The Son of Vienna

On this CD:

1. Rigoletto, opera Questa O Quella
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Alfred Piccaver

2. Il Trovatore, opera Ah! Si Ben Mio
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Alfred Piccaver

3. Un ballo in maschera, opera Forse La Soglia Attinse
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Alfred Piccaver

4. Aida, opera Céleste Aïda
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Alfred Piccaver

5. L' Africaine, grand opera in 5 acts O Paradiso
Composed by Giacomo Meyerbeer
Performed by Alfred Piccaver

6. Cavalleria rusticana, opera in 1 act O Lola Ch'hai Di Latti La Cammisa
Composed by Pietro Mascagni
Performed by Alfred Piccaver

7. Pagliacci, opera Vesti La Giubba
Composed by Ruggiero Leoncavallo
Performed by Alfred Piccaver

8. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, opera, WWV 96 Preislied
Composed by Richard Wagner
Performed by Alfred Piccaver

9. Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, opera, WWV 96 Am Stillen Herd
Composed by Richard Wagner
Performed by Alfred Piccaver
Conducted by Julius Pruwer

10. Lohengrin, opera, WWV 75 Wenn Ich Im Kampfe
Composed by Richard Wagner
Performed by Alfred Piccaver, Margit Angerer
Conducted by Manfred Gurlitt

11. Lohengrin, opera, WWV 75 In Fernem Land
Composed by Richard Wagner
Performed by Alfred Piccaver
Conducted by Manfred Gurlitt

12. Lohengrin, opera, WWV 75 Mein Lieber Schwan
Composed by Richard Wagner
Performed by Alfred Piccaver
Conducted by Manfred Gurlitt

13. Faust, opera Il Se Fait Tard
Composed by Charles Gounod
Performed by Alfred Piccaver, Margit Angerer
Conducted by Manfred Gurlitt

14. La Gioconda, opera in 4 acts Cielo E Mar
Composed by Amilcare Ponchielli
Performed by Alfred Piccaver

15. Tosca, opera Recondita Armonia
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Alfred Piccaver
Conducted by Manfred Gurlitt

16. Tosca, opera Ah, Quegli Occhi
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Alfred Piccaver
Conducted by Manfred Gurlitt

17. Tosca, opera E Lucevan Le Stelle
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Alfred Piccaver
Conducted by Manfred Gurlitt

18. Tosca, opera Amaro Sol Per Te M'era Il Morire
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Alfred Piccaver, Margit Angerer
Conducted by Manfred Gurlitt

19. Turandot, opera Non Piangere
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Alfred Piccaver

20. For You Alone for voice & piano (or orchestra)
Composed by Henry Geehl
Performed by Alfred Piccaver, Julius Pruwer

Tracks:

Cantique de Noel (O Holy Night)
Adeste Fideles
Ave Maria, Dolce Maria
Wiegenlied
Oh Tannenbaum
Tu Scendi dalle Stelle
Amazing Grace
White Christmas
Dormi O Bambino
Silent Night
Pregarla (El Can de L'Anima a La Verge)
Susani
Happy Christmas/War is Over
Wiegenlied
Carol of the Drum (The Little Drummer Boy)
La Virgen Lava Paqales
I'll Be Home for Christmas
Sleigh Ride
Winter Wonderland
Un Nuevo Siglo
Feliz Navidad

Amazon.com

Resplendent in voice and manner, José Carreras, Placido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti deliver 21 songs of traditional sacred music and secular numbers in a remarkable 1999 live recording from the opulent Viennese concert hall (Konzerthaus), with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and a renowned choir. The Three Tenors are practically as famous as the faces of Mount Rushmore and inspire perhaps even more awe and adulation around the world than the four presidents. The performances--whether alone, in tandem, or simply as the threesome that has made them collectively famous--are generally impeccable for their passion, nuance, and sheer tour de force vocal artistry. Reaching often into the classical realm for such works as the traditional German carol "Susani," Strauss's and Brahms's "Wiegenlied," plus traditional Polish and Spanish pieces, the trio also visits Pavarotti's "Ave Maria, dolce Maria" (cowritten with Vittoriano Benvenuti), and "Un nuevo siglo," written by Domingo's son. Only John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Christmas/War Is Over" doesn't quite work in this grand setting. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

First Christmas Album I bought for myself.......2007-01-16

Album is great. For any other holiday music, just listen to your local radio station that plays it during December.

wonderful.......2007-01-15

they are wonderful singers a delight to the ears and doing Christmas music made Christ mas even better

Wonderfully Different & Addicting! And All Your Friends Will Be Calling HOO-HOO!.......2005-08-23

First, let me state I don't listen to opera singers that much; thus, don't expect a hypercritical review here. (Really, is there ANY field of music that has more hypercritics than opera?) I got this CD simply because Columbia House had it on sale for $2.99, and I wanted some new Christmas CDs.

I found the CD delightful beyond words. It has some beautiful versions of well-known Christmas songs, as well as songs I've never heard before. "Carol of the Drum" and "War Is Over" are my two favorites, with "Sleigh Ride" a close third.

Sure, there is some tripping over of words by these three great opera stars...but that makes it even more enhancing in my opinion. Pavarotti was particularly amusing when he was singing: "And all our friends are calling 'HOO-HOO'!" (Watch the DVD for Carreras' reaction to that one!) And let's not forget Pavarotti singing: "I'll be home for Christmas. You can PLAY on me."

The children's chorus is great, the Vienna Symphony is great...and, once again, buy or rent the DVD so you can get the full affect of this astounding Christmas concert...the music, the lights, the colors, and the marvelous Steven Mercurio conducting it all.

Wonderful and funny compilation.......2005-03-09

The Three Tenors are, of course, wonderful to listen to. This is also a funny CD. When they sing the more modern songs (Happy Christmas by John Lennon and Yoko Ono, for example) they have trouble keeping up with the pace of the song. They almost sound like they're tripping over the syllables, because as opera singers they are more accustomed to long, drawn out vowels, not fast ones. This doesn't hurt the song at all, it makes it more interesting to listen to. It's a great CD. I would recommend this as an addition to any collection of Christmas music.

A historical meeting..........2004-11-28

Although several labels already had Christmas albums of the three tenors in their catalogue, the three maestros never actually trioed on these releases. When Plácido Domingo and the "Christmas in Vienna" team started preparing the eighth concert in the series (six predecessors were captured by Sony, and one, titled "Celebration of Christmas" issued by Erato-Warner), they made a monumental decision: Re-uniting three of the greatest voices of the current music business.
For one and a half hour, Carreras, Domingo and Pavarotti performed the greatest Christmas songs and carols from around the world. Nearly 65 minutes of this monumental concert are captured on this disk. The opening version of "O Holy Night" (aka "Cantique De Noel", "Minuit, Chrétien") by Domingo and Pavarotti would be reason enough to get this one. But wait, there is far more on the way, than selections from the classical genre. The real enjoyment starts, when the three tenors do one of the most romantic arrangements of Irving Berlin's "White Christmas" ever heard and fade from a rousing "La Virgen Lava Pa`nales" into one of the finest treatments of "I'll Be Home For Christmas" ever heard. Also of great interest is the trio arrangement of "Let It Snow!", which is included on some of the import versions and on the DVD.
If you are a hopeless completist like me, you may be asking, what happened to the 25 minutes cut from the CD release. Well, first let me say, that none of the currently available releases has the order of the songs as they were performed in the concert. Although this is a live recording, handclaps and other characteristics of a live recording are hardly audible on the CD version. Two tracks, "Jingle Bells" and "Let It Snow", which had clearly audible handclaps at the beginning and at the end of the performance (and therefore couldn't be faded out) can be found on the mentioned import disk and on the DVD's PCM soundtrack. "Children of Christmas" (a Plácido Domingo Jr. composition originally introduced in "Christmas In Vienna IV" by Plácido Domingo and Michael Bolton) and "Ay" Para Navidad" can be found exclusively on the DVD. Currently unavailable on any official release is the "Overture" (which can be found on the DVD, but abridged with sound effects). So here's the actual running order: "Overture", 20, 2, 1, 11, 3, 4, "Children of Christmas", 16, 17, 6, 15, 8, "Let it snow", 5, "Ay! Para Navidad", 9, 19, 14, 18, 12, 13, "Jingle Bells", 7, 21, 10;
If you still doubt about the quality of this performance, let me say one for sure: As other volumes in the series will slowly disappear (as some of them have already in the US), this one is a matter of decades and when you buy this one, you will have joyful Christmas hours for many, many Christmases to come.

Average customer rating:

Heaven!

Kiri Te Kanawa Classics
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , George Frideric Handel , Charles Gounod , Franz Schubert , Johann II Strauss , London Symphony Orchestra , Bavarian Radio Chorus , Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra , Jeffrey Tate , Sir Colin Davis , Barry Rose , André Previn , Kiri Te Kanawa , Neil Black , English Chamber Orchestra , Jose-Luis Garcia , William Bennett , Charles Tunnell , London St. Paul's Cathedral Choir , and Thelma Owen
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | 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

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Te Kanawa, Kiri | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Kiri
Kiri Te Kanawa - Ave Maria
Kiri Te Kanawa - Greatest Hits ~ 14 Favorites of Opera, Popular & Traditional Song
Kiri! Her Greatest Hits Live
A Portrait of Kiri Te Kanawa

ASIN: B000004150
Release Date: 1993-04-13

Tracks:

Die Entfuhrung aus dem Serail, KV 384: Martern Aller Arten
Samson: Let The Bright Seraphim
Messe Solennelle De Sainte Cecile: Sanctus
Idomeneo, KV 366: Se Il Padre Perdei
Don Giovanni, KV 527: Don Ottavio, Son Morta! - Or Sai Chi L'onore
Ave Maria, Op. 52 No. 6
Vesperae Solennes De Confessore, KV 339: Laudate Dominum
Die Zauberflote, KV 620: Ach, Ich Fuhl's
Faust: Il Ne Revient Pas
Exsultate, Jubilate, KV 165
Faust: Ah! Je Ris De Me Voir Se Belle
Die Fledermaus: Klange Der Heimat

Customer Reviews:

Heaven!.......1999-11-21

Wow. I just purchased this album yesterday and have listened to it over and over already! Kiri is perfect, every note, every vowel..every song, it's just absolute heaven. The first track, 'Martern aller Arten' is beautifully sung, Kiri flings her voice around and achieves a glorious, full sound. But the best track of all is Sei il Padre perdei -it will make you cry, smile, be blown away and be just plain amazed. Kiri has the richest voice I've ever heard, and is one in a million - the greatest soprano of this century, and if you looking for a good compilation by this artist, you've found it.

Pavarotti's Opera Made Easy: My Favorite Moments

Average customer rating:

Perfect collection for Opera "curious"

Pavarotti's Opera Made Easy: My Favorite Moments

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Battle, Kathleen | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Freni, Mirella | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Ludwig, Christa | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Sutherland, Joan | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
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Pavarotti's Opera Made Easy-My Favorite Showstoppers
Pavarotti's Opera Made Easy: My Favorite Love Songs
Pavarotti's Opera Made Easy - My Favorite Love Duets
Pavarotti's Opera Made Easy: My Favorite Opera for Everyone
Pavarotti's Opera Made Easy: My Favorite Verdi

ASIN: B00000424S
Release Date: 1994-08-23

Tracks:

Il Trovatore: Anvil Chorus
Rigoletto: Quartet: Bella Figlia Dell' Amore
Lakme: Flower Duet
Carmen: Toreador Chorus
Cosi fan tutte: Soave Sia Il Vento
Die Walkure: The Ride Of The Valkyries
Lucia di Lammermoor: Ah! Verrano A Te Sull' Aure
Lucia di Lammermoor: Chi Mi Frena In Tal Momento
TOSCA: Te Deum: Tre Sbirri, Una Carrozza
TOSCA: Ecco! Son Giunte Al Sommo Del Pendio
Don Carlo: Friendship Duet
Nabucco: Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves
A Masked Ball: E scherzo Od E Follia
Pagliacci: Si Puo? Si Puo?
Il Trovatore: Miserere
La forza del destino: Solenne In Quest' Ora
Aida: Gloria All' Egitto ...Triumphal March ...Vieni, O Guerriero Vindice

Customer Reviews:

Perfect collection for Opera "curious".......2002-07-28

It is an unfortunate side effect of modern life that the traditional sources of a classical education are disappearing. Because many classical music radio stations have transformed into yet another commercial outlet of top 40 pap, access to classical music for the general public is generally limited to movies or television in the form of background music. These sources rarely credit their music, so most people are left wondering what is was they heard and enjoyed.

I am known to enjoy classical music and my friends often ask me for listening suggestions.(What is wrong with the public schools? They should be teaching this.) Normally, I shy away from collections like "Adagios" or "The Art of Herbert von Karajan" as they generally show little thought in their organization. I do enjoy and would recommend this disk "Opera Made Easy", which I discovered...one afternoon.

Opera is the most imposing of the classics for the novice. The usual [$$]to [$$]price tag of a double or triple CD can be intimidating when embarking into unknown territory.

This collection contains many favorites from Italian Opera: Donizetti, Mozart, Verdi, and Puccini to name the largest contributors. Many are familiar to even the novice, like the Toreador Chorus from Bizet's Carmen. Some are found in today's television commercials, like Leo Delibes' Flower Duet. There are a couple of show stoppers here: Puccini's Nessun Dorma, performed by a Pavarotti in his prime and Robert Merrill's poignant performance of the Pagliacci Si puo? And who can resist the bubbly quartet Bella filiglia del'Amore from Rigoletto which is sung in style by Pavarotti, Sherill Milnes, Joan Sutherland, and Hugette Tourangeau.

Tracks:

Rigoletto: Prelude (No.1)
Rigoletto: Introduction (No.2)
Rigoletto: DUCA: Questa o quella (Ballata)
Rigoletto: MONTERONE: Ch io gli parli
Rigoletto: RIGOLETTO: Quel vecchio maledivami (No.3: Duetto Rigoletto - Sparafucile)
Rigoletto: RIGOLETTO: Pari siamo!... (No.4: Scena e Duetto)
Rigoletto: RIGOLETTO - GILDA: Figlia!... - Mio padre!
Rigoletto: GILDA: Gia da tre lune son qui venuta (Duetto Gilda - Rigoletto)
Rigoletto: GILDA: Giouvanna, ho dei rimorsi
Rigoletto: DUCA: E il sol dell anima (Aria)
Rigoletto: DUCA: Che m ami, deh! ripetimi
Rigoletto: GILDA: Gualtier Malde...Caro nome (No. 6: Scena ed Aria)
Rigoletto: RIGOLETTO: Riedo!...perche? (No.7: Scena e Coro - Finale Primo)
Rigoletto: TUTTI: Zitti, zitti, moviamo a vendetta

Tracks:

Rigoletto: DUCA: Ella mi fu rapita!
Rigoletto: DUCA: Parmi veder le lagrime
Rigoletto: TUTTI: Duca, duca! L amante fu rapita a Rigoletto (Coro/Duca)
Rigoletto: DUCA: Possente amor mi chiama (Stretta)
Rigoletto: MARULLO: Povero Rigoletto! (No.9:Scena)
Rigoletto: RIGOLETTO: Cortigiani, vil razza dannata (Aria)
Rigoletto: GILDA - RIGOLETTO: Mio padre! - Dio! mia Gilda! (No.10: Scena e Duetto)
Rigoletto: GILDA: Tutte le feste al tempio
Rigoletto: RIGOLETTO: Ah! Solo per me l infamia
Rigoletto: MONTERONE: Poiche fosti invano da me maledetto
Rigoletto: RIGOLETTO - GILDA: E lami? - Sempre (No.11: Scena)
Rigoletto: DUCA: La donna e mobile (Canzone)
Rigoletto: DUCA: Un di, se ben rammentomi
Rigoletto: DUCA: Bella figlia dell amore
Rigoletto: RIGOLETTO: M odi ! ritorna a casa
Rigoletto: DUCA/MADDALENA: Maddalena...- Aspettate...
Rigoletto: MADDALENA: E amabile invero cotal giovinotto
Rigoletto: RIGOLETTO: Delta vendetta alfin giunge l istante
Rigoletto: RIGOLETTO: Chi e mai, chi e qui in sua vece?
Rigoletto: GILDA: V ho ingannato...colpevole fui

Customer Reviews:

Best in modern sound, second best overall........1999-03-29

This is an excellent Rigoletto. Guilini's conducting is superb, if a bit on the serious side. Domingo is great as the Duke, and Cappuccilli's Rigoletto and Cotrubas' Gilda are also outstanding. The sound is wonderful. Anyone who needs a version with outstanding sound and excellent performance can buy this disc with confidence.

For myself, the first choice is the version with Callas and Gobbi. Perhaps Domingo is a better Duke, but Gobbi's sensitive musicianship makes him a fantastic Rigoletto, and Callas an outstanding Gilda. That version crackles with more excitement, though the sound per se is not as exciting as this one.

Tracks:

L'amero, Saro Costante
Zeffiretti Lusinghieri
Welcher Kummer...Traurigkeit
Martern Aller Arten
Non So Piu Cosa Son
Porgi, Amor
Voi Che Sapete
Dove Sono I Bei Momenti
Giunse Alfin Il Momento...Deh, Vieni, Non Tardar
Batti, Batti, O Bel Masetto
Vedrai, Carino
In Quali Eccessi...Mi Tradi Quell' Alma Ingrata
Crudele?...Non Mi Dir
Ach, Ich Fuhl's

Customer Reviews:

A Mozartian Unsurpassed Since........2007-02-15

These arias were recorded when ES was still quite young.
What a voice! What singing! What devotion!
It is interesting to have ES singing Cherubino as well as Susanna and the Countess Rosina in Le Nozze di Figaro.
Her Donna Elvira is always a killer.
But my greatest admiration in this album goes to her aria from Il re Pastore, the great Rondo of Aminta.
The great beauty of her singing - a duet with the solo violin, with well-controlled coloraturas, well-paced tempo supported by seamless breathing - her performance is simply unsurpassed, not even by Joan Sutherland in the other recording of the same aria, and certainly not by others available (like Renee Fleming or Ann Murray). ES never over-did those coloraturas like Cecilia Bartoli does these days, and that in itself is a big 'pro' in the enjoyment level of her Mozart arias.
Although the recordings are old and not really in state-of-the-art accoustics, the sheer beauty of ES's singing makes up for any lack that there may be in the sound.

Great Recordings Of The Century - Mozart: Le Nozze Di Figaro / Karajan, London, Schwarzkopf, Seefried, et al

Average customer rating:

No Recitative?
A miss on most cylinders
There's more than one way to conduct "Figaro"
Brilliant, nevertheless - THE BEST EVER !!!
Brilliant!

Great Recordings Of The Century - Mozart: Le Nozze Di Figaro / Karajan, London, Schwarzkopf, Seefried, et al
Erich Majkut , Irmgard Seefried , Marjan Rus , Elisabeth Schwarzkopf , Rosl Schwaiger , Herbert von Karajan , and Vienna Philharmonic
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Great Recordings Of The Century - Mozart: Die Zauberflote / Karajan, Dermota, Seefried, Lipp, et al
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Wagner - Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg / Kollo · Donath · Adam · G. Evans · Schreier · Hesse· Riderbusch · Karajan
J. Strauss: Die Fledermaus / Schwarzkopf, Gedda, Streich, Krebs, Kunz, Christ; Karajan

ASIN: B00000K4GB
Release Date: 1999-09-21

Tracks:

Le nozze di Figaro: Overture - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Cinque...dieci..venti - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Se a caso Madama - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Se vuol ballare - Figaro, Susanna - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: La Vendetta, oh, la vendetta - Bartolo - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Via resti Servita, madama brillante - Marcelina, Susanna - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Non so piu cosa son,cosa faccio - Cherubino - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Cosa sento! - Conte, Basilio, Susanna - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Giovani liete, fiori spargete - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Non piu andrai - Figaro - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Porgi, amor - Contessa - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Voi, che sapete che cosa e amor - Cherubino - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Venite, inginocciatevi - Susanna - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Susanna, or via sortite - Conte, Contessa, Susanna - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Aprite, Presto, aprite - Susanna, Cherubino - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Esci omai, garzon mainato - Conte, Contessa - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Signore! Cos e quel stuppore? - Susanna, Conte, Contessa, Figaro - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Conoscete, signor Figaro - Conte, Figaro, Susanna, Contessa, Antonio - Wiener Philharmoniker
Le nozze di Figaro: Voi signor, che giusto siete - Marcellina, Bartolo, Basillo, Conte, Susanna, Contessa, Figaro - Wiener Philharmoniker

Tracks:

Act III - W.A. Mozart
Act III - W.A. Mozart
Act III - W.A. Mozart
Act III - W.A. Mozart
Act III - W.A. Mozart
Act III - W.A. Mozart
Act III - W.A. Mozart
Act IV - W.A. Mozart
Act IV - W.A. Mozart
Act IV - W.A. Mozart
Act IV - W.A. Mozart
Act IV - W.A. Mozart
Act IV - W.A. Mozart
Act IV - W.A. Mozart

Amazon.com

Herbert von Karajan's 1950 Vienna recording of Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro was the first that was made for the then-new LP medium. Like its EMI predecessor on 78s (the 1934 Fritz Busch/Glyndebourne version), this recording omits all of the recitatives--a ploy that's analogous to removing all of the bridges from Amsterdam's canals. As a result, you get all of Mozart's wonderful arias and group numbers, but not one iota of dramatic continuity and not much character development. More often than not, Karajan substitutes speed for finesse, letting chips of good ensemble playing and singing fall where they might. Still and all, the Vienna Philharmonic's vital work, so full of character, attests to its reputation as a singer's orchestra. And, boy--what singing! It's a joy to encounter Elisabeth Schwarzkopf in her silvery prime as the Countess. Sena Jurinac spins out Cherubino's arias with irrepressible elegance and richness of tone. The same comment holds true for George London's fresh, youthful Almaviva. Irmgard Seefried shines as Susanna, most tellingly so in her lovely Letter Duet with Schwarzkopf. The true heart of the title role lies within the missing recitatives, yet one still can tell that Erich Kunz's Figaro commands vivid presence and style. All in all, Karajan's first recorded Figaro, if hardly the one from which to learn this indestructible masterpiece, will appeal chiefly to aficionados of Mozart singing at its zenith. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

No Recitative?.......2006-10-31

I saw this a couple years ago at the Chicago Opera Theater, and one of the things I loved most about it was the recitatives. I had no idea when I bought this that the recitatives were taken out. So, to me, there are these awkward pauses. It's disappointing.
Plus, Schwarzkopf is not at par with her best here; often enough she sounded too breathy. I have her EMI's same series release of Der Rosenkavalier. That's definitely worth buying.

A miss on most cylinders.......2005-09-18

Any performance of Figaro without the dialogue is out of hte running for me, but even as vocalism the singing here often misfires. These were great or at least notable singers with lots of experience in Vienna, and Karajan was in his prime, but nothing seems witty or graceful enough--it's almost prissy at times. I would go straight for the classic reading under giulini, also on EMI.

There's more than one way to conduct "Figaro".......2005-02-06

One of the great things about recorded performances of classical music is that they allow us to experience different performances on our favorite works, even if we personally consider one to be the "definitve" performance. For example, you may think that Angela Hewitt's Bach recordings are fantastic, the best way to play Bach. However, they are not the only way to play Bach, as Glenn Gould demonstrates. Their views regarding interpretive niceties are radically different. Neither are, irrespective of the views of many self-proclaimed musicologists, in and of themselves "correct" or "incorrect." Whether I like Hewitt or Gould better depends on many factors; oftentimes, these factors are extramusical, such as weather or mood, and they vary from one day to the next. Some days, I prefer Edwin Fischer. If I were asked to choose, I'm not sure I could. Luckily, there's no need to, for I can own and enjoy several different recordings of my favorite pieces.

Now, I understand fully well that collecting opera is an expensive habit. For this reason, I shied away from Karajan's "Figaro" for some time. Why spend the money required on an "incomplete" recording of the opera, with the secco recitatives excised? To many, these omissions put Karajan's set out of court. Then I read about his preferences for "unnaturally fast" speeds. I don't know, I thought to myself, is this a "Figaro" worth having?

The answer is a resounding "yes," and I'm glad I have not wasted another moment in adding it to my collection. Because of the number of very different recordings out there, no one is holding a gun to our head, forcing us to pick a "Figaro." This actually makes it more fun; we can compare Karajan's to other, treasured versions.

Yes, he omits the recitatives. If this truly puts the set out of court for you, there is nothing I can do to change your mind, except perhaps say that the recitatives remain in versions by Giulini, Solti, Gardiner, and others. They won't disappear from those classic recordings just because you listen to Karajan's version. Yes, I understand that they tell a vital part of the story. But that doesn't relegate Karajan's version to "Cliffs Notes" status; it's more like seeing the story from a different perspective.

As far as speeds are concerned, there are several points to be made on this end. First of all, in spite of notable exceptions, such as the Overture, Karajan's recording is not as fast when compared with other popular versions as some wild claims would have you believe. Second of all, Karajan's speeds reflect his personal view of the score as being more bracing than the interpretations of others. Karajan's speeds reflect a breathlessness that make the score almost frightening, rather than comedic. Thirdly, the most important factor in opera is not necessarily speed, but pacing. Karajan's pacing, his control, is remarkable, as it so often is in his recordings of the 1950s and 1960s. How many opera conductors have this kind of sense of pacing and structure? Even at high speeds, Karajan's grip never loosens, and he understands completely the structure of the opera.

Well, what's left is the cast, and--well, look at the cast. It's fantastic, one of the best on records. Little else need be said on this subject.

So, is Karajan's "Figaro" the only recording you should own, or even the first? Probably not. But it's a fresh, invigorating perpective. It guarantees, along with other great recordings of its era, that this great masterpiece will never become a museum piece. Remember, there's more than one way to conduct "Figaro." It's a great work, and thanks to recordings, we now can experience many differing interpretations. Give Karajan's a try. It's quite a ride!

Brilliant, nevertheless - THE BEST EVER !!!.......2003-09-20

This CD is excellent, Schwarzkopf WITH HER BEAUTIFUL FEMALE VOICE just brigns elegance, London with his strong masculine voice overwhelms the listener. Brilliantly played and performed, No problems (maybe if they had the recitivos but there nothing much to worry). Orchestra is smooth, and touching, can be abit stronger. Karajan coonducting is graceful - a partically flawless Figaro - THE BEST EVER.

Brilliant!.......2003-09-18

How can you describe this performance? Perfect Great Orchestra Great esemble ? That all you need to know - the Best Recordigns ever - Just buy it It won't do you wrong !!

Average customer rating:

Tebaldi has the bigger voice
What a voice!
Excellent, but Tebaldi was no Cher
20th century's greatest Italian soprano
The real thing

Grandi Voci: Renata Tebaldi

Manufacturer: Decca
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The Best of Tebaldi
Renata Tebaldi: Aria & Scenes
The Very Best Of Maria Callas
Diva:Montserrat Caballe
Very Best of

ASIN: B00000422F
Release Date: 1993-11-09

Tracks:

Un Bel Di Vedremo (Madama Btterfly - Puccini)
Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi (La Boh Me - Puccini)
Tu Che Di Gel Sei Cinta (Turandot - Puccini)
Vissi D'Arte (Tosca - Puccini)
Ritorna Vincitor! (Aida - Verdi)
Mia Madre Aveva Una Povera Ancella... Piangea Cantando... Ave Maria (Otello - Verdi)
Pace, Pace, Mio Dio! (La Forza Del Destino - Verdi)
O Mio Babbino C Ro (Gianni Schicchi - Puccini)
Senza Mamma, O Bimbo (Suor Angelica - Puccini)
Laggi Nel Soledad (La Fanciulla Del West - Puccini)
In quelle trine morbide (Manon Lescaut - Puccini)
Ecco, Respiro Appena... Lo Son L'umile Ancella (Adriana Lecouvreur - Cilea)
La Mamma Morta (Andrea Ch Nier - Giordano)
L'altra Notte In Fondo Al Mare (Mefistofele - Boito)
Ebben?... Ne Andr Lontana (La Wally - Catalini)

Customer Reviews:

Tebaldi has the bigger voice.......2005-02-10

Yes, if you got Tebaldi in her vocal prime and Callas in her vocal prime to sing together on stage, the Italian would blow away the Greek with her enormous volume.

What a voice!.......2005-01-03

I heard Tebaldi many times at the Metropolitan, and no recording can truly give a full idea of the radiance of her voice at its best. It was an opulent, luscious sound, with a depth all its own. Her stage persona was charming and sympathetic, but ever-so-slightly aloof: she was a true diva in the original, untainted meaning of that Italian word: a "goddess" inhabiting her own special realm.

This selection is drawn, with few exceptions, from her glory days in the 1950s, and includes some-but by no means all-of her finest moments on disc. While no recording can quite recreate her special aura, it CAN reproduce her way with a phrase, the exquisite light-and-shade of her personal style. In this she was a fine musical interpreter, and a real Italian: no heavy-breathing psychotics from Renata! Her heart, like the timbre of her voice, was full of Italy's sun.

In the glorious tradition of Claudia Muzio, Tina Poli-Randaccio, Giannina Arangi-Lombardi, Maria Caniglia and Mafalda Favero.

Excellent, but Tebaldi was no Cher.......2004-12-20

Few singers have performed "Tusca" with the flourish and brilliance of Tebaldi, and her arias, filled with her rich, creamy, full-bodied voice are stunning even to this day. However, never have I seen anything from Tebaldi that even begins to compare with the eye-popping dance moves, bold vocal stylings, and see-through leotards of Cher. The works of Puccini are indeed fine; however I wager that fans of Tebaldi should--indeed MUST--indulge in classics like "Do You Believe In Life After Love" before considering their music collections complete.

20th century's greatest Italian soprano.......2004-08-10

Living in an era as we do where there are so few great Italian lyric/spinto sopranos,it is a joy to listen to this CD and to hear the "real thing." Tebaldi's voice is so rich and so luxurious that it may come as a surprise to a younger generation that has not heard an Italian soprano with such a large and velvety voice. It reminds me of the many saturday afternoons I would listen to Tebaldi on the Met radio broadcasts. Comparisons can be interesting...Callas's dramatic intensity, Sutherland's coloratura and high notes, the brilliance of Leontyne Price, etc. but Tebaldi truly was the greatest Italian soprano of the 20th century and owned the roles of Mimi, Liu, Minnie, and Tosca. There was a reason that Toscannini selected a young Tebaldi to re-open the opera house at La Scala in Milan after World War II..he knew that a voice like that came but once in a hundred years.

The real thing.......2004-06-25

Although I prefer the "La Tebaldi" 2-disc set on Decca because it has arias not included here, this colection is great. The aria from Adriana gets my vote as one of the most beautiful things ever recorded, by anyone. If you enjoy beautiful singing, you'll want this disc.

Average customer rating:

A Mussorgsky feast beyond praise
A STRONG REBUTTLE to the "bad" reviews.
Review for Richter's "Pictures" Only
A bad whooping cough in 1958 in Sofia, Bulgaria
Giant performance!

Panorama: Modest Mussorgsky

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Panorama: Nikolay Andreyevich Rimsky-Korsakov
Panorama: Sergey Prokofiev
Panorama: Johann Strauss
Panorama
Panorama: Frederic Chopin

ASIN: B00004W3IV
Release Date: 2000-09-26

Tracks:

Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Gnomus
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Old Castle
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Tuileries
Pictures At An Exhibition: Bydlo
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Ballet Of The Unhatched Chicks
Pictures At An Exhibition: Samuel Goldenberg und Schmuyle
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Market At Limoges
Pictures At An Exhibition: Catacombs: The Roman Tomb
Pictures At An Exhibition: With The Dead In A Dead Language
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Hut On Chicken's Legs
Pictures At An Exhibition: The Great Gate Of Kiev
Night On Bald Mountain
Songs And Dances Of Death: 1. Lullaby
Songs And Dances Of Death: 2. Serenade
Songs And Dances Of Death: 3. Trepak
Songs And Dances Of Death: 4. The Field Marshal
Khovanshchina - Highlights: Prelude: Dawn Over The River Moscow
Khovanshchina - Highlights: Dances Of The Persian Slave Girls

Tracks:

Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Gnomus
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Il vecchio castello - Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Tuileries
Pictures At An Exhibition: Bydlo
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Ballet des petits poussins dans leurs coques
Pictures At An Exhibition: Samuel Goldenberg und Schmuyle
Pictures At An Exhibition: Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition: Limoges: Le Marche
Pictures At An Exhibition: Catacombae: Sepulchrum Romanum - Cum mortuis in lingua mortua
Pictures At An Exhibition: La Cabane sur des pattes de poule
Pictures At An Exhibition: La Grande Porte de Kiev
6 Songs: Lullaby
6 Songs: The Magpie
6 Songs: Night
6 Songs: Where Art Thou, Little Star?
6 Songs: The Ragamuffin
6 Songs: On The Dnieper
Boris Godunov - Highlights: Shuisky: 'Long Live Our Tsar Boris Feodorovich!' (Prologue)
Boris Godunov - Highlights: Boris Godunov: 'My Soul Is Sad! (Prologue)
Boris Godunov - Highlights: Boris Godunov: 'I Stand Supreme In Power'
Boris Godunov - Highlights: Boris Godunov: 'Farewell, My Son, I Am Dying'
Boris Godunov - Highlights: Boris Godunov: 'Hark! 'Tis The Knell Of Death!'

Customer Reviews:

A Mussorgsky feast beyond praise.......2006-06-11

It was incredibly generous of DG to throw toegther these great performances--one of them legenday--in a bargain two-fer. The legendary performance, of course, is Richter's 1958 Pictures at an Exhibition performed in concert. The rights are owned by Philips, but I don't know if their latest remastering has been used here. The complaints about dreadful sonics are justified: the piano is far away and tinny, the Sofia audience coughs continuously--some of them are lucky to have left with their lungs intact--and there is a noisy exhaust fan in the foreground. It's a testimony to Richter's incandescent reading that it survives beyond all obstacles.

Another high point is the orchestral reading of Pictures under Giulini with the CSO. This was a famous recording in its day, because Giulini took the thrice-familiar music seriously, a bit slower than usual, adding many individual touches. Maybe his approach becomes ponderous and too serious at times, but it's one of a kind, and the solo winds in the orchestra are a delight.

Actually, I was most moved by Vishnievskaya's selection of songs, recorded in the Soviet Union with Igor Markevitch adding his superlative accompaniments--this is Mussorgsky singing of the highest order. But so is Fassbaender's Songs and Dances of Death, despite her lack of Slavic authenticity. Maazel bombs through Night on Bald Mountain with suitable thrills.

In all, this Panorama two-fer can't be faulted. It's one of the very best in the seeries, and several of the choicest things on it are otherwise out of print.

A STRONG REBUTTLE to the "bad" reviews........2006-05-19

155 minutes of music and one reviewer gives these CDs 1 star for couging here and there during 7 minutes of Richter's Pictures recital. Not continually mind you. I DON'T GET IT!
A reviewer doesn't like vocal music..so 2 stars. I DON'T GET IT! Just because one does not like "classical" vocals, doesn't mean they stink.
This is over 2 1/2 hours at single CD budget price. Geez...
Giulini gives a superbly recorded THRILLING performance of Pictures that, in my humble opinion, is second only to Reiner's. Also with the CSO 15 years earlier.
This 34+ minutes alone is worth the price of this collection.
The excerpts from Boris Gudonov are considered one of the best performances in the catalog (Karajan/VPO). 29 minutes and a good way to determine if you want to purchase the complete opera 3 CD set for over $30+ bucks.
Markevich/Vishnevskaya is considered to be the definitive version for the "6 songs".
The Kovanshchina prelude (Dawn on The Moskva River) is one the most heart rending themes in the canon. Simply gorgeous 6 minute piece of music.
I could go on and on.
Sure there are a few "gaffs" on these CDs. Maazel brings in Bald Mountain in under 10 minutes. Whew!
But hey...kudos to the orchestra for being able to play that well, that fast without stumbling over each other. Quite exhilerating acually.
And Then there is Richter's famous/"infamous" Pictures. Yes the annoying cough and a not so sonic recording. But anyone looking for just this track should already have been aware of this problem. "Classisists" have been talking about this problem for 50+ years. Obviously it can't be fixed. But still several coughs in 30+ minutes just makes it sound as live a performance as it is.
So let's recap...155 minutes of music with maybe parts of 15 minutes of minor problems for DISCOUNT bucks. Pretty good math I'd say. Equals 5 STARS where I come from.
Overall, this is an excellent CD for those who want Mussorgsky's major orchestral output in one package at a bargain price.
Top conductors, top orchestras, great performances and, except for Richter's Pictures, GREAT SONICS.
If you want a truly magnificent solo piano Pictures try Pletnev's on Virgin Classics. It will blow you away. And you get the bonus of his own piano transcription of Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty which is even better.
ENJOY!

Review for Richter's "Pictures" Only.......2006-04-24

I was thrilled to find that Deutsche Grammophon has reissued Sviatoslav Richter's famous Sophia performance of "Pictures." I have owned it on tape, but have until now not had it on CD. I was surprised by previous reviews of this edition, since I thought that the explosive coughing had been toned down substantially. My tape broke years ago, so maybe my memory is off. But the re-engineering of this performace has been one of the most needed "retrofits" in the entire classical catalogue. The sound quality of this edition is certainly much better than the old Polydor record.

I also will refrain from entering the "Is it the greatest Pictures ever?"-debate. It is my favorite. One sometimes hears critics dismiss the piano--thus Mussorgsky's--version as monochromatic. But Richter presents a much more percussive version than most others, which may be why some people don't care for it. (My dad played this piece with a more Romantic reading.) It's a matter of taste: I have never cared for the Ravel version, probably because the percussive aspect doesn't translate into orchestration.

I almost never write music reviews, since I'd hate to convince people to plunk down good money on a CD that conforms to my taste but not theirs. BUT, if you have enjoyed this performace in the past . . .

I give five stars to Richter recital, which amazes me still. I agree that his deliberate "clunkers" are distracting. But having listened to this performance for almost twenty years, it is the "correct" playing of Pictures that now jars me. If you love this performance, as I clearly do, you'll be happy to have this CD. Just don't Google the Hartmann pictures which inspired Mussorgsky. It's disillusioning, but they aren't very good!

A bad whooping cough in 1958 in Sofia, Bulgaria.......2006-04-17

I was listening to the magnificient percussion and
overall sound of this double release, from 2000, #469 169-2,
when throughout the 1st CD, which opens up with the Mussorgsky
number PICTURES AT AN EXHIBITION, there's an irritating
musician in the room, exhibiting signs of a bad whooping cough,
thereby totally destroying the 20 minutes or so recording!

There are many soft passages throughout the number, and
it is just incredible that DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON allowed the
bad caugh distractions and irritations (cough! cough! cough!)
to stay on the tape!

Unbelievable! It's so bad, I thought about unloading this
art work, at a second hand music store for a buck and a half,
although I surely paid more than $20 for this double CD release
a few years ago.

I don't care much for the vocal pieces, either.

Aside from that, the remainder of the release is very strong,
so ...I can't bring myself to unload it....yet, anyway.

Giant performance!.......2005-06-03

Carlo Maria Giulini has been to my mind one of the most aristocratic, intelligent, wisdom and remarkable conductors in the last Century. Born in 1914, Giulini owns that special touch of genius that has been proved in several ocassions.
There are several works in the Symphonic repertoire whose meaning depends in last instance of your personal world's approach. The list wold be extremely long but briefly I would name five classic works: The Eroica, The First of Mahler, The Ninth of Bruckner, The fourth of Nielsen and this work.
What do you demand from this work? Fireworks, nostalgic approach, musical musculature,effectism or tonal poolish?
Besides a great amount of recorded versions, there is however, a relatively small number of succesful performances from the early forties with Arturo Toscanini, Guido Cantelli and Igor Markevitch in the fifties, Dorati in the sixties and then Markevitch again and Giulini in the seventies.
Giulini gives this work a remarkable stature, enriching the score with sumptuous details and rubatos, smart accents, inflexions, color sense and above all a noblesse spirit that personally I haven't listened in any other previous version.
Go for this golden treasure recording. But do not expect great fireworks exercises. Giulini never searched the gallery' s applause. He was a honest and original master by himself: his personal landmark.

Average customer rating:

Tebaldi at her best!
Tebaldi the Great
A legacy for the ages!
Best Collection
Modified rapture

La Tebaldi

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Best of Tebaldi
Grandi Voci: Renata Tebaldi
Verdi: Il Trovatore
Renata Tebaldi: Aria & Scenes
Very Best of

ASIN: B0000041Y8
Release Date: 1991-08-09

Tracks:

Madama Butterfly: Un bel dvedremo
La Boheme: Si, mi chiamano Mimi
TOSCA: Vissi d'arte
Mefistofele: L'altra notte
Aida: Ritorna vincitor
Otello: Mia madre aveva...Piangea cantando...Ave Maria - Verdi
Il Trovatore: Siam giunti...D'amor sull'ali rosee
Verdi: Pace, pace, mio Dio!
Guglielmo Tell: S'allontanano alfine!...Selva opaca
Adriana Lecouvreur: Ecco, respiro appena...Io son l'umile ancella
Cecilia: Grazie sorelle

Tracks:

Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
Suor Angelica: Senza mamma, o bimbo
Andrea Chenier: La mamma morta
La Wally: Ebben?... Ne andro lontana
Don Carlo: Tu che la vanit
Un Ballo in Maschera: Ecco l'orrido campo...Ma dall'arido stelo divulsa
Un Ballo in Maschera: Morro, ma prima in grazia
Giovanna d'Arco: Oh ben s'addice...Sempre all'alba
Turandot: In questa reggia
La Gioconda: Suicidio!
La rondine: Sogno di Doretta
Cavalleria Rusticana: Voi lo sapete
L'arlesiana: Esser madre e un inferno

Customer Reviews:

Tebaldi at her best!.......2007-04-07

I'd highly recommend these CDs!They have a little of everything. They'd make an excellent addition to anyone's opera collection. Her voice is etherial!

Tebaldi the Great.......2007-02-19

Renata Tebaldi is one of the glorious voices of the past half century. Recordings here come from the 1950s and 1960s. She had a sumptuous spinto voice, clearly manifest on this 2 CD set. Here are some of her "greatest hits." As would be expected, the repertoire of Puccini and Verdi is heavily represented here.

She "leads off" with "Un bel di" from Puccini's "Madame Butterfly." Her voice brings life to this aria; her characterization is right on. At the point, where the volume of her voice increases, the sound remains lush; there is no bleating or ugliness in her singing.

There follow two more classic Puccini arias that Tebaldi does justice to. "Si, mi chiamano Mimi" from "La Boheme" is a wonderful version of this work. She captures the poignancy in Mimi's character. Her work here can probably justly be termed "iconic." In short, this is a ravishing turn by "La Tebaldi." So, too, is her take of "Vissi d'arte" from "Tosca." One can understand the enthusiasm of her claque at La Scala as one listens to her singing. Her rich voice fits these roles nicely; her characterization is well rendered. Her version of "Ritorna vincitor" from Verdi's "Aida" is also well done. Her voice richly captures the character and fits the music well.

Verdi and Puccini are not the only composers represented on this 2 CD set. Also recorded are her singing Boito ("Mefistofele"), Rossini ("William Tell"), Cilea ("Adriana Lecouvreur"), Giordano ("Andrea Chenier"), Catalani ("La Wally"), and so on. Once more, the selection of music in this set well represents her body of work.

All in all, a satisfying selection of "the greatest hits" of Renata Tebaldi. The "liner notes" conclude by referring to her as possessing "a perfect voice of bewitching beauty." I'm not sure that anyone can achieve perfection (the statement has a bit of hyperbole); nonetheless, her voice is ravishing as already noted. Those interested in her recorded oeuvre would be well rewarded by acquiring this work. The CDs serve well to introduce "La Tebaldi" to those who may not have heard her before. Such listeners will be richly rewarded by that introduction.

A legacy for the ages!.......2001-02-23

Perhaps the greatest spinto and certainly among the greatest sopranos of all times, with an extremely powerful, amazingly beautiful instrument, Renata Tebaldi on this set heard in some of her best moments! I will not repeat comments on her beautiful voice since it often overshadows the pathos with which she performed each role. To me, she knew exactly where to draw the line between acting and singing. Not too much to become annoying, not too little to become boring. This compilation also shows how versatile this soprano was, with repertoire ranging from Puccini and Verdi to Rossini and even Wagner (though no Wagner aria is heard on this particular double cd). In her early years she also performed Mozart roles!

Her Puccini arias will make the most demanding listener cry. Her verdian heroines, enriched with her personal touch, are of exceptional value. Her Desdemona (Otello), Donna Leonora (Forza del destino) and Aida stand perhaps out. Her many verisimo roles sooo moving, full of sorrow and pain, exactly how they are supposed to sound. Just listen to "La mamma morta"! An unsurpassed shocking experience! A previous reviewer (F.W.Barton) correctly mentioned that not all moments are from her complete studio recordings, so this is a unique chance to enjoy alternative Tebaldi performances. Strongly recommended!!!!

Best Collection.......2001-01-11

If you love the warmth and power of Renata Tebaldi then this collection is for you. This has Two CD's of her best works. My favorites are her "o mio babbino caro" her tosca which isnt as dramatic as callas but has a vocal warmth in that aria that makes her voice so perfect for the aria. Another soothing aria would be her Un del di from Butterfly what sweetness and amazing finish to that aria!!! Her amazing power was noticed in La mamma morta and In questa reggia ( which was sooo good that it made me wonder WHY DIDNT SHE SING THIS ROLE ON STAGE) oh and of course her Suicido was also very well done.....Renata Tebaldi was without a doubt one of the best of the century...and this collection proves it.

Modified rapture.......2000-04-24

I bought this collection of Tebaldi's Decca recordings with the hope to experience some great singing. However, I can't help feeling a bit disappointed in the end. There are some thrilling performances here, for example, the dark, passionate renditions of the arias from La Gioconda and L'arlesiana, but overall, the achievements are rather uneven. Tebaldi certainly possesses a most beautiful and powerful voice, something to take bath in. Yet, she evinces little of the psychological insights, intense pathos and interpretive individuality of Claudia Muzio, Meta Seinemeyer, Maria Callas and Leonie Rysanek. Compare her performance of 'Ma dall'arido Stelo divulsa' from Verdi's 'Un Ballo in Maschera' with that by Leonie Rysanek (On RCA Living Stereo): The aria is magnificently vocalised by Tebaldi, but it is Rysanek who effectively combine vocal opulence with dramatic insights, evincing Amelia's exteme desperations. Perhaps Tebaldi was constrained by the restrictions and protocols of recording studios and unable to realise her full dramatic potentials --- in this case she is best heard on live recordings where we could experience her in full flight. Furthermore, the 1964 Come back album items on the second disc demonstrate a voice that has lost much of its pristine freshness and youthfulness, even though there are exciting things to hear. Still, the beauty of the voice and the sincerity of utterances are there for us to experience. For ardent Tebaldi fans, this is definitely a must, but for those looking for truly great singing and acting, you might want to look elsewhere for Tebaldi's live recordings and Maria Callas, etc.

Average customer rating:

Just to hear Mirella's voice.

Mirella Freni, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Opera D'oro
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Very Best of
A Celebration
The Most Famous Opera Arias

ASIN: B00004YWTV
Release Date: 2000-10-10

Tracks:

I Puritani: 'Fini... Me Lassa!... Vieni Fra Queste Braccia' - Mirella Freni/Luciano Pavarotti
Otello: 'Mia Madre Aveva Una Povera Ancella... Ave Maria' - Mirella Freni/Stefania Malagu
Faust: 'Il Etait Un Roi De Thule'
Faust: 'Elles Ne Sont Plus La... Il Ne Revient Pas'
Manon: 'Ancor Son Io Tutta Stordita'
Manon: 'Addio O Nostro Picciol Desco'
Manon: 'La Tua Non E La Mano' - Mirella Freni/Luciano Pavarotti
La Boheme: 'Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi'
La Boheme: (Finale) 'Sono Andati? Fingevo Di Dormire' - Mirella Freni/Gianni Raimondi/La Scala Theatre Chor, Milan/Herbert von Karajan

Customer Reviews:

Just to hear Mirella's voice........2002-05-28

What can I say about Mirella? It's one of my favorites sopranos, (Herbet von Karajan thinks like me). The incredible voice and charm, the way not only sings, but spills the feelings of grief and joy. I personally like to watch opera, but I bought this CD just to hear Mirellas's voice. It has selections from I Puritani, Othello (one of her best interpretations), Faust, Manon de Lescault and La Boheme. 9 tracks singing alone, or dueted by Luciano Pavarotti, Stefania Malagú or Gianni Raimondi. Peter Maag, Riccardo Muti and Karajan himself conducting. Recorded from stage, 1963-1970 period, the sound quality suffers in some tracks (compare to full digital), but all have the full sound live perfomance that transports your feelings to the stage.
While you buy this, I'll go and fetch the first volumen.

Music Review:

Music Review

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Endless Wave V.1 [Import]

Catch Me Now

Set Free

In God We Trust