Temple Saint - Placido Domingo
5. La Fatigue Alourdit Mes Pas...Comme Une Pale Fleur
6. Ecoute!...Dieu, Tu Semas Dans Nos Ames
7. C'est Mon Jour Supreme
8. Tout Est Desert...Son Regard
9. Ove Son Io?...Vada In Fiamme
10. Perfidi! All'Anglo Contro Me...Pieta, Rispetto Amore
11. Di Provenza Il Mar, Il Suol
12. E Sogno? O Realta?
13. Komm!
14. Der Garten Des Herzens
15. Lied Des Venezianischen Gondoliers
16. Le Lazzarone
17. L'Ultimo Ricordo

Tracks:

1. Mein Sehnen, Mein Wahnen
2. Wo Berg' Ich Mich?...So Weih' Ich Mich Den Rachgewalten
3. Wie Todesahnung...O Du Mein Holder Abendstern
4. Gruss Op.48 No.1
5. Im Wunderschonen Monat Mai
6. Aus Meinen Tranen Spriessen
7. Die Rose, Die Lilie
8. Ich Will Meine Seele Tauchen
9. Ich Grolle Nicht
10. Gute Nacht
11. Die Post
12. Blicke Mir Nicht In Die Lieder
13. Ich Atmet' Einen Linden Duft
14. Ich Bin Der Welt Abhanden Gekommen
15. Von Der Schonheit
16. O Vaterland, Du Machst Bei Tag
17. Als Flotter Geist
18. Komm, Zigany
19. An Old Song Re-Sung
20. At Dawning (I Love You) Op.29 No.1 - Armen Guzelimian
21. Jeanie With The Light Brown Hair
22. Beautiful Dreamer

Album Description

Details TBA. EMI. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

SImply Untrue.......2006-08-16

The previous review is simply a gross falsification. I have been an obsessed opera fan for a long time, and Thomas Hampson is a truly special singer. He is not the possesor of the largest or most interesting voice, which he will tell you and indeed says so all the time. His commitment to text, his willingness to search out parts to fit his voice, and his dedication to art song make im invaluable to Americans as a ture Troubador. His light Baritone was ideally suited to Figaro and to Valentin and the art song he loves. He must stretch to sing Verdi, where his voice sounds dry and small but many singers have chanced Verdi at their peril, and his innate ablity to inhabit a song, here evidenced in Di Provenza overcomes fact that it is out of his fach. You misinformed opinion of Hampson is mean and strangly bitter. I love Opera, but I do not love every singer, which doesn't mean I debase their very artistic existance. I have seen Hampson live, and have loved him (in Thias) and somewhat disliked him (in Simon Boccanegra) As for him being pretentious, somwetimes I find him mannered, but always charming. SOmetimes Intellectualism can appear pretentious, but surely you wont hold an opera singer to the charge that he must be unintellectual. what a vitriolic review, please buy this Cd, it merits repeated listening to a true American SINGER,

an extra star for all the guest artists.......2006-05-08

The title of this album is an oxymoron. Or a sick joke. I can't decide. Sure he has made millions by luring the uninitiated listener into his web of deceit and conceit, but don't be fooled any longer. How fortunate Hampson has been to sing for and with great artists to shoulder his heavy load.

An Homage to a Great Artist.......2005-10-30

EMI is wisely creating a series of recordings to gather the moments of artists that showcase the very reasons they become so highly regarded. Usually these collections are produced late in careers or even posthumously, but in the case of THE VERY BEST OF THOMAS HAMPSON the artist is still one of the more active and premiere singers of our day. Yet while he doesn't still perform all of these inclusions, it is wonderful to have excerpts from various successful recordings to remind us of the artistry that Hampson represents.

The two disc set includes arias from operas: Rossini's 'Il barbière di Siviglia', von Weber's 'Euryanthe', Gounod's 'Faust', Massenet's 'Hérodiade', Bizet's 'Les Pêcheurs de perles' (in duet with Placido Domingo), Thomas' 'Hamlet', Verdi's 'Don Carlo', 'Il Travatore', 'Macbeth', 'La Traviata', and 'Falstaff', Korngold's 'Die Tote Stadt', and Wagner's 'Tannhäuser'.

But the rewards of a Hampson recording must include his impeccable career as a lieder stylist and on this recording are excerpts from Schumann's 'Dichterliebe', Schubert's 'Winterreise', Mahler's 'Rückert Lieder' and 'Das Lied von der Erde', as well as songs by Meyerbeer, Rossini, Grieg, Kalman, and Lehar. And very importantly there are examples of American songs that Hampson has always emphasized in his recitals. Works by Stephen Foster, and two extraordinary works with the brilliant accompanist Armen Guzelimian - 'An Old Song Re-sung' by Griffes and 'At Dawning' by Charles Wakefield Cadman - round out this fine survey.

Not usually a collector of such 'recombinations', for this listener this album is so very fine that it deserves the attention of all those who appreciate the artistry of Thomas Hampson - then and now. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, October 05

superb vocals.......2005-08-07

Mr.Hampson really gets the chance to showcase his wonderful baritone voice in this "Best of" collection which includes excellent selections from his various other CDs. I like the diversity of the selections featuring operatic arias,works from classical composers, and folk songs. For Thomas hampson fans, as well as fans of the baritone voice, this CD is for them.

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 Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Domingo, Placido | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music 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:

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

Tracks:

1. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Dumouriez traditore e girondino (Mathieu, People, Gerard)
2. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Lacrime e sangue da la francial (Gerard)
3. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Prendi! E un ricordo (Women, L'Incredibile, Gerard, Offstage Newsboy)
4. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Amici, ancor cantiam, beviam (L'Incredibile, Gerard)
5. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Donnina, innamorata (L'Incredibile, Gerard)
6. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Nemico della patria?(Gerard, L'Incredibile, Maddalena, Mathieu)
7. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Se ancor di me vi sovvenite non sol (Maddalena, Gerard)
8. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: La mamma morta (Maddalena)
9. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Perduto! La mia vita per salvarlo (Gerard, Maddalena)
10. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Mamma Cadet! (Market Women, Mathieu, Crowd, Gerard, Maddalena, Dumas, Fouquier - Tinville)
11. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Si, fui soldato (Chenier)
12. Opera In Four Acts: Act 3: Udiamo i testimoni! (Fouquier - Tinville, Gerard, Crtowd, Chenier, Dumas, Maddalena)
13. Opera In Four Parts: Act 4: Cittadino, men duol, mae tardi assai (Schmidt, Roucher, Chenier)
14. Come un bel din maggio (Chenier)
15. Opera In Four Parts: Act 4: Viene a costei concesso (Gerard, Schmidt, Maddalena)
16. Opera In Four Parts: Act 4: Vicino a te s' acqueta (Maddalena, Chenier, Schmidt)
17. 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:

Ricordo Gabriella Ferri Manufacturer: Edel ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music International | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: I Grandi Successi Originali ASIN: B0006Q0XKA Release Date: 2005-11-14

Tracks:

1. Vamp
2. Sono Partita Di Sera
3. Una Donna Sbagliata
4. E' Un' Ora Qualunque
5. Stornello Dell' Estate
6. Me Voi Pe' Te
7. Fiore Del Primo Amore
8. Cambia La Vita
9. Lontano, Lontano
10. Coimbra
11. Ricordo
12. Cristo Al Madrione
13. E' Scesa Ormai La Sera
14. U Omo Camion
15. Una Luna Para Ti
16. Sinno' Me Moro
17. Via Rasella
18. A Capo Cabana
19. Cara Madre Mia
20. Hesitation
21. Vola Pensiero Mio
22. O' Sole Mio
23. "Da Ragazzina"

Album Details

An Album Released after the Untimely Death of this Artist, Probably the Last Singer of Popular Romans Songs. A Collection of Songs by Written by Famous Artists Such as Paolo Conte, Ennio Morricone, Tenco and Others, that She Interprets with her Particular Voice.

Average customer rating:

BIBER: Virtuoso in the Making - Ricordo Manufacturer: Linn Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B0007UZLXE Release Date: 2005-02-17

Album Description

Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber (1644-1704)

Virtuoso in the Making

Ricordo

Kati Debretzeni - violin
Penelope Spencer - violin
Alison McGillivray - viola da gamba & violone
Adam Woolf - trombone
Matthew Wadsworth - theorbo & baroque lute
Robert Howarth - harpsichord & organ

In the second half of the 17th century, a handful of virtuosos established a clear Austro-German supremacy of the violin over its birthplace, Italy. Amongst them Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber stands out both as composer and as violinist. History has done him justice: he is today more popular then ever. His life is well documented, and his major instrumental collections are widely published and recorded. His formative years, however, are merely speculated upon, and they are the focal point of this recording.

Average customer rating: The best is wonderful, but there are a few duds Beautiful Voice, Bad Choices A Great Showcase of Hampson's Voice and Artistry Comprehensive coverage of Hampson's range in song

Thomas Hampson - A Portrait Manufacturer: EMI ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Foster, Stephen | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Porter | Porter, Cole | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Weill | Weill, Kurt | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Hampson, Thomas | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Paris Symphony Orchestra | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Soundtracks | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Leading Man The Very Best of Thomas Hampson Christmas with Thomas Hampson Song of America Cole Porter: Night & Day - Thomas Hampson, John McGlinn, London Symphony Orchestra, Ambrosian Chorus ASIN: B000024D1I Release Date: 1997-01-01

Customer Reviews:

The best is wonderful, but there are a few duds.......2006-07-17

No portrait of a singer can satisfy all cmers, so EMI has shrugged its shoulders and tossed a bit of everything into the pot. (Without including any bonus tracks, one should note.) Hampson is without a doubt the successor to Fischer-Dieskau as the world's most famous operatic baritone. His strengths, like F-D's, are in song, especially American song. Seven of the 19 cuts here are American songs, which isn't enough. We don't really need Hampson's rather plodding and earnest Viennese operetta aria, nor his duet, "Anything You Can Do, I Can Do Better" with the shrill Kim Criswell (to tell the truth, neither does very well). Two small slivers from Schumann's Dichterlieve cycle seems rather silly, too.

But that leaves a lot that's wonderful--all the American selections, the Rossini and Liszt songs, the aria form Korngold's Die Tote Stadt, and above all Hampson's rollicking, let-'er-rip rendition of Figaro's aria form the Barber of Seville. If this omnium gatherum entices listeners to bu the complete recordings, it will serve a very good purpose.

Beautiful Voice, Bad Choices.......2003-11-25

Short and Sweet.

I love listening to this beautiful baritone's voice, but I really don't like his choice of songs on this album. Beautiful Dreamer is so hackneyed and I can't stand to listen to it (also why I didn't buy the Stephen Foster album). I did like is choice of two classic lieder by Schumann. I would have chosen more lieder for a different album, he does great things with it. The Live recording of Largo al factotum from Barber is distracting with audience claps and poor mics for the recording. You can hear him walking away from the mics (fading in and out). The absolute worst choice is "Anything You Can Do" from Annie Get Your Gun. It sounds nice but I hate this song. The rest of the songs swing from Sappy awful to beautifully sung.

Bottom Line: Inconsistent and Not worth your money. He can do much better

A Great Showcase of Hampson's Voice and Artistry.......2002-02-23

Thomas Hampson is definitely one of the greatest artists on today's musical scene. This CD displays the beauty of Hampson's voice and the intelligence and artistry that he brings to a great variety of musical styles (German, French and Italian Opera; Italian, French and German art song, and American music). Among the highlights are the first selection, the beautiful "Mein Sehnen, mein Wähnen" from DIE TOTE STADT by Korngold, sung with great control and melting pianissimos. The same can be said of the aria from TANNHAUSER. His live "Largo al Factotum" from IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA is just virtuosistic, with effortless high notes (even a cadenza up to high C) and energetic vocal acting. In the art songs he is no less impressive, with total involvement in the style and mood of the songs, being particularly impressive "Oh, quand je dors" by Lizt. The American repertoire is also a delight. Hampson displays all kind of nuances for this repertoire, from the estatic quality of "Beautiful Dreamer" to the humor and bawdiness of "Where Is The Life that Late I Led". In summary, this is a delightful and eclectic souvenir from one of the most charismatic and intelligent singers of our time.

Comprehensive coverage of Hampson's range in song.......2001-11-01

This EMI disc, "Thomas Hampson, Portrait" is an excellent example of the wide range of this melliflous baritone. From the first German aria, Korngold's "Mein Sehnen, mein Wahnen" one of my personal favourites, to Jerome Kern's "The Last Time I saw Paris" you have great variety of opera, lieder and popular song offering you examples of Hampson's great talent. Buy and enjoy! Jill Whitburn

Average customer rating: Idiomatically superb, ensemble performance such an exciting live recording

Verdi: Don Carlo Manufacturer: Myto Records Italy ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Box Sets | Stores | Music ASIN: B00002SSMJ Release Date: 1999-11-19

Customer Reviews:

Idiomatically superb, ensemble performance.......2005-05-21

Okay, so if you've heard the classy studio performances of DON CARLO on EMI, Decca, etc., and are wondering just how the opera sounds with a truly grand Italianate, idiomatic cast. HERE is where you may wish to start. Anita Cerquetti simply outsings and outshines most of her more famous competitors in the role of Elisabetta, including Tebaldi, Caballe, Mattila, etc. Christoff's Filippo is well known (via the early EMI 1950s recording and others, including a 1954 version on GOP records), and here he is superb. Giulio Neri was the Grand Inquisitor on the early EMI, his hollow, black voice resonating supremely, and once again he makes the role HIS own. Bastianini, along with Tito Gobbi, was the greatest Italian baritone of the 1950s and early '60s. His Posa here demonstrates why...once you hear HIM, you really can't listen to the "studio" Posas with the same ear, they simply pale in comparison. Fedora Barbieri is, IMHO, the very best Eboli on record, bar none. Angelo Lo Forese, while not a Corelli or Bergonzi, is certainly at home in the music and acquits himself well...he would be a superstar where he singing today. And, a word about the sound. It's okay, but not stereo, not "great" by today's standards...but it's listenable and you get used to it, because the great singing draws you in and holds you, gripping you, like only perhaps the Vickers-Brouwenstijn issue (on Myto) or some of the other live recordings manage to do. In any case, you can find this new and cheaply, if you look hard enough, or buy it second hand. You won't be disappointed.

such an exciting live recording.......2005-01-31

This is a review with a proviso: I like live recordings. This CD is a single recorded performance in Florence, and as a result has all the usual coughs, applause etc. and sound quality which is less than crystal clear (though perfectly good enough to enjoy... no crackling or hissing, it just doesn't sound as fresh as a studio recording).
The singing is largely excellent, and, in some cases, extraordinary. I am a big fan of Cesare Siepi, who sings King Philip, and he was in his absolute prime in the mid-1950s. His big aria (ella giammai m'amo) is wonderfully sung, and the Grand Inquisitor scene which immediately follows is a great performance of one of the greatest scenes in all opera.
Ettore Bastianini is also in good form as Posa - he had a really exciting voice, but a regrettably short career, and the whole cast is very strong.
I find that a live performance gives you a really interesting insight into what singers actually sounded like on a daily basis, rather than in a studio.
Of course, the price ($68 today) is pretty horrific, and I'm not sure I could justify buying this instead of one of the best studio recordings - I got it out from the library - but it's fascinating to listen to.

Average customer rating:

Pasculli: Concerto on Themes from Donizetti's for oboe Manufacturer: MD&G Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Oboe Solo ASIN: B00004TVEY Release Date: 2000-08-22

Tracks:

1. Fant Sull' Opr Poliuto Di G. Donizetti: 1. Maestoso/2. Poco Meno/3. Largo/4. Piu Mosso...
2. Le Api. Studio Caratteristico: Allegro Vivacissimo
3. Gran Con Su Temi Dall'Opr I Vespri Siciliani Di Verdi: 1. Allegretto/2. Adagio/3. Allegretto...
4. Omaggio a Bellini: 1. Moderato/2. Allegro Brillante - Yeon-Hee Kwak/Chia Chou/Ursula Eisert
5. Con Sopra Motivi Dell'Opr La Favorita Di Donizetti: 1. Andante/2. Adagio/3. Allegretto...
6. Ricordo Di Napoli Scherzo Brillante: 1. Allegro Prestissimo/2. Largo/3. Allegretto/4. Allegro Vivace

Average customer rating:

The Best of Ennio Morricone Manufacturer: Sette Ottavi ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Italy | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music Movie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B0007N7YK4 Release Date: 2005-01-24

Tracks:

1. Piovra/Canzone Per La Sera
2. Piovra/My Heart and I
3. Piovra/Morale
4. Piovra/La Morale Dell'immorale
5. Piovra/Mille Echi
6. Piovra/Per An-Na
7. Perlasca/Un Canto Antico
8. Perlasca/Doppio Canto
9. Perlasca/Romanticamente Interiore
10. Perlasca/Estasi Tensiva
11. I Promessi Sposi/I Promessi Sposi
12. I Promessi Sposi/I Lanzichenecchi
13. I Promessi Sposi/A Lucia
14. I Promessi Sposi/Finale
15. Missus/Per Olga
16. Missus/Ricordo del Figlio
17. Missus/Senza Ritorno

Album Description

A selection of themes taken from the soundtracks to motion pictures and TV. Setteottavi label. 2005.

Album Details

A Selection of Themes Taken from the Soundtracks to Film and TV Films.

Average customer rating:

Leon Levitch Manufacturer: Dead Line ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sonatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Oboe | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B00008ER4Y Release Date: 1993-09-11

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