Opera Prima [Limited Edition] [Import]

Track Listings

 
1. Natività
2. Icaro
3. Dolce Sorella
4. Cane
5. E Svegliarsi in un Giorno
6. Cammellandia

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
Special limited edition reissue of the Italian progressive rock act's 1973 album, packaged in a miniature gatefold LP sleeve. BMG. 2003.

Opera Prima,Carlo Rustichelli,Bmg Int'l,Film Music,Int'l & World Music,Italy,Pop,Rock/Pop
Highlights From The Phantom Of The Opera: The Original London Cast Recording (1986 London Cast)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Music of the Night????????
  • Great short version!
  • A long time favorite
  • The Best Recording of this Show Available
  • Great CD
Highlights From The Phantom Of The Opera: The Original London Cast Recording (1986 London Cast)

Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Les Miserables (Highlights from the 1987 Original Broadway Cast)
  2. The Phantom of the Opera (Two-Disc Special Edition)
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ASIN: B000001FLQ
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

  1. Overture
  2. Think Of Me
  3. Angel Of Music
  4. The Mirror (Angel Of Music)
  5. The Phantom Of The Opera
  6. The Music Of The Night
  7. Prima Donna
  8. All I Ask Of You/Reprise
  9. Entr'acte
  10. Masquerade
  11. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
  12. The Point Of No Return
  13. Down Once More.../Track Down This Murderer

Amazon.com

Highlight versions of cast recordings are by definition a compromise, and this reduction of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom of the Opera is no exception. Weighing in at 59 minutes, it's over 40 minutes shorter than the two-disc version, excising many musical scenes that convey the flow and impact of the show (which include, admittedly, a lot of patter and screaming). On the other hand, all the hits are here--"Think of Me," "Angel of Music," the title tune, "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Masquerade," and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"--and Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman are still on hand to make their distinctive contributions to the original London cast. So if you're looking for a convenient, inexpensive single disc that will let you enjoy Lloyd Webber's scrumptious melodies without having to immerse yourself in the action, this just might be for you. --David Horiuchi

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Music of the Night????????.......2007-02-28

I really liked the idea of a highlights cd; however, The Music of the Night is not the same one that is on the original two-disc cd. The words aren't even the same. If you enjoy Music of the Night, skip this cd. Otherwise, this cd would be 5 stars.

5 out of 5 stars Great short version!.......2006-12-06

If you only want to hear the songs from this musical, this one is for you. But if you want the full version, get the 4-disc version. I listen to this version in my car when I'm on the road, but I listen to the 4-disc version at home. Both versions are worth the purchase.

5 out of 5 stars A long time favorite.......2006-08-26

This is one of my most treasured CDs. The voices of the cast are incredible! "Think of Me" and "All I Ask of You" are 2 of my favorites. If you enjoy the story behind Phantom, yu will like this soundtrack.

5 out of 5 stars The Best Recording of this Show Available.......2006-04-21

I think that this is the best PHANTOM soundtrack out there:

1)It has the original Broadway cast, the best.
2)It cuts out the more risqu? parts of the show (believe me, there are some), making it "appropriate for the whole family."
3)The entire CD is on one disc, so you can go through the show w/o switching discs.
4)The only song that the movie soundtrack has on it that this doesn't is "Learn to Be Lonely," which appears in the credits, and isn't really a great song anyways.

5 out of 5 stars Great CD.......2006-03-14

I bought this CD as a birthday gift for my boyfriend. We had misplaced the one that we had and needed a new one. This is one of our favorite cd's. Such beautiful music.
Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites
Average customer rating: Not rated
    Land of My Fathers: 100 Great Welsh Choir Favourites

    Manufacturer: Castle Pulse
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

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    ASIN: B0009SOFXG
    Release Date: 2005-08-01

    Tracks:

    1. Guide Me O Thou Great Redeemer (CWM Rhondda) - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
    2. Land of My Fathers - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
    3. Dies Irae
    4. Men of Harlech
    5. You'll Never Walk Alone
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    7. Old Folks at Home
    8. Il Liza Jane
    9. Faust/Soldier's Chorus - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
    10. Vergine Degli Angeli
    11. Ballard of Rourke's Drift - Cwt-Y-Collen Choir
    12. My Hero
    13. God Bless the Prince of Wales - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
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    15. German Mass/Sanctus
    16. Misbles/Master of the House/On My Own/Drink with Me/Empty Chairs at
    17. All Through the Night - Caerphilly Make Voice Choir
    18. Arwelfa
    19. Invictus
    20. Softly as I Leave You

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    2. Hine E Hine (Maori Lullaby)
    3. Pererin Wyf (Amazing Grace)
    4. Tribute to the USA: America the Beautiful (Ward/Bates)/God Bless ...
    5. Memories of Martha
    6. I Lombardi/The Crusaders' Chorus - Treorchy Male Choir
    7. Myfanwy - Treorchy Male Choir
    8. Tales of Hoffman/Barcarolle
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    10. In the Spirit!
    11. Shall We Gather at the River
    12. Nos a Bore
    13. Very Best Time of Year
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    4. Cymru Fach
    5. Nidaros
    6. Jacob's Ladder - Treorchy Male Choir
    7. Watching the Wheat
    8. Pan Ddaw y Saint (When the Saints Go Marching In)
    9. Misbles/Stars
    10. Rachie
    11. Pirates of Penzance/With Cat-Like Tread - Treorchy Male Choir
    12. There Is a Balm in Gilead
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    Tracks:

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    2. Phantom of the Opera/Think of Me
    3. Morte Christe (When I Survey the Wondrous Cross)
    4. By Babylon's Wave
    5. I'm Gonna Sing
    6. Where Could I Go But to the Lord?
    7. Holy City - Treorchy Male Choir
    8. Mefistofele: Ave Signor, Degli Angeli
    9. Senzenina (Zulu Chant)
    10. That's All I Want from You
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    13. Just a Closer Walk with Thee
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    18. God's Choir in the Sky
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    20. Smilin' Through

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    1. Calon Lan
    2. True Love
    3. Mor Fawr Wyt Ti (How Great Thou Art)
    4. Aberystwyth
    5. Comrades in Arms
    6. Cats/Memory
    7. They Led My Lord Away
    8. State Fair/It's a Grand Night for Singing
    9. When I Fall in Love
    10. Let's Face the Music and Dance
    11. Windmills of Your Mind
    12. How Soon
    13. Non Nobis Domine
    14. Rhythm of Life
    15. Kalinka
    16. Sound an Alarm
    17. Neapolitan Trilogy: It's Now or Never (Di Capua/Schroeder/Gold)/Mo ...
    18. Turandot/Nessun Dorma
    19. Christus Redemptor
    20. Ann Evening's Pastorale

    Album Details

    Choirs Include the Morriston Orpheus Choir, the Pontadrddulais Male Voice Choir, the Caerphilly Male Voice Choir, the Cwrt-y-gollen Choir, the Treorchy Male Choir and the Lucknow Male Voice Choir.
    Luciano Pavarotti - Nessun dorma (Arias & Duets)
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      Luciano Pavarotti - Nessun dorma (Arias & Duets)
      Luciano Pavarotti , Mirella Freni , and Katia Ricciarelli
      Manufacturer: Decca
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

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      ASIN: B00004Z32N
      Release Date: 2001-03-27

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      7. Turandot: Nessun dorma
      8. Petite Messe solennelle: Domine Deus
      9. Requiem: Ingemisco
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      The MARIO LANZA Collection
      Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
      • Selections from the Greatest Voice of the Last Hundred Years
      • A Must Have
      • The Mario Lanza Collection
      • The MARIO LANZA Collection
      • WONDERFUL!!!!!
      The MARIO LANZA Collection

      Manufacturer: RCA Victor
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      Binding: Audio CD

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      ASIN: B000003F6V
      Release Date: 1991-11-12

      Tracks:

      1. Be My Love
      2. I'll Never Love You
      3. Because You're Mine
      4. The Song Angels Sing
      5. Drink, Drink, Drink
      6. Serenade
      7. The Loveliest Night of the Year
      8. La Donna E Mobile
      9. Because
      10. For You Alone
      11. Golden Days
      12. Deep In My Heart, Dear
      13. If I Loved You
      14. Yours Is My Heart Alone
      15. One Night Of Love
      16. Beloved
      17. Beautiful Love
      18. With A Song In My Heart
      19. You Are My Love
      20. Call Me Fool

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      2. My Song,My Love
      3. Love Is The Sweetest Thing
      4. Will You Remember
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      6. Lolita
      7. Serenade
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      12. Lee-Ah-Loo
      13. Tina-Lina
      14. Boom Biddy Boom Boom
      15. The Bayou Lullaby
      16. The Lord's Prayer
      17. And Here You Are
      18. Song of Songs
      19. Somewhere A Voice Is Calling
      20. I Never Knew

      Tracks:

      1. Ciribiribin
      2. Wonder Why
      3. Come Dance With Me
      4. O Sole Mio
      5. Younger Than Springtime
      6. For the First Time (Come Prima)
      7. Never Till Now
      8. Arrivederci, Roma
      9. If You Were Mine
      10. Behold!
      11. A Night to Remember
      12. Love in a Home
      13. Do You Wonder
      14. Softly as in a Morning Sunrise
      15. One Alone
      16. Aida:Celeste Aida
      17. Carmen: Flower Song
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      19. Rigoletto:Questa O Quella
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      21. Cavalleria Rusticana: Addio Alla Madre

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars Selections from the Greatest Voice of the Last Hundred Years.......2007-03-13

      Mario Lanza was, arguably, the greatest tenor and greatest singer of this and the last century. It is difficult to appreciate him without listening to a variety of selections. This collection has some of his best recordings and exhibits the versatility and variety that he possessed that permitted him to "crossover" from opera to popular music with a ease.

      I recommend this for those who already know Lanza to some extent but want to go into more depth and understand his marvelous skills.

      5 out of 5 stars A Must Have .......2006-12-12

      I had forgotten what a beautiful voice Mario Lanza had. This collection contains opera and pop selections that exhibit the power yet sweetness of his voice. Fortunately, we have his CD's and videos so we can remember and listen to his gorgeous, vibrant voice and personality. I highly recommend this collection along with his wonderful movies, especially The Great Caruso.

      5 out of 5 stars The Mario Lanza Collection.......2006-11-10

      I had forgotten just how beautiful a voice from the past was. It is a wonderful collection

      4 out of 5 stars The MARIO LANZA Collection.......2006-08-19

      extract from most important LPs. Brilliant sound quality from RCA. Also included are soundtrack recordings from some of his movies. The are several reissues from Mario Lanza but this one is a collection you should have.

      5 out of 5 stars WONDERFUL!!!!!.......2005-10-19

      The Mario Lanza Collection is a three CD set and it has 61 songs and they all sound great. The mastering on this set is excellent and the song choice is very very good. It would have been perfect if they added a forth CD with more Arias, Italian songs and Sacred Arias. BUT still this set is a great introduction to Lanza. Lanza's voice was powerful and beautiful; if you are a fan of great singing, you will love Lanza. Highlights on this CD set are; Be my Love, Because your Mine, Serenade, With a Song in My Heart, Temptation, The Lord's Prayer, Ciribirbin, O Solo Mio, Ariverducci Roma, and on and on. They are many many great songs on this set, and I highly recommend it.
      Essential Verdi
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • OKAY, TAKE ME AWAY.
      • Great music...stunning recording quality
      • Incredible
      • Just Stunning!
      Essential Verdi

      Manufacturer: Decca
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

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      ASIN: B000056JSW
      Release Date: 2001-02-13

      Tracks:

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

      Tracks:

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

      Customer Reviews:

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

      I don't know opera.

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

      Is this how its supposed to be...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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      ASIN: B000059WLF
      Release Date: 2001-05-08

      Tracks:

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

      Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

      ps. I'm a really terrible dancer!

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

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

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

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

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

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

      THis is a sprightly and thoroughly well performed arrangement of Renaisaaance music. If you think there is no place for such period music think again. I snuck this on while entertaining and everyone began complimenting it. They loved the joyful upbeat quality it posseses and as I, were delighted with the quality of musicianship and recording. Give that next dinner party a historical twist or just give yourself this wonderful CD
      Andrea Bocelli: Verdi
      Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
      • Not as good as Amore
      • a voice teacher and early music fan
      • Verdi
      • The triumph of mediocrity
      • no expert
      Andrea Bocelli: Verdi
      Zubin Mehta , Israel Philharmonic Orchestra , and Zubin Mehta
      Manufacturer: Philips
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

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      ASIN: B00004X16D
      Release Date: 2000-09-12

      Tracks:

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

      Amazon.com Classical Music Reviews

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

      Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      I'm not a genuine, dyed-in -the-wool opera fan. The sound of the soprano voice makes me grit my teeth. Some of the great tenors are very pleasing, but mostly I'm just not especially enthusiastic or impressed. Actually, I think it's rather stupid for good singers to abuse their voices by bellowing. This was necessary before the invention of amplification, but not any more.
      So, obviously, I'm not in the position to compare Bocelli's arias to those of the tenors considered the greats. I can hear that his voice lacks the robustness of the Pavarottis of this world. BUT - I like many of the famous arias, and to my ear, Bocelli's performances, electronically enhanced or not, are melodic and pleasant to the ear. As a result of listening to Bocelli, I've become familiar with some great music that I would otherwise be likely to ignore.
      So I listen and enjoy and really don't care about all the criticism.
      The Phantom of the Opera (Highlights from the 1989 Original Canadian Cast)
      Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
      • Iffy
      • Rebecca Caine is what made me buy this album.
      • Very Nice!!!!
      • NOT AS GOOD AS THE LONDON CAST RECORDING
      • I liked Colm Wilkinson better in Les Miz
      The Phantom of the Opera (Highlights from the 1989 Original Canadian Cast)

      Manufacturer: Decca Broadway
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

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      ASIN: B0000072VS
      Release Date: 2002-11-26

      Tracks:

      1. Prologue-The Stage Of The Paris Opera House, 1911
      2. Overture
      3. The Dress Rehearsal Of Hannibal
      4. Think Of Me
      5. The Mirror... (Angel Of Music)
      6. The Phantom Of The Opera
      7. The Music Of The Night
      8. Notes/Prima Donna
      9. All I Ask Of You
      10. I Gave You My Music...
      11. Entr'acte
      12. Masquerade
      13. The Graveyard
      14. Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again
      15. Wandering Child.../Bravo Monsieur...
      16. The Point Of No Return/Down Once More
      17. The Phantom's Lair

      Amazon.com

      A few years after The Phantom of the Opera debuted in London, Harold Prince unveiled Andrew Lloyd Webber's gothic musical in Canada, in 1989. It was so good that this recording of highlights from the Canadian cast is--dare we say it?--more enjoyable than the equivalent London cast highlights album. No, it doesn't have the authenticity of London principals Sarah Brightman (for whom then-husband Lloyd Webber wrote the role of Christine) and Michael Crawford, but it doesn't have their idiosyncrasies, either, and it does have the richer voices of Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Caine (who played Jean Valjean and older Cosette, respectively, in the 1985 London cast of Les Misérables). At 69 minutes, the Canadian album is also 10 minutes longer than the London, allowing inclusion of the prologue and dress rehearsal for Hannibal. Of course, Lloyd Webber's melodies--"Angel of Music," "The Music of the Night," "All I Ask of You," "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again"--are scrumptious on any continent. --David Horiuchi

      Album Description

      1990 Polydor release featuring highlights from Andrew Lloyd Webber's epic musical by the Original Canadian Cast, including Colm Wilkinson and Rebecca Caine. Directed by Harold Prince, it features 17 tracks, including 'Think Of Me', 'Notes/ Prima Donna', 'Masquerade' and 'Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again'.

      Album Details

      Contains highlights from the Andrew Lloyd Webber brainchild performed in Ottawa, Vancouver, Montreal & Calgary during April, 1991 through September, 1992. Stars Colm Wilkinson & Rebecca Caine in leading roles.

      Customer Reviews:

      3 out of 5 stars Iffy.......2007-01-22

      I've only listened to clips here and online, but I personally would not buy this entire album. Why? Well, I would LOVE to have Rebecca Caine's "Think of Me" and "Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again" - she has a beautiful voice, much stronger than either Sarah Brightman or Emmy Rossum, and much better trained. But what I have heard of the Raoul annoys me. He's supposed to be the good guy, not a dork!

      And Colm Wilkinson as the Phantom? Whose idea was that??? I really do not like his voice, even as Valjean in Les Miz. I highly doubt he's a strong enough singer to pull of "Music of the Night" the way Michael Crawford or Hugh Panaro (best Phantom EVER) can.

      If, however, this was on iTunes, I'd jump at the chance to get Rebecca's songs!

      4 out of 5 stars Rebecca Caine is what made me buy this album........2006-12-04

      Rebecca Caine is my favorite Christine. I think that she has one of the most amazing voices, and I loved her in the title song.

      As for everything else...
      Honestly, Colm Wilkinson cannot sing. His voice is just too weak for the role. Like one of the reviewers before me said, he's no Michael Crawford, not even Gerard Butler. Maybe I should hear him sing in Les Miserables to appreciate his voice.
      As for Byron Nease, he's okay, but I've easily heard better.

      In all, the album's okay, but there are many better recordings.

      4 out of 5 stars Very Nice!!!!.......2006-08-25

      Although this is a specatcular Disc, I find it very hard to appreciate fully Colm Wilkinson's voice in the role of the Phantom after being so used to Michael Crawford's for that role (and being used to mr. Wilkinson's as Jean Valjean in Les Misérables). Don't get me wrong I very much like Colm wilkinson, but not so much as the phantom.
      Apart from that Rebecca Caine is a stunning Christine!!!! And at times seems to me to be...dare I say.... better than (my personal favourite singer) sarah brightman, Ms. Caine's "Think Of Me" blew me away, it was very inspiring....

      Overall the rest of the cast is very good as well and if you are a true "phan" this is a must have CD very much worth its price!!!!

      4 out of 5 stars NOT AS GOOD AS THE LONDON CAST RECORDING.......2006-07-02

      Today, after Phantom of the opera became the longest running musical in history of Broadway, and being one of the most produced of Andrew Lloyd Webber's work around the world, we can only agree with the statement of "The Times" reviewer which appeared on October 10, 1986, a day after the premiere in London, who wrote: "One thing is clear: Gaston Leroux's famous story is God's gift to the musical theatre. It wraps up the legends of Faust, Svengali, and Beauty and the Beast into a grand final death rattle of the romantic agony. It turns a theatre--the Paris Opera--into a replica of the universe, from the Statue of Apollo above the city's rooftops down to the infernal regions with their furnaces and stygian lake. And, musically, not only does it unfold to an accompaniment of the operatic repertoire, but also features a protagonist who is himself a great composer."

      Phantom, with its operatic and lush melodies, intensive story and grandiose staging, remains one of the best and most beloved musicals of all time.

      The musical is based on the Gaston Leroux's novel of the same title. It is set in the second part of the 19th century Paris and its famous opera house. The young soprano, Christine, is discovered as a talented young opera singer in the opera house. She is noticed by an old childhood friend, Raoul, and they fall in love. However, we find out that a third person, the mysterious Phantom, hiding behind a mask, is a musical genius who had been giving Christine singing lessons and who has developed a mad passion for his young pupil. He hides in the catacombs of the opera house, lurking on the outside world. He is determined to keep Christine for himself and the story evolves from here.

      Apart from this interesting plot, the audiences were swept away by Lloyd Webber's tremendous score, which probably remains his best work. It combines the beautiful love songs and sweeping operetta-like arias, with numerous orchestral leads and crescendos. You can't help but being charmed by this beautiful and haunting score. The large numbers, especially, the last one, will probably move you deeply. The most popular numbers are "The phantom of the opera", a vibrating duet between Christine and the Phantom; "All I ask of you", a lovely love duet between Christine and Raul; Phantom's mesmerizing voice will hold you till the end in "The music of the night", Christine in "Wishing you are somehow here again" will evoke sadness, and many more.

      One of the main reasons for the early success of this show and this recording was its original London cast. All of the three principals: Sarah Brightman as Christine, Michael Crawford as The Phantom and Steve Barton as Raoul gave the performances of their lives. Michael Crawford's take on the role of The Phantom became stuff legends are made of, due to his amazing vocalisation and the powerful, almost hypnotic attraction in his voice and performance, exactly how the Phantom is supposed to sound.

      The lyrics by Richard Stilgoe and Christopher Hampton are the weakest link here, but they manage to convey the basic story.

      After the show's success in London and on Broadway, the Canadian production was mounted and it premiered in Toronto's Pantages Theatre in September 1989. This CD captures the highlights of that production. All the important musical numbers are here, however, the problem is the cast, that is, some of them. Colm Wilkinson is a great singer, his interpretation of Jean Valjean being the best example. Unfortunately, he doesn't have what it takes to play the Phantom. His interpretation lacks the depth of Michael Crawford and he struggles to stretch his voice, especially on the high notes. Overall, he sings too deep for the role, sounding as if he is still in Les Miserables. Still, he is much better than the mediocre performance Gerard Butler gave in the 2004 movie version. Rebecca Caine is a fine Christine, her soprano has no problem of getting into the character. Byron Nease, who plays Raoul, also fails to deliver, sounding too old and squeaky. The unwritten rule of the musical theatre, that the miscasting can affect the best of materials, is regrettably evident here. There is also a minor problem with the orchestrations, since some parts have a faster tempo than in the original. The aficionados will notice small lyrical changes in comparison with the original cast recording.

      The CD comes with a synopsis (a rear treat in the Andrew Lloyd Webber's cast recordings), the lyrics and production photos.

      This recording works best as an addition to the existing Phantom collection. For the first time listeners, I highly recommend the 2-disc 1986 London Cast Recording. Not only does it feature almost the entire musical, but also the cast is much, much better, as well as the orchestrations, which have a more classical touch.

      4 out of 5 stars I liked Colm Wilkinson better in Les Miz.......2006-05-12

      Not to say that he doesn't do a good job in this role as well, but often times it just sounds like Jean Valjean singing the Phantom. He does have some great moments but I think the Christine is the best thing about this recording. I don't know why, but I find her voice incredibly sexy. It's easy to see why the Phantom would want to seduce her and foster her talent. Raoul's line (and vocal) delivery is a little too "Dudley Do Right" for my tastes. It sounds almost comical at times. I dunno, maybe that's what he was going for. The London Cast recording is probably still the gold standard simply because the actors have become so synonymous with the roles they played, but you should pick this one up if you want a more up-to-date version of the orchestrations and, subsequently, the libretto.
      Italian Opera Arias
      Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
      • Another supeb tenor.
      • The one.
      • A New Star voice
      • Quite Good
      • Promising debut by new lyric tenor
      Italian Opera Arias

      Manufacturer: EMI Classics
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

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      Similar Items:
      1. Rolando Villazon - Gounod · Massenet Arias
      2. Rolando Villazon: Opera Recital
      3. Opera Recital [Includes Bonus DVD]
      4. Verdi: La Traviata
      5. Gitano

      ASIN: B00018TIOA
      Release Date: 2004-02-10

      Tracks:

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

      Amazon.com

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

      Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

      Much criticism here, but there is also much hope felt from listening to this disc, for a bright future for Mr. Villazon still. He is only seldom a conscientious and musical performer, but as opposed to what the liner notes might say, part of being musical in singing such selections or opera in general, is being specific for each character being portrayed here. Villazon should also take note that his singing is most interesting and also most easy to distinguish from his widely celebrated mentor, when he sings lightly. First impressions are strong - I first anticipated awarding this disc five stars - but unfortunately it just barely deserves four. Sound quality, if a bit heavily miked for climaxes and a bit recessed for the orchestra, especially at closings to arias, is warm and full.
      Italian Opera Arias
      Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
      • Gorgeous singing by a great singer
      Italian Opera Arias

      Manufacturer: Decca
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

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      Similar Items:
      1. The Very Best of Régine Crespin
      2. Legend: Régine Crespin [CD & DVD]
      3. Berlioz: Les Nuits d'été; et al / Crespin, Ansermet
      4. The Most Famous Opera Arias

      ASIN: B000174LXE
      Release Date: 2004-04-13

      Tracks:

      1. Tracea La Notte Placida
      2. Morro, Ma Prima In Grazia
      3. Mia Madre Aveva Una Povera Ancella...Ave Maria
      4. Suicidio!
      5. Voi Lo Sapete
      6. Un Bel Di (Cio-cio-san)
      7. L'altra Notte In Fondo Al Mare

      Customer Reviews:

      5 out of 5 stars Gorgeous singing by a great singer.......2004-05-15

      This recital is full of very good vocalism. Régine Crespin was the greatest opera singer France produced after World War 2. She had a huge, beautiful dramatic soprano voice. She sings all the arias here really well, though her agility is not the best and she cannot muster a real trill for "L'altra notte in fondo al mare". It must be noted that she has a short and rather shrill top register, but her middle register is very beautiful, with a slightly metallic sound, and her lower register is very strong and imposing. Her "Suicidio!" is sung with firm, strong low notes. She sings the Willow Song from Verdi's "Otello" beautifully, and her "Ave Maria" is gorgeous, with a ravishing piano high A-flat at the end. Everywhere on this CD, she displays her trademark crystal-clear diction. The sound on this CD barely hints at the huge size of her voice, though it is very good. Decca should have released this recording with better notes. We get some biographical and career information on Crespin, and the dramatic context of each of the arias included on the recording. All of this is printed on a cardboard case in very small text, with the CD facing the information. There is no booklet, and therefore, no texts and translations.

      If you want to hear Crespin at her best, try to acquire her live recordings. They are very hard to find, but are well worth the effort. The live recordings really show how big her voice was, and give you some idea of the enormous lower register she had at her disposal. Unlike many soprano lower registers, hers was feminine sounding and quite beautiful.

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