21st Century [Import]

21st century [import]

Track Listings

1. Welcome to the 21st Century
2. 6 Years - 6 Nights
3. Venice in the Rain
4. If I Will Rule the World
5. Sacrifice
6. When Bogart Talks to You
7. That's Love
8. Lady Unforgettable
9. This Old Town
10. 21st Century
11. Sister Cool
12. See You in the 22nd Century

21st Century,Blue System,Bmg Int'l,Dance-Pop,Euro-Pop,Pop,Rock,Rock/Pop
The Great Recordings
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • RIP, BEVERLY SILLS 1929-2007
  • Brava Sills!
  • Sills fits my bill
  • The Great American Soprano
  • My Favorite Woman
The Great Recordings

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bellini, VincenzoBellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. The Very Best of Beverly Sills
  2. Art of Beverly
  3. Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor: Complete Opera (with full libretto and translation)
  4. Beverly Sills: Made in America
  5. Verdi: La Traviata / Sills, Gedda, Panerai; Ceccato

ASIN: B0001Y4JG6
Release Date: 2004-05-11

Tracks:

  1. Son Vergin Vezzosa - Paul Plishka
  2. Eccomi... Oh! Quante Volte
  3. Mira, O Norma
  4. Santo Di Patria... Allor Che I Forti Corrono... Da Te Questo
  5. Contro Un Cor Che Accende Amore - Nicolai Gedda
  6. Che M'apporti? - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
  7. Quel Sangue Versato Al Cielo S'innalza - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
  8. Vorrei Spiegarvi, Oh Dio, K.418
  9. Amor, Op.68 No.5

Tracks:

  1. Martern Aller Arten
  2. E Strano! E Strano!
  3. Ah, Fors'e Lui
  4. Follie! Follie!
  5. Sempre Libera
  6. Ces Murs Silencieux - Pardonnez-moi, Dieu De Toute Puissance - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
  7. Toi! Vous! - Oui! Je Fus Cruelle Et Coupable! - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
  8. N'est-ce Plus Ma Main? - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
  9. Robert, Toi Que J'aime
  10. Tu Ne Chanteras Plus?
  11. Chere Enfant Que J'appele
  12. Meine, Lippen, Die Kusen So Heiss
  13. Wien, Wien, Nur Du Allein
  14. Always Through The Changing

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars RIP, BEVERLY SILLS 1929-2007.......2007-07-03

The great American diva's passing was announced today.

This wonderful CD set is a perfect compilation of her art as can be found anywhere. Her finest roles and performances are captured here, most of them derived from the Westminster/Audio Treasury recordings from her prime. Listening to them again demonstrates to me why she was so special, and such an inspiration to music lovers everywhere.

5 out of 5 stars Brava Sills!.......2007-02-02

A very nice compilation of Sillsiana. The different cuts on this CD provide a nice illustration of her work. Let me briefly describe my response to a sampling of the works on this CD:

Bellini, I Puritani, "Son vergin vezzosa." Wonderful. Sutherland owns this--but so does Beverly Sills. Contemporary sopranos such as Netrebko and Gruberova have also sung this on their respective CDs, and while their product is nice, it simply does not compare. Sills is remarkably agile with her voice; the trills are well done; she cleanly hits high notes; the overall effect can only be described as wonderful.

Bellini, Norma, "Mira, o Norma". This is smoothly sung and very melodic. The technique that she exhibits does not overwhelm the music.

Rosini, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, "Contro un cor che accende amore." Again, her agile voice is well deployed. The florid singing is well done.

Donizetti, Roberto Devereaux, "Che m'apporti." Her clean, light voice matches well with this aria. Smoothly sung. Her "Quel sangue versato al cielo s'innalza," which follows, is well done. High notes cleanly hit, a smooth line.

Verdi, La Traviata, "E strano. . . .Sempre libera." Again, what agility! In "Sempre libera," she reveals a rich voice and, again, wonderful agility. This is an animated version of one of Verdi's showcase pieces.

Lehar, Giudetta. "Meine Lippen." A lot of fun! This is smoothly sung.

In the final analysis, this is a nice potpourri of Beverly Sills' repertoire. Those not familiar with her work will find this a nice entree to her oeuvre; those familiar with her will find this a good compilation.

5 out of 5 stars Sills fits my bill.......2006-03-13

This recording is another in an all too small CD collection of Sills recordings. I eagerly await more.

5 out of 5 stars The Great American Soprano.......2005-10-01

This is a great collecition featuring arias from the Classical and Romantic periods. Fabulous!!!!!

5 out of 5 stars My Favorite Woman.......2005-08-05

I would have to say that when I first heard Beverly Sills sing, I was entranced. I couldn't take my eyes off of her and I became angry at any rustling around me, because I was afraid I would miss one note. It was so addictive....that is what she is....addictive! A c.d. will never properly capture her style. She is an amazing leader in opera, taking it into a new frontier and I believe this c.d. showcases that.
The #1 Opera Album
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The beautiful gift of opera...
  • Pretty darn good
  • The Opera #1 Opera Album
  • Excellent assortment
  • Great Selections
The #1 Opera Album
Giacomo Puccini , Giuseppe Verdi , Léo Delibes , Georges Bizet , Umberto Giordano , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Richard Wagner , Gioachino Rossini , Alfredo Catalani , Jacques Offenbach , Ruggiero Leoncavallo , Charles Gounod , Gaetano Donizetti , Pietro Mascagni , Antonin Dvorak , Richard Bonynge , Herbert von Karajan , Alberto Erede , Lamberto Gardelli , Giuseppe Patane , John Mauceri , Zubin Mehta , Charles Dutoit , Gyorgy Fischer , Riccardo Chailly , Istvan Kertesz , Leone Magiera , Evelino Pido , Gianandrea Gavazzeni , Renée Fleming , Cecilia Bartoli , Luciano Pavarotti , Jussi Bjorling , and Renata Tebaldi
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. The Most Famous Opera Duets
  2. The Most Famous Opera Arias
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  4. The Best Opera Album in the World...Ever!
  5. Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco...

ASIN: B000059RXO
Release Date: 2001-02-27

Tracks:

  1. Carmen: Act 1: Prld - LPO/Sir Georg Solti
  2. La Traviata: Brindisi: Libiamo, Ne'lieti Calici - Luciano Pavarotti/Joan Sutherland/London Opr Chor/Terry Edwards
  3. La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina - Luciano Pavarotti
  4. Lakme: Flower Duet: Dome Epais Le Jasmin - Joan Sutherland/Jane Berbie
  5. Fedora: Amor Ti Vieta - Jussi Bjorling
  6. Carmen: Habanera: L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle - Tatiana Troyanos/John Alldis Chor/John Alldis
  7. Nabucco: Chor Of The Hebrew Slaves: Va Pensiero - Chicago Sym Chor/Margaret Hills
  8. Le Nozze Di Figaro: Dove Sono - Kiri Te Kanawa
  9. Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile - Luciano Pavarotti
  10. Lohengrin: Bridal Chor: Treulich Gefuhrt Ziehet Dahin - Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor/Walter Hagen-Groll
  11. Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro - Renata Tebaldi
  12. Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum - Leo Nucci
  13. La Wally: Ebben?... Ne Andro Lontana - Angela Gheorghiu
  14. Madama Butterfly: Humming Chor - Wiener Staatsopernchor/Norbert Balatsch
  15. Carmen: Flower Song: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee - Placido Domingo
  16. Les Contes D'Hoffmann: Barcarolle: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'Amour - Joan Sutherland/Huguette Tourangeau/Chor De La Radio Suisse Romande, Pro Arte De Lausanne Et Du...
  17. Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle - Placido Domingo
  18. Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di - Mirella Freni
  19. Les Pecheurs De Perles: C'est Toi... Au Fond Du Temple Saint - Gregory Cross/Gino Quilico

Tracks:

  1. Die Walkure: The Ride Of The Valkyries - Wiener Phil/Solti
  2. Le Nozze Di Figaro: Voi Che Sapete - Cecilia Bartoli
  3. Pagliacci: Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba - Luciano Pavarotti
  4. La Boheme: O Soave Fanciulla - Mirella Freni/Luciano Pavarotti/Roland Panerai
  5. Il Trovatore: Anvil Chor: Vedi! Le Fosche - Chicago Sym Chor/Margaret Hillis
  6. Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai - Jose Carreras
  7. Don Giovanni: La Ci Darem La Mano - Lucia Popp/Tom Krause
  8. Mattinata - Andrea Bocelli
  9. Faust: Soldiers' Chor - Ambrosian Opr Chor/John McCarthy
  10. L'elisir D'amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima - Roberto Alagna
  11. Turandot: Signore, Ascolta! - Montserrat Caballe
  12. Don Giovanni: Champagne Aria: Finch'han Dal Vino - Bryn Terfel
  13. Cosi Fan Tutte: Trio: Soave Sia Il Vento - Renee Fleming/Anne Sofie Von Otter/Michele Pertusi
  14. Il Trovatore: Di Quella Pira - Luciano Pavarotti/Joan Sutherland/London Opr Chor/Terry Edwards
  15. Tosca: Vissi D'arte - Kiri Te Kanawa
  16. Carmen: Toreador Song - Jose Van Dam/Tatiana Troyanos/Norma Burrowes/Jane Berbie/Thomas Allen/Pierre Thau/John Alldis...
  17. Madama Butterfly: Love Duet: Vogliatemi Bene - Mirella Freni/Luciano Pavarotti
  18. Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo - Nat PO/Gianandrea Gavazzeni
  19. Rusalka: O Silver Moon - Renee Fleming
  20. La Boheme: Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi - Angela Gheorghiu
  21. Turandot: Nessun Dorma - Luciano Pavarotti/John Alldis Chor/John Alldis

Amazon.com

The labels that are now gathered under the Universal Classics umbrella have a pretty impressive scorecard in the area of classical compilations. We've seen The Greatest Opera Show on Earth, The Yellow Guide: Classical Music, Best of the Millennium, and now there's The No. 1 Opera Album. But that's no surprise, since Universal has some of the finest interpreters in its catalogue to draw from. This two-CD set (at the price of one), for example, brings together the likes of Cecilia Bartoli, Renée Fleming, Luciano Pavarotti, Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Georg Solti, Herbert von Karajan, and many more. Yet the other key to a successful compilation is canny anthologizing, and here again, you have a nice selection to give you a smattering of opera's heavyweights from the Italian, German, and French repertory (there's even a step outside the standard framework with an aria from Dvorák's lovely Rusalka). Ranging from 1959 to 1997, the choices from back catalogue will doubtless be the entry ticket for many into this grandest of the arts. --Sarah Chin

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The beautiful gift of opera..........2007-07-17

This 2-CD set is absolutely wonderful! You can close your eyes and feel like you're actually at the opera, listening to those beautiful voices bringing tears to your eyes. Nessun Dorma still stirs up emotions in me, no matter how many times I hear it. Great examples of opera to give someone wanting to get interested in this style of music.

4 out of 5 stars Pretty darn good.......2007-07-04

This CD set has a lot of familiar music on it, so if you're a newbie, you might want to try starting with this. There are some great pieces on the first CD. I usually don't even make it to the second.

2 out of 5 stars The Opera #1 Opera Album.......2007-06-07

The music is wonderful. The production is terrible!! The sound fades in and out and is very scratchy in some places.

4 out of 5 stars Excellent assortment.......2007-05-12

I'm not a big opera fan but I wanted to expose an assorted selection for my kids. This was perfect since it included several recognizable selections.

5 out of 5 stars Great Selections.......2007-03-31

This Cd, has the very best of Opera
covering mainly from the classcal
to the to the romantic periods, a most
memorable selection here is Leo Nucci
in a lagendary performance of Rossini's
"Largo al Factotum" from "Il Barbiere di Seviglia"
also Andrea Bocelli in his performance of Leoncavallo's
memorable "Matinatta" here in an orchestrated version.
Indeed some of opera's most loved arias are in this recording
various conductors, orchestras, and soloists. All in their
very best. Indeed a five-star recording...
Romance of the Violin
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Romance of the Violin
  • End of the Day
  • Wonderful!
  • Over and over and over....
  • Non-standard CD format
Romance of the Violin
Claude Debussy , Fryderyk Chopin , Camille Saint-Saens , Franz Schubert , Vincenzo Bellini , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Christoph Willibald Gluck , Alexander Borodin , Antonin Dvorak , Claudio Monteverdi , Jules Massenet , Robert Schumann , Michael Stern , Craig Ogden , Gregory Knowles , John Constable , Jacob Heringman , and Stephen Orton
Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Voice of the Violin
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  5. The Red Violin: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

ASIN: B0000DG06L
Release Date: 2003-10-28

Tracks:

  1. O mio babbino caro (from 'Gianni Schicchi')
  2. The Girl With Flaxen Hair (from Preludes, Book I; La fille aux cheveux delin: Prelude for Piano L 117/8)
  3. Nocturne in C sharp minor (Op Post)
  4. The Swan (from Carnival of the Animals)
  5. Serenade (from 'Schwanengesang' song cycle for voice and piano, D 957
  6. Casta Diva (from 'Norma')
  7. Andante from Piano Concerto No. 21 in C Major K. 467
  8. Nocturne from Quartet for Strings No. 2 in D Major: 3rd movement
  9. Dance of the Blessed Spirits (from 'Orfeo ed Euridice')
  10. Songs My Mother Taught Me, song for voice and piano B104/4 Op 55/4
  11. Pur ti Miro (from 'L'incoronazione di Poppea')
  12. Elegie (Elegie 'O doux printemps d'autrefois' for voice and piano)
  13. Traumerei ('Kinderszenen' for piano, Op 15, No. 7 'Dreaming')

Amazon.com

Every track on this CD contains a beautiful melody, many of them easily recognizable, all of them exuding tranquility. "O mio babbino caro" from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi opens the disc, with Bell delicately accompanied by a harp and spinning the long melody with great sensitivity. Bellini's "Casta diva" from Norma lives up to its reputation as the epitome of bel canto in Bell's hands; his violin sings. The middle movement of Mozart's 21st Piano Concerto takes well to the violin, and Debussy's "The Girl with the Flaxen Hair" is played with great warmth and sensuality. It would be easy to turn a recital like this into treacle, but Bell is wise enough to realize that the music is already sweet enough and he plays with great reserve and a minimum of sentimental slides. The light accompaniments always support, with woodwinds prominent but used with grace. This CD, in short, is a beauty: a fine gift, a lovely mood setter. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Romance of the Violin.......2007-07-16

While it's not my very favorite Joshua Bell CD, this is a pleasure to listen to!

4 out of 5 stars End of the Day.......2007-06-08

I am a Joshua Bell fan, and this album is the one that I enjoy with my dessert, it calms me at the end of the day, and makes me think of my 6 year old granddaughter's visit. She has to have music on during meals at her home. Usually it is some kid stuff, but I do not have anything like she has at home, so I chose to play Joshua Bell during our dinner. When I placed the dessert before her, she looked up at me and said: "This music is so beautiful, I want to play the violin just like that". What more could I say.
He is inspiring, and she is right. This album is beautiful.

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful!.......2007-05-30

I play this for my grandson to nap by. It is so relaxing and wonderful!

5 out of 5 stars Over and over and over...........2007-05-17

That's how I want to play this CD! It's a wonderful line-up of rich, mellow, captivating compositions played with a warmth and vibrancy that is seldom heard. Joshua at his very best. You won't be disappointed.

4 out of 5 stars Non-standard CD format.......2007-04-22

The music on this CD deserves five stars, but the CD itself is a non-standard format that doesn't work on all players. There's a tiny warning on the back of the CD. You won't notice the warning until you discover that the CD doesn't work on your player. My Macintosh computer wouldn't read the non-standard format so there was no way for me to listen in my office or put the music on my iPod.

A friend's PC was able to read the CD and make a copy in standard format that can be read on any player, including my Mac. The story had a happy ending, but I can not comprehend why the publisher chose the oddball CD specification.

The music is excellent and worth the trouble of making a copy, but the publisher really shouldn't make you go to that effort just to listen to a CD that you paid for.
Voice of the Violin
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Beautiful!
  • Voice of the Violin
  • Disappointed
  • Voices of the Violin
  • Angelic music
Voice of the Violin

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Romance of the Violin
  2. Joshua Bell - Gershwin Fantasy
  3. The Essential Joshua Bell
  4. Tchaikovsky: Violin Concerto [Hybrid SACD]
  5. Romance Of The Violin (Live From New York In Concert)

ASIN: B000H7JD1I
Release Date: 2006-09-05

Tracks:

  1. Vocalise, Op. 34, No. 14
  2. Ave Maria
  3. Pourquoi me riller from Werther
  4. Aprun r, Op. 7, No. 1
  5. Song to the Moon from Rusalka
  6. Laudate Dominum from Vesperae solennes de confessore for soloists, chorus & orchestra, K. 339
  7. None but the Lonely Heart, Op. 6/6
  8. Una furtiva lagrima from L'Elisir d'Amore
  9. In trutina from Carmina Burana
  10. May Breezes from Songs without Words, Op. 62, No. 1
  11. Beau soir
  12. Estrellita
  13. Nana (Bercuese) from Siete conciones populares Espanolas
  14. Je crois entendre encore from The Pearl Fishers
  15. Morgen! Op. 27, No. 4

Amazon.com

Constantly exhorted to "sing," string players naturally try to emulate that most beautiful musical instrument, the human voice; no wonder they literally want to get their fingers on the treasures of the vocal repertoire. Joshua Bell has appropriated some of its best-loved songs and operatic arias, from Mozart through the romantics to Orff. Slow, sustained, lovely and yes, singing, these beguiling melodies and wide emotional range are eminently well suited to the violin. Credit for most of the arrangements is given to J.A.C. Redford, a well-known film and television composer, and indeed the throbbing strings and jarring modulations typical of sound-tracks invade his orchestrations, in startling contrast to the composers' own. In Debussy's "Beau soir," pianist Frederic Chiu partners Bell so beautifully that one wishes he had supplanted the orchestra in all the songs with piano accompaniment. The violin transcriptions of the vocal line closely follow the originals, except for Redford's compulsive habit of adding octaves in the repeats and jumping from the lowest to the highest register. Of course, Bell is very good at all this, and it's the playing that's really the thing. His tone is ravishingly beautiful, warm on the G-string, radiant up high, and always deeply expressive. His love and innate feeling for the music---its inward simplicity, romantic yearning and passionate ardor---speak straight to the heart. In the only authentic violin part, the obbligato of Richard Strauss' "Morgen!" he is joined by the golden-voiced soprano Anna Netrebko; at first overly intense, she relaxes into a blissful, magical ending. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Beautiful!.......2007-06-14

I think the reason I love this cd is because the music was not primarily written for the violin. Joshua Bell makes the violin "sing" the pieces. I especially liked Tchaikovsky's "None but the Lonely Heart." I've loved it since we sang it many years ago in our High School chorus and it is not on any of my classical cds.

Good choice.

1 out of 5 stars Voice of the Violin.......2007-06-13

I was disappointed in Bell's popular music style. I love him playing Mozart with his verve and energy - as Mozart would have wanted his music played. This seemed slow and draggy.

2 out of 5 stars Disappointed.......2007-05-17

I had heard one of the tracks on the radio, so I bought the CD. It was too high-ended, a little screechy.

5 out of 5 stars Voices of the Violin.......2007-05-17

Voices is no only a great listen because of Joshua Bell, but it is relaxing and calming - for me that is a great way to let stress melt away.

Every song is well done. Of course Joshua Bell is a favorite.

4 out of 5 stars Angelic music.......2007-05-14

I heard about this artist on NPR, and am enchanted by the magnificent voice he gives to the violin. Well worth the purchase.
The Most Famous Opera Arias
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Great for kids!
  • Mediocre Sound Quality
  • I was pleased
  • The Most Famous Opera Arias
  • Okay But.... - a review of "The Most Famous Opera Arias"
The Most Famous Opera Arias

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002SCE
Release Date: 1994-07-19

Tracks:

  1. Rigoletto: Act I - Caro nome
  2. Rigoletto: Act III - La donna e mobile
  3. Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
  4. Carmen: Act I - Habanera: La voila...L'amour est oiseau rebelle
  5. Orfeo ed Euridice: Act III - Che faro senz Euridice
  6. Madama Butterfly: Act III - Un bel di, vedremo
  7. Romeo et Juliette: Act I - Ah! je veux vivre
  8. Le nozze di Figaro: Act II - Voi che sapete che cosa e amor
  9. Samson et Dalila: Act II - Mon coeur s'ouvre a ta voix
  10. Tosca:: Act II - Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore
  11. Aida: Act I-Celeste Aida
  12. Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Act I-Una voce poco fa
  13. Lakme: Act II - Ou va la jeune indoue?
  14. La Wally: Act I - Ebben? Ne andro lontano
  15. La Boheme: Act I - Che gelida manina
  16. Die Zauberflote: Act II-Die Holle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Great for kids!.......2007-06-27

I'm generally not a fan of music "samplers," but opera can be tough to introduce to children. And hey--even adults played cards, ate, and talked through the recitative sections of the early operas while they waited for the next aria! So I feel that getting kids hooked on opera through great arias probably can't hurt (the next 10 years or so will determine whether I'm right or not). My 4-year-old loves this CD; it's a delight to watch her imitate Anna Moffo (the sincerest form of flattery, for sure). Highly recommended resource for introducing young kids to opera. More top picks: Siberell's Bravo! Brava! A Night at the Opera, and the Black Dog Opera Library CDs.

2 out of 5 stars Mediocre Sound Quality.......2007-03-31

If you note the album was released in 1994, and includes selections from many years prior, you will understand that the quality of the sound engineering is not going to dazzle your ear.

It's a very nice collection to hum along to, but don't expect shivers down your spine as the sound quality is not sufficient to reproduce the dynamic range of these voices.

5 out of 5 stars I was pleased.......2007-02-18

I am by no means an opera expert, but found this to be a wonderful CD. Along with the songs I already knew I liked (such as a song from Carmen,) I found many others I enjoyed. In fact, Samson et Dahlila turned out to be my favorite. If you are just getting started or at any point in your adventure of opera, I would recommend this one.

5 out of 5 stars The Most Famous Opera Arias.......2007-01-05

I was completely surprised in the product as well as the time in which it was delivered.

I would not only refer this seller but I will come back myself.

3 out of 5 stars Okay But.... - a review of "The Most Famous Opera Arias".......2006-08-18

My daughter (6 y.o.) and I like opera; but sitting for two hours to watch Turandot is just not within the realm of possibilities for my 4 year old son right now... so I was looking for an opera CD for the car. He will sit and listen to short arias.

This was the first we purchased and it is okay but not great.

Problem #1 - where is Wagner. No Wagner?
Problem#2 - Elena Obraztsova - she sounds like Carmen's grandmother. Rather matronly for a vixen (imho--lol)

Three Stars. [C+] Great Price and good sound quality for the car. The operatic styles of some of the performers are antiquated and frilly sounding, but I would probably buy this CD again.

Note: We purchased and really preferred "The # 1 Opera Album". It has more selections and better artists in our opinion. Also it's a two CD set. Just something to consider.
Tommy (1969 Original Concept Album)
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • "Sickness Will Surely Take the Mind Where Minds Can't Usually Go" (* * * * 1/4)
  • Tommy revisited
  • it started here
  • been there done that go for it....
  • A Classic
Tommy (1969 Original Concept Album)
The Who
Manufacturer: Mca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002OZY
Release Date: 1996-03-12

Tracks:

  1. Overture
  2. It's A Boy
  3. 1921
  4. Amazing Journey
  5. Sparks
  6. Eyesight To The Blind (The Hawker)
  7. Christmas
  8. Cousin Kevin
  9. The Acid Queen
  10. Underture
  11. Do You Think It's Alright?
  12. Fiddle About
  13. Pinball Wizard
  14. There's A Doctor
  15. Go To The Mirror!
  16. Tommy Can You Hear Me?
  17. Smash The Mirror
  18. Sensation
  19. Miracle Cure
  20. Sally Simpson
  21. I'm Free
  22. Welcome
  23. Tommy's Holiday Camp
  24. We're Not Gonna Take It

Amazon.com essential recording

Tommy had the dubious distinction of being the first-ever rock opera; however, it's none the worse for that, Ken Russell's adaptation notwithstanding. Due largely to Pete Townshend's skill as a songwriter and composer, Tommy tells a coherent story and includes quality rock and roll at the same time, an impressive feat by itself. While surprisingly more linear than the later Quadrophenia, Tommy boasts several songs that stand up well on their own, including the classic "Pinball Wizard," "The Acid Queen," "I'm Free," and "Sally Simpson." Much of the rest doesn't make much sense lyrically unless you listen to the entire album, but you'll probably want to do that anyway, preferably with the lights low and the stereo cranked. --Genevieve Williams

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars "Sickness Will Surely Take the Mind Where Minds Can't Usually Go" (* * * * 1/4).......2007-06-13

The Who's Tommy had been foreshadowed lyrically by "A Quick One, While He's Away" - which Pete Townshend referred to as "Tommy's parents" on Live At Leeds - and musically by the two-part "Rael" from The Who Sell Out. (Although I am not sure about the continuity between "A Quick One" and Tommy.) Granted, the foreshadowing was subtle, but clearly Townshend had big things in mind as The Who's stature grew. But as a "rock opera", if we are to use that term, Tommy was not an entirely original creation. It was presaged by The Pretty Things' S.F. Sorrow in 1968. Moreover, word had apparently leaked to Townshend that Ray Davies was working on Arthur, or: the Decline and Fall of the British Empire. So just as The Kinks had influenced The Who's early sound, eg, "I Can't Explain", so too would they appear to have influenced them in the middle period of their heyday.

The centerpiece of Tommy is "Pinball Wizard", whose strummed chords are among the most recognizable in rock, and which serve as a motif throughout the record. However, I should note - as others have - that it is not too far removed from the chords heard on "Old Man Going" from the previously mentioned S.F. Sorrow. (But hey, even the opening to "Stairway To Heaven" had a precursor in "Taurus" by the band Spirit.) Of the two dozen tracks on the album, this is probably the only one known to a wider audience, and rightfully so. This is an excellent single which stands well on its own, and serves as one of the pillars for an album that also includes three instrumentals ("Overture", "Sparks", "Underture") and several under one-minute adhesive pieces, which are at times reminiscent of the fake commercials on Sell Out. Among the other solid, free-standing songs are "Amazing Journey", "Christmas", "Go To the Mirror!", "Sensation", "Sally Simpson", and "I'm Free". Pete Townshend wrote all of these songs, and most of the others on Tommy. But there is also the smartly chosen cover of Sonny Boy Williamson's "Eyesight To the Blind (The Hawker)". Plus, John Entwistle's two tracks introduce the unsavory characters one would expect from him, in this case the bully "Cousin Kevin" and the alcoholic, sexually abusive Uncle Ernie ("Fiddle About").

Tommy is surely to be praised for its great songs and ambition, but also for the fact that the story holds together quite well. It is easy to criticize it for being sketchy, but no libretto can serve to illustrate every scene of an opera perfectly. Townshend obviously expected it to be presented on stage. I will not go too deeply into the plot, but it is worth pointing out the highlights. Tommy witnesses the murder of his mother's lover by his father, long thought to have been killed in World War I ("1921"). Terrified by his father's insistence that he saw and heard nothing, and that his never to tell anyone about it, he is psychologically struck deaf, dumb, and blind. His parents, bereft of hope, first seek to heal him first through a strange spiritual leader ("Eyesight To the Blind") and then hallucinagens ("The Acid Queen"). Both fail, but in the meantime Tommy discovers he has an uncanny talent for pinball, which catapults him to fame. Soon after this, his parents find a doctor who discovers that Tommy's symptoms are psychosomatic ("There's A Doctor"). The refrain of "See me, feel me, touch me, heal me" comes from Tommy, who is aware of what is happening even though he cannot express himself. Tommy is healed when his mother destroys the mirror into which he perpetually stares, and through which he saw the murder happen ("Smash The Mirror"). Thought by many to have been the recipient of a miracle, he acquires legions of followers, who too hope to have their senses revived figuratively the way Tommy's were literally ("Sally Simpson", "Welcome".) Alas, like most so-called gurus, Tommy insists that his followers gain enlightenment the same way that he did. This, coupled with the fact that Uncle Ernie is heading up the camp, cause his followers to abandon him ("We're Not Gonna Take It"). Fortunately, Tommy does not abandon himself as the latter half of "We're Not Gonna Take It" - released in single form as "See Me, Feel Me" - indicates.

If any band were to make the rock opera legitimate, The Who was surely the big band who could. Although S.F. Sorrow deserves its share of credit, and although Arthur is a better album, Tommy is the one that everyone knows about. Obviously such a large project ran the risk of being overblown, but Townshend's penchant for graceful but powerful singles and longer pieces prevented this from happening. Tommy may not be a Great album, but it is a very good one, and is worthy of its status as a major breakthough in the history of rock.

5 out of 5 stars Tommy revisited.......2007-05-30

Tommy came out my freshman year in college and I listened to it continuously. The Dayton Ballet just did an awesome ballet version of Tommy in April, so I bought this for my daughter's 13th birthday, she loves it!

5 out of 5 stars it started here.......2007-05-26

The music of Tommy is where I first began really appreciating rock and roll, way back in 1988 when I was only 7 years old. That was a very important day in the life of me. There's no telling which direction my taste in music would have gone had I not heard some of the wonderful tunes from Tommy. I fear it would have eventually gone towards Limp Bizkit and other similar unenjoyable bands.

The music on this album is simply incredible. It's one thing to make a concept album and tell a good story. It's another when you can take a story and wrap *extremely* memorable music around it, which is what Tommy does so well.

I didn't really appreciate Keith Moon's drumming when I first heard this album, or Daltrey's emotional roller-coaster ride of a voice, going from convincingly angry to touching and sad. He's very good at going back and forth between those two emotions.

Still, I can't help but think back to my childhood. The line "See me, feel me, touch me, heal me" has stuck with me all these years, and there's a feeling when I listen to how that melody is sung that strucks me on a personal note. The "Right behind you, I see the millions" vocal line is another hook that has always stood up well, and will probably continue to do so.

I admit, Tommy is probably not my favorite Who album these days, because I've familiarized myself with other Who albums in the last decade. Denying the influence this album had on me would be ignorant and wrong, because Tommy is where my rock and roll obsession took off. The rest is history, my friend.

5 out of 5 stars been there done that go for it...........2007-05-15

Tommy some great guitar work here. Do you play you do I thought so you've heard of this album 'till you're looking here and well you should be there what's it about?

Somebody has it rough to begin with and somehow makes it out without falling down all the way to oblivion. Tommy gets it from the beginning parents not so together and a family that almost defies merit still the songwriter seems to have an uncanny insight into the whole outcome of such things if you have a little savvy of your own.

Nice music sometimes it's like you just stepped off the bus from home and set foot in the garden othertimes you're in a tractor's nuts with no place to go for a headache.

This may or not be intended as an opera but I don't know if you expect a full blown orchestra wallowing in the waters of oblivion you won't find it here just some very snappy rock and roll... or pop rather.

Tommy opens with an overture I don't know it's not strictly speaking a full symphonic movement but it 's got some french horn right where it counts sort of makes you wonder what next from an album called Tommy.

There's no Thomson machine gun jokes in Tommy in fact it's not in there.

Something deeper something a little closer to home. Kid has a rough childhood and makes good.... That's it. Okay so you can go too far and maybe that's the point of writing 24 songs all at once having made your point take what comes from that and PROCEED to the nearest exit.

There's an underture the opposite of a movement in formal music theory called an Overture strange place to be if you're one of those lucky people that don't want anything for themselves.

All the Who albums are pop music at it's best but I say Tommy is the first stop to make if you're on your way to the record man. It's a long album two albums actually the best of the bands diverse talents is brought to completion in this very pop record of a story about a boy that rises to the top and has it all and I mean all.

The web can put you straight on who's who and what's what after all with this record but they don't even ever have a personal review of their own encounter and there's the rub. I like rock and roll and this album provides.

Very nice record well done and to the point. Masterpiece in spite of what they tell you on page one!

5 out of 5 stars A Classic.......2007-04-11

Tommy is Pete Townsend's classic rock opera. It tells the story of a boy born deaf, dumb, and blind, and his eventual coming out and triumph. The music is tremendous with great soaring pieces, well crafted lyrics, and an interesting story line. Plus, it's the WHO; probably the best rock band ever. This is the album the include I'm Free, Pinball Wizard, Amazing Journey, and We're Not Gonna Take It. Actually, I really like the Overture.
This was one of the first albums I bought. It was my introduction to the WHO. And, I play it quite frequently.
It is a classic album, and well worth the listen.
Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue/An American In Paris
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Gershwin/Bernstein: Rhapsody In Blue and American In Paris
  • A glorious tribute!
  • A Truly Great Performance
  • GLORIOUS!
  • The Definitive Version and Good Sound Quality!
Gershwin: Rhapsody In Blue/An American In Paris

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Copland: Appalachian Spring/Fanfare For The Common Man/El Salón México/Danzón Cubano
  2. Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Night on Bald Mountain
  3. Copland: Appalachian Spring; Rodeo; Fanfare for the Common Man
  4. Prokofiev: Peter And The Wolf/Saint-Saëns: The Carnival Of The Animals
  5. Vivaldi: The Four Seasons; Violin Concertos

ASIN: B0000025MH
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

  1. Rhapsody in Blue
  2. An American in Paris

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Gershwin/Bernstein: Rhapsody In Blue and American In Paris.......2007-01-16

In my opinion you just can't go wrong with Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra. I have many of their recordings in addition to many recordings of other orchestras; some great, some not so much...but the New York Phil is cosistently great. This recording is a superb example of Gershwin's writing, thoughtfully reproduced by a fine orchestra. Both the brashness of the pieces and the subtleties are interpreted well by Mr. Bernstein and the orchestra. The soloists are nothing other than excellent. The brass section is easily as strong as the Chicago symphony's famous section, and the strings intonation is superb. The pathos and the humor of both pieces are readily projected by this sensitive orchestra and conductor. I couldn't recommend this recording higher!

5 out of 5 stars A glorious tribute!.......2006-11-22

To play Gershwin accurately demands from the player, the absolute domain of an invisible taste, unsaid in the score. Few pianists (and Bernstein is among them) were able to convey the listener, this savoir vivre, humor, elegance, that idiomatic atmosphere that plainly justifies your effort.

To my mind, there just have been five pianists who have surmounted this peak: Oscar Levant, Jesus Maria Sanroma, Eugene List, Earl Wild and Leonard Bernstein.

So, under any pretext you should miss this invaluable musical gem.

5 out of 5 stars A Truly Great Performance.......2006-08-19

I originally found this record in a used record store and purchased it for $1. This was not too long ago. After listening, i could not believe that this record only cost me $1 and that some idiot actually sold this to a used record store without listening first. I have never heard a performace of Rhapsody In Blue that is as powerful and heartfelt as this one. Bernstain melts into the piano, resulting in a performance that outshines so many Gershwin performances that exist. On the other side of the record is An American In Paris, a textbook tone poem, and i mean this as a great compliment. The images of Paris and a partially homesick/partially jubilant American strolling along exude from every note. When i found these great performances on CD, i snatched up a copy as quickly as i could. GET THIS RECORD. It is truly a Great Performance.

5 out of 5 stars GLORIOUS!.......2006-07-21

This review refers to "Great Performances: Gershwin - Rhapsody in Blue/An American In Paris"(CD)

Well, how can you go wrong when Leonard Bernstein, with the help of the Columbia Symphony Orchestra and the New York Philharmonic, conducts(and performs brilliantly on piano)these two George Gershwin greats.You just can't. Even the quality of the CD is excellent.

Rhapsody will carry you away to some other place for a while. From that very first bluesy note, Bernstein and Orchestra will have you wrapped up in all it's jazzy glory. It's music that defines the word greatness and it's THE song I would pick (if I could only pick one) that exemplifies the masterfulness of American composers.

An American In Paris is wonderful. The feeling of a tourist on the loose in Paris is expertly portrayed through this recording. The highs, the lows and all the delights. I felt a part of it all(and I'm a long way from Paris!)

Now, if you have read any of my other CD reviews, you know that right about here is where I complain ,and sometimes even take a star off of my rating, when a CD is too short(considering how easy it is to get music elsewhere these days). But I have to say, even though the total time on this CD is only about 35 minutes, what a glorious 35 minutes it is.
Rhapsody a wonderful 16:26 and American In Paris a Yummy 18:22.
It's music that never gets old. It stands the test of time, and many repeated playings.

So you may want to keep a copy of this in your car. A great way to start your day. Listen on the way to work, and you'll have that "what? me worry?" attitude. Also fabulous for destressing on the way home from a long days work.It just seems to make everything okay.

As I said the CD has a nice quality. It also has a booklet with some notes on how Gershwin came to compose these songs.

Gershwin performed by Bernstein..it was meant to be!
Enjoy it...Laurie

4 out of 5 stars The Definitive Version and Good Sound Quality!.......2006-06-06

This ADD recording has surprisingly good sound quality for an older recording that hasn't been remastered. The performance by Bernstein and both the Columbia Symphonic and the NY Philharmonic on the pieces is simply breathtaking. You'd be hard pressed to find better interpretations of these Gershwin masterpieces. The only problem with this album is that it's very short and although would have been the perfect length on an lp or cassette as it was originally, it seems to be a waste of cd space here. Sony should probably remaster this and add some tracks like perhaps "Porgy and Bess" to make it a better value proposition. I hope they re-release a remastered version on mini-lp sleeve replica packaging too.
The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Lives Up To The Title, Fine Variety Of Genre's.
  • Good for relaxing pregnant women
  • Too much opera
  • Does what it set out to do, very well
  • TRULY The most relaxing and beautiful music ever written.
The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!
Johann Sebastian Bach , Léo Delibes , Gabriel Fauré , Erik Satie , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Edvard Grieg , Johann Pachelbel , Claude Debussy , Felix Mendelssohn , Camille Saint-Saens , Henryk Gorecki , Antonio Vivaldi , Edward Elgar , Jocelyn Pook , Sergey Rachmaninov , Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni , Luigi Boccherini , Jules Massenet , Ludwig van Beethoven , Jacques Offenbach , Pietro Mascagni , Antonin Dvorak , Giacomo Puccini , Ralph Vaughan Williams , Alexander Borodin , Joaquin Rodrigo , and Samuel Barber
Manufacturer: Angel Records
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Similar Items:
  1. The Most Relaxing Classical Album In the World Ever, Volume II
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  5. Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits

ASIN: B00000I93Z
Release Date: 1999-03-30

Tracks:

  1. Air 'On the G String' - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
  2. Morning - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
  3. Canon In D - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
  4. Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
  5. Gymnopedie No.1 - City Of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
  6. II. Andante - Stephen Hough
  7. Viens, Mallika - Mady Mesple
  8. In Paradisum - Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
  9. Clair De Lune - Dame Moura Lympany
  10. II. Andate - Yehudi Menuhin
  11. The Swan - Osian Ellis
  12. II. Lento E Largo - Tranquillissimo - Zofia Kilanowicz
  13. II. Andantino - James Galway
  14. II. Largo - Yehudi Menuhin
  15. Nimrod - London Symphony Orchestra
  16. Blow the Wind - Pie Jesu - Jocelyn Pook
  17. Variation 18 - Cecile Ousset
  18. Pavane Op.50 - Gareth Morris

Tracks:

  1. Zion Hort Die Wachter Singen - South German Madrigal Choir
  2. Adagio In G Minor - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
  3. Minuet - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
  4. II. Largo - Andrei Gavrilov
  5. Meditation - Hans Kalafusz
  6. I. Adagio Sostenuto - Dame Moura Lympany
  7. Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'amour (Barcarolle) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
  8. II. Andante - Nigel North
  9. II. Adagio - Jack Brymer
  10. Intermezzo - Philharmonia Orchestra
  11. I. Moderato - London Chamber Orchestra
  12. O Mio Babbino Caro - Montserrat Caballe
  13. Fantasia On 'Greensleeves' - Sinfonia Of London
  14. II. Adagio Sostenuto (Opening) - Cecile Ousset
  15. Nocturne - Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields
  16. II. Adagio (Opening) - Julian Bream
  17. Adagio For Strings Op.11a - The Philadelphia Orchestra
  18. Entr'acte To Act III - Orchestre National De France

Amazon.com

You want relaxing classical music that'll soothe your soul but won't lull you into sleep? Here's a double CD for you. The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World ... Ever! does its best to cover both well-worn classical favorites (Bach's "Air on the G String," Pachelbel's "Cannon," Debussy's "Clair de Lune") and some eclectic left-field choices (an excerpt from Górecki's Symphony No. 3, Jocelyn Pook's "Blow the Wind," and Samuel Barber's Adagio for Strings. The performances of most of these excerpts are top-notch--artists include Sir Neville Marriner, James Galway, Jacqueline du Pré and the Philadelphia Orchestra--and there's enough variety here for everyone. --Edward Garabedian

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Lives Up To The Title, Fine Variety Of Genre's........2007-02-04

This CD is a great way to enjoy a large variety of Classical Composers & many of their best known pieces. Vivaldi's "Four Seasons," is an all time favorite. There are vocals, Piano pieces, & some fine Violins. I found the latter the most enjoyable. Here you can find Rodrigo & Pachelbell. Samuel Barber's haunting Adagio will make your skin tingle. This may not be to everyones taste, but if you wish to relax? Give this a couple of listens.

5 out of 5 stars Good for relaxing pregnant women.......2007-01-17

I stumbled onto this album whilst searching bit torrent websites for classical music. I don't normally listen to classical music but thought it might be relaxing for my pregnant wife. After hearing the quality of the performances, the arrangement, and the recording I decided to buy the album from amazon. All the songs you would expect from a "best album in the world" are there and they are not boring to listen to like a lot of other classical albums. I now play this album in the car constantly and the wife requested it be played at the hospital during the birth.

3 out of 5 stars Too much opera.......2007-01-10

If it wasn't for the opera this would be a great CD.

5 out of 5 stars Does what it set out to do, very well.......2006-11-15

So i'm a classical music veteran, someone who prefers to collect a complete work, rather than classical compilations. I probably would not have listened to this album at all if my dad didnt buy it for me as a gift. By now, i own the complete works that over half of the excepts on this disc come from. I am a purist if ever there was one.

That said, i totally adore this set because i have learned to take it on its own terms. These discs weren't meant for expert classical listeners, so a review from that sort of mindset is useless. This set was meant for pure, easy listening, and for a basic starters kit for classical newbies. Most of all, it was just meant to do what the title says, to relax the average human being. classical expert or not.

Yes, some of these pieces have been altered or shortened, like Mozart's Flute and Harp Concerto Andantino, but they have been edited for a good enough reason: the full versions would have been too long to flow with the rest of the album. And also, the full versions contain so much development that they don't become easy listening anymore. The shortened versions work in the context of the album. Most essentially, the shortened versions on the discs still convey the main flavor the composers were going for. The melodies and themes remain unchanged.

To sum up, it is true that when i want to actually listen deeply to classical music, this album would never be a choice. I would want to hear the complete works like the composers intended. But at certain times when i simply don't mind about that stuff, when i just need to loosen up and free my mind of stress with some nice melodies, this set does the job well enough.

Last but not least: being a purist and a classical buff, i am very particular about performance quality. I was very glad to find that EMI did not get lazy about this. All the artists are world-class, and all the performances are at least exceptional. Some performances are even quite excellent, like the Clair De Lune, which is one of the best i've heard. (Credit to Dame Lympany, the pianist.)

So once again, recommended for its stated purpose, to relax. I am a purist, a classical buff, and i still enjoy this disc. That says something.

5 out of 5 stars TRULY The most relaxing and beautiful music ever written........2006-11-10

This album along with Volume 2 are now the two most valued albums in my music collection. I have all of the songs contained on these two albums but they are scattered through at least a dozen different albums and several are not performed by artists such as those that recorded this album and Volume 2.
SIMPLY BEAUTIFUL !!!!!!!!!!
The Ballad of Baby Doe
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • The BEST Testament to Beverly Sills' Memory
  • Still endearing fifty years on
  • Beverly Sills First Hit Role
  • I wish I could give this recording a fifteen star rating!
  • From An Opera Singer
The Ballad of Baby Doe

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. The Ballad of Baby Doe: Vocal Score
  2. Massenet: Manon
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  5. Art of Beverly

ASIN: B00000IPTU
Release Date: 1999-04-20

Tracks:

  1. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene One - Opening
  2. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene One - 'It's A Bang-Up Job' (Tabor)
  3. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene One - 'Horace, What Is This?' (Augusta)
  4. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene One - 'I Beg Your Pardon' (Baby Doe)
  5. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Two - 'What A Lovely Evening'
  6. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Two - 'Willow, Where We Met Together' (Willow Song) (Baby Doe)
  7. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Two - 'Oh, Mr. Tabor!' (Baby Doe)
  8. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Two - 'Warm As The Autumn Light' (Tabor)
  9. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Three - 'Now, Where Do You Suppose?' (Augusta)
  10. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Three - 'Have You Seen Her?' (Augusta)
  11. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Three - 'What Are You Looking For, Horace?' (Augusta)
  12. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Four - 'Why, Mrs. Doe!'
  13. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Four - (Letter Song)
  14. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Four - 'Excuse Me' (Augusta)
  15. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Four - 'I Knew It Was Wrong' (Baby Doe)
  16. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Four - 'No! No! No!' (Baby Doe)
  17. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Seven - 'What Do You Intend To Do?' (Augusta)
  18. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Six - 'Everything Looks Beautiful'
  19. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Six - 'Gold Is A Fine Thing' (Silver Aria) (Baby Doe)
  20. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Act One: Scene Six - 'And I'll Show You Something Else' (Tabor)

Tracks:

  1. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: Opening
  2. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: 'The Fine Ladies' (Baby Doe)
  3. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: 'Mama, Go Inside!' (Baby Doe)
  4. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: 'Augusta, What Are You Doing Here?' (Tabor)
  5. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: 'I'll Raise You'
  6. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: 'Turn Tail And Run!' (Tabor)
  7. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: 'La, La, La, La'
  8. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: 'Good People Of Leadville'
  9. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: 'Extra! Extra!'
  10. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: 'Augusta! Augusta!' (Augusta)
  11. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: 'Hey, Mister!'
  12. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: 'The Cattle Are Asleep' (Tabor)
  13. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: 'Tabor Owns The Big Hotel' (Chorus)
  14. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: 'Horace!' (Baby Doe)
  15. The Ballad Of Baby Doe: 'Always Through The Changing' (Baby Doe)

Amazon.com

Despite its somewhat Disneyesque title, The Ballad of Baby Doe is one of the sturdiest American operas. Its riches-to-rags story of Colorado miner Horace Tabor has a great plot, excellent characters, real arias, and dynamic chorus scenes, and none of it sounds second hand in the least. The opera has an extremely inviting personality of its own. This recording by the New York City Opera is full of crackling fast tempos from conductor Emerson Buckley and great theatricality: right down to the minor characters, everybody knows what they're about. Beverly Sills, Walter Cassel, and Frances Bible all inhabit their roles completely. The one drawback is the recording quality, which is good to voices but mushy on the orchestra. To know what's really going on in the piece musically, one must hear the similarly well-sung but more relaxed 1996 recording made at the venue where the opera was premiered: Central City Opera in Colorado. --David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The BEST Testament to Beverly Sills' Memory.......2007-07-05

With this recording, Ms Sills set her mark forever on the world of opera. Period!

Of all the recordings that she made, this one, "The Ballad of Baby Doe", is the one that brings back the most endearing memories of this wonderfully talented lady.

It was her first Big Hit role in her new-found home (New York City Opera Company); it also, just happens to be a Totally American story, and creation, written by Douglas Moore.

Here we have Ms Sills in the freshness of her youth, in a brand new role, one that few have been able to fill after her sparkling interpretation. I think it fair to say that she will "always" be Baby Doe.

This recording is a true jem, as all previous reviewers, and many others will tell you. There is NO other work like this one. It is so fresh, lovely, and of course, tragic at the same time.

Everything about this recording is "small and intimate" as this story should be presented. And, luckily, the forces behind getting this recording made, did not have access to large forces and lots of technological wizardry-type equipment and facilities to do this recording in. This makes it all the more wonderful, as I said, small and intimate.

Beverly Sills, Frances Bible, and Walter Cassell had sung this opera together, and had "lived" in their parts long enough to become real breathing characters, characters that you really do care about, and get drawn in by. I defy anyone not to become emotional when Baby Doe sings the "Willow Song", or not to become teary with her final "Always Through The Changing". Frances Bible's stiffly starched Augusta Tabor is so three dimensional that she could walk right into the room with you! And, Walter Cassell's portrail of Horace Tabor will probably never be sung with the "totally lived in" feel that he brings to the role.

From all my thousands of opera recordings, this one gets picked FIRST if I want to listen to an American work. It also gets picked FIRST when I just want to marvel at Beverly Sills' truly most-gorgeous voice at the peak of her youthful freshness and "innocence" (before she had "grown up" in all those other roles).

Deutsche Grammophone has truly done us all a great favor by bringing forward all of the ABC and previous recordings that Ms Sills made prior to her move to EMI, and, truly, we are most thankful for the beautiful remastering and refurbushing of this wonderful Great American Work by Douglas Moore. Bravo, DG!, and of course, certainly, Bravo/Brava to Ms Sills, Ms Bible, Mr Cassell, and to Emerson Buckley for holding it all together. A truly landmark recording, and one that should be on your shelves. ~operabruin

5 out of 5 stars Still endearing fifty years on.......2007-04-15

I wholeheartedly agree with the universal praise for this recording and have seen a performance at the Central City Opera House, a small Victorian gem in the middle of a touristy mining town north of Denver. In that setting, Baby Doe comes off at its best, since the music really is too simple for grand opera, abouanding in barely disguised folk songs and Top 40 harmonies. The cast carries the day, with total conviction from the two leads, Sills and Cassel. The role of Augusta Tabor is almost as large, and Frances Bible sings magnificently. All deserve high praise for their excellent, clear English diction, a rare thing and hard to achieve.

There are drawbacks, most of them minor in regard to the total impact. The major flaw is the dated sound, never good even for its day, that comes close to shattering and peaking any time the music grows louder than mezzo forte. Sills sings at her purest and freshest, but the microphone distortion cramps the voice considerably. A shame DG couldn't remaster the original tapes to remove so much glare. The second flaw is the routine but vigorous conducting of Emerson Buckley; a better conductor could have made the choral passages sound better than a college musical. These blemishes aside, Baby Doe is an American classic and has survived after many, many of its rivals have long ago faded away.

5 out of 5 stars Beverly Sills First Hit Role.......2005-09-03

This is the opera that made Beverly Sills an opera star. She was 29 when she first performed it with the New York City Opera in 1958. Written in 1955 by Douglas Moore, the opera is based on the true story of the already-married Colorado silver magnate Horace Tabor and the young miner's wife, Baby (Mrs. Elizabeth) Doe, with whom he fell in love. Moore writes very much in the folk-opera idiom of American opera in the mid-50s, (Carlisle Floyd's "Susannah" comes to mind), and as a result the music is extremely accessible and full of lovely melodies, particularly in the music written for Baby Doe, such as the "Willow Song" and the "Letter Song" in the first act.
Sills herself always considered the role of Baby Doe the role she most inhabited, and she is in simply sumptuous voice on this recording. She is ably supported by the underrated American baritone Walter Cassel as Horace Tabor, and by the New York City Opera's leading mezzo-soprano, Frances Bible, in the surprisingly sympathetic role of Augusta, Horace's self-righteous wife. Julius Rudel conducts the New York City Opera orchestra with his usual steady hand, and the sound quality of this 1959 recording is excellent. Anyone who enjoys American opera should add this to their collection, and for fans of Beverly Sills, this is a "must have".

5 out of 5 stars I wish I could give this recording a fifteen star rating!.......2004-06-15

First of all, I must state that I have loved this recording for three plus decades.
I have LP copies of it on MGM, Heliodor, and DGG pressings.
But I am one who has been waiting for years to find it released on CD. When the CD set finally came out, I was beside myself with joy.

This is the Baby Doe to have.

Someone mentioned the 1996 CD recording of Baby Doe, which was recorded in the Central City Opera House.
That's a very good recording. The entire cast is/are wonderful.
And that recording includes a few bars(in the first act) which are cut from the Sills Baby Doe.

But as fine as the 1996 recording is; it would be impossible to top or even match Cassel, Sills, and Bible as the Tabor love triangle.

I attended one of the 1996 Central City Opera Baby Doe performances. I was elated to see/hear the opera performed in that glorious old house.
But I have to admit that the acoustic ambiance of the Central City Opera House was a bit tubby and dry (acoustically). The tubby and dry ambiance of the 1996 Baby Doe recording is one of the reasons I prefer the Sills recording.

Anyway.

I have made two pilgrimages to Leadville. The Tabor Grand Opera House (which is in desperate need of funds for restoration) is still standing and in business.
The Clarendon Hotel (which was adjacent to the Tabor Grand) was torn down decades ago (although evidence of the Tabor cat walk from the Tabor Grand to the Clarendon is still extant).

Both times I visited Leadville, standing on the stage of the Tabor Grand left me speechless.

But my two visits to Baby Doe's cabin at the Matchless Mine devastated me.

Both times I stood in the "cold and narrow house" in which Baby Doe died so emotionally overwhelmed me that I had to step outside. I didn't want the rest of the tourees to see me weeping.

I couldn't help reacting that way. As I stood in Baby's cabin, her final aria , "Always Through the Changing" (as sung by Sills) kept running through my mind.

For those who have not heard this Opera (especially the Sills recording) you all really must listen to it.
It's one of the few truly great American Operas.

Moore's score is glorious. The Latouche libretto is outstanding.
And the story of Baby Doe (upon which the opera is based) is well represented (with a few dramatic alterations) in the opera.

5 out of 5 stars From An Opera Singer.......2004-05-23

This recording is absolutely fabulous. Beverly Sills sings with amazing technique and her high notes are silvery and effortless. She owns the roll of Baby Doe. I have to say, I do enjoy Sills more than Callas. And I do have a very educated opinion... I am an opera singer. I actually sing the roll of Baby Doe so I know how challanging it is. Walter Cassel is amazing on this recording as well. Any other cast recording of this opera isn't worth the money. This is by far the best out there.
Sarah Brightman Classics
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Sarah's Best Easy Listening CD
  • Best Brightman CD
  • Sarah Brightman is a Classic
  • Not The Best - Not the Worst - From Sarah Brightman
  • Nice Cover
Sarah Brightman Classics
Sarah Brightman , Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni , Francisco Tarrega , George Frideric Handel , Fryderyk Chopin , Sergey Rachmaninov , Giacomo Puccini , Antonin Dvorak , Andrew Lloyd Webber , Ludwig van Beethoven , Joseph Marie Canteloube , Francesco Sartori , and Paul Bateman
Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:
  1. Time to Say Goodbye
  2. Eden (US Release - 16 tracks)
  3. The Andrew Lloyd Webber Collection
  4. Diva: The Singles Collection
  5. La Luna

ASIN: B00005RD78
Release Date: 2001-11-20

Tracks:

  1. Ave Maria (new recording)
  2. La Wally (from Time To Say Goodbye)
  3. Winter Light (new recording)
  4. Anytime, Anywhere (from Eden)
  5. Alhambra (new recording)
  6. Lascia Ch'io Pianga (from Eden)
  7. Dans La Nuit (new recording)
  8. Serenade/How Fair This Place (from La Luna)
  9. O Mio Babbino Caro (new recording)
  10. La Luna (from La Luna)
  11. Pie Jesu (new recording)
  12. Figlio Perduto (from La Luna)
  13. Nessun Dorma (new recording)
  14. Bailero (from Eden)
  15. Time To Say Goodbye (New solo version--previously unavailable)

Amazon.com

Have some friends who still haven't discovered what the Sarah Brightman fuss is all about? You'll find the perfect introduction to make converts of them all in Classics, so they'll have no more excuses to remain clueless. Sporting a Botticelli-inspired image of the platinum-selling soprano on the cover, Classics is a classy anthology including highlights from three of Brightman's chart-topping releases along with seven new tracks. Songs personally selected by the diva as her favorite classical interpretations are culled from her previous blockbusters: Time To Say Goodbye, Eden, and La Luna. And whether you're a fan already in the fold or one in the making, the new material here shows the diva at the top of her form, in new renderings of "O Mio Babbino Caro" and "Nessun Dorma" (accompanied by the Royal Philharmonic)--fascinating displays of the operatic confidence she's developed over her career. Other new offerings include a touching version of Schubert's "Ave Maria,' "Winter Light," a fresh take on her signature song "Pie Jesu" (from Andrew Lloyd Webber's Requiem). "Alhambra" and "Dans La Nuit"--a real treat, bathing the listener in Brightman's silky, sensuous vocalism--add two original titles to her famous adaptations of classical melodies to new lyrics (using Chopin's haunting E major Etude in the latter case). All told, a lovely affirmation of the directions Brightman has boldly taken in her career to date. -Sarah Chin

Amazon.com

Sarah Brightman Photos

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Time to Say Goodbye

Diva: The Singles Collection

Eden

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Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Sarah's Best Easy Listening CD.......2007-03-15

Sarah Brightman's talent is limitless. Her soprano and/or alto voice is among the best and she lets it show in 'CLASSICS'. CLASSICS is a beautiful, easy listening, and peaceful CD. CLASSICS is one to listen to in tranquil or relaxing moments. "CLASICS" is a collection of great pieces of music written by great composers (Shuburt, Handel, Chopin, Puccini, and the like). I have listened to CLASSICS about 15 times now and it always puts me in a quiet and peaceful mood (I am ~50 years old).

5 out of 5 stars Best Brightman CD.......2007-02-07

A classical composition which showcases the beautiful voice of Sarah Brightman. A timeless CD which will continue to be a favourite over the years.

5 out of 5 stars Sarah Brightman is a Classic.......2007-01-02

Sarah Brightman is at her best in "Classics." From Dvorak's "Rusalka" (Opera B.203) to Beethoven's haunting Op 52, slow movement (Symphony #7), Brightman's voice and lyrical style are a joy. I particularly enjoy her performances of Schubert's Ave Maria and Andrew Lloyd Weber's Pie Jesu. This is a great add to my collection of serious music.

5 out of 5 stars Not The Best - Not the Worst - From Sarah Brightman.......2006-12-30

After purchasing this CD for my iPod for iTunes, I must say that I'm a little bit dissapointed. 7 new recordings and 8 old ones, ones that I already happen to have. I do like the fact that they're all on one CD! Some of her new recordings, including, "Ave Maria", "Winter Light", "Alhambra", "Dans La Nuit", and the new recording of "Pie Jesu" are just too breathy for my taste. It seems as with every changing CD, Sarah's voice changes. I'm not saying that the result is bad; it actually gives the songs more of a dream like quality, but I'm used to the younger, more Andrew Lloyd-Webber integrated Sarah. Scooping continually occurs in new recordings of "O Mio Babbino Caro", and "Nessun Dorma". In some tracks from La Luna, like "Figlio Perduto", Sarah's voice is TOTALLY dominated by harmonizing recordings that sound almost mechanical.

OVERALLY - The new songs sound O.K. and the old recordings are just as good as they were back then. This album is still a great buy!

3 out of 5 stars Nice Cover.......2006-12-27


I'm a heterosexual guy who's not an opera aficionado - I only mention these facts because I seem to be right in the bull's-eye of the target market for this product. Sarah B. has a nice voice and she's pretty. Both of these are featured prominently on this CD. The cover and several pages in the insert are devoted to what must have been a very long and expensive photo shoot (and Photoshop) of a semi-clad Sarah looking marvelous. (The CD also comes with a flyer so you can buy various Brightman "Classics" apparel - perhaps not for the heterosexual male).

As far as the music goes: not bad, not great. I don't claim to have the most discerning ears for this sort of music, but everything was OK by me. However, the pieces on the CD with which I'm somewhat familiar, such as "O Mio Babbino Caro," didn't sound quite as good as other versions I've heard (and that includes by Charlotte Church, not just opera stars). Also, the solo version of "Time to Say Goodbye" didn't sound nearly as good to me as the duet with Bocelli.

In sum, there were 3-4 songs I liked enough to rip to MP3s - which is enough so that I didn't feel ripped myself...

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