Sempre Viva [Import]

Product Description
Singer from Minas Gerais. Songs By: Kleber Albuquerque, Peri, Sueli Mesquita, Zeca Baleiro and a Partnership with Chico Cesar.

Sempre Viva,Ceumar,Producao,Brazilian,World Music

Average customer rating: Not worth buying! Don't waste your money Perfect for "drop the needle" style tests A CD with Attention Deficit Disorder This sucks...

Only Opera CD You'll Ever Need Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Barber | Barber, Samuel | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gershwin | Gershwin, George | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Herrmann | Herrmann, Bernard | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Humperdinck, Engelbert | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( 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 Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mussorgsky | Mussorgsky, Modest | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Purcell, Henry | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music 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 All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Purcell, Henry | Composers | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Hadley, Jerry | ( H ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music National Philharmonic Orchestra London | ( N ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music San Francisco Symphony Orchestra | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | 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 Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | 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 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | 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: The Most Famous Opera Arias The Most Famous Opera Duets The Best of Italian Opera The #1 Opera Album The Best Opera Album in the World...Ever! ASIN: B000003GA0 Release Date: 1997-10-14

Tracks:

1. Antony & Cleopatra: 'Give Me My Robe' - Leontyne Price
2. Fidelio: 'In des Lebens Fruhlingstagen...' - Ben Heppner
3. Fidelio: Act II Quartet: 'Ach, du bist gerettet...' - Deborah Voigt
4. Norma: 'Casta Diva' - Rosa Ponselle
5. Candide: 'Glitter And Be Gay' - Harolyn Blackwell
6. Candide: 'Make Our Garden Grow' - Jerry Hadley
7. Carmen: Flower Song - Placido Domingo
8. Carmen: Habanera - Rise Stevens
9. Carmen: Toreador Song - Robert Merrill
10. Les pecheurs de perles: Duet: 'Oui, c'est elle, c'est la deesse...' - Robert Merrill
11. Mefistofele: 'Ecco il mondo' - Samuel Ramey
12. La Wally: 'Eben, ne andro lontana' - ONLY OPERA CD YOU'LL EVER NEED
13. Lakme: Bell Song - Lily Pons
14. L'Elisir d'Amore: 'Una furtiva lagrima' - Tito Schipa
15. Lucia di Lammermoor: 'Chi mi frena in tal momento...' - Carlo Bergonzi
16. Lucia di Lammermoor: 'Spargi d'amaro pianto' - Anna Moffo
17. Martha: 'M'appari tutto amor' - Jussi Bjoerling
18. Porgy & Bess: 'Summertime' - Leontyne Price
19. Porgy & Bess: 'Bess, You Is My Woman' - William Warfield
20. Andrea Chenier: 'Come un bel di di maggio' - Ben Heppner
21. Romeo et Juliette: Juliette's Waltz; 'Je veux vivre' - Ruth Ann Swenson
22. Salammbo: Aria - Kiri Te Kanawa
23. Hansel & Gretel: 'Suuse, liebe Susse - Helen Donath
24. I Pagliacci: 'Vesti la giubba' - Enrico Caruso
25. Cavalleria Rusticana: 'Viva il vino' - Jussi Bjoerling
26. Cherubin: 'Lorsque vous n'aurez rien' - Dawn Upshaw
27. Manon: 'Ah! Fuyez, douce image' - Richard Crooks
28. Cosi fan tutte: 'Come scoglio immoto resta' - Leontyne Price
29. Don Giovanni: 'La ci darem la mano' - Edith Mathis
30. Don Giovanni: 'Deh! vieni alla finestra' - Ezio Pinza
31. Don Giovanni: 'Non mi dir' - Carol Vaness
32. Le nozze di Figaro: 'Non piu andrai...' - Alan Titus
33. Le nozze di Figaro: 'Porgi, amor' - Carol Vaness
34. Le nozze di Figaro: 'Deh vieni, non tardar' - Bidu Sayao
35. Die Zauberflote: 'Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schon' - Fritz Wunderlich
36. Die Zauberflote: Der Holle Rache - Zdislawa Donat
37. Die Zauberflote: Papageno - Papageno Duet - Christian Boesch
38. Boris Godunov: 'I v ljutomgore, nisposlannom Bogom...' - Alexander Kipnis
39. Tales Of Hoffmann: Barcarolle - Montserrat Caballe
40. La Gioconda: 'Cielo e mar' - Beniamino Gigli
41. La Boheme: 'Che gelida manina' - Giuseppe Di Stefano
42. La Boheme: 'Mi piaccion quelle cose...' - Licia Albanese
43. La Boheme: 'Fremon gia nell'anima' - Luciano Pavarotti
44. La Boheme: Musetta's Waltz Song - Judith Blegen
45. Gianni Schicchi: 'O mio babbino caro' - Angela Gheorghiu
46. Madama Butterfly: 'Ah, ti serro palpitante' - Placido Domingo
47. Madama Butterfly: 'Un bel di' - Leontyne Price
48. Manon Lescaut: 'Donna non vidi mai' - Jussi Bjoerling
49. La rondine: 'Chi il bel sogno di Doretta - Anna Moffo
50. TOSCA: 'Recondita armonia' - Placido Domingo
51. TOSCA: 'Vissi d'arte' - Irina Oudalova
52. TOSCA: 'E avanti a lui...' - Zinka Milanov
53. TOSCA: 'E lucevan le stelle' - Mario Lanza
54. Turandot: 'Signore, ascolta' - Renata Tebaldi
55. Turandot: 'In questa reggia' - Birgit Nilsson
56. Turandot: 'Nessun dorma' - Jussi Bjoerling
57. Dido & Aeneas: 'When I Am Laid In Earth' - Leontyne Price
58. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: 'Largo al factotum' - Robert Merrill
59. Il Barbiere di Siviglia: 'Una voce poco fa' - Roberta Peters
60. Samson et Dalila: 'Mon coeur s'ouvre' - Christa Ludwig
61. The Bartered Bride: 'Wenn ich das einmal erfahre' - Teresa Stratas
62. Elektra: 'Agamemnon' - Inge Borkh
63. Der Rosenkavalier: 'Ist ein Traum' - Erna Berger
64. Salome: 'Nicht in der Welt...' - Inge Borkh
65. Eugene Onegin: Lenski's Aria - Placido Domingo
66. Eugene Onegin: Tatiana's Letter Scene - Leontyne Price
67. Aida: 'Celeste Aida' - Jussi Bjoerling
68. Aida: 'Ritorna vincitor!' - Leontyne Price
69. Aida: 'Gloria all'Egitto' - John Alldis Choir
70. Aida: 'O patria mia' - Leontyne Price
71. Un Ballo in Maschera: 'O docezze perdute! O memorie...' - Robert Merrill
72. Don Carlo: 'Dio, che nell'anima infondere' - Placido Domingo
73. Ernani: 'Emani, involami' - Leontyne Price
74. La forza del destino: 'Or muoio tranquillo...' - Robert Merrill
75. La forza del destino: 'Pace, pace mio dio' - Zinka Milanov
76. Nabucco: 'Va, pensiero' - Oleg Reshetkin
77. Otello: 'Credo' - Tito Gobbi
78. Otello: Willow Song - Leonie Rysanek
79. Otello: 'Niun mi tema' - Jon Vickers
80. Rigoletto: 'Qesta o quella' - Alfredo Kraus
81. Rigoletto: 'Caro nome' - Anna Moffo
82. Rigoletto: 'La donna e mobile' - Jan Peerce
83. Rigoletto: 'Bella figlia dell'amore' - Alfredo Kraus
84. La Traviata: Brindisi - Montserrat Caballe
85. La Traviata: 'Di provenza' - Sherrill Milnes
86. La Traviata: 'Sempre libera' - Eleanor Steber
87. La Traviata: 'Addio del passato' - Anna Moffo
88. Il Trovatore: Anvil Chorus - Moscow Classical Chorus & Ensemble
89. Il Trovatore: 'Di quella pira' - Placido Domingo
90. Il Trovatore: 'Tacea la notte placido - Leontyne Price
91. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: 'Morgenlicht leuchtend' - Set Svanholm
92. Die Walkure: Ride Of The Valkyries - Staatskapelle Dresden
93. Die Walkure: Wotan's Farewell - Lawrence Tibbett
94. Siegfried: Song Of The Forest Bird - Norma Sharp
95. Gotterdammerung: 'Starke Scheite schichtet mir dort' - Kirsten Flagstad
96. Lohengrin: Bridal Chorus - Robert Shaw Chorale
97. Lohengrin: 'In fernem Land' - Lauritz Melchior
98. Tannhauser: 'Dich teure Halle' - Waltraud Meler

Customer Reviews:

Not worth buying!.......2007-05-29

I found this recording basically worthless. It contains only very short excerpts of the song. Not enough to get into and enjoy!

Don't waste your money.......2007-01-18

This is the worst purchase I have ever made. It is a truly dreadful piece of work.I was so disgusted with it that I threw it into the trash can.

Perfect for "drop the needle" style tests.......2006-11-19

If you want to hear full recordings of arias, then this disc is not for you. It plays only tidbits of 99 arias. Contrary to the title, this is definitely not the only opera disc you'll ever need. You shouldn't take it seriously. This disc has next to no value for an opera neophyte. But for opera fanatics, there has never been a better test of your knowledge of operatic repertoire and singers. It's a great challenge for opera buffs. Sit down with your opera loving friends for an hour, play this disc, and try to be the first to identify the singer, composer, opera, and piece. If you're a music professor, this disc would make for an awesome pop quiz. Find out how well your students really know their opera repertoire.

A CD with Attention Deficit Disorder.......2006-10-02

I don't know anyone who would enjoy this CD. It will drive opera fans nuts with a hundred exerpts that run about 30 seconds each, then fade out without the singers even finishing a single verse. It's more like an index of arias, or a volume of teasers that hucksters might use to sell opera CDs.

I never realized how much Bernstein's "Glitter and be gay" sounded like Delibes' "Bell Song" until I heard 35 seconds of one, followed 23 seconds of the other.

Maybe the TV show 'Jeopardy' could use this CD. 'What is "Hush little baby don't you..."??'

What a waste of beautiful voices and great music. 38 seconds of Enrico Caruso, followed by 31 seconds of Jussi Bjoerling, followed by 38 seconds of Dawn Upshaw.

My copy is going to go sailing into the wastebasket as soon as I finish this review.

This sucks..........2006-03-31

I should only blame myself for not checking out more reviews... this is a CD filled with short, little snippets of great operas songs... and I mean SHORT, LITTLE snippets of 30 seconds or so, each. Don't buy this CD... it is a complete rip off... and that is saying ALOT since it is only $4.00... Again, my fault for not reading the reviews but I trusted that something called a "Music CD" would actually have complete songs... What else does this company offer? A "Music CD" that only has the intros or applause tracks to great songs...?

Move on to something else... Amazon has a great selection... just not this one.

Average customer rating:

The Complete Caruso Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Flotow | Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Franck, César | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Godard, Benjamin | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Goldmark | Goldmark, Karl | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Handel | Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Lully | Lully, Jean-Baptiste | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( 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 Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rubinstein | Rubinstein, Anton | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sullivan | Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Szulc, Josef Zygmunt | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music 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 | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Requiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Caruso, Enrico | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | 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 Adam, Adolphe-Charles | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | 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 Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Ladino | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Masses | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Blowout Box Sets | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Flotow, Friedrich von | ( F ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Franck, César | ( F ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Godard, Benjamin | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Goldmark, Karl | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Handel, George Frideric | ( H ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Lully, Jean-Baptiste | ( L ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mascagni, Pietro | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Rubinstein, Anton | ( R ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Sullivan, Arthur | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Szulc, Josef Zygmunt | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Caruso, Enrico | ( C ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | 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: The Complete Recordings, 1902-1920 (Box Set) Rachmaninov: His Complete Recordings Sibelius: The 7 Symphonies; Finlandia; Kullervo; etc. Beethoven - Fidelio Wagner - Lohengrin ASIN: B0001TSWQO Release Date: 2004-11-09

Average customer rating: A Classic Set Callas is okay- Price the ONLY VERDI SOPRANO???? An excellent "Forza" but not the best all round performance Brilliant Forza and a stupid reviewer Brilliant - But I also love Tebaldi

Verdi: La Forza Del Destino (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Richard Tucker, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Verdi: Un Ballo In Maschera (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Antonino Votto, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Puccini: Manon Lescaut (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Verdi: Il Trovatore (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Herbert von Karajan, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Donizetti: Anna Bolena (complete opera live 1957) with Maria Callas, Gianni Raimondi, Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Verdi: Aida (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Richard Tucker, Tito Gobbi, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan ASIN: B000002RY5 Release Date: 1997-08-19

Tracks:

1. La forza del destino: Sinfonia
2. La forza del destino: Act One: Buona notte, mia figlia (Leonora)
3. La forza del destino: Act One: Temea restasse qui fino a domani! (Leonora)
4. La forza del destino: Act One: Me pellgrina ed orfana (Leonora)
5. La forza del destino: Act One: M'aiuti, signorina, piu presto andrem (Leonora)
6. La forza del destino: Act One: Ah, per sempre, o mio bell'angiol (Alvaro, Leonora)
7. La forza del destino: Act One: Vil seduttor! Infame figlia! (Leonora, Alvaro)
8. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Hola, hola, hola! Ben giungi, o mulattier
9. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: La cena e pronta (Carlo)
10. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Che vedo! Mio fratello! (Leonora, Carlo)
11. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Viva la guerra! (All)
12. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Al suon del tamburo (All)
13. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Padre Eterno Signor (Leonora, Carlo)
14. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Viva la buona compagnia! (Carlo, Preziosilla)
15. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Poich'e imberbe l'incognito (Carlo)
16. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Son Pereda, son ricco d'onore (Carlo)
17. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene One: Sta bene (Preziosilla, Carlo)
18. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene Two: Sono giunta! Grazie, o Dio! (Leonora)
19. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene Two: Madre, pietosa Vergine (Leonora)
20. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene Two: Chi siete? (Melitone, Leonora)
21. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene Two: Chi mi cerca? (Guardiano, Leonora, Melitone)
22. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene Two: Infelice, delusa, rejetta (Leonora, Guardiano)
23. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene Two: Il santo nome di Dio Signore sia benedetto (Guardiano)
24. La forza del destino: Act Two: Scene Two: La Vergine degli Angeli (Guardino, Leonora, All)

Tracks:

1. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene One: Attenti al gioco, attenti, attenti al gioco
2. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene One: La vita e inferno all'infelice
3. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene One: O tu che in seno agli angeli (Alvaro)
4. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene One: Al tradimento! (Carlo, Alvaro)
5. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene One: All'armi!
6. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Two: Arde la mischia!: Piano...qui posi...approntisi il mio letto (Alvaro, Carlo)
7. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Two: Solenne in quest'ora (Alvaro, Carlo)
8. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Two: Morir! Tremenda cosa!
9. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Two: Urna fetale del mio destino (Carlo)
10. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Two: E s'altra prova rinvenir potessi? (Carlo)
11. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Compagni, sostiamo
12. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Ne gustar m'e dato un'ora di quiete (Alvaro, Carlo)
13. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Lorche pifferi e tamburi par che assordino la terra (Preziosilla)
14. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Qua, vivandiere, un sorso
15. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: A buon mercato chi vuol comprare?
16. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Pane, pan per carita!
17. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Nella guerra e la follia (Preziosilla)
18. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Toh! Toh! Poffare il mondo! Che tempone! (Melitone, Preziosilla)
19. La forza del destino: Act Three: Scene Three: Rataplan, rataplan, della gloria (Preziosilla)

Tracks:

1. La forza del destino: Act Four: Scene One: Fate la carita, e un'ora che aspettiamo! (Melitone, Guardiano)
2. La forza del destino: Act Four: Scene One: Giunge qualcuno, aprite (Guardiano, Melitone)
3. La forza del destino: Act Four: Scene One: Invano Alvaro ti celasti al mondo
4. La forza del destino: Act Four: Scene One: Le minaccie, i fieri accenti (Alvaro, Carlo)
5. La forza del destino: Act Four: Scene Two: Pace, pace mio Dio! (Leonora)
6. La forza del destino: Act Four: Scene Two: Io muoio! Confessione! (Carlo, Alvaro, Leonora)
7. La forza del destino: Act Four: Scene Two: Non imprecare, umiliati a Lui ch'e guisto e santo (Guardiano, Leonora, Alvaro)

Amazon.com

If it were not for Maria Callas, we would all think that La Forza del Destino is essentially a prime exercise and showcase for great soprano voices, with a few goodies thrown in for the rest of the cast and the chorus. In this recording, Callas's voice is not technically great, though it is usually good.She makes most of her points by other means: close attention to the value of words, subtle nuances of tone and phrasing, an uncompromising determination to confront the emotions in the text and convey them honestly and strongly, even when they reach a terrifying intensity. We have here, under the absurdities of plot, a compelling psychological portrait of a woman driven beyond her limits--a woman whose brother wants to kill her lover, who has killed her father. The supporting cast is skilled and Serafin shapes a powerful interpretation. -- Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews:

A Classic Set.......2006-11-09

Despite the few cuts and the mono recording this is still one of the most desirable sets of "La Forza del Destino". The main reason is of course Maria Callas's traversal of the role of Leonora. She was still in pretty good voice at this stage in her career and, though there are moments more comfortably vocalised by some of her rivals ("la vergine degli angeli" for instance), she is the complete Verdi heroine. No other soprano sets before us so well a character torn between conflicting feelings in the first act - on the one hand, love and filial duty, and on the other, love for Don Alvaro. Her very first utterances have a thrill unmatched on other recordings. Later, in the second scene of Act II, she is absolutely superb. Whenever she is before the microphone, we are aware of the greatness of the score as music drama. Here she is helped immeasurably by Serafin's command of the dramatic impulse of the music, and the magisterial, kindly and protective Padre Guardiano of Nicola Rossi-Lemeni. Others may have sung the role with better technique and more beautiful tone, but few, if any, are more interesting in the role. Of the other principals, Richard Tucker is almost their equal. With a voice so splendid and so suitable for the role, it seems a pity that he occasionally feels the need to make up for the fact that he is not Italian, by breaking the line of his singing with unmusical aspirate and sobs. In all other respects he is ideal. Carlo Tagliabue is a little past his best (he was 56 at the time of the recording), but he sings with authority, if without great immagination. Elena Nicolai is, if not the best or most accurate of Peziosillas, at least a spirited and involved performer. Both Plinio Clabassi as Il Marchese di Calatrava and Renato Capecchi as Melitone give strong accounts of their roles.
I have never quite been able to understand why in some of EMI's Callas recordings from this time the mono sound is pretty open and in others quite constricted. This, like the De Sabata "Tosca" is really pretty good. I hardly missed stero at all. And Serafin is superb. He is still, to my mind, a severely underrated conductor. Seen as a singer's conductor, he is somehow thought of as being a little anonymous, but for me, he allows the music and the drama to unfold in a completely natural way, without drawing too much attention to himself, as so many modern conductors tend to do. His "Otello", after all, is considered one of the best conducted versions in the catalogue.
As the previous reviewer noted, this is probably the most expensive way of acquiring this set, but it does come with full notes, libretto and translation. If they are not important to you, you may wish to wait until it is issued at super bargain price, as it inevitably will be, by Naxos, Regis and EMI themselves.

Callas is okay- Price the ONLY VERDI SOPRANO????.......2006-09-06

Callas, not my favorite, could sing Verdi well so could Leontyne Price. Any statements suggesting that these were the only Verdi sopranos - Opera Lover's refusal to acknowledge anyone but Price suggests either very limited listening experience- what about Ponselle, or Milanov or poor hearing.
In this role Tebaldi is as good as I ever heard although she did not sing as much Verdi as the above mentioned divas. CAVEAT!!!! Unfortunately, I did not hear Ponselle either live or in the whole opera or all bets might be off with Tebaldi. Ponselle was a unique vocal and dramatic presence.

An excellent "Forza" but not the best all round performance.......2006-08-24

I'm saddened by the intemperate nature of some of the preceding reviews of this recording, so let's try to keep it objective and fair. First, no-one inflects the text and caresses those glorious melodies as affectingly as Callas although Price in 1964 and Tebaldi in the (pretty raw!) live Mitropoulos recording run her close. The infamous "flap" in Callas' voice is only occasionally in evidence and she more than compensates with heart-wrenching portamenti and thrilling excursions into her lower register. Tucker is very, very good, if occasionally guilty of his besetting fault of being too lachrimose, but the top rings out magnificently. The rest of the cast, with the exception of Capecchi's firm, characterful Melitone, is not up to their standard, though Nicolai is wholly acceptable in the essentially irritating role of Preziosilla, with her silly tub-thumping music. Tagliabue is clearly past his best but does not disgrace himself, despite some rather nasal, laboured sounds. My one real bugbear is Rossi-Lemeni; I have never understood why he was so esteemed. The voice is woolly, unsteady, lacking centre and without the true bass gravitas the role of Padre Guardiano requires - although he certainly sounds old! Serafin's conducting is typically well-judged, in turn both pacy and intense as this gloomily beautiful music demands and you soon forget that the recording is mono, the sound being so clear, clean and brilliant. My favourite "Forza" is still the 1964 Schippers for the all-round excellence of the cast, though the 1947 Marinuzzi (available cheaply on Naxos) is worth having as it's a real period recording with a pulsating sense of live theatre about it (and you can hear Tancredi Pasero sing the role of Padre Guardiano as it should be sung). The above-mentioned live Mitropoulos contains the single most exciting piece of tenor singing I have ever heard in Del Monaco's "O tu che in seno" - the audience go wild and start mooing their appreciation like demented cattle - so you have quite a choice, the Schippers being the safest.

Brilliant Forza and a stupid reviewer.......2004-11-22

What does such drivel give you? Do you have to bash a devoted artist in order to have a life? What a shame this is! This Sills-sycophant accuses Callas' fans of bashing while HE is the one who posts profane, unmusical and tasteless nonsense. I've worked with singers and conductors for over 50 years and am appalled by such awful manners and stupidity. This is a great La Forza del Destino. Even IF one were not to "get" Callas, how [...] he rate the work of a Tullio Serafin who experienced Verdi himself in such a horrenduous way? Go, listen to your Sills and leave the reviewing to those who have taste and musical knowledge!

Brilliant - But I also love Tebaldi.......2004-10-18

The Callas-Forza is brilliant. Wonderful. But Callas was neither a mezzo (Well, with an F in her throat?) nor was her voice ugly IMHO but had a very unique beauty to it, very bittersweet, not all whipped cream like Tebaldi or today Fleming. But hey, I love many flavours. That's why I can heartily recommend both sopranos' Leonoras here.

Average customer rating: warning: no libretto Excellent in every way, yet another ignored Verdi Voice! Musical Sheet Lightning

Verdi: La Forza del Destino Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Verdi: Il Trovatore Verdi: Macbeth Puccini - La Rondine / Gheorghiu · Alagna · Matteuzzi · Mula · Rinaldi · Ciofi · Bacelli · LSO · Pappano Verdi: Stiffelio Verdi: Attila ASIN: B000BO0GPO Release Date: 2006-01-10

Tracks:

1. Overture - Philharmonia Orchestra
2. Introduzione-Scena: 'Buona Notte, Mia Figlia' - John Tomlinson
3. Recitativo: 'Temea Restasse Qui Fino A Domani' - Jean Rigby
4. Romanza: 'Me Pellegrina Ed Orfana' - Rosalind Plowright
5. Scena: 'M'aiuti, Signoria' - Jean Rigby
6. Duetto: 'Ah, Per Sempre, O Mio Bell'angiol...Seguirti Fino Agl'ultimi' - Jose Carreras
7. Scena-Finale I: 'E Tardi...Vil Seduttor' - Various Artists
8. Coro-Ballabile: 'Hola, Hola, Hola! Ben Giungi, O Multattier' - Mark Curtis
9. Scena: 'La Cena E Pronta'/Recitativo: 'Viva La Guerra' - Various Artists
10. Canzone: 'Al Suon Del Tamburo' - Various Artists
11. Preghiera: 'Padre Eterno Signor...Pieta Di Noi' - Various Artists
12. Scena: 'Viva La Buona Compagnia'/Recitativo: 'Poich'imberbe E L'incognito' - Various Artists
13. Ballata: 'Son Pereda, Son Ricco D'onore' - Various Artists
14. Scena, Coro E Ripresa Della Danza: 'Sta Bene' - Various Artists

Tracks:

1. Aria: 'Son Giunta! Grazie, O Dio!...Madre, Pietosa Vergine' - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
2. Scena: 'Chi Siete?' - Juan Pons
3. Scena E Duetto: 'Chi Mi Cerca?...Infelice, Delusa, Reietta' - Paata Burchuladze
4. Finale II: 'Il Santo Nome Di Dio Signore...La Vergine Degli Angeli' - Various Artists
5. Scena: 'Attenti Al Gioco' - Jose Carreras
6. 'La Vita E Inferno All'infelice' - Jose Carreras
7. Romanza: 'Oh, Tu Che In Seno Agli Angeli' - Jose Carreras
8. Scena E Duettino: 'Al Tradimento...Amici In Vita, In Morte' - Jose Carreras
9. Scena: 'All'armi!'/Battaglia: 'Arde La Mischia!'/Scena: 'Piano...Qui Posi' - Various Artists
10. Duettino: 'Solenne In Quest'ora' - Renato Bruson
11. Scena: 'Morrir! Tremenda Cosa!' - Renato Bruson
12. Aria: 'Urna Fatale Del Mio Destino...Egli E Salvo! Oh Gioia Immensa' - Jose Carreras

Tracks:

1. Ronda: 'Compagni, Sostiamo' - Abrosian Opera Chorus
2. Scena E Duetto: 'Ne Gustare M'e Dato Un'ora Di Quiete...Oh Tradimento!' - Renato Bruson
3. Coro: 'Lorche Pifferi E Tamburi' - Abrosian Opera Chorus
4. Strofe: 'Venite All'indovina' - Agnes Baltsa
5. Scena: 'Que, Vivandiere, Un Sorso' - Agnes Baltsa
6. Arietta: 'A Buon Mercato'/Coro: 'Pane, Pan Per Carita' - Various Artists
7. 'Che Vergogna!' - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
8. Coro-Taratella: 'Nella Guerra, E La Follia' - Various Artists
9. Predica: 'Toh, Toh! Poffare Il Mondo'/(Recitativo): 'Lasciatelo Ch'ei Vada' - Juan Pons
10. Rataplan: 'Rataplan' - Various Artists
11. Coro Ed Aria Buffia: 'Fate La Carita...Che? Siete All'osteria?' - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
12. Scena E Duetto: 'Auf! Pazienza Non V'ha Che Basti...Del Mondo I Disinganni'/Scena: 'Giunge Qualcun..Aprite' - Paata Burchuladze
13. Scena E Duetto: 'Invano, Alvaro, Ti Celasti Al Mondo...Col Sangue Sol Cancellasi L'infamia' - Renato Bruson
14. Melodia: 'Pace, Pace, Mio Dio' - Jean Rigby
15. Scena E Terzetto Finale: 'Io Muoio...Confessione!...Non Imprecare, Umilitati' - Various Artists

Customer Reviews:

warning: no libretto.......2007-02-22

This is a good recording, no doubt about it, but costumers should be aware of the fact that there is no libretto included, but only a detailed synopsis.

Excellent in every way, yet another ignored Verdi Voice!.......2007-01-06

Fortunately, we do not have too many recordings of Forza to choose from. It is hard to cast those roles, so dramatic and long winded and phrases requiring piano and fortissimo and Rosalind Plowright was up to the challenge, but you need more than a big voice to justify Forza, you need TEXTURE too - depth, width, and sheen! No wonder, the opera has vanished from the repertory.

According to what I've heard, she was a Verdi soprano par excellence! Her tendency to cut the top notes short, play with the rhythm at times, and bottle up the tone can't detract from that awesome exciting voice AND that excellent Verdi beat. HOWERVER, Rosalind Plowright seemed to assiduously avoid the typical Verdian soprano sound a la Milanov, Price, Dunn, and Arroyo etc but opted for a brighter sound every bit as huge and crisp as Crespin and as veiled as the Callas of the 1960's. All this makes for an avalanche of a voice that must have raised the roof. She is very very thrilling to hear and this explains why she was a Verdi soprano of choice in Europe during the Milllo and Dunn years. I assume her voice didn't please everyone because it was unwieldy at the top, again like Crespin and also the tone hardened at times; in fact, i must repeat, she sounds exactly like a combination of Callas and Crespin. But make no mistake, those great divas never wrapped their great voices around Verdian phrases like Plowright, especially in .."Son Giunto, grazie o Dio" for in this regard she joins that long line of Verdians going way back to Arangi-Lombardi, Ponselle, and Milanov -- this is Art and anyone who has studied Verdi can identify a Verdian of this caliber. You Verdians out there know what I mean.

Carerras is close to the microphone, and this forcing does not do well in Verdi. Nevertheless, there is an honesty with this man, a passion, an innate truth. I prefer him dead or alive to Domingo, but he is not at the technical level of Domingo or Aragall. Preziosilla is Ms. Baltsa, and how well she sings. I am a FAN of RENATO BRUSON so its not fair to sing his praises!

Giuseppe Sinopoli is intense and he achieves a noble Verdi sound appropriate for Forza, nice and warm sounding but rhythmic indeed. I do like his work in this Forza and I think his work as a Verdian has NOT been bettered, not even by Jimmy Levine who I also really like. However, Trovatore belonged to Zubin Mehta and Humberg (I think I spelled it right - he is on the Naxos Trovatore)

TOP MODERN VERDI -- THAT IS MY ASSESSMENT!

Musical Sheet Lightning.......2006-10-11

Although Verdi's basic style was established early in Nabucco (1842), he keeps getting better down through the 1860s with the spectacular La Forza del Destino and Don Carlo. In listening to his operas after 1870, I am too familiar with Aida and Otello to be deeply impressed with them; and I have never cared for Falstaff. The progress toward "true music drama" climaxing in Otello does not concern me although Boito's brilliant libretto makes that 1887 opera one of Verdi's best. The setting and plot of La Forza del Destino interest me more than any other Verdi opera. The accidental killing of a father, the brother's irrational but deadly vendetta and ,above all, the role played by Italian monasticism capture my imagination. Verdi's supercharged music is convincing at every point. What could be more electric than the brooding overture with its mournful clarinet melody? Leonora prays convincingly to the Virgin and then with a group of monks in Act II. I recall the role played by Italian monasticism in Ann Radcliffe's striking novel The Italian published in the 1790s, the same decade that Cherubini's Medee set the pattern of "grand opera," a basic element in Verdi despite all the talk about "music drama" without arias. Ewen observes, "With its pronounced dramatic content and enriched harmonic and orchestral writing, La Forza del Destino represents a gradual departure from the style of La Traviata toward that of Aida." I prefer to see this brilliant opera as a end in itself apart from any progressive scheme.

I appreciate most the interaction of keen drama with religion in a form preferable to the rather morbid religious-secular dualism of Wagner's Tannhauser. Although Verdi's monks may sing quietly, the religious element blends with the plot more convincingly than in Wagner's schematically opposed Pilgrim's Chorus and Venusberg music. Even more striking is the contrast between Verdi's opera and Tchaikovsky's frantic Eugen Onegin where the protagonist's stupid egotism results in a tragic duel. In Act IV of La Forza del Destino the noble lover Alvaro tries to convince the vengeful Carlo that "God alone can bring retribution." Although Carlo murders his sister and Alvaro is weak enough to curse his "destiny" (secular language for the overruling sovereignty of God), the last word goes to Padre Guadiano in "Non imprecare, umiliati." In addition to all these features the performance gives us Agnes Baltsa as an entertaining gypsy Preziosilla. Verdi measures out just the right amount of this change of pace rather than making us wallow in it as does Bizet's Carmen. In his great tragic opera, Verdi proves once for all that one of the best forms of opera is high-tension theater. His work forms a perfect complement to the operas of Meyerbeer.

Average customer rating: Great performance spoiled by the sound engineers

Verdi: La forza del destino Manufacturer: EMI ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Verdi: Il Trovatore Verdi: Un ballo in maschera / Domingo, Ricciarelli, Bruson, Raimondi, Gruberova, Abbado ASIN: B000026CZ4 Release Date: 1993-01-01

Tracks:

1. Ov - Orch Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Riccardo Muti
2. Act One. Intro - Scena: Buona Notte, Mia Figlia - Giorgio Surian/Mirella Freni
3. Act One. Recitativo E Romanza: Temea Restasse Qui Fino A Domani - Francesca Garbi/Mirella Freni
4. Act One. Recitativo E Romanza: Me, Pellegrina Ed Orfana... - Mirella Freni
5. Act One. Scena E Duetto: M'aiuti, Signorina, Piu Presto Andrem - Francesca Garbi/Mirella Freni
6. Act One. Scena E Duetto: Ah, Per Sempre, O Mio Bell'angiol... - Placido Domingo/Mirella Freni/Francesca Garbi
7. Act One. Finale I: Vil Seduttor! Infame Figlia! - Giorgio Surian/Mirella Freni/Placido Domingo
8. Act Two. Chor Ballabile: Hola, Hola, Hola! Ben Giungi, O Mulattier - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
9. Act Two. Scena: La Cena E Pronta - Silvestro Sammaritano/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Giorgio Zancanaro
10. Act Two. Scena: Che Vedo! Mio Fratello! - Mirella Freni/Silvestro Sammaritano/Giorgio Zancanaro/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano...
11. Act Two. Recitativo E Canzone: Viva La Guerra! - Dolora Zajic/Giorgio Zancanaro/Silvestro Sammaritano/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano...
12. Act Two. Recitativo E Canzone: Al Suon Del Tamburo - Dolora Zajic/Giorgio Zancanaro/Silvestro Sammaritano/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano...
13. Act Two. Prayer: Padre Eterno Signor... - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Giorgio Zancanaro/Silvestro Sammaritano...
14. Act Two. Scena: Viva La Buona Compagnia! - Giorgio Zancanaro/Dolora Zajic/Silvestro Sammaritano/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano...
15. Act Two. Scena E Ballata: Poich' E Imberbe L'incognito... - Giorgio Zancanaro/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Silvestro Sammaritano
16. Act Two. Scena E Ballata: Son Pereda, Son Ricco D'onore - Giorgio Zancanaro/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
17. Act Two. Scena, Coro E Ripresa Della Danza: Sta Bene - Silvestro Sammaritano/Dolora Zajic/Giorgio Zancanaro/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano...
18. Act Two. Aria: Sono Giunta! Grazie, O Dio! - Mirella Freni
19. Act Two. Aria: Madre, Pietosa Vergine... - Mirella Freni/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
20. Act Two. Scena: Chi Siete? - Sesto Bruscantini/Mirella Freni
21. Act Two. Sena E Duetto: Chi Mi Cerca? - Paul Plishka/Mirella Freni/Sesto Bruscantini
22. Act Two. Sena E Duetto: Infelice, Delusa, Rejetta... - Mirella Freni/Paul Plishka

Tracks:

1. Act Two. Finale II: Il Santo Nome Di Dio Signore Sia Benedetto - Paul Plishka/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
2. Act Two. Finale II: La Vergine Degli Angeli - Sesto Bruscantini/Paul Plishka/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
3. Act Three. Scena E Romanza: Attenti Al Gioco, Attenti, Attenti Al Gioco... - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
4. Act Three. Scena E Romanza: La Vita E Inferno All'infelice... - Placido Domingo
5. Act Three. Scena E Romanza: O Tu Che In Seno Agli Angeli... - Placido Domingo
6. Act Three. Scena E Duettino: Al Tradimento! - Giorgio Zancanaro/Chor Del Teatro All Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Placido Domingo
7. Act Three. Scena E Battaglia: All'armi! - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Frank Hadrian
8. Act Three. Scena E Duettino: Piano...Qui Posi...Approntisi Il Mio Letto - Giorgio Zancanaro/Frank Hadrian/Placido Domingo
9. Act Three. Scena E Duettino: Solenne In Quest'ora - Placido Domingo/Giorgio Zancanaro
10. Act Three. Scena Ed Aria: Morir! Tremenda Cosa! - Giorgio Zancanaro
11. Act Three. Scena Ed Aria: Urna Fatale Del Mio Destino... - Giorgio Zancanaro
12. Act Three. Scena Ed Aria: E S'altra Prova Rinvenir Potessi? - Giorgio Zancanaro/Frank Hardian
13. Act Three. Ronda: Compagni, Sostiamo... - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
14. Act Three. Scena E Duetto: Ne Gustare M'e Un'Ora Di Quiete - Placido Domingo/Giorgio Zancanaro/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
15. Act Three. Chor E Strofe: Lorche Pifferi E Tamburi Par Che Assordino La Terra - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Dolora Zajic
16. Act Three. Scena Ed Arietta: Qua, Vivandiere, Un Sorso - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
17. Act Three. Scena Ed Arietta: A Buon Mercato Chi Vuol Comprare? - Ernesto Gavazzi/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
18. Act Three. Chor: Pane, Pan, Per Carita! - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Dolora Zajic
19. Act Three. Chor - Tarantella: Nella Guerra E La Follia... - Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Dolora Zajic
20. Act Three. Predica: Toh! Toh! Poffare Il Mondo! Che Tempone! - Sesto Bruscantini/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Dolora Zajic
21. Act Three. Rataplan: Rataplan, Rataplan, Della Gloria... - Dolora Zajic/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Dolora Zajic

Tracks:

1. Act Four. Chor Ed Aria Buffa: Fate La Carita, E Un' Ora Che Aspettiamo! - Sesto Bruscantini/Chor Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Dolora Zajic
2. Act Four. Scena E Duetto: Auf! Pazienza Non V'ha Che Basti! - Sesto Bruscantini/Paul Plishka
3. Act Four. Scena E Duetto: Del Mondo I Disinganni... - Paul Plishka/Sesto Bruscantini
4. Act Four. Scena: Giunge Qualcuno, Aprite... - Paul Plishka/Sesto Bruscantini
5. Act Four. Scena E Duetto: Invano Alvaro Ti Celasti Al Mondo... - Giorgio Zancanaro/Placido Domingo
6. Act Four. Scena E Duetto: Le Minaccie, I Fieri Accenti... - Placido Domingo/Giogio Zancanaro
7. Act Four. Melodia: Pace, Pace Mio Dio! - Mirella Freni
8. Act Four. Scena E Terzetto Finale: Lo Muoio! Confessione! - Giorgio Zancanaro/Placido Domingo/Mirella Freni
9. Act Four. Scena E Terzetto Finale: Non Imprecare, Umiliati A Lui Ch'e Giusto E Santo... - Paul Plishka/Mirella Freni/Placido Domingo

Customer Reviews:

Great performance spoiled by the sound engineers.......2006-12-13

This recording features a terrific cast of singers, all in very good voice. And Riccardo Muti conducts the forces of La Scala in a great outpouring of passion. So why only three stars? Quite simply, the recording is irreparably marred by poor sound quality. There are two problems. First, the microphones are placed way too far from the performers--and second, the recording studio is painfully deficient in natural reverberation. Increase your playback volume, and the resultant sound becomes strident, even harsh. I assure you that no amount of fiddling with your stereo's settings will substantially ameliorate this situation. The performance lacks all sense of presence. My ear simply could not adjust--and I therefore cannot recommend this otherwise fine performance.

Your best bet for "La Forza del Destino" will undoubtedly be the Levine recording, which features great sound, the only drawback being Leontyne Price in a voice that is just slightly past its prime.

All in all, a terrible shame--because Freni and Domingo are both just terrific here in this recording . . . singing somewhere out there in the distance.

Average customer rating: A beautiful reading despite the casting of some light voices Unfortunately, the minority standpoint

Verdi: Don Carlo Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Olga Borodina & Dmitri Hvorostovsky: Arias/Duets Don Giovanni: Lepovello's Revenge (Soundtrack) Dmitri Hvorostovsky - Tchaikovsky & Verdi Arias Georgi Sviridov: Petersburg a Vocal Poem Rimsky-Korsakov: The Tsar's Bride ASIN: B0000C6IVZ Release Date: 2004-03-09

Tracks:

1. Su, Cacciator!
2. Fontainebleau! Forest Immensa E Solitaria!
3. Io La Vidi
4. Il Suon Del Corno Alfin Nel Bosco Tace
5. Al Mio Pie, Perche?
6. Di Qual Amor, Di Quant'ardor
7. Al Fedel Ch'ora Viene, O Signora
8. L'Ora Fatale E Suonata!
9. Inni Di Festa Lieti Echeggiate
10. Il Glorioso Re Di Francia, Il Grande Enrico
11. Carlo Il Sommo Imperatore
12. Al Chiostro Di San Giusto
13. E Lui! Dessa! L'Infante!
14. Dio, Che Nell'alma Infondere
15. Sotto Ai Folti, Immensi Abeti
16. Nei Giardin Del Bello
17. La Regina!

Tracks:

1. Io Vengo A Domandar Grazia All Mia Regina
2. Il Re!
3. Non Pianger, Mia Compagna
4. Restate!
5. O Signor, Di Fiandra Arrivo
6. Oso Lo Sguardo Tuo
7. Preludio
8. A Mezzanotte, Ai Giardin Della Regina
9. Al Mio Furor Sfuggite Invano
10. Spuntato Ecco Il Di D'Esultanza
11. Sire, No, L'Ora Estrema
12. Sire! Egli E Tempo Ch'io Viva!

Tracks:

1. Ella Giammai M'Amo!
2. Il Grande Inquisitor!
3. Nell'ispano Suol Mai L'Eresia Domino
4. Giustizia! O Sire!
5. Ah! Sii Maledetto, Sospetto Fatale
6. Pieta! Perdon! Per La Rea Che Si Pente
7. O Don Fatale
8. Son Io, Mio Carlo
9. Per Me Giunto E Il Di Supremo
10. O Carlo, Ascolta...
11. Mio Carlo, A Te La Spada Io Rendo!
12. Tu Che Le Vanita
13. Francia, Nobile Suol
14. E Dessa
15. Ma Lassu Ci Vedremo In Un Mondo Migliore
16. Si, Per Sempre!

Customer Reviews:

A beautiful reading despite the casting of some light voices.......2007-01-20

To get the bad news over with quickly, the voices in Haitink's 1997 Don Carlo from London tend to be on the light side, and few of the performers are steeped in Italian style. The King Philip, Roberto Scandiuzzi, is Italian, but his voice sounds woolly and lacks authority. Elisabetta is the then-promising Russian soprano Galina Gorchakova. She has the vocal heft to sing any of Verdi's great dramatic soprano roles, but here she is a bit mature-sounding, and throaty in a Slavic way that takes some getting used to. She's at the opposite extreme from Mirella Freni, whose lyric soprano was clearly too light in Karajan's otherwise gripping set on EMI.

After that it's clear sailing. We get a fine orchestral reading from Haitink, more straightforward than either Karajan or Giulini but refined and beautifully balanced--only at times does the pacing feel too relaxed. It's certainly possible to play the score as a mroe haunted, doomed affair--the three leads, after all, are consumed by guilt almost from the beginning--but that's not Haitink's approach. Hvorostovsky gives one of his best performances on disc as Rodrigo, and the American tenor Richard Margison comes amazingly close to superstars like Domingo and Carreras as Don Carlo. The three bass roles of the Monk, Philip II, and the Grand Inquisitor are taken by very good singers, even if they don't erase memories of Boris Christoff or Nicolai Ghiaurov. Olga Broodina makes for a world-class Eboli, as one would expect. The orchestra and chorus of the Royal Opera Covent Garden sound just right in scale, not overblown like Karajan's Berlin Phil.

Editions have become complicated for this opera. Here we have the 1886 Modena version, an Italian translation in effect of the five-act French score premiered in Paris. I msut say I thoroughly enjoyed it. to the point that even Gorchakova's miscasting can't bring five stars down to four.

Unfortunately, the minority standpoint.......2005-10-04

Haitink's Don Carlo is very much like Giulini's, but better recorded, better conducted (!) and overall more accomplished as a concept.

His cast is very different. While not all ideally suited to their roles, they are sensitive to the drama and have something interesting to say - no weak link among them. The one standout is Hvorostovski as Posa, in what must be his best recorded performance. Also, I prefer Gorchakova and Scandiuzzi here to many others. Margison as Don Carlo is in good voice, but in terms of characterisation not a patch on Carreras, Domingo (live or for Abbado), or Alagna. Recommended!

Average customer rating: Placido is the ultimate Otello

Verdi: Otello (Soundtrack) Manufacturer: EMI ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Domingo, Placido | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Vocal Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | U to Z | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music ASIN: B000026CVH Release Date: 1993-01-01

Tracks:

1. Act One, Scene One: Una Vela! Una Vela! Un Vessillo!... - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Edward Toumajian/Ezio Di Cesare/Justino Diaz...
2. Act One, Scene One: Esultate! - Placido Domingo/Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
3. Act One, Scene One: Roderigo, Ebben, Che Pensi? - Justino Diaz/Constantin Zaharia
4. Act One, Scene One: Fuoco Di Gioia... - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
5. Act One, Scene One: Roderigo, Beviam! - Justino Diaz/Ezio Di Cesare/Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Constantin Zaharia
6. Act One, Scene One: Inaffia L'ugola! - Justino Diaz/Ezio Di Cesare/Constantin Zaharia
7. Act One, Scene One: Capitano, V'atteride La Fazione Ai Baluardi. - Edward Toumajian/Ezio Di Cesare/Justino Diaz/Constantin Zaharia/Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano..
8. Act One, Scene Two: Abbasso Le Spade! - Placido Domingo/Justino Diaz/Ezio Di Cesare/Edward Toumajian
9. Act One, Scene Three: Gia Nella Notte Densa... - Placido Domingo/Katia Ricciarelli
10. Act Two, Scene One: Non Ti Crucciar. - Justino Diaz/Ezio Di Cesare
11. Act Two, Scene Two: Credo In Dio Crudel... - Justino Diaz
12. Act Two, Scene Two: Eccola...Cassioa...Ate... - Justino Diaz
13. Act Two, Scene Three: Cio M'accora...Che Parli? - Justino Diaz/Placido Domingo
14. Act Two, Scene Three: Un Tal Proposto Spezza... - Justino Diaz/Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola/Katia Ricciarelli
15. Act Two, Scene Four: D'un Uom Che Geme Sotto Il Tuo Disdegno... - Katia Ricciarelli/Placido Domingo
16. Act Two, Scene Four: Se Inconscia Contro Te, Sposo,... - Katia Ricciarelli/Placido Domingo/Justino Diaz/Petra Malakova
17. Act Two, Scene Five: Desdemona Rea! - Placido Domingo/Justino Diaz
18. Act Two, Scene Five: Ora E Per Sempre Addio - Placido Domingo/Justino Diaz
19. Act Two, Scene Five: Era La Notte... - Justino Diaz/Placido Domingo
20. Act Two, Scene Five: Si, Pel Ciel Marmoreo Giuro! - Placido Domingo/Justino Diaz

Tracks:

1. Act Three, Scene One: La Vedetta Del Porto Ha Segnalato... - Giannicola Pigliucci/Placido Domingo/Justino Diaz
2. Act Three, Scene Two: Dio Ti Giocondi... Esterrefatta Fisso... - Katia Ricciarelli/Placido Domingo
3. Act Three, Scene Three: Dio! Mi Potevi Scagliar?/Scene Four: Ah! Dannazione! - Placido Domingo/Justino Diaz
4. Act Three, Scene Five: Vieni, L'aula E Deserta... - Justino Diaz/Ezio Di Cesare/Placido Domingo
5. Act Three, Scene Five: Questa E Una Ragna... - Justino Diaz/Ezio Di Cesare/Placido Domingo
6. Act Three, Scene Six: Come La Uccidero? - Placico Domingo/Justino Diaz/Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertola
7. Act Three, Scene Seven: Viva! Evviva! Viva Il Leon Di San Marco! - Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano/Giulio Bertona/John Macurdy/Placido Domingo/Katia Ricciarelli...
8. Act Three, Scene Eight: Messeri! Il Doge... - Placido Domingo/Constantin Zaharia/Justino Diaz/John Macurdy
9. Act Three, Scene Eight: A Terra...Si...Nel Livido Fango.../Scene 9: Fuggirmi Io Sol Non So?Sangue! - Katia Ricciarelli/Petra Malakova/Ezio Di Cesare/Constantin Zaharia/John Macurdy/Justino Diaz...
10. Act Four, Scene One: Era Piu Calmo? - Petra Malakova/Katia Ricciarelli
11. Act Four, Scene One: Mia Madre Avea Una Povera Ancella - Katia Ricciarelli
12. Act Four, Scene Two: Ave Maria... - Katia Ricciarelli
13. Act Four, Scene Three: Chi E La? Otello? - Katia Ricciarelli/Placido Domingo
14. Act Four, Scene Three: Aprite! Aprite!/Scene Four: Quai Grida! Orrore! Orror! - Petra Malakova/Placido Domingo/Katia Ricciarelli
15. Act Four, Scene Four: Niun Mi Tema - Ezio Di Cesare/Justino Diaz/Petra Malakova/Edward Toumajian/Placido Domingo

Customer Reviews:

Placido is the ultimate Otello.......2006-03-03

When I wanted to buy a good Otello CD (with Domingo of course,) I had to choose between the one we have here, and the one with the Opera de Bastille.
So far, I have listened to this La Scala performance for a thousand times, and I realy think it is supreb. Placido Domingo sounds powerfull, mighty.He is the best Otello. He sounds like to role was writen just for him. Justino Diaz as Jago sounds surprisingly good, evil and dark.Unlike some others, whose vioces are way to high for this role. When he sings his aria "Credo in Dio Crudel..." one can rely hear how evil Jago is. Katia Ricciarelli as Desdemona is soft and gentile. She is also one of the reasons why I like this recording so musch.
The orchestra, under maestro Lorin Maazel is great. Altdough Maazel's tempo is a bit slower (that Levine's for example), they are makin great music. And the special effects are just there to make it more perfect.

And finally, this is not a soundtract in the real sence of the word. This a genuine Otello recording.
Don't be hasitant, buy it and enjoy it.

Average customer rating: The greatest Otello (despite the sound)

Giuseppe Verdi: Otello Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Verdi - Giovanna d'Arco (Joan of Arc)/ Caballé · Domingo · Milnes · LSO · Levine ASIN: B000006L7P Release Date: 1990-10-25

Customer Reviews:

The greatest Otello (despite the sound).......2005-09-25

You can get this Otello in the EMI studio version being reviewed here or as a live performance on Opera d'Oro, both almost identical in every detail musically. Vickers was the supreme Otello of his generation, with a huge, magnificent voice and heartbreaking pathos--he doesn't bluster or fake it emotionally for even a bar. His death scene is one of the great things in the Verdi canon on disc.

Freni is equally wonderful, exemplary in eveyr way musically and a prime example of how to act through the voice. Her Desdemona is ravishing and her last-act solos heartrending. The only weak member of the cast, unfortunatley, is the English bass-baritone Peter Glossop as Iago. (Karajan had a weak Iago on his famous Otello with Tebaldi and Del Monaco on Decca, too.) Glossop has dramatic force but no venom, and his wobbly voice isn't adequate to the role.

While we're mentioning negatives, the sound is very uneven and doctored with. That's typical of Karajan's EMI period because he tried to take over the producer's job and botched things--you'll never find one volume level that suits both the softest and loudest music.

Even so, these negatives can't override the enormous achievement this set represents--a classic Otello that will live a long, long time.

Average customer rating: Excellent introduction to Tebaldi's art Wonderfull Classic Renata

Classic Puccini Recordings Puccini , and Tebaldi Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Andrea Chenier The Complete Recordings, 1902-1920 (Box Set) Wagner: Der Ring des Nibelungen Puccini: Turandot ASIN: B00006IU8W Release Date: 2003-03-11

Album Details

Italian Soprano Renata Tebaldi was One of the Most Important Post-war Sopranos to Tackle a Wide Range of Puccini Roles, and During the 1950s She Recorded Several Complete Opera Recordings. Some of the Operas were Recorded Twice — in Mono and Then in Stereo. Amongst Those which Tebaldi Committed to Disc in the Recording Studio on Two Occasions Must Be Included La Bohème and Madama Butterfly. It is the Earlier, Mono Recordings of These Two Operas which Are Included Here and They Reveal a Fresh-voiced Tebaldi in Recordings Which, Despite the Stereo Remakes, have Stood the Test of Time.

Customer Reviews:

Excellent introduction to Tebaldi's art.......2005-09-29

This set covers the entire productive years of Tebaldi's recording career. Turandot, Butterfly and Boheme are from her earlier career while Tosca is from her later career. Since this Tosca recording is now out of print and is somewhat hard to find, this recording itself almost worth the cost of the set. In Turandot, you will find Tebaldi at her fresher voice, lovely and melting. Eventhough I would still rate Callas' first recorded Tosca as my first choice, this Tosca comes very close. Enjoy.

Wonderfull.......2005-08-19

Fantastic recordings at a very good price. Tebaldi and Del Monaco rule. You should definetely own this set.

Classic Renata.......2005-03-16

To say that these 12 disks contain some of the finest singing ever committed to disk is no exaggeration, but a simple statement of fact. Historical fact. In the 100 years (more or less) that Puccini operas have been around, only a few sopranos in each generation have been the equal of Renata Tebaldi. One cannot objectively say that anyone has surpassed her. Some opera lovers find her peerless in many of these performances. Personal tastes in singers vary, but no one ever sang these roles better. Few anywhere nearly so well. There is not a single note on any of these recordings that is not heartfelt to the core of her being. Like Maria Callas and Franco Corelli, she was luminous, gargantuan in her talent that personified an age. This is one of the great compilations.

Average customer rating: This one's a dog. Seek Callas' Amina elsewhere Excellent Lovely Sonnambula WOW My review

Bellini: La Sonnambula (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Fiorenza Cossotto, Antonino Votto, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Vincenzo Bellini , Orchestra e Coro del Teatro alla Scala , Maria Callas , Nicola Zaccaria , Fiorenza Cossotto , Nicola Monti , Giuseppe Morresi , and Antonino Votto Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baritones | Voices | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Bellini: I Puritani / Callas, di Stefano, Rossi-Lemeni, Panerai; Serafin Maria Callas: Live In Concert Verdi: La Forza Del Destino (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Richard Tucker, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tullio Serafin Donizetti: Anna Bolena (complete opera live 1957) with Maria Callas, Gianni Raimondi, Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan ASIN: B000002RXR Release Date: 1997-08-19

Tracks:

1. Viva! Viva Anima!...Tutto E Gioia, Tutto E Festa
2. In Elvezia Non V'Ha Rosa
3. Care Compagne
4. Come Per Me Sereno...Sempre, O Felice Amina
5. Sovra Il Sen La Man Mi Posa
6. Il Piu Di Tutti, O Amina
7. Perdona, O Mia Diletta
8. Prendi: L'Anel Ti Dono
9. Scritti Nel Ciel Gia Sono...Ah! Vorrei Trovar Parole
10. Domani, Appena Aggiorni
11. Come Noioso E Lungo Il Cammin...Vi Ravviso, O Luoghi Ameni...E Gentil, Leggiadra Molto
12. Contezza Del Paese
13. A Fosco Cielo, A Notte Bruna
14. Basta Cosi. Ciascuno Si Attenga
15. Elvino! E Me Tu Lasci
16. Son Geloso Del Zefiro Errante
17. Davver, Non Mi Dispiace
18. Che Veggio?
19. O Ciel! Che Tento?
20. Osservate: L'Uscio E Aperto
21. E Menzogna
22. D'Un Pensiero E D'Un Accento
23. Non Piu Nozze

Tracks:

1. Qui La Selva E Piu Folta Ed Ombrosa
2. Reggimi, O Buona Madre
3. Vedi, O Madre...E Afflitto E Mesto
4. Viva Il Conte!
5. Ah! Perche Non Posso Odiarti
6. E Fia Pur Vero, Elvino
7. Signor Conte, Agli Occhi Miei
8. Signor?...Che Creder Deggio?
9. Oh! Se Una Volta Sola
10. Ah! Non Credea Mirarti
11. No, Piu Non Reggo
12. Ah! Non Giunge Uman Pensiero

Amazon.com

You can hear the vocal troubles of Maria Callas's later years just beginning to appear in this 1957 recording. Callas is usually identified with larger-than-life tragic heroines quite different from the simple bride-to-be Amina, whose wedding plans are nearly destroyed by her sleepwalking into compromising situations. But she makes the melodramatic plot emotionally credible, and she rises to the challenges of Bellini's expressively elaborate writing. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews:

This one's a dog. Seek Callas' Amina elsewhere.......2005-12-31

Source: Studio recording made March 3-9, 1957 at the Basilica di San Eufemia in Milan.

Sound: Fairly good 1950s mono. The orchestra is generally caught fairly well. For some odd reason, the chorus, except for the few scattered bits in which they bellow over-lustily, are nearly inaudible. It is next to impossible to catch the words they are singing, even with libretto in hand.

Cast: Amina - Maria Callas; Elvino - Nicola Monti; Il Conte Rodolfo - Nicola Zaccaria; Lisa - Eugenia Ratti; Teresa - Fiorenza Cossotto; Alessio - Giuseppe Morresi; Un Notario - Franco Ricciardi. Conductor: Antonino Votto with the Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala in Milan.

Maria Callas must, by any reasonable standards, be absolutely the greatest singer ever to appear in so many truly lousy operatic performances. This recording offers a fine case in point. Callas sings very well here, not perfectly, to be sure, but impressively, nonetheless. She has skillfully reduced her voice into the small container that is Amina. It's a tight fit and a listener might be forgiven for occasionally worrying whether she is about to explode suddenly and forcefully into Norma or Medea in full flight. Despite that, Callas pulls off her own performance successfully enough.

Unfortunately, she can't do the same for her tenor or her baritone, nor can she wield the baton in front of the La Scala band. Nicola Monti, Nicola Zaccaria and Antonino Votto all seem to have prepared for the 1957 recording sessions by drinking deeply from the Fountain of Uninspiration. None of the three is exactly awful, but all three are throughly blah and uninspired, each in his own way. Worst of the bunch is Monti, the tenor. He simply can't pull his weight in the several duets with Callas. They become no more than soprano solos blurred by an irrelevant and increasingly annoying male voice. Zaccaria, the bass-baritone, seems not to be entirely present in this "Sonnambula." He offers a fine example of a telephoned in performance. Votto's conducting is relentlessly humdrum--emphasis on the "hum" over the "drum." Of the well-known names in the cast, only Fiorenza Cossotto offers the support Callas deserves, but her part is short and peripheral.

I find that Amazon carries two additional live performances of "La Sonnambula" in which Callas stars. One was made at about the same time as this studio version. It, alas, again unites her with the useless Monti and Votto. Nevertheless, critical opinion holds that it is a better performance than this studio version. It could hardly be worse. Some years earlier, Callas had sung "La Sonnambula" with Leonard Bernstein in the pit and with a real tenor, Cesare Valletti, on stage. The sound on that set is a bit questionable, but it is definitely the performance to choose if you want Callas as Amina.

Excellent.......2005-08-16

This is a very fine recording. Perhaps it is down to her interpretation of Amina -or perhaps she found the lighter roles of the repertoire more conducive at this point in her career- but I believe that here her voice is easier in the higher regions, and more fluid and silken throughout, than any other recording since her Rigoletto recording from September 1955. That recording (about 18 months earlier than this Sonnambula) was, in turn, the greatest of her recordings since the famous Norma, in 1954 with Serafin. The bel canto operas of Donizetti, Bellini and, to a lesser extent, Rossini always did show her at her best. Monti is a worthy partner; he has a fine grasp of the florid music. The sound is consistently fine. Votto's conducting can occasionally be crude and dull in some of his recordings, but here he gives quite a good account of the score, although it lacks the sparkle that Bernstein brought to it (EMI, 1955 (LIVE)).
Highly recommended
D. Bennett

Lovely Sonnambula.......2005-02-21

La Sonnambula, like "Norma", was written for Bellini's muse Giuditta Pasta and hence casting chirpers in this taxing role is completely wrong. The role requires a dramatic soprano d'agilita with an ability to colour her voice in the lightest and airy colours WITHOUT chirping or tweeting. And that was there, right there in Maria Callas' voice. when this was recorded she was singing the role in Köln (Germany) and Edinburgh and had immense successes doing so. Her partner, Mr. Monti, may not be as amazing as Cesare Valletti (On the live-recording from 1955, also available on EMI, the BEST Sonnambula without a doubt) but he's adequate. Votto may not be a Bernstein or Serafin but he conducts with sensivity and Italianita. The "minor" roles are brilliantly cast with the young Fiorenza Cossotto and Nichola Zaccaria. A wonderful, if cut, studio-recording of Bellini's romantic masterpiece.

WOW.......2004-06-08

This was my first La Sonnambula and I love it!!! Callas sounds lovely and the rest of the cast is great too! Highly reccommended!

My review.......2003-02-16

I haven't listened to this recording yet. However, I am giving Callas the benefit of the doubt by giving this recording four stars. I would like to clear up some things. Sutherland had a huge voice. So did Callas. To say that Sutherland had a Wagnerian-sized voice while ignoring the size of Callas' voice in order to criticize Sutherland is very vindictive and misinformed. Also, it is not Sutherland's fault that her voice was even through all scales and all registers. I happen to like a voice with such evenness. Please do your research before writing your critical reviews and try to be fair in your assessment of great singers like Sutherland.

Pop Music:

1. Serie Bis [Import]
2. Serie Focus [Import]
3. Serie Focus [Import]
4. SGB-050 (Karaoke CD&G)
5. Shadow of the Past
6. Soldier's Songs
7. Steel Drum Faculty Showcase
8. Super Musica 15 Exitos
9. Taarab, Vol. 4: Music of Zanzibar
10. The Land of Dreams

Pop Music