Franco & Sam Mangwana &T.P. OK Jazz 1980-1982

1. Cooperation

2. Loboko Na Litama

3. Belle Mere

4. Tutti

5. Sandoka

Franco & Sam Mangwana &T.P. OK Jazz 1980-1982,Franco & Sam Mangwana & T.P. OK Jazz,Sonodisc,Afro-Pop,Congo,Int'l & World Music,Pop,Soukous,Zaire

Average customer rating: The End of the Big Voice? Fla Gator Lady 20 Great Tenor Arias Plesantly surprised... Absolutely Agree About Corelli

Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD 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 Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Massenet | Massenet, Jules | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( 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 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 General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Arias | 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 The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The Most Famous Opera Duets The Most Famous Opera Arias Paul Potts [United Kingdom]: One Chance The #1 Opera Album The Best of Italian Opera ASIN: B000007OTX Release Date: 1998-06-09

Tracks:

1. La Boheme: Che gelida manina
2. Manon Lescaut: Donna non vidi mai
3. Carmen Bizet: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee (Flower Song)
4. Luisa Miller: O! fede negar potessi .. Quando le sere al placido
5. La Traviata: Lunge da lei ... De' miei bollenti spiriti
6. Martha: M'appari
7. Giordano: Amor ti vieta
8. L'Africaine: Mi batte il cuor .. O paradiso
9. La Favorita: Favorita del re . . . Spirto gentil
10. Werther: 'Pourquoi me reveiller'
11. Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: 'Morgenlich leuchtend in rosigem Schein'
12. Les Contes d'Hoffmann: O Dieu! De quelle ivresse
13. TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle
14. Pagliacci: Recitar! ... Vesti la giubba
15. Il Trovatore: Di quella pira
16. Aida: Se quel guerrier .. Celeste Aida
17. TOSCA: Recondita armonia
18. L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima
19. La Gioconda: Cielo e mar!
20. Turandot: Nessun dorma

Customer Reviews:

The End of the Big Voice?.......2007-04-16

This CD, which is truly fine overall, reminds me of Marilyn Horne's lament that we have probably seen the end of the big voice and it makes me sad. I agree with the reviewer who refers to "microphonies". And more justice could be done to Bjorling's voice with a better transfer. But at some point, music becomes a matter of taste and I prefers singers who have the instrument and the support and the training, whether formal or not, to just let fly and take a chance on making a mistake. Domingo can be wonderful and so can his musicianship but he tends to be so stiff. I have to wonder at the virulence and asperity with which some people go after Pavarotti. It's true that late in his career he made some questionable recordings but the answer to that is simple: don't buy them. At his best, he belongs for all time in the top echelon of tenors. I love this CD and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys great (big) voices.

Fla Gator Lady.......2007-01-12

Highly recommend this CD with these beloved arias of the greatest tenors in opera. I have owned this CD for a couple of years and purchased another for a friend who always requests that I play it ... perfect for listening in the car, dinner, bridge games, relaxation ... just so perfect. You won't be disappointed in this one.

20 Great Tenor Arias.......2007-01-09

A great disc,combination of the greatest tenors of the 20th century and some of the most beautiful music ever written in any century,a must addition to any opera lovers collection.

Plesantly surprised..........2006-01-14

I don't remember how I found this CD the other day surfing through the "Amazon" such as it is, but I did. I listened to a few clips provided & on the strength of that, I purchased this CD.

First it is a great buy. A booklet with pictures of each tenor, a small bio, the year recorded and TRANSLATIONS of each aria are provided. This is really nice. It seems more & more that translations are being left out. Being a former opera singer, I may know most of the words, but sometimes it's just nice to read along (sometimes it's just nice to listen too).

Being on the Decca label, there is admittedly quite a few Pavarotti selections. Out of 20 selections, he has 6 of them. But I love Pavarotti, so this is no problem for me. These are all early recordings & his voice is magnificent! Being a singer, I still marvel at his ability to sing "All'armi!" on a high D and still say the 2nd syllable "mi" on such a note! WOW. There is also of course his very sweet, impassioned and lyrical turn as Rodolfo in "La Boheme" as well as the lesser known (although I still have it on casette) "La Favorita" which has a particularly high tessitura.

Also featured are a young Plácido Domingo singing a VERY nice "Flower song/ La fleur que tu m'avais jetée" from Carmen. He usually sounds too pushed for me on the top notes (as one might expect from a Pavarotti fan, I like free top notes) but in this recording he is pretty darn fabulous. He also sings an aria from "Tales of Hoffman/Les Contes d'Hoffman" and I have always felt that he, like Neil Schicoff, were well suited to this role.

Lamentably there are only one selection each from Carreras, Correlli, Monaco, Aragall & Kollo. Especial kudos to the young recording they feature for Aragall. He had a very free and nice high tenor well suited to Verdi. Of course as his career went forward with the natural darkening of his voice and the "heavier" roles, he did start to develop a wobble. But this recording is before that. His top, his phrasing are all beautifully done in his featured aria from "La Traviata."
Mario del Monaco's "E lucevan le stelle" is hauntingly beautiful and has such a wonderful pianissimo in it that it makes you just want to gasp for beauty's sake. I now know every tenor I've heard sing this aria was trying to emulate what he did.

This is a great CD because it does bring together on one CD some of the greatest singers of the 20th/21st century. Bergonzi, di Stefano, Björling, in addition to the previously mentioned artists is quite an impressive collection. I'm sure there's only one of each for Carreras, Aragall (I believe they are formerly EMI/Angel artists) and perhaps some of the others because they are "imported" from another label. There's so much Pavarotti on this CD because he IS a Decca artist.

A highly recommended CD, affordable, not the usually obscure and unpolished artists that are sometimes found on compilations. Plus acutal linear notes and translations. Nicely done, Decca!!!

Absolutely Agree About Corelli.......2005-05-27

Franco Corelli's "Nessun Dorma" is still the best of them all - clear, passionate, and exciting. (And those final two notes...! Gives me chills just to think of it.) I was fortunate enough to see him live in both "Turandot" and "Romeo and Juliet" a year before his retirement, and he was still a Calaf and a Romeo to die for... as, of course, Liu and Juliet did! As it is, I tend to buy compilations depending on how much Corelli they include - though Bjorling is a strong second, and I have happy memories of Domingo. Long live the Golden Age of Operatic Tenors!

Average customer rating: A Great Introduction to Italian Opera Best of the best! Fabulous bargain for anyone Great songs for a low price. Not a good choice.

The Best of Italian Opera Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Baroque Dance Suites | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music | Allemandes | Courantes | Gigue | Sarabande All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | 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 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 Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | 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 | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music $6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( 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 Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Most Famous Opera Arias The Most Famous Opera Duets The #1 Opera Album Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... The Best Opera Album in the World...Ever! ASIN: B000000UXN Release Date: 1997-01-21

Tracks:

1. La Traviata: 'Libiamo, Libiamo'
2. Rigoletto: 'La donna e' Mobile'
3. The Barber Of Seville: 'Una voce poco fa'
4. La Boheme: 'Che gelida manina'
5. Rigoletto: 'Gualtier Malde!' Caro nome'
6. Il Trovatore: 'Vedi! le fosche'
7. Il Trovatore: 'Il balen del suo sorriso...Per me ora fatale'
8. TOSCA: 'Vissi d'arte'
9. La Traviata: 'Di Provenza il mar, il suol'
10. The Marriage Of Figaro: 'Voi che sapete'
11. Aida: 'Se quel guerrier io fossi...Celeste Aida'
12. Madama Butterfly: 'Un bel di vedremo'
13. La Gioconda: 'Cielo e mar'
14. Lucia di Lammernoor: 'Ardon gl' incesi'

Customer Reviews:

A Great Introduction to Italian Opera.......2005-05-01

The artists on this CD succeed in their goal to create a CD that displays great Italian opera. Carlo del Monte and Victoria de los Angeles open the disc with the Brindisi from La Traviata. Victoria de los Angeles is not the best Violetta, but she does the job, along with her parner Carlo del Monte, an underappreciated tenor. Victoria de los Angeles also appears on the CD in "Un bel di vedremo" from Madama Butterfly, a role she was well known for. Swedish tenor Nicolai Gedda appears on the disc twice. His first appearence is a superb rendition of "La donna e mobile" from Rigoletto. His final performance on this disc is in the heroric aria "Celeste Aida", a performance in a role that was not in his voice range. Anna Moffo is the star on this CD, appearing three times in three very different roles. First is her beautiful "Una voce poco fa", normally a role that calls for a mezzo-soprano. Her second is "Voi che sapete" from Le Nozze di Figaro, another mezzo-soprano role. Her final appearence is her best, "The Mad Scene" from Lucia di Lammermoor. Underrated tenor Giuseppe Campora performs "Che gelida manina" with a great tenor voice. Soprano Reri Girst is excellent in her performance of "Caro nome" from Rigoletto. One of my favorite baritones appears on this CD. Robert Merrill is a perfect Count di Luna, and it is evident in his rendition of "Il balen del suo sorriso". Another baritone appears on this CD: mario Sereni. He is not a world famous baritone, but he should have been. Overall, this is an excellent introduction to the world of Italian opera.

Best of the best!.......2003-01-11

The performers, the selections, the quality... almost divine!

Fabulous bargain for anyone.......2002-11-24

I would recommend this CD to anyone, from opera novice to experienced listener...

These are older recordings -- I would guess mostly from the 1960's. The recording quality is exceptional for the day and, while not the equivalent of modern engineering, is sufficient to allow sheer physical pleasure from the music and an immediate appreciation of the vocal qualities of the artists. The sound quality is the only mild drawback...

The performances are magnificent! The voices are almost entirely lighter and more agile than the great voices of the 80's and 90's. In fact, the ear of the editor is apparent in his preference for lighter and more agile voices.

For example, there is a beautiful rendition of "Che Gelida Manina" from someone I had never heard before, Guiseppe Campora. He does not have the weight or volume of Pavarotti or Domingo, but has more elegance and a pure, charming tone. A connoisseur performance, but nevertheless a true operatic rendition by a tenor who can hit the high C with authority -- as good for a newcomer to opera who wants to hear the real thing, as for an opera lover who would like to hear something a bit different.

Some of the artists were among the most famous singers of their day: Moffo, de los Angeles, Gedda.

Anna Moffo, one of the greatest sopranos of her day (and all time), is in magnificent voice in famous blockbusters from Rossini's Barber of Seville, Mozart's Marriage of Figaro, and the Mad Scene from Lucia di Lammermoor.

De Los Angeles is at her best in "Libiamo" from La Traviata, but the recording quality (the one inadequately engineered track on the CD) and her lack of oomph make for a second-rate version of "Un bel di".

In keeping with the light and lyrical orientation of the selections, Moffo -- a famous Gilda and hardly a dramatic voice -- is bypassed for the even lighter, sweeter and more agile colatura Reri Grist (while she still had her voice), in a lovely "Caro Nome".

Another nice selection is Mario Sereni performing "Di provenza, il mar". Both this and "Libiamo" are taken from one of my favorite recordings of Traviata -- also a great chance to hear Serafin at the helm of the Rome Opera House orchestra. (The 2-CD version of this is still available from EMI, I think.) Newcomers will love this pretty tune, and Sereni's archtypal Verdi baritone is good, although hardly the best ever.

Franco Corelli has never been a favorite of mine, but he sounds the best I've ever heard him in his rendition of "Cielo et mar".

Anyway, I didn't intend to list every cut. Whether you are an opera lover who would like to hear some of opera's most famous arias performed in a new light, or an opera lover who would like to hear great performances at a cut-rate price, this CD gets my unqualified approval.

Great songs for a low price........2001-08-16

Ranging from selections of La Traviata, Il Trovatore and other popular Italian operas, this is a great cd for under four bucks. The singers may not be well recognized, but they do possess powerful voices.

Not a good choice........2001-02-22

To the contrary of one of the other ratings, I think if you are new to opera, this is NOT the CD I would recommend as an introduction. While it DOES have many of the very well known, it is, in my opinion, very poor quality, done by people with hardly any feeling for the music. They are good singers, but that's all they are doing. Hearing someone sing words is much different than hearing someone accomplished sing the soul of the story. All in all, a very boring, poorly done CD. I guess you get what you pay for though. I just recived mine yesterday, and will probably return it. If you are new to opera, I would suggest Pavarotti. The 2 star rating is because the orchistra was good.

Average customer rating: Why 5... Find Out! Outstanding De Sabata! Most famous and controversial Tosca! The Tosca of the century Wow Wow Wow Wow Wow!!!!

Puccini: Tosca (1953) with Callas, di Stefano, Gobbi, cond. by de Sabata Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | 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 $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tullio Serafin Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana & Leoncavallo: Pagliacci (complete operas) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Tullio Serafin, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Bizet: Carmen (Complete Opera); Mirella Freni; Jon Vickers; Grace Bumbry Rossini: The Barber of Seville (Complete opera); Beverly Sills; Nicolai Gedda; James Levine; London Symphony Orchestra ASIN: B0000E3HM3 Release Date: 2003-12-02

Tracks:

1. Ah! Finalmente!
2. E Sempre Lava!
3. Sante Ampolle! Il Suo Ritratto!
4. Dammi I Colori...Recondita Armonia
5. Gente La Dentro!
6. Mario!...Mario!...Mario!...Son Qui!
7. Ora Stammi A Sentir
8. Or Lasciami Al Lavoro
9. Ah, Quegli Occhi...Quale Occhio Al Mondo
10. Mia Gelosa!
11. E Buona La Mia Tosca
12. Sommo Giubilo, Eccellenza!
13. Un Tal Baccano In Chiesa!
14. Tosca? Che Non Mi Veda
15. Ed Io Venivo A Lui Tutta Dogliosa
16. Tre Sbirri, Una Carrozza

Tracks:

1. Tosca E Un Buon Falco!
2. Ha Piu Forte Sapore
3. O Galantuomo, Come Ando La Caccia?
4. Meno Male!
5. Ov'E Angelotti?
6. Ed Or Fra Noi Parliam Da Buoni Amici
7. Sciarrone, Che Dice Il Cavalier?
8. Orsu, Tosca, Parlate
9. Floria!...Amore
10. Salvatelo!...Lo?...Voi!
11. Se La Giurata Fede Debbo Tradir...Gia Mi Struggea L'Amor
12. Come Tu Mi Odi!
13. Vissi D'Arte
14. Vedi, Le Man Giunte Io Stendo A Te!
15. Lo Tenni La Promessa
16. Tosca, Finalmente Mia!
17. Or Gli Perdono!
18. Andante Sostenuto
19. Lento (Le Campane Suonano Mattutino)
20. Largo - Mario Cavaradossi? A voi... - Meno
21. E Lucevan Le Stelle
22. Moderato Con Moto
23. O Dolci Mani Mansuete E Pure
24. Senti, I'Ora E Vicina
25. Amaro Sol Per Te M'Era Il Moire
26. E Non Giungono
27. Come E Lunga I'Attesa!
28. Presto! Su, Mario!

Customer Reviews:

Why 5... Find Out!.......2006-10-13

When I first got this recording, it was my first Tosca. As such, I didn't know what to listen to (or what to listen for) and really at the time the only other soprano I had heard was Cecilia Bartoli in La Cenerentola. So bascially it was my first Tosca with my only soprano. Even so, I knew after listening to the second act that this would be the best Tosca I had ever heard. Callas gives an amazingly intuitive dramatic performance of Tosca, with di Stefano matching her wonderfully as Cavaradossi. Tito Gobbi, of course, is Scarpia and gives the role an extremely insightful flair. Spoletta is played by Angelo Mercuriali, who gives, if not the most dramatic, certainly a precise interpretation of the role. As with all of Callas's Tosca recordings, the second act (i.e. from "Tosca e un buon falco!" to "E qual via scegliete?") is perhaps the best interpretation of the music and the donna Tosca that I have heard. Behind the baton is Victor de Sabata, who provides a unique insight into the music. He brings out, as Toscanini says, "what Puccini intended for the audience to hear". 5 stars.

Outstanding De Sabata! Most famous and controversial Tosca! .......2004-08-07

This is one of the few recordings in which the conductor attracted my attention more than the singers. This is not to dismiss the singers but De Sabata's conducting makes this the most idiomatic Tosca recording I've ever heard.

All three protagonists are heard here in their short-lived prime. Callas in firm voice is a capricious, nervous and furious Tosca. Many accuse her of overacting but here she controls herself and most outbreaks sound sincere. You won't hear the grandness, dignity and beauty of Tebaldi's Tosca but Callas' Tosca is a unique creation. No need to argue which one is better, they both are legendary and besides, tastes differ.

Di Stefano is all ardour and tenderness in this most beloved tenor role. I can already hear the manners that eventually ruined his instrument but he nevertheless is a memorable Mario. Gobbi's Scarpia frightens Tosca not because of what he is but because of what he can do. Gobbi doesn't have the huge voice that made Bastianini or London so scary but he uses his to great effect and creates a sinister Baron Scarpia. Luise's Sagristano is most convincing.

One of the greatest virtues of this old Tosca recording is its vitality and chemistry between the performers. No wonder that since its release it's impossible to make and accurate historical evaluation of Puccini's Tosca without taking it into account. Finally released at budget price!

The Tosca of the century.......2004-05-17

This recording has been showered with accolades and praise by critics, operafans, reviewers etc. etc. And listening to it a whole world comes to life. In a time when Puccini's masterpieces are destroyed by arrogant "directors" this golden age recording is like a breath of fresh air. Callas is in her prime, sounding fresh, loving, passionate and fascinating. She became Tosca, all her jealousies, passions, moods, fears are so real, so sublime and natural that you'll forget that you're listening to a recording. She cleared Tosca of those veristic, fish-wife tears after "Egli ved ch'io piango!" and her tears and agony are heard through her voice alone. Listen to Tosca's ardent "A come la sai bene l'arte di farti amare!" ... She sounds so gorgeous, so lucid and passionate, it'll warm your heart. Then there is act II with the never equalled clash between Tosca and the evil Scarpia sung and acted to perfection by Callas (Whose high Cs will chill you!) and Gobbi. (The only Scarpia) Listen to Callas' tearful, beautiful "Vissi d'arte" sung with exquisite legato, velvety warmth and most tearful colours. Pleading "Why, oh lord dost thou repay me thus?" she will break your heart! The chilling murder of Scarpia with Callas/Tosca ROARING "M'ai assai TORTURATO!!!!!" is too thrilling to describe. And the final duet sung with di Stefano and Tosca's suicide are portrayed hauntingly. Di Stefano, her favourite partner and part of the greatest operatic trio of the century (Callas, di Stefano, Gobbi) sounds sunny, charming and passionate. In short: It's the best Tosca ever recorded.

Wow Wow Wow Wow Wow!!!!.......2004-03-16

This is my first Callas recording. I was curious about her, of course, but I was always put off by descriptions of more or less horrendous audio problems on the famous recordings. Used to modern recordings, I didn't know how I'd react to such bad sound, so I put off trying.

No more! This is a new (12/03) EMI Remaster of the famous de Sabata "Tosca" -- yes, THE definitive "Tosca" starring Callas, Di Stefano, and Gobbi. And I can tell you it sounds WONDERFUL!

Why is this set so affordable, then? I have no idea! There is no libretto included, only a slim booklet with a track list, a short synopsis of the action for each track, and one article about the opera and this performance. There is no cardboard case, and only a simple 2-part jewelcase, not the hefty one often provided with opera CD sets.

But it's enough!! It's more than enough! I'd buy these disks if they were sold loose in a paper bag. I am totally, permanently won over. This performance is simply electrifying! The music leaps out of the speakers and grabs you. Callas as Tosca had me in tears! Scarpia scared me! It's too good to believe it happened several decades ago.

All I can say is, Buy this now before they realize what a gem this is and raise the price! You won't regret it.

Average customer rating: Correction to the entry by "sergiocqh" Fantastic! HATE OPERA? THIS ONE WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND "Ultimate" only if you like your opera "al fresco"! Wonderful Performance but Average Recording Quality

The Ultimate Puccini Collection Giacomo Puccini , Herbert von Karajan , Riccardo Chailly , Stephen Barlow , Tullio Serafin , Lorin Maazel , Sir Edward Downes , Giuseppe Patane , Zubin Mehta , Alberto Erede , John Mauceri , Plácido Domingo , José Carreras , Kiri Te Kanawa , John Alldis Choir , Luciano Pavarotti , London Philharmonic Orchestra , Bologna Community Theater Orchestra , Ettore Bastianini , Carlo Bergonzi , Renato Cesari , Fernando Corena , Cesare Siepi , Renata Tebaldi , Gianna D'Angelo , Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra , Franco Corelli , Alfredo Mariotti , Regine Crespin , Royal Opera House Orchestra Covent Garden , London Symphony Orchestra , Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra , Rome Opera House Orchestra , Pilar Lorengar , Berlin Philharmonic Brass Ensemble , Mirella Freni , Rolando Panerai , Jussi Bjorling , Leontyne Price , and Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | 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 Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Caballe, Montserrat | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Crespin, Regine | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Freni, Mirella | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Gheorghiu, Angela | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Nilsson, Birgit | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Price, Leontyne | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Sutherland, Joan | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Te Kanawa, Kiri | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Essential Verdi Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco... Puccini Without Words Puccini: Great Opera Arias The #1 Opera Album ASIN: B000007OU1 Release Date: 1998-06-09

Tracks:

1. Turnadot: Nessun Dorma!
2. Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro
3. Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai
4. La Boheme: Musetta's Waltz Song
5. Tosca: Recondita Armonia
6. Madame Butterfly: Un Bel Di
7. TOSCA: E Lucevan Le Stelle
8. La rondine: Il Sogno Di Doretta
9. La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina
10. La Boheme: Si, Mi Chiamano Mini
11. La Boheme: O Soave Fanciulla - Love Duet, Act I
12. Ch'ella mi creda libero
13. TOSCA: Ah, Quegli Occhi...Qual'occhio Al Mondo - Love Duet, Act I
14. TOSCA: Vissi D'Arte
15. Madame Butterfly: Vogliatemi Bene - Love Duet, Act I
16. La Boheme: Donde Lieta Usci
17. Turandot: Signore, Ascolta!
18. Turandot: In Questa Reggia

Amazon.com essential recording

Ordinarily, it pays to be wary of collections such as these, which often promise a lot but deliver a mishmash of disconnected excerpts. This disc, however, is something of an exception: you really do get just about all of Puccini's best arias, which is possible, because he didn't write so many operas that choosing the best moments becomes a matter of the producer's personal taste. Also, Puccini's operas are so popular that every major label has excellent complete recordings of all of them, so in making this compilation it was possible to cast from strength: all the singers here are fine. In fact, the only proviso that needs to be made before you rush out and add this disc to your collection is that it's wrong to assume that all of Puccini's best tunes lie in his arias. The opening 10 minutes of any one of his operas will tell you that's not true. So by all means enjoy this disc--then start sampling the operas complete. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Correction to the entry by "sergiocqh".......2005-11-08

"Quando m'en vo" is not omitted from this CD; it is just called "Musetta's waltz song." It is the same aria.

Fantastic!.......2003-10-14

This is one of the first opera CDs I ever got. It's wonderful for just about any body;from the newbies like me or the opera fanatics. I especially like 'In Questa Reggia'. Buy it now!!

HATE OPERA? THIS ONE WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND.......2003-09-04

The Ultimate Puccini Collection features some of Puccini's most arias and will appeal to even the most ardent operaphobes.

A great listening experience featuring some of the greatest opera performers of all time.

"Ultimate" only if you like your opera "al fresco"!.......2002-06-13

The music is without question, among the most beautiful ever written. But the quality of the fidelity tells me that many of the selections were recorded live in concert in outdoor venues. I wish that was clear to me before I bought the disc. So, is the music the ultimate? YES! Is the recording the ultimate? NO!

Wonderful Performance but Average Recording Quality.......2002-02-18

I love opera! I love Puccini! Not only is the vocalism important to me, but the quality of the recording as well. I enjoy my hi-tech sound system. I like to feel as if I am sitting in the front row of the first balcony when I listen to opera. This CD is excellent! The vocalists were well chosen. The technical performances are eloquent and emotional, as Puccini should be. However, the quality of the recording is not very good. No matter how you adjust your sound system, the recording is a bit tinny and as a result, the emotional high points of the arias are not as vibrant as they could be if the recording were of better quality. I would recommend this CD to anyone who loves Puccini and who is not as finicky as I!

Average customer rating: A primadonna showpiece of dubious style Sills and Horne...it should have been recorded Famous performance offers extraordinary singing but not very good sound UNBELIEVABLE VOCAL SPLENDOUR Believe the Hype

Rossini: L'Assedio di Corinto Manufacturer: Opera D'oro ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Bellini: I Capuleti e i Montecchi Handel - Julius Caesar / Treigle · Sills · Forrester · Wolff · NYCO · Rudel Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor: Complete Opera (with full libretto and translation) Massenet: Manon Donizetti - Three Queens (Anna Bolena ~ Maria Stuarda ~ Roberto Devereux) ASIN: B00005Y84R Release Date: 2001-02-27

Tracks:

1. Sinf - Thomas Schippers
2. Act One: Signor, Un Sol Tuo Cenno - Chor
3. Act One: Del Vincitor Superbo... Guerrieri, A Noi S'affida - Franco Bonisolli/Marilyn Horne/Paolo Washingon/Chor
4. Act One: Tua Figlia M'e Promessa.. Destin Terribile - Marilyn Horne/Franco Bonisolli/Beverly Sills/Chor
5. Act One: Di Morte Il Suon Mando... La Data Fe - Chor/Beverly Sills/Franco Bonisolli/Marilyn Horne
6. Act One: Dal Ferro Del Forte - Chor
7. Act One: Duce Di Tanti Di Tanti Eroi - Justino Diaz
8. Act One: Trionfammo, Signor - Gianni Foiani/Justino Diaz/Franco Bonisolli/Beverly Sills/Chor
9. Act One: Pamira Mi Sei Resa - Justino Diaz/Beverly Sills/Franco Bonisolli/Milna Paoli/Gianni Foiani/Chor
10. Act Two: Cielo! Che Diverro? - Beverly Sills
11. Act Two: Sgombra Il Timor... Che Vedo? Ohime? - Justino Diaz/Beverly Sills
12. Act Two: Vinci, Pamira... Imen Le Dona - Justino Diaz/Milna Paoli/Chor

Tracks:

1. Act Two: Divin Profeta - Chor
2. Act Two: Pamira... Questa Altar - Justino Diaz/Beverly Sills/Marilyn Horne
3. Act Two: Sian Tolti A Lui Quel Ferri - Justino Diaz/Marilyn Horne/Beverly Sills/Gianni Foiani/Milna Paoli/Chor
4. Act Three: Avanziam... Questo E Il Luogo - Marilyn Horne/Piero Di Palma
5. Act Three: Signor, Che Tutto Puoi - Beverly Sills/Marilyn Horne
6. Act Three: Signor, Ben Credo... Sei Tu, Che Stendi, O Dio - Marilyn Horne
7. Act Three: O Mio Cleomene! - Marilyn Horne/Franco Bonisolli/Beverly Sills
8. Act Three: Celeste Providenza - Marilyn Horne/Beverly Sills/Franco Bonisolli
9. Act Three: Tutto Percorsi Il Marzial Recinto - Paolo Washington/Franco Bonisolli/Beverly Sills/Milna Paoli/Marilyn Horne/Chor
10. Act Three: Nube Di Sangue Intrisa - Paolo Washington
11. Act Three: Questo Nome, Che Suona Vittoria - Paolo Washington/Thomas Schippers
12. Act Three: L'ora Fatal S'appressa... Giusto Ciel! In Tal Periglio - Beverly Sills/Milna Paoli/Women's Chor
13. Act Three: Ma Qual Mal Suona Funebre Accento? - Beverly Sills/Milna Paoli/Justino Diaz/Chor

Customer Reviews:

A primadonna showpiece of dubious style.......2007-02-26

I've been fascinated by this 1969 production since I read an interview of the great Renata Tebaldi who performed the opera early in her career and who basically dismissed the way Rossini's music was performed in this Scala production. She claimed that by the time he wrote it, Rossini wanted to move away from florid music. Initially I thought Tebaldi was excusing herself for not performing the florid music but a little bit of research proved me wrong.

The great reviewer L.E. Cantrel below touched on this and his instincts were right but it isn't only the excessive ornamentation that is out of place here. The role of Pamyra is in the same group as Matilde in Gulielmo Tell and obviously Anna in Maometto. As such, the tessitura very much lies in the middle of the voice requiring anything but a high coloratura. Secondly, Assedio did not originally have a contralto but a tenor role because Rossini knew that in France, where he first presented Siege, they did not like women in male roles. The music he wrote for his tenor, unlike the trouser Calbo in Maometto, was not very ornamented.

When Schippers decided to have a contralto as Neocle in Assedio (and none other than Marilyn Horne) he also had to bring back the music from Maometto otherwise Horne would be useless. With Sills regular upward transpositions, a borrowed aria from an early Rossini opera and interpolated high notes solved the problem of Pamyra's tessitura and pleased the crowd who after all didn't know much about this obscure work.

What came out was spectacular singing by both ladies who without a doubt sieged La Scala. Rossini's intentions were of course dismissed and this ends up sounding more like most of his very florid early works without the more sophisticated style that is still preserved in Gulielmo Tell. I'm not dismissing his early works but it is nice to see a different side of him which this recording however doesn't offer us. The sound is adequate and the supporting cast good with promising beginners. For Sills, Horne and all coloratura fans it's a must but for Rossini studies you should look further as it doesn't deserve the 4 stars I gave for the singing..:-)

Sills and Horne...it should have been recorded.......2006-07-10

I bought this after reading all the superlatives lavished on this recording, and yes, they are correct. But while it is all extremely exciting and virtuosic, it is also very beautiful. This opera contains some wonderfully melancholic music by rossini and sills magically spins the lines, creating a chilling atmosphere, much as she does with the opening scena of Lucia. It is also interesting to hear here live because she really was a daredevil and goes for all the notes and trills that one wishes many other sopranos would try for also. She is not always successful as can be heard at the end of the first ensemble where she goes for a high 'e' but sort of just squeels. Also, it's interesting to note the size of her voice in comparison to her colleagues. It can be heard quite well on its own, but when she sings with others, such as horne, one can really tell that Sills' voice is really lacking in size. Anyways, the sound is what you would expect from D'oro, though I thought it would be a little better because it was recorded in 1969. Alas, it should have been done in the studio!

Famous performance offers extraordinary singing but not very good sound.......2006-01-07

Source: Live performance at La Scala in Milan, April 14, 1969.

Sound: Not very good, no better than fair--and that is a very generous assessment. Rest assured, anyone who buys this set must do it for the performance, not for the sound reproduction.

From the applause heard so close to the microphone pick-up, it is clear that this set was recorded from the audience. Since the orchestra and voices are in fairly good balance--or at least, not in as bad balance as found on many pirate recordings--and the cheering from the audience in the cheap seats is rather distant, my guess is that the pirate-recordist was sitting on the main floor, but away from the stage, well toward the back of the house. His or her recording equipment was far from state-of-the-art for 1969.

Cast: Pamira - Beverly Sills; Neocle - Marilyn Horne; Cleomene - Franco Bonisolli; Maometto II - Justino Diaz; Jero - Paulo Washington; Omar - Gianni Foiani; Ismene - Milna Paoli; Adrasto - Piero Di Palma. Conductor: Thomas Schippers with the Orchestra and Chorus of La Scala, Milan.

Text: This is one of those operas that offers--or rather suffers from--a multiplicity of texts. In Rossini's time, the best way for a worldly young composer (of which Rossini was a sterling example) to make pots of money was to write operas. Operas were commissioned by impresarios for performance during a specific season for a specific theater. After that, any scoundrel who could get his hands on the score or a reasonable facsimile thereof, could offer the piece as he saw fit--and Rossini (or Bellini or Donizetti) could whistle for his money. Only the presence of the composer on the spot to oversee an authentic performance was likely to guarantee that any money would find its way into his pockets.

In 1820, Rossini delivered this opera as "Maometto II." It came with a tragic conclusion. Two years later, he obtained another payday, but at a less sophisticated theater whose impresario demanded a happy ending. Rossini dutifully delivered one. Some years after that, Rossini hit the jackpot by receiving an invitation to present his opera in Paris, at the richest opera house in the world. The French, of course, fancied themselves as more cultivated than the over-emotional Italians. They certainly regarded Italianate vocal fireworks as more than a bit uncouth, so they demanded more sedate and dignified vocal lines as well as translation into their own language. Since the cause of Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire had become fashionable, they also demanded a change in plot: the opera would no longer sing the tale of the overwhelming of Negroponte, an Italian military colony; now it would be about the fall of Corinth, a suitably Greek town. Rossini gave them everything they wanted with the renamed "Le siege de Corinthe," then happily counted his money.

The revised opera was a hit in Paris. Back in Italy, French success acted as good advertising for local performances, so enterprising gentlemen translated the new French libretto into Italian as "L'assedio di Corinto," and tossed in whichever snippets of Rossini's music came to hand, even as they absent-mindedly neglected to send any money in Rossini's way.

And it has now come to pass that Amazon offers "Maometto II"--in both the 1820 and the 1822 versions, "Le siege de Corinthe" and "L'assedio di Corinto," the last in versions that reflect both Rossini's Frenchified approach and the uncorseted, unabashedly Italianate form under consideration in this review.

Documentation: Typical anemic Opera d'Oro package. No libretto. A few hundred words on the background of the opera. A few hundred words summarizing the plot. Track list.

Performance: An Amazon reviewer writing back in 2003 had this to say: "This is absolutely the most spectacular coloratura singing ever done by Beverly Sills. It's her debut at La Scala and it was a triumph." I quite agree, both about the singing and the triumph. I further affirm that the singing of Marilyn Horne is equally impressive, and in no way overshadowed by Sills. On the basis of those two tremendous performances, I have no qualms about endorsing the five-star ratings assigned by eleven of the thirteen previous reviewers.

But ... I can't help remembering a story about Rossini that is so well-documented and so widely spread that it might even be true. In his old age, the grand old man lived in Paris, self-acknowledged center of all the universe. A young, up-and-coming singer of fabulous potential--she might have been Adelina Patti--was presented to him. She sang "Una voce poco fa" from "The Barber of Seville," putting into it every trill, high note and spectacular decoration of which she was capable, all in the hope of impressing the great composer. When she was finished, Rossini smiled, applauded politely and said, "That was a nice tune. Who wrote it?"

I have no close familiarity with this score. I am satisfied to take the assurance of earlier reviewers that Sills, like Patti before her, tossed in astonishing high notes, glistening coloratura passages, exquisite trills and probably a kitchen sink or two. It was perfectly proper that she do so, for opera is show biz written large, and a large part, perhaps most, of the audience comes to hear just that sort of stunt singing. They generously award their bravissimas for it, and they depart the opera house warmly content in the knowledge that they have received good value for the outrageous prices of their tickets. After they leave, only curmudgeons like me and Rossini are left to mutter, "That was nice. Who wrote it?"

The rest of the performance is all right. Justino Diaz was a good, reliable singer but not, I think, on anyone's A-list of great bass-baritones. Franco Bonisolli could sometimes be a fine, stirring tenor. Cleomene is not one of his signature roles. Schippers and the orchestra seem to be OK, but the recording quality does them no favors.

HISTORICAL NOTE: In 1453, Sultan Mehmet (Mohammed II or Maometto II) captured Constantinople to the enormous dismay of Christendom. When the torn corpse of Constantine XI was brought before him, having been found among the piled bodies of Constantinople's final defenders and identified by the golden eagles sewn upon his shoes, the great sultan gave the last of the Byzantine emperors an honorable burial. Mehmet then divided the churches of the City equally between the victorious Moslems and his new Christian subjects and, from the very throne of the Roman Caesars, returned the pastoral staff to Patriarch Gennadius.

Mehmet busied himself with restoring, improving and re-populating the former Constantinople, now Istanbul [from the ubiquitous road signs, "eis ton polis" (to the city)]. For years he disdained to take notice of the mini-"empires" established in Greece by the tag ends of old Byzantine dynasties. In 1469, however, he wearied of the endless civil wars among the Greek dynasts. Leading a small but sufficient fraction of his total forces, the Sultan simply rolled over their strongholds, one of which was Corinth. Those of the would-be emperors that he captured he pensioned off, then sent them into exile in Rumania. Those who managed to escape to Italy and elsewhere busied themselves for the remainder of their squalid lives by selling off claims to the imperial title to any western prince foolish enough to pay them.

The mighty conqueror, Mehmet, continued to scare the bejabbers out of the princes and prelates of Europe until, to their vast relief, he died in 1481.

UNBELIEVABLE VOCAL SPLENDOUR.......2005-06-29

Singing like this - I did not think it possible. This must be the best performace with Beverly Sills ever recorded and one of the best in the history of recording!

Believe the Hype.......2005-04-04

I'm not big on live recordings, but this is one of such historical significance that I figured I had to have it. And I was curious. Could Sills really be as marvelous as legend and the other Amazon reviews have said? Well, yes...and then some. OK, she hits one clinker somewhere on the first disc (nobody's perfect), but this is a truly goosebump-inducing performance. Now I get why Sills became the mega-star she did. And the supporting cast (Diaz & Horne in particular) are just as good. Electrifying from start to finish, this is a must-have for anyone interested in the history of 20th century operatic performance -- and those who just want to wallow in thrilling music and splendid singing.

Average customer rating: A VERY SPECIAL EVENING AT THE MET

Metropolitan Opera Gala Honoring Sir Rudolf Bing [Highlights] Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | 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 Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | 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 | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Wolfgang Windgassen singt Wagner La Nilsson: My Life in Opera Rossini - L'Italiana in Algeri Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera Eileen Farrell in New Orleans ASIN: B000M05VNY Release Date: 2007-03-13

Customer Reviews:

A VERY SPECIAL EVENING AT THE MET.......2007-04-06

The 1972 Gala that honored the retirement of the late Sir Rudolf Bing was one of the first big international opera galas of note. I was a mere high schooler when highlights of the gala were aired on television, hosted by Rise Stevens. An LP of highlights was released (a slew of copies were produced domestically with a defect on the second side that had to be recalled). Shortly after this DGG announced a SECOND LP of highlights that would include additional items, including Dorothy Kirsten, Joan Sutherland, Luciano Pavarotti and others from the same gala. It never materialized.

When DGG announced the CD version, I was ever hopeful those unreleased items would finally see the light of day. Sadly, that's not the case. What we have left is a mixed bag. Arroyo expressive but unsteady, a young Domingo with Caballe sounding undermiked, Nilsson ripping the roof off, Price skipping the recitative and not in best voice, Tucker and Merrill trying to outshout each other, Resnik hamming it up, Zylis-Gara and Corelli's only evidence of Otello on record with the fans ruining the beautiful orchestral ending of the duet. Despite all my negatives, this CD is evidence of a very special evening in New York when the operatic lights shone a lot brighter than they do now, the likes of which will never be seen or heard again. It would get five stars if the missing items had been included.

Average customer rating: Six discs, great price, but... a few obvious choices missing. The greatest opera singer of the 20th century. One of the best collection of Callas on CD Unbelievable Deal Deal of the Century!

Maria Callas 100 Best Classics Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Boito, Arrigo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Cherubini, Luigi | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gluck | Gluck, Christoph W. | ( 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 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 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 General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Thomas | Thomas, Ambroise | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | 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 Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tullio Serafin 100 Best Opera Classics Puccini: Tosca (1953) with Callas, di Stefano, Gobbi, cond. by de Sabata Maria Callas - Passion / A Film by Gerard Caillat Maria Callas - At Covent Garden 1962 and 1964 ASIN: B000LPR4VW Release Date: 2007-01-16

Tracks:

1. Bellini: La Sonnambula: Come per me sereno
2. Bellini: La Sonnambula: Sovra il sen la man mi posa
3. Bellini: La Sonnambula: D'un pensiero
4. Bellini: La Sonnambula: Ah! non credea mirarti
5. Bellini: Ah! non giunge
6. Bellini: I Puritani: Son vergin vezzosa
7. Bellini: I Puritani: Ah vieni al tempio
8. Bellini: I Puritani: Qui la voce
9. Bellini: I Puritani: Vien, diletto
10. Bellini: I Puritani: Ch'ei provo lontan da me?
11. Bellini: I Puritani: Vieni fra queste braccia
12. Bellini: Norma: Casta Diva
13. Bellini: Norma: Mira, o Norma
14. Bellini: Norma: Cedi, deh credi! Si, fino all'ore
15. Bellini: Norma: Qual cor tradisti
16. Bellini: Norma: Deh! Non volerli vittime
17. Bellini: Il Pirata: Col sorriso d'innocenza
18. Bellini: Quel suono...Oh, Sole!

Tracks:

1. Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor: Regnava nel silenzio... Quando rapito in estasi
2. Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor: Chi mi frena
3. Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor: Spargi d'amaro pianto
4. Rossini: Il Turco in Italia: non si da follia maggiore
5. Rossini: Il Turco in Italia: Serva...Servo
6. Rossini: Il Turco in Italia: No, mia vita
7. Rossini: Il Turco in Italia: Credete alla femmine...In Italia certamente
8. Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia:Una voce poco fa
9. Rossini: Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Dunque io son
10. Rossini: Semiramide: Bel raggio lusinghier
11. Rossini: Gugliemo Tell: Selva opaca
12. Rossini: La Cenerentola: Non piu mesta
13. Donizetti: L'Elisir d'Amore: Prendi, prendi; per me sei libero
14. Donizetti: La Figlia del Reggimento: Convien partir
15. Donizetti: Anna Bolena: Al dolce guidami castel natio
16. Donizetti: Lucrezia Borgia: Com'e'bello

Tracks:

1. Verdi: I Vespri Siciliani: Merce, dilette amiche
2. Verdi: Rigoletto: Gualtier Malde...Caro nome
3. Verdi: Rigoletto: V'ho ingannato...Lassu in cielo
4. Verdi: La Traviata: Ah, fors'e lui
5. Verdi: Aida: Ritorna vincitor
6. Verdi: Aida: Qui Radames verra...O patria mia
7. Verdi: Aida: O terra addio
8. Verdi: Il Trovatore: Tacea la nolte placido...Di tale amore
9. Verdi: Il Trovatore: D'amor sull'ali rosee
10. Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschera: Ecco l'orrido campo...Ma dall'arido stelo
11. Verdi: Non sai tu che se l'anima mia
12. Verdi: I Lombardi: O madre, dal cielo soccorri
13. Verdi: Aroldo: Ciel, ch'io respire!...Salvami, salvami tu, gran Dio!
14. Verdi: Don Carlo: Non pianger, mia compagna
15. Verdi: Otello: Ave Maria

Tracks:

1. Puccini: Manon Lescaut: In quelle trine morbide
2. Puccini: Manon Lescaut: Sola, perduta, abbondonata
3. Puccini: La Boheme: Si, Mi chiamano Mimi
4. Puccini: La Boheme: O soave fanciulla
5. Puccini: La Boheme: Donde lieta usci
6. Puccini: La Boheme: Dunque e' proprio finita?
7. Puccini: Tosca: non la sospiri, la nostra casetta
8. Puccini: Tosca: Vissi d'arte
9. Puccini: Tosca: senti, l'ora e' vicina...Amaro sol per te
10. Puccini: Madama Butterfly: Quanto cielo....Ancora un passo or via
11. Puccini: Madama Butterfly: Vogliatemi bene
12. Puccini: Madama Butterfly: Un bel di vedremo
13. Puccini: Madama Butterfly: Con onor muore
14. Puccini: Suor Angelica: Senza mamma
15. Puccini: Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
16. Puccini: Turandot: Signore, ascolta
17. Puccini: Turandot: In questa reggia
18. Puccini: Tu che di gel sei cinta

Tracks:

1. Gluck: Orphee et Eurydice: J'ai perdu mon Eurydice
2. Gluck: Alceste: Divinites du Styx
3. Bizet: Carmen: L'amour est un aiseau rebelle
4. Bizet: Carmen: Pres des remparts de Seville
5. Bizet: Carmen: les tringles des sistres tintaient
6. Bizet: Carmen: Carreau! Pique!
7. Gounod: Romeo et Juliet: Ah! Je veux vivre dans ce reve
8. Thomas: Mignon: Ah, pour ce soir...Je suis Titania
9. Berlioz: La Damnation de Faust: D'amour l'ardente flamme
10. Massenet: Werther: Werther! Qui m'aurait dit...Des cris joyeux
11. Gounod: Faust: Un bouquet!...Ah! je ris
12. Saint-Saens: Samson et Dalila: Printemps qui commence
13. Saint-Saens: Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix
14. Massenet: Manon: Je ne suis que faiblesse...Adieu, notre petite table
15. Massenet: Manon: Suis-je gentille ainsi?....Je marche sur tous les
16. Charpentier: Louise: Depuis le jour

Tracks:

1. Giordano: Andrea Chenier: La mamma morta
2. Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur: Ecco-respiro appena. lo son l'umile ancells
3. Cilea: Adriana Lecouvreur: Poveri fiori
4. Mascagni: Cavalleria Rusticana: Voi lo sapete, o mamma
5. Leoncavallo: Pagliacci: Qual fiamma avea nel guardo...Hui!
6. Boito: Mefistofele: L'altra notte in fondo al mare
7. Catalani: La Wally: Ebben? ne andro lontana
8. Cherubini: Medea: Dei tuoi figli
9. Spontini: La Vestale: O Nume tutelar
10. Spontini: La Vestale: Caro oggetto
11. Gluck: Iphigenie en Tauride: O malheureuse Iphigenie
12. Mozart: Don Giovanni: Or sai chi l'onore
13. Mozart: Don Giovanni: In quali eccessi, o Numi!
14. Massenet: Le Cid: De cet affreux combat...Pleurez, pleurez, mes yeux!
15. Ponchielli: La Gioconda: Suicidio!
16. Verdi: Un Ballo in Maschere: Morro, ma prima in grazia
17. Verdi: Don Carlo: O don fatale

Album Description

Best Callas 100 (part of the Best Classics 100 series) features 6 CDs of the best and most popular operatic arias and duets sung by legendary soprano Maria Callas from her EMI catalog of complete operas and recital albums. Each CD contains approx. 16-17 tracks.

CD 1 The Operas of Bellini
CD 2 The Operas of Donizetti and Rossini
CD 3 The Operas of Verdi
CD 4 The Operas of Puccini
CD 5 French Operatic Heroines
CD 6 Dramatic Heroines

Customer Reviews:

Six discs, great price, but... a few obvious choices missing........2007-07-16

EMI's spate of Callas re-issues and compilations in the past few years is more distressing than commendable. First, what does it say about the state of the classical music market today, when a label's marquee artist is a soprano who passed away thirty years ago, and whose recordings are a half-century old? Second, just how many ways can you re-package Callas?

Those quandaries aside, this is highly recommended to those with a passing interest in either Callas, or opera in general. With six discs tucked inside a standard double jewel case, offered at a bargain price, it's a no-brainer. So what if linear and biographical notes are missing? So much has been written about Callas, it's doubtful that anyone could come up with original essay about her life and artistic legacy.

Again, if you have no Callas or (gasp!) no opera in your CD collection, BUY THIS COMPILATION. However, those of us who already have both will find some glaring omissions.

In my mind, there are two pitfalls where a six-disc Callas retrospective is concerned. First, the need to achieve a balance in Maria's studio output produces something of a constraint. For example, there could have easily been two Verdi discs. As previously noted, Sempre Libera is missing. But there are other examples, such as Ernani, Involami, Tu Che Le Vanita(!), and arias from Nabucco.

Second, creating a balanced list of 100 Maria Callas excerpts inevitably includes some that expose her improper technique. Now, as rival diva Leyla Gencer once stated, Callas had the "sacred fire," which compensated for her imperfect techique (I'm paraphrasing here). That fire roars with life when it comes to dramatic verismo arias, such as La Mamma Morta, Voi Lo Sapete, and Suicidio. It doesn't crackle when it comes a Mozart aria like Or Sai Chi L'Onore, where her utter lack of Mozartean technique is laid bare. Callas just couldn't work her magic over it, like she did with Mi Tradi Quell'alma Ingrata.

These are minor quibbles, though, in the final analysis. You get double the content of the Callas La Divina collector's box set, for less than half the cost!

The greatest opera singer of the 20th century........2007-05-20

Here in one incredibly inexpensive package (I paid $15) are the "juicy bits" of Maria Callas's studio recordings. These six disks which run for 7 and 3/4 hours contain 99 arias, duets and concerted numbers from her studio work plus "Ah, fors'e lui" from the live recording of the Lisbon "Traviata" for the total of "100 Best". (NB: "Sempre libera" is not included.) This is probably EMI's last ditch effort to extract some value out of their Callas catalog as the European copyrights are starting to expire. Well, this is to our advantage. Whether you are a long time Callas fan and completist or a newcomer, this is well worth the money to have all these highlights ready at your finger tips.

The only complaint I have about this set is the complete lack of texts and notes. Usually these days this material is put on the web for bargain releases, but I was unable to locate any for this set. As Callas's art was in the shading of the texts, newcomers especially need to be able to follow along.

Grab this now while it is still available.

One of the best collection of Callas on CD.......2007-05-13

This is realy Maria Callas 100 best classics collection, surprisingly with very good sound ,without any noise or distortion .Six CDs, each of them 70 -79 min very enjoyable..Thank you EMI for this grate production...

Unbelievable Deal.......2007-04-27

I was hestant about purchasing this recording due to the low price. But this is really a great buy: A six disc compillation of Maria Callas' highlights grouped by genre/composer. If you are new to opera, this is an excellent introduction to what made Callas so unique as an artist: her passion, her ability to change her timbre, the weight of her voice, her vocal colors, to suit each role. Each disc feautres a different composer or repetoire so the listener gets to hear Callas in a differnt context. Since there are about a million "best of" complillations for Callas it's a bit overwhelming and difficult to know where to start. This is definately the most complete, and the best value for your money.

Deal of the Century!.......2007-04-19

A six CD set at this price is unbelievable! If you are a beginner, start here and if you are a long time fan and have every recording under the sun like I do, it's still nice to have the CD's grouped by composer. Highly recommended!

Average customer rating: Indespensible The best you can get. Great recording, but... Completely changed my opinion about opera Divine Corelli

Puccini: Turandot Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | 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 Nilsson, Birgit | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Scotto, Renata | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: La Boheme Verdi - Aida / Caballé · Domingo · Cossotto · Ghiaurov · Cappuccilli · Roni · NPO · Muti Puccini: Tosca (1953) with Callas, di Stefano, Gobbi, cond. by de Sabata Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Verdi: Il Trovatore ASIN: B000002SE0 Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

1. Turandot: Act I: Popolo Di Pekino! (Liu)
2. Turandot: Act I: Padre! Mio Padre! (Liu, Timur)
3. Turandot: Act I: Perduta La Battaglia (Timur, Liu)
4. Turandot: Act I: Gira La Cote! Gira!
5. Turandot: Act I: Perche Tarda La Luna?
6. Turandot: Act I: La, Sui Monti Dell'Est
7. Turandot: Act I: O Giovinetto!
8. Turandot: Act I: Figlio, Che Fai? (Timur, Liu)
9. Turandot: Act I: Fermo! Che Fai? T'arresta!
10. Turandot: Act I: Silenzio, Ola!
11. Turandot: Act I: Guardolo, Pong! (Timur)
12. Turandot: Act I: Non Indugliare! (Timur)
13. Turandot: Act I: Signore, Ascolta! (Liu)
14. Turandot: Act I: Non Piangere Liu! (Liu-Timur)
15. Turandot: Act I: Ah! Per L'ultima Volta! (Timur, Liu)
16. Turandot: Act II, Scene1: Ola, Pang! Ola, Pong!
17. Turandot: Act II, Scene1: O Cina, O Cina
18. Turandot: Act II, Scene1: Ho Una Casa Nell'Honan
19. Turandot: Act II, Scene1: O Mondo, Pieno Di Pazzi Innamorati!
20. Turandot: Act II, Scene1: Addio, Amore!
21. Turandot: Act II, Scene1: Noi Si Sogna
22. Turandot: Act II, Scene2: Gravi, Enormi Ed Imponenti
23. Turandot: Act II, Scene2: Un Giuramento Atroce Mi Costringe
24. Turandot: Act II, Scene2: Diecimila Anni Al Nostro Imperatore!

Tracks:

1. Turandot: Act II, Scene2: In questa reggia (Turandot)
2. Turandot: Act II, Scene2: Straniero, ascolta! Nella cupa notte (Turandot)
3. Turandot: Act II, Scene2: Guizza al pari di fiamma (Turandot, Liu)
4. Turandot: Act II, Scene2: Gelo che ti da foco (Turandot)
5. Turandot: Act II, Scene2: Gloria, o vincitore!
6. Turandot: Act II, Scene2: Figlio del cielo! (Turandot)
7. Turandot: Act II, Scene2: Tre enigmi m'hai proposto!
8. Turandot: Act II, Scene2: Ai tuoi piedi ci prostriam
9. Turandot: Act III, Scene1: Cosomanda Turandot
10. Turandot: Act III, Scene1: Nessun dorma!
11. Turandot: Act III, Scene1: Tu che guardi le stelle
12. Turandot: Act III, Scene1: Principessa divina! (Turandot, Liu)
13. Turandot: Act III, Scene1: Quel nome! (Liu, Timur, Turandot)
14. Turandot: Act III, Scene1: L'amore? Tanto amore, segreto e inconfessato (Turandot, Liu)
15. Turandot: Act III, Scene1: Tu, che di gel sei cinta (Liu, Timur)
16. Turandot: Act III, Scene1: Liu bonta! (Timur)
17. Turandot: Act III, Scene1: Principessa di morte! (Turandot)
18. Turandot: Act III, Scene1: Che ai di me? (Turandot)
19. Turandot: Act III, Scene1: Del primo pianto (Turandot,)
20. Turandot: Act III, Scene1: La mia gloria l tuo amplesso! (Calaf, Turandot)
21. Turandot: Act III, Scene2: Diecimila anni al nostro Imperatore! (Turandot)

Customer Reviews:

Indespensible.......2007-07-14

I am a great admirer of "Turandot" and own many recordings of it. This, however, is the one I return to most. Corelli is breathtaking. Nilsson--is her divine self. Don't miss this one.

The best you can get........2007-03-24

It's hard to imagine a better Turandot recording than this. The principals are just great, of course; but as an added bonus, the entire recording is crystal-clear (you can hear EVERYTHING) and the fortissimo passages are unbelievably sonorous. PLUS, the drama moves at a good swift clip: never a dull moment here. This certainly must rate as one of the best recordings of ANYTHING, opera or no.

Great recording, but..........2006-09-21

To the reviewer who stated "Stunning high notes, great vocal acrobatics, and really, she is so much better than Joan Sutherland who turns Turandot into a phaser trill coloratura feat": WHAT?!? How can one say such a thing, unless one hasn't listened to the Sutherland recording of "Turandot"? Surely you listened to her "Lucia" or "Esclarmonde" instead. She had a completely different voice from that of Nilsson; of course, they gave different interpretations, sonically. However, Sutherland sang the role as written; she didn't interpolate high notes or trills! Listen again - she just sounds more fluid and warmer than Nilsson - that's it!

Completely changed my opinion about opera.......2005-12-16

I was never an opera fan, less an Italian opera fan, and even less a Puccini fan. This recording is astounding. Incredible cast and phenomenal playing. The music is lush, fascinating, and exciting.

My advice, if you're getting into opera--look seriously at older recordings. Fancy sound is swell, pretty perfect voices are wonderful, but hell-for-leather recordings like this (which I honestly haven't found in recent history--and believe me I've looked) are what will cinch it for you. I believe it's the change in culture we're hearing, and here let me chart that change for you: think Jackie Kennedy at the Paris Opera House. Now think of Paris Hilton. This is what has become of just our young sophisticated socialite culture. Across the board it's pretty much the same decline. Who genuinely believes in Puccini any more?

Divine Corelli.......2005-08-16

If one has to ask me to mention one of the greatest tenors ever, Franco Corelli would be on top of the list. And this should be one of the greatest ever recordings which were fortunately registered and passed down to us and with very good sound even. Calaf should be one of the greatest roles which Corelli sung on stage maybe only equalled by the role of Manrico in Il Trovatore, and this recording captures the animal-stamina well known from this fabulous singer. The cast who accompanies him is none the less. Renata Scotto is at her best as the slave-girl Liu' giving a very sensitive performance whilst Birgit Nilsson gives a heroic rendering in the role of the icy Princess Turnandot. Obviously one cannot not mention the great Puccini, for whom generations of opera lovers should be indebted for the ceative power and energy along with immortal melodies only he could give us - and definitely Turandot should be one of his colossal achievements which put great pressure on opera singers.

For me this recording is one of the most important historically - the cast is top noch and even the reading of Francesco Molinari-Pradelli is a one of the best I heard on record. EMI has managed to give us a good sound - well balanced and clear for this 1966 recording. Definitely with Corelli as Calaf divine as ever, it should be a must for all Opera lovers.

Average customer rating: all-star cast 2 Callas Normas. Which to get. Greater Depth or Neccessary Caution? CALLAS' ASTONISHING NORMA CALLAS MESMERIZING AS NORMA

Bellini - Norma / Maria Callas, Ludwig, Corelli, Zaccaria, Teatro alla Scala, Serafin Vincenzo Bellini , Tullio Serafin , Maria Callas , Christa Ludwig , Franco Corelli , Nicola Zaccaria , and Piero de Palma 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 Callas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Ludwig, Christa | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Box Sets | Stores | 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 Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Ludwig, Christa | ( L ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Callas, Maria | ( C ) | Performers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Verdi: La Traviata (complete opera live 1955) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Carlo Maria Giulini, Orchestra & Chorus of La Scala, Milan Puccini: Tosca (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tito Gobbi, Victor de Sabata, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tullio Serafin Verdi: Rigoletto (Complete Opera); Maria Callas; Tito Gobbi; Giuseppe di Stefano Bellini: I Puritani / Callas, di Stefano, Rossi-Lemeni, Panerai; Serafin ASIN: B00000630R Release Date: 1998-03-17

Tracks:

1. Norma: Sinfonia
2. Norma: Act One - Scene One : Ite sul colle...Dell'aura tua profetica (Oroveso)
3. Norma: Svanir le voci! (Pollione)
4. Norma: Meco all'altar di Venere (Pollione)
5. Norma: Odi?.. I suoi riti a compiere (Flavio, Coro, Pollione)
6. Norma: Me protegge, me difende (Pollione)
7. Norma: Norma viene
8. Norma: Sediziose voci
9. Norma: Casta Diva
10. Norma: Fine al rito, e il sacro bosco
11. Norma: Ah! bello a me ritorna (Norma, Oroveso)
12. Norma: Sgombra e la sacra selva (Adalgisa)
13. Norma: Eccola - va, mi lascia
14. Norma: Va, crudele
15. Norma: Vieni in Roma (Pollione, Adalgisa)

Tracks:

1. Norma: Act One - Scene Two : Vanne, e li cela entrambi (Norma)
2. Norma: Adalgisa!.. Alma, costanza
3. Norma: Oh, rimembranza!
4. Norma: Ah si, fa core, abbracciami (Norma, Adalgisa)
5. Norma: Ma di'... l'amato giovine
6. Norma: Oh, di qual sei tu vittima
7. Norma: Perfido! ... Or basti! (Norma, Adalgisa, Pollione)
8. Norma: Vanne, si, mi lascia, indegno (Norma, Pollione, Adalgisa, Coro)

Tracks:

1. Norma: Act Two - Scene One : Introduzione
2. Norma: Dormono entrambi! (Norma)
3. Norma: Ola! Clotilde (Norma, Clotilde)
4. Norma: Mi chiami, o Norma?
5. Norma: Deh, con te, con te li prendi
6. Norma: Mira, o Norma
7. Norma: Cedi ... deh cedi!
8. Norma: Si, fino all'ore estreme (Adalgisa, Norma)
9. Norma: Acto Two - Scene Two : Non parti? (Coro)
10. Norma: Guerrieri! a voi venirne
11. Norma: Ah!, del Tebro al giogo indegno (Oroveso)
12. Norma: Acto Two - Scene Three : Ei tornera, Si! (Norma)
13. Norma: Squilla il bronzo del Dio! (Oroveso, Norma)
14. Norma: Guerra! guerra!
15. Norma: Ne compi li rito, o Norma? (Oroveso, Norma, Pollione)
16. Norma: In mia man alfin ti sei
17. Norma: Gia mi pasco ne' tuoi sguardi (Norma, Pollione)
18. Norma: Dammi quel ferro!
19. Norma: Qual cor tradisti
20. Norma: Norma! deh! Norrma, scolpati!
21. Norma: Deh! Non volerli vittime (Norma, Pollione, Oroveso)

Customer Reviews:

all-star cast.......2007-06-13

This recording is exactly what you would expect from an all-star cast.

Owners of the Schirmer piano score, watch out for cuts from page 44 to 48, 76 to 80, and 106 to 107. The endings of bth acts are also different.

2 Callas Normas. Which to get........2006-11-12

If you are trying to decide between the two studio recordings of Norma with Callas, I offer some advice. Get them both. The later recording is quite beautiful and better recorded. The earlier has a fresher sounding Callas but she does have more dramatic insight in that later recording. Ludwig is a nice treat in a bel-canto role. Overall, I highly recommend!

Greater Depth or Neccessary Caution?.......2006-10-13

This is a strange recording for me. It features three all time favorite singers of mine, Callas, Ludwig and Corelli, and yet I had very mixed feelings about it. Some have called Callas's performance here more refined than the earlier recording and the famous live performances. I would characterize her performance as slightly cautious. Her Norma is older, wiser and a bit on the weathered side. I wonder how much of the refinement was her own sense of having to compensate for her voice which was in the final stages of decline. I expected a certain degree of the recklessness that she displayed in her second Tosca recording that was made a few years later. Here she seems to be carefully phrasing at times as to not hurt something. But, despite the vocal decline, not just the high notes but the tone, her mastery of the style and ease with which she handles the coloratura passages, is still a miraculous listening experience.

I'm glad I have the recording and the current edition is warmer than the original CD release. This was the only opportunity for Callas, Corelli and Ludwig to make a commercial recording together, and Corelli and Ludwig are wonderful, although too bad EMI was unable to get Simionatto. But if you're familiar with the earlier recording (which by the way is only available at the moment in an awful GROTC edition) and the live performances, you might miss the broad strokes, I do, but it is still a worthy listening experience. When is Callas not? Never as far as I'm concerned.

I would have loved to have rated this 5 stars, but 4 seems more appropriate. It's a fine but not a great recording.

CALLAS' ASTONISHING NORMA.......2006-08-15

Well, I think there are two roles in the history of opera that after the interpretation of Maria Callas it would not be unwise to claim that they should not be performed again: Norma by Bellini (all recordings she ever made) and la Traviata by Verdi (the definition of the role lies in the London 1958 Traviata- unfortunately, her 1953 studio recording with Cetra is almost unacceptable considering how she developed the role of Violetta after 1955).
Although I very rarely sit down to write a review at Amazon, after having read so much on Mme Callas, I feel it is my responsibility as a fan of this great art named opera to make the following points:
a)Maria Callas was not an interpreter. She was a creator herself to be placed at the same rank as Donizzeti, Bellini and Verdi. Had it not been for her I doubt that opera would exist today and if it did it would be a sad, boring musuem exhibit. She recreated the whole of Italian Opera -not just bel canto- and modernised it in a way that will make it last for another 100 years aftet her death. I remind you that opera in the 50's meant German Opera. Italian opera before Mme Callas was something of a joke. Terribly abused by singers and a bad tradition of horrendus vocalising, the music of Italian composers had lost its drama, its sense, its meaning.
b)why do people spend so much time judging the voice of this great artist? Why can they not just relax and enjoy this great artistry? No-one says that there no other great singers! But no matter how great, they are unfortunately just that:"singers". Caballe, Sutherland, Sills, Price, Fleming, Dessay all have amazing voices and great carreers. But, comparing them with a phenomenon that was for the opera what Mozart was for classical music simply does not do them justice.
c)Whether we like it or not Norma is a dramatic soprano role! A very difficult one as well and it should be treated with some respect. Caballe and Sutherland, because they had these amazing voices, did manage to sing it and they sang it well. But, as they were not dramatic sopranos they conveyed a lyricism in their interpretation that simply does not suit the role and Bellini's intentions. Other attempts however (Sills and -alas- Gruberova recently)should really remain as textbook examples of how inflated egos can ridicule both theselves and a work of art. I repeat that Norma is a dramatic soprano role. In this sense the only singers that approached the Callas perfection are Elena Suliotis (Decca for reason of expediency or stupidity is not reissuing her marvellous 1968 recording with Del Monaco) and Jane Eaglen in the Sony Muti recording. The only singer that seems to have been taught by the Callas Legacy in Bel Canto is Mme Renata Scotto but she was as well inadequate as Norma and wasted much of her talent singing (for commercial reasons, I suppose) Puccini.
d)Callas has been very unlucky as far as supporting cast is concerned. The 1960 Norma recording is the only exception. It features the amazing Franco Corelli. What a voice this man had! Pefect voice, perfect dramatic conviction, beautiful and clear italian diction. Can we imagine a Callas -Corelli partnership in Aida, Pirata, Manon Lescaut?
e)Callas did not lose her voice even though she overworked it in the 50s. The 1964 Tosca recording is the best proof of that. But she did lose her confidence and emotional stability. This fact led her quit her carreer in 1965 and that is the real tragedy of opera. Had she managed to work as hard in the 60-68 period when all her worry was Ar. Onassis we would have been left with at least 10 amazing stereo recordings. And I say 68 because someone like Callas simply would refuse to play young soprano roles after the age of 45. She believed that opera singers are like ballet dansers or athletes (and they are!), they should retire early. Mme Sutherland had a voice till the age of 60. And so? Is it not ridiculous singing La Sonnambula at the age of 59? If Callas did that she would not be the legend she is!

This is all I wanted to note on a woman that achieved a fame in the world of opera (and beyond!!!) in a way that noone else had before and I am afraid no one else will do so in the future. People had to sleep on pavements for three days and three nights to get a ticket for this lady!

CALLAS MESMERIZING AS NORMA.......2006-07-14

Reading through the online reviews, it is obvious that Maria created great controversy because her approach to classical singing and acting was so very different. She was everything, extraordinary singer with a rare vocal technique of endless colors and shades, from the video footage we have now we can see that she was truly the charismatic actress described in previous years, and above all . . . she was one of the great musicians of the last century.

No singer classical or popular has been without vocal problems, and it is important to remember that Maria began her stage career at the age of 17 with the Athens Opera as a professional opera singer. Her last stage performances were in 1965 in Tosca and Norma . . . a stage and recording career of almost 25 years! No small achievement, and she performed her great roles, Violetta, Lucia, Medea, and of course Norma . . . all over the world "live" for over a decade, Norma for almost 15 years.

It would be difficult to say of such an artist that "one" role was her best, since her vast repertory ranged from Wagner and Beethoven to Bellini, Puccini, Bizet and so many other composers.

She single handedly with the help of her great vocal and musical mentor Tullio Serafin, resurrected the great belcanto works of Donizetti and Bellini and transformed them in integrated vocal and dramatic experiences . . . fortunately for us, there are quite a few studio and live recordings available of this repertoire which she loved so much.

Personally, I never found Bellini's Norma to be a very interesting opera until I heard the 1960 recording with Maria. All previous recordings were lovely, with various singers singing 'Casta Diva' beautifully, but disengaged from the dramatic impact of the words and this complex woman, this figure out of a Greek tragedy!

Maria's 1960 performance I feel remains a rare experience, in which all the artists seem riveted by the dramatic power of her by then mesmerizing interpretation of Norma. Every subtlety of this conflicted woman's story is expresssed, even down to just single words.

Like many of her recordings and her career in general, I feel this recording is for the ages . . . unforgettable and deeply, deeply moving.

Average customer rating: Landmark Soprano. An essential work for opera listeners. Terrific introduction to the art of Callas Callas was the greatest Great starter CD The epitome of divinity

Maria Callas - La Divina Giacomo Puccini , Vincenzo Bellini , Georges Bizet , Gioachino Rossini , Alfredo Catalani , Camille Saint-Saëns , Giuseppe Verdi , Charles Gounod , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Pietro Mascagni , Amilcare Ponchielli , Tullio Serafin , Georges Prêtre , Nicola Rescigno , Franco Ghione , Antonino Votto , Maria Callas , Alfredo Kraus , Ebe Ticozzi , Giuseppe di Stefano , London Philharmonia Orchestra , Orchestra e Coro del Teatro alla Scala , Orchestre National de la R.D.F. , Conservatory Concert Society Orchestra , and Lisbon Orquesta Sinfonica del Teatro Nacional de San Carlos Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mascagni | Mascagni, Pietro | ( 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 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 General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | 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 | 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 &