José Van Dam

On this CD:

1. Monologes (6) Aus "Jedermann" for alto (or baritone) & piano (or orchestra), Nos 1-6, complete
Composed by Frank Martin
Performed by Jose Van Dam
Conducted by Kent Nagano

2. Don Quichotte à Dulcinée, song cycle for voice & piano (or orchestra)
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Jose Van Dam
Conducted by Kent Nagano

3. Chansons de Don Quichotte (4) for voice & piano (or orchestra) (from film score)
Composed by Jacques Ibert
Performed by Jose Van Dam
Conducted by Kent Nagano

4. Le bal masqué, for baritone (or mezzosoprano) & chamber ensemble, FP 60
Composed by Francis Poulenc
Performed by Jose Van Dam
Conducted by Kent Nagano

Tracks:

La Traviata: Libiamo Ne'lieti Calici (Brindisi) (Atto I) - Alfredo Kraus
Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum (Atto I) - Thomas Hampton
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina (Atto I) - Roberto Alagna
La Boheme: Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi (Atto I) - Mirella Freni
L'amico Fritz: Suzel, Bon Di (Cherry Duet) (First Part) (Atto II) - Bernard Haitink
Nabucco: Va, Pensiero (Chorus Of Hebrew Slaves) (Atto III) - Bernard Haitink
Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile (Atto III) - Roberto Alagna
Lakme: Viens, Mallika (Flower Duet) (Acte I) - Mady Mesple
Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro - Victoria De Los Angeles
Tosca: Recondita Armonia (Atto I) - Placido Domingo
Tosca: Vissi D'arte (Atto II) - Maria Callas
Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle (Atto III) - Placido Domingo
Adriana Lecouvreur: Ecco: Respiro Appena ... Lo Son L'umile Ancella (Atto I) - Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
Les Pecheurs De Perles: Au Fond Du Temple Saint (Acte I) - Nicolai Gedda
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Non Piu Andrai (Atto I) - Thomas Allen
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Voi Che Sapete (Atto II) - Ann Murray
Le Nozze Di Figaro: E Susanna Non Vien!...Dove Sono (Atto III) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Martha: M'appari (Ach So Fromm) (Akt III) - Roberto Alagna
Tristan Und Isolde: Mild Und Leise (Liebestod) (Akt III) - Helga Dernesch

Tracks:

Aida: Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi!...Celeste Aida (Atto I) - Placido Domingo
Il Trovatore: Vedi! Le Fosche Notturne Spoglie (Anvil Chorus) (Atto II) - Bernard Haitink
Samson Et Dalila: Mon Coeur S'ouvre A Ta Voix (Acte II) - Maria Callas
Carmen: L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle (Habanera) - Victoria De Los Angeles
Carmen: Votre Toast (Toreador's Song) (Acte II) - Maria Callas
Carmen: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee (Acte III) - Roberto Alagna
Les Contes D'Hoffman: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'amour (Barcarolle) (Acte II) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Andrea Chenier: La Mamma Morta (Atto III) - Maria Callas
Pagliacci: Recitar!...Vesti La Giubba (Atto I) - Jose Carreras
Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo (Atto II) - Renata Scotto
Cosi Fan Tutte: Soave Sia Il Vento (Atto I) - Margaret Marshall
La Rondine: Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta (Atto I) - Montserrat Caballe
Die Zauberflote: Der Vogelfanger Bin Ich Ja (Akt I) - Walter Berry
Die Zauberflote: Der Holle Rache (Akt II) - Edita Gruberova
Rusalka: Song To The Moon (Act I) - Lucia Popp
La Wally: Ebben? Ne Andro Iontana (Atto I) - Maria Callas
Werther: Toute Mon Ame Est La!...Pourquoi Me Reveiller? (Acte III) - Roberto Alagna
Turandot: Signore, Ascolta! (Atto I) - Montserrat Caballe
Turandot: Nessun Dorma (Atto III) - Jose Carreras

Customer Reviews:

Latter-day also-rans.......2007-05-28

There will always be arguments for this or that singer, but this title is absurd. I didn't see a single Jussi Bjoerling, George London, Leonard Warren, or Zinka Milanov, and only one mention of Del Monaco. These were singers. Bjoerling and London were in a class by themselves. I saw all of these folks live on stage. London and Del Monaco had stage presence you don't get now. Di Stefano, Kirsten, de los Angeles should be on any best list. Play any tenor aria by any tenor; then play Bjoerling's. Play any bass/baritone aria by any singer; then play London's. Jussi and George will knock your socks off. They sang everything in every language. Tebaldi and Pavarotti sang only Italian, much easier.

A well-sung compilation.......2003-09-15

Compilations usually receive negative feedback from experienced opera listeners. However, this compilation by no means should be only welcomed by opera listeners, it should be welcomed by all music listeners. This CD is a great one to own for a first time opera listener. Also, for the person who wants to listen to opera once in a while and who does not want to buy a myriad of CD's in order to have the same amount of arias as this CD has. Eighty-percent of the singers are high-quality singers in this CD and the orchestras along with their respective conductors, do justice to the songs. All of the arias in this CD are what we in the field call, standard repertoire, and therefore are a good source for a beginning musician to help him or her listen to phrasing, colour, dynamics, language etc. I certainly recommend it, without a doubt.

This cant be the best.......2003-04-20

Elisa from Italy is absolutely right--well, the present generation may not be able to listen the golden oldies and the grand masters in person but it is still true that the past masters far surpassed the new. De Stefano had a magnetic voice, but listen to Gigli singing Puccini's La boheme and you will melt away, though it is v v v difficult to get hold of his mono recordings, even in CD. I disagree with Elisa only on one point: Tebaldi is good, but Victoria de Los angeles' Mimi is better. And the indulgent Thomas Beecham is my favourite conductor of this opera, way ahead of Toscannini, but De Stefano's Boheme is worth keeping and listening to again and again....

TRUE OPERA LOVERS CANNOT POSSIBLY LIKE THIS!.......2002-11-27

True opera lovers (I won't say "experts" 'cos I dislike the word) cannot possibly like this ... ! Apart from Callas, here there is none of the greatest artists! Callas may be great in Carmen but nobody can beat RENATA TEBALDI and her angel-like voice in all of Puccini's operas or in GIORDANO's Andrea Chénier. No Carreras can beat MARIO DEL MONACO in Leoncavallo's Pagliacci, or Verdi's Otello. And finally, NO ALAGNA, or PAVAROTTI, or LICITRA, or whatever CHEAP TENOR or CROOK can ever beat the greatest tenor of all times: GIUSEPPE DI STEFANO!
Come on! You can't like crook Pavarotti once you have heard Giuseppe Di Stefano!! You can't like ... connductor Riccardo Muti if you have listened to Arturo Toscanini!!
True opera lovers, especially lovers of Puccini, go for the Immortal, the Sublime, the Beautiful in opera: GO FOR GIUSEPPE DI STEFANO!
Go hear his performance of "E lucevan le stelle" as in EMI Callas/Di Stefano "Tosca" or "Che Gelida manina" always as in EMI Callas/Di Stefano "La Boéme" and you'll know what I mean.

Even if you Hate Complilations, Get This One.......2002-06-21

This is a marvelous collection of better known arias and duets in Opera. The singers are those famous for setting, and raising, the bar in their field and for their times: Renata Scotto, Maria Callas, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti. If you are only somewhat familiar with opera, these recordings give you the highest feeling of what an aria or duet can sound like when sung and interpreted at its best. If you are already familiar with these songs, then you will appreciate this collection all the more for having gathered them in one place. I play both discs all the time. I've especially appreciated being able to compare vocal qualities side by side, so to speak, as Maria Callas can be heard next to Mirella Freni and Victoria de los Angeles. Even if you are not familiar with these singers, this is the way to meet them. Maria Callas has a much darker, back of the throat tone. Mirella Freni is pure, clear and light floating up in the higher notes. You can almost visualize the singers as they place the notes in their throats and set them out in the air to vibrate.

Puccini - Il Trittico / Alagna, Gheorghiu, Guelfi, Guleghina, Gallardo-Domás, Manca di Nissa, Palmer, Shicoff, van Dam, Pappano

Average customer rating:

Bravo
The best Suor Angelica is in Pappano's Trittico
Just maybe the greatest recorded "Trittico" ever
Life--It hits you hard
Long overdue...

Puccini - Il Trittico / Alagna, Gheorghiu, Guelfi, Guleghina, Gallardo-Domás, Manca di Nissa, Palmer, Shicoff, van Dam, Pappano
Giacomo Puccini , Antonio Pappano , Roberto Alagna , Angela Gheorghiu , Bernadette Manca di Nissa , Felicity Palmer , José van Dam , Carlo Guelfi , Maria Guleghina , Cristina Gallardo-Domas , Neil Shicoff , Francesca Pedaci , Patrizia Ciofi , Roberto Scaltriti , Dorothea Röschmann , Sara Fulgoni , and Philharmonia Orchestra
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Puccini - La Rondine / Gheorghiu · Alagna · Matteuzzi · Mula · Rinaldi · Ciofi · Bacelli · LSO · Pappano
Verdi - Don Carlo / Domingo · Caballé · Raimondi · Milnes · Verrett · Estes · Giulini
Verdi - Simon Boccanegra / Freni, Cappuccilli, Carreras, Ghiaurov, van Dam, Foiani, Teatro alla Scala, Abbado
Handel - Julius Caesar / Treigle · Sills · Forrester · Wolff · NYCO · Rudel
Rossini: The Barber Of Seville with Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Alceo Galliera, Philharmonia Orchestra & Chorus

ASIN: B00000IFQ0
Release Date: 1999-04-06

Tracks:

Il Tabarro - Orchestra
Il Tabarro - O Michele? Michele?
Il Tabarro - O Luigi, ancora una passata
Il Tabarro - Dunque, che cosa credi?
Il Tabarro - O eterni innamorati, buona sera!
Il Tabarro - To'! guarda la mia vecchia!
Il Tabarro - Hai ben ragione; meglio non pensare
Il Tabarro - Segui il mio esempio; bevil!
Il Tabarro - E ben altro il mio sogno!
Il Tabarro - Miei vecchi, buona notte!
Il Tabarro - O Luigi! Luigi!
Il Tabarro - Dimmi: perche gli hai chiesto di sbarcarti a Rouen?
Il Tabarro - Come e difficile esser felici!
Il Tabarro - Sgualdrina!... Bocca di rosa fresca
Il Tabarro - Nulla!... Silenzio!
Il Tabarro - T'ho colto!... Sangue di Dio!
Il Tabarro - Avevo ben ragione

Tracks:

Suor Angelica - Ave Maria
Suor Angelica - Sorelle in umilita
Suor Angelica - Ed or, sorelle in gioia
Suor Angelica - I desideri sono i fiori dei vivi
Suor Angelica - Ho un desiderio anchi'io!
Suor Angelica - Suor Angelica, sentite!
Suor Angelica - Laudata Maria!
Suor Angelica - Chi e venuto stasera in parlatorio?
Suor Angelica - Suor Angelica!... Madre, madre, parlate!
Suor Angelica - Il Principe Gualtiero vostro padre
Suor Angelica - Nel silenzio di quei raccoglimenti
Suor Angelica - Tutto ho offerto all Vergine
Suor Angelica - Orchestra
Suor Angelica - Senza mamma, bimbo, tu sei morto
Suor Angelica - Sorella, o buona sorella
Suor Angelica - La grazia e discesa dal cielo!... [Intermezzo]...
Suor Angelica - Suor Angelica ha sempre una ricetta buona
Suor Angelica - Ah! Son dannata!

Tracks:

Gianni Schicchi - Povero, Buoso!
Gianni Schicchi - O Simone?
Gianni Schicchi - E aperto!
Gianni Schicchi - Dunque era vero!
Gianni Schicchi - C'e una persona sola che ci puo consigliare
Gianni Schicchi - Avete torto!
Gianni Schicchi - Firenze e come un albero fiorito
Gianni Schicchi - Quale aspetto sgomento e desolato!
Gianni Schicchi - Brava la vecchia
Gianni Schicchi - O mio babbino caro
Gianni Schicchi - Datemi il testamento!
Gianni Schicchi - Nessuno sa che Buoso ha resto il fiato
Gianni Schicchi - Era eguale la voce?
Gianni Schicchi - In testa la capellina!
Gianni Schicchi - Schicchi! Schicchi!
Gianni Schicchi - Ecco la cappellina!
Gianni Schicchi - Prima un avvertimento!
Gianni Schicchi - Addio, Firenze
Gianni Schicchi - Ecco il notaro!
Gianni Schicchi - Basta! I testi videro
Gianni Schicchi - Lascio a Simone I beni di Fucecchio
Gianni Schicchi - Ladro
Gianni Schicchi - Lauretta, mia Lauretta!

Amazon.com essential recording

Aficionados are familiar with Puccini's Il Trittico or "Triptych," his three one-act operas that premiered at New York's Metropolitan in 1918; everyday opera lovers should know them as well. Here is Puccini at his most imaginative: Il Tabarro, a shocker about the jealousy of an older man towards his deceitful younger wife on a houseboat on the Seine is dark and foreboding, and is, incidentally, probably his greatest, tightest opera. It is given a superb performance here, with Maria Guleghina and the wonderful Neil Shicoff (the true, underrecorded fourth tenor) as the faithless duo and Carlo Guelfi as the pitiable but murdering husband. Suor Angelica is set in a convent (yes, only women's voices). Until the goings turn tragic--the eponymous heroine is told by her cruel aunt that the child she had out of wedlock and gave up has died--the scoring is light, airy, and pure. Cristina Gallardo-Domas and Bernadette Manca di Nissa as the nun and her aunt, respectively, may not have the vocal glamour or depth of some of their predecessors on CD (Renata Scotto or Christa Ludwig), but their beautiful, meaningful singing carries the show. Gianni Schicchi's soundstage (the bedroom of a recently dead rich man in Florence in 1299, peopled by his greedy relatives) is rambunctious for the composer's only foray into comedy--based on a passage from Dante--and this set comes up roses. It's the best one on records. Jose Van Dam actually is funny and Angela Gheorghiu and Roberto Alagna (who also offer a cameo in Tabarro) are super as the young lovers; Gheorghiu's singing of the opera's hit, "O mio babbino caro," is glorious. This set is highly recommended. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Bravo.......2007-06-11

Very good performances of all three one-acts. Good sound quality, and the orchestra performance is top-notch.

The best Suor Angelica is in Pappano's Trittico.......2005-08-26

This review compares three of the recordings of Suor Angelica, with the finding that the recording of this miniature gem in the boxed set of Puccini's Il Trittico conducted by Antonio Pappano far exceeds the others in various qualities.

The best first. The vocal performances of both the title role (Cristina Gallardo-Domas) and la Zia Principessa (Bernadette Manca di Nissa) offer a great breadth of interpretation and an honest and true attention to pure vocal production. I have the very slightest of quibbles with one specific response from Gallardo-Domas' Angelica to her aunt, "La Vergine ci ascolta e Lei vi giudica!" is offered much too anglrily, where the score is marked "coldly." The wonderful choral work that supports the action and provides so much of the exposition is a well-modulated performance of Puccini's best writing for women's voices in non-starring roles. Indeed, the balance between the soloists, chorus, and orchestra is keenly maintained througout, ever allowing the orchestra and chorus to be equals to the soloists. Lastly, Pappano's pacing seems the most accomplished of all the recordings.

The worst second. The performance of the Rome Opera Orchestra & Chorus with Fedora Barbieri and Victoria de Los Angeles is frightful. The balance is muddy, and the soloists are miked so closely that they become strident. Worse yet is that the editing was inattentive, and several badly pitched tones made their way to the final recording. --And the pitch problems continue throughout, sometimes sharp, sometimes flat. The chorus members' diction is almost slurred, and a sloppy ensemble results in many nice melodies being unintelligible.

The most surprising recording is conducted by Richard Bonynge and stars Joan Sutherland and Christ Ludwig. As another reviewer noted, Dame Sutherland is past her prime, recording the role at age 52. If only we had a recording of Angelica from her at 30! As it is, I believe Richard Bonynge is the one driving a stake through the heart of this work. His readings alternate between a rush through lyric passages and tearing through the recitativo segments at a full tilt. But it seems so strange because the balance favors the women's voices, making the orchestra extraordinarily subservient. Finally, the performances in general seem less than committed. For example, Sutherland lacks both the fire and the meek submissiveness that should complicate the character.

Just maybe the greatest recorded "Trittico" ever.......2003-10-09

Like another previous reviewer, I too came to this set feeling that the old Tito Gobbi recording was something very special, and hard to beat. And it still has a special place in my collection. But this set is exceptional on all counts; it is superbly recorded, the soloists are wonderful, and Pappano's pacing throughout is just glorious...here is a conductor who understands, and has a love for this music. Furthermore, the older Gobbi set is hard to find, and only "Schicchi" is in true stereo. In short, you will not go wrong with these lovely, sensitive recordings. Better yet, get these and the older set if you can find it, and you'll never want for any more.

Life--It hits you hard.......2002-06-16

Once upon a time I was traversing an Interstate Highway on an otherwise uneventful day and Bamm! the sweet intonations of the female soloist singing in the most heavenly voice (by the way not THIS reviewed rendition), was being delivered by the most crappy Amplitude Modulated car radio. I was so mesmorized by the sweet sounds I was hearing that I pulled off the Interstate and just listened. For an hour I just listened. The Opera was 'Suor Angelica'.

I have this particular CD and it is recorded better than the version I had experienced. Yet the rendition I had experienced set me on the path of discovery.

Music is like that.

Long overdue..........2002-05-21

A modern recording of Il Trittico was long overdue, and has been fulfilled magnificently by Alagna, Georghiu, Pappano et al. The only negative reviewer of this disc really criticizes the composer (who he thinks is Verdi!) rather than the performances themselves. But, the question for a review is not "is this a good opera?" That is for the purchaser. Rather, the issue is, given that the purchaser wishes to purcahse a recording of the opera, is it a good recording. This is an excellent one and anyone interested should not hesitate.

Pavarotti's Opera Made Easy-My Favourite Opera For Children

Average customer rating:

Opera for Children
Great Opera for Children
My six-year old liked it!
Fun, accessible opera for you and your child to enjoy

Pavarotti's Opera Made Easy-My Favourite Opera For Children

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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World's Very Best Opera for Kids... in English!
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David Bowie Narrates Prokofiev's "Peter and the Wolf"

ASIN: B00000424Y
Release Date: 1994-08-23

Tracks:

Carmen: Children's March
Carmen: Toreador Song
Carmen: Toreador Chorus
The Barber Of Seville: Largo Al Factotum
Faust: Soldiers' Chorus
Il travatore: Anvil Chorus
Madame Butterfly: Humming Chorus
Die Walkure: The Ride Of The Valkyries
The Tales Of Hoffman: The Doll Song
Aida: Triumphal Choruses And March
The Magic Flute: Papageno's Song: A Birdcatcher Am I
The Magic Flute: Papagena! Papagena! Papagena!
The Magic Flute: Pa-Pa-Pa-Pa
Hansel And Gretel: Brother, Come Dance With Me
Hansel And Gretel: I Am The Little Sandman
Hansel And Gretel: Children's Prayer
Hansel And Gretel: Song Of The Gingerbread Children
Hansel And Gretel: Ral-la-la-la, Ral-la-la-la

Customer Reviews:

Opera for Children.......2005-10-14

This is an excellent CD to introduce children to some of the more familiar operas. I would highly recommend this CD for children and also for adults who want to become familiar with opera.

Great Opera for Children.......2005-05-01

This CD is an excellent compilation of opera for children and adults alike. The operas that are represented on this disc are: Carmen, Il Barbiere di Siviglia, Faust, Il Trovatore, Madama Butterfly, Die Walkure, Les Contes d'Hoffmann, Aida, Die Zauberflote, and Hansel und Gretel. People love the Children's March, as well as the Toreador Chorus, from the opera Carmen. The well known Toreador Song is performed on this CD by great bass- baritone Jose van Dam. Children who watch Bugs Bunny will recognize "Largo al factotum" from Il Barbiere di Siviglia. Sherrill Milnes performs the role of Figaro expertly, and his falsetto is evident in Figaro's famous patter aria. Great choruses, like the Soldier's Chorus from Faust, the Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore, the Triumphal Chorus from Aida, and the Humming Chorus from Madama Butterfly make appearences on this CD. The Doll Song from Les Contes d'Hoffmann is performed by soprano Joan Sutherland. She uses her voice to rise up and down, like a mechanical doll. My favorite German baritone, Hermann prey, performs Papageno's entrance aria from Die Zauberflote, as well was the duet with Papagena. Choruses from Hansel und Gretel round the CD.

My six-year old liked it!.......2001-04-02

My six year-old son enjoyed hearing this CD. We like to sing together, so we found many of the pieces quite alot. But to be honest, when we discovered the more recently released CD, The Classical Child AT the Opera, he went wild because all the pieces have been translateded into English, so it's much more enjoyable for us to sing along. So I would recommend it, but check out the other one as well -- your kids will be glad you did. All the best, Steven

Fun, accessible opera for you and your child to enjoy.......1999-11-05

I bought this CD for my then 3 year old son. He loved it then because it was the "Bugs Bunny" music he was familiar with from the cartoons. He listened to it for awhile then we put it away. After he turned 4, he said to me one day -- let's listen to opera, and now we listen to this CD every day. This music gets his blood going; he struts around his room when he listens to this. And, he is in every respect a typical boy who likes Pokemon and the Back Street Boys. So, I consider this CD successful in introducing opera to a youngster.

Average customer rating:

Mozart Genius performed at its best
Fantastic
Exquisitely beautiful Requiem by Maestro Karajan
Recording company does it again
More Intense than Marriner

Mozart: Requiem

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem [A German Requiem]
Verdi: Requiem

ASIN: B000001GDM
Release Date: 1990-05-16

Tracks:

Requiem in D Minor: I. Introitus - Requiem
Requiem in D Minor: II. Kyrie
Requiem in D Minor: III. Sequenz - No.1 - Dies irae
Requiem in D Minor: III. Sequenz - No. 2 - Tuba mirum
Requiem in D Minor: III. Sequenz - No. 3 - Rex tremendae
Requiem in D Minor: III. Sequenz - No. 4 - Recordare
Requiem in D Minor: III. Sequenz - No. 5 - Confutatis
Requiem in D Minor: III. Sequenz - No. 6 - Lacrimosa
Requiem in D Minor: IV. Offertorium - No. 1 - Domine Jesu
Requiem in D Minor: IV. Offertorium - No. 2 - Hostias
Requiem in D Minor: V. Sanctus
Requiem in D Minor: VI. Benedictus
Requiem in D Minor: VII. Agnus Dei
Requiem in D Minor: VIII. Communio - Lux aeterna

Amazon.com

Between 1961 and 1986, Herbert von Karajan made three recordings of the Mozart Requiem for Deutsche Grammophon, with little change in his conception of the piece over the years. This recording, from 1975, is, on balance, the best of them. The approach is Romantic, broad, and sustained, marked by a thoroughly homogenized blend of chorus and orchestra, a remarkable richness of tone, striking power, and an almost marmoreal polish. Karajan viewed the Requiem as idealized church music rather than a confessional statement awash in operatic expressiveness. In this account, the orchestra is paramount, followed in importance by the chorus, then the soloists. Not surprisingly, the singing of the solo quartet sounds somewhat reined-in, especially considering these singers' pedigrees. By contrast, the Vienna Singverein, always Karajan's favorite chorus, sings with a huge dynamic range and great intensity, though with an emotional detachment nonetheless. Perfection, if not passion or poignancy, is the watchword. The Berlin orchestra plays majestically, and the sound is pleasingly vivid. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

Mozart Genius performed at its best.......2007-03-24

Superb performance and excellent recording of a masterpiece.
DG quality at a bargain price.

Fantastic.......2007-03-04

This is probably the best edition of Mozart's Requiem. Herbet von Karajan spices it up with a more germanic perfomance which, I think, gives more power and passion to an already powerfull requiem. The quality of the disc is, as expected from the statue of the company, excellent.
Buy it and enjoy it.

Exquisitely beautiful Requiem by Maestro Karajan.......2007-02-24

It is widely accepted that H.V.Karajan is not "the" Mozart conductor. He is much more recognized by his Beethoven conducting. When it comes to Mozart Sir Neville Marriner is the one who is held in the highest esteem and this recording is often compared with Marriner's version (Philips). While I cannot compare the two as I don't have Marriner's version, I can say that Karajan pulled it off just great. This is nothing short of breath-taking. I fully belive that those whose eyes are not clouded by comparisons between Maestros will appreciate this recording for what it is, a jewel of a Requiem.

I recomment this CD to anyone who wants to listen to an awesome Requiem.

Recording company does it again.......2007-01-09

DG always selects good artists to record. They have kept their label pure with this recording.

More Intense than Marriner.......2006-07-06

If, like me, you're trying to find a definitive version of Requiem, you'll soon come across this and Marriner's excellent recording. They both have their merits, and you can't easily go wrong with either.
Karajan has produced a more forcefully 'Germanic', almost Wagnerian, sound where the singing and the orchestra are intense and oftentimes blended which I find makes it a much more emotional experience.
If you like a more exacting and 'English' interpretation that's a bit more ponderous (it's around 6min longer) and where you can actually hear most of the words that the choir is singing then you should give Marriner's St.Martin version a try.
Get them both and show your friends what a connoisseur you really are ;o)

Average customer rating:

Faulty titling
For the beginner
Opera or not
Superlative collection

100 Best Opera Classics

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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The Best Opera Album in the World...Ever!

ASIN: B000GPIPQU
Release Date: 2006-08-29

Tracks:

Voi Che Sapete - English Chamber Orchestra
Porgi Amor - English Chamber Orchestra
Deh, Vieni Alla Finestra - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Batti, Batti, O Bel Masetto - London Philharmonic Orchestra
Der Holle Rache - Orchester der Bayerischen Staatsoper
O Isis And Osiris - Cornelius Hauptmann
Temerari...Come Scoglio - Philharmonia Orchestra
La Calunia E Un Venticello - London Symphony Orchestra
Nei Giardin Del Bello (Veil Song) - Carlo Maria Giulini
Casta Diva - Maria Callas
Se Quel Guerrier...Celeste Aida - Zubin Mehta
Tenesta La Promessa...Addio Del Passato - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Niun Mi Tema - Berliner Philharmoniker
Un Bel Di Vedremo - Sir John Barbirolli
E Lucevan Le Stelle - Philharmonia Orchestra
Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi - Mirella Freni
In Quelle Trine Morbide - New Philharmonia Orchestra
Signore, Ascolta - London Symphony Orchestra
Recitar...Vesti La Giubba - Philharmonia Orchestra
Amor Ti Vieta Di Non Amar - Orchestra Of The Royal Opera House

Tracks:

Le Veau D'or Est Toujours Debout - Boris Christoff
Ou Va La Jeune Hindoue - Alain Lombard
L'amour, L'amour...Ah! Leve-toi, Soleil - Michel Plasson
Allons! Il Le Faut Notre Petite Table - Michel Plasson
Toute Mon Ame Est La...Pourquoi Me Reveiller - Orchestre De Paris
Quand La Flamme De L'Amour - Jose Van Dam
L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle - Victoria De Los Angeles
A Cette Voix... Je Crois Entendre Encore - Alain Vanzo
Une Puce Gentille - Gabriel Bacquier
Je Vais Mourir... Adieu, Fiere Cite - Regine Crespin
Mon Coeur S'Ouvre A Ta Voix - Rita Gorr
Wie Todesahnung... O Du Mein Holder Abendstern - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Johohoe! Traft Ihr Das Schiff Im Meere An? - Anja Silja
In Fernem land - Jess Thomas
Heil Dir, Sonne! - Siegfried Jerusalem
Mild Und Leise - Helga Dernesch

Tracks:

Che Faro SEnza Euridice? - Agnes Baltsa
Der Vogelfanger Bin Ich Ja - Walter Berry
Finch'han Dal Vino - Nicolai Ghiaurov
E Susanna Non Vien!... Dove Sono - Barbara Hendricks
Abscheulicher! - Christa Ludwig
Ne M'Abandonne Pas, espoir De La Vengeance... Asile Hereditaire - Nicolai Gedda
Largo Al Factotum - Tito Gobbi
Ella Giammai M'Ammo! - Ruggero Raimondi
La Donna E Mobile - Alfredo Kraus
Di Quella Pira - Franco Corelli
Esultate! - James McCracken
Dio! Mi Potevi Scagliar - Placido Domingo
Vissi D'Arte, Vissi D'Amore - Maria Callas
In Questa Reggia - Ghena Dimitrova
Tanto Amore - Janine Micheau
O Mio Babbino Caro - Montserrat Caballe
Ed Ache Beppe Amo - Luciano Pavarotti
Poveri Fiori - Maria Callas
Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio - Roberto Alagna

Tracks:

Les Grands Seigneurs... Ah! Je Ris De Me Voir Si Belle - Victoria De Los Angeles
Marie, Avec L'Enfant Jesus - Jules Bastin
Heureux Petit Berger - Janine Micheau
Connais-Tu Le Pays - Jane Rhodes
Elle Ne Crooyait Pas Dans Sa Candeur - Nicolai Gedda
Votre Toast, Je Peux Vous Le Rendre... Toreador - Victoria De Los Angeles
les Oiseaux Dans La charmille - Mady Mesple
Maintenant, Chantons..., Devant La Maison De Celui Qui T'Adore - Gerard Souzay
Depuis Le Jour - Beverly Sills
Da Geht er Hin - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Einsam In Truben Tagen - Regine Crespin
Dich, Teure Halle - Hildegard Behrens
Leb Wohl, Du Kuhnes, Herrliches Kind - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Hojotoho! Hojotoho! - Ute Walther

Tracks:

Non Piu Andrai - Thomas Allen
La Ci Darem La Mano - Graziella Sciutti
Duo: Pa-Pa-Pa - Andreas Schmidt
Soave Sia Il Vento - Delores Ziegler
Mira, O Norma - Maria Callas
Il Dolce Suono - Edita Gruberova
Com'E Gentil - Alfredo Kraus
Una Voce Poco Fa - Maria Callas
Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici - Alfredo Kraus
Gualtier Malde!... Caro Nome - Michele Pertusi
Ritorna Vincitor - Birgit Nilsson
Ave Maria - Katia Ricciarelli
Nessun Dorma - Franco Corelli
Che Gelida Manina - Nicolai Gedda
Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana - Barbara Hendricks

Tracks:

Mes Amis, Ecoutez L'Histoire - Nicolai Gedda
Mieux Vaut Mourir... Amour Sacre De La Patrie - Alfredo Kraus
Ah, Je Veux Vivre Dans Ce Reve - Mady Mesple
Puisqu'on Ne Peut Flechir... Vainement, Ma Bien-Aimee - Henry Legay
Suis-je Gentille Ainsi?... Je Marche Sur Tous Les Chemins - June Anderson
Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'Amour - Jessye Norman
La Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee - Jose Carreras
C'est Toi!... Au Fond Du Temple Saint - John Aler
Werther, Werther, Qui M'Aurait Dit... Ces Lettres! - Tatiana Troyanos
Viens, Mallika - Mady Mesple
Ah! Je Suis Seule Enfin... Dis-Moi Que Je Suis Belle - Beverly Sills
Alerte, Alerte!... Anges Purs, Anges Radieux - Placido Domingo
Boris's Farewell - Boris Christoff
Schreckensschwur! - Gary Lakes
Die 'Selige Moorgentraum-Deutweise'... Selig, Wie Die Sonne - Peter Schreier
Was Am Besten Er Kann... Nothung! Nothung! - Siegfried Jerusalem

Customer Reviews:

Faulty titling.......2007-05-30

The music is wonderful. HOWEVER, only the first disc has the correct song titles and artists. The other five discs have most of the same song titles and artists as Disc #1, although the music on each disc conforms to what is listed in the catalog. When we attempted to rip the music onto our "Windows Media Player", where we keep all our music stored to play through our hi-fi system, we could copy only the first disc. All the other discs had those same song titles and artists (although the music was different) and the program reported only that the song was already copied. Apparently your quality control was off work that day.

Have you had other such complaints? One wouldn't know about this if one were to simply play the discs on a CD player. They would seem to be fine. Is there any recourse for those of us who have a computer-based hi-fi system?

For the beginner.......2007-03-08

This is a great collection for someone who knows they like opera music but don't know where to start. This will probably be all the opera I will ever need now.

Opera or not.......2007-02-13

For those new to opera, this set is an excellent provider of a wide variety of operatic works, rendered by artists well known even to non-opera officionados.

Superlative collection.......2006-10-11

A collection of 100 individual arias and ensembles from the EMI catalogue of complete opera recordings made between 1955 and 2003. It includes a wide selection from popular operas by Italian, Austrian, German, Russian and French composers. The French are especially well represented unlike most such anthologies. And a few more obscure contributions are thrown in, like an aria from Catalani's La Wally. A judicious balance of musical periods and styles, and the very best singers of the last half of the last century. And remarkably, the whole collection of 6 CDs, over 7 hours of music, is being sold for the cost of only 1 CD !

Fauré - Requiem · Orchestral Music / Hendricks · van Dam · Plasson

Average customer rating:

Fauré - Requiem · Orchestral Music / Hendricks · van Dam · Plasson
Gabriel Fauré , Michel Plasson , Barbara Hendricks , José van Dam , Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse , and Orféon Donostiarra
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

All Blowout Music | Blowout Music | Stores | Music

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

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$6.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

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Symphonie Fantastique
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Classical Evolution: Spanish Guitar Music

ASIN: B00004TV9D
Release Date: 2000-06-27

Tracks:

Gabriel Faure: I. Introit et kyrie
Gabriel Faure: II. Offertoire
Gabriel Faure: III. Sanctus
Gabriel Faure: IV. Pie Jesu
Gabriel Faure: V. Agnus Dei
Gabriel Faure: VI. Libera me
Gabriel Faure: VII. In Paradisum
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Average customer rating:

A Beautiful and Exotic Opera

Roussel: Padmâvatî

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000PKG5EA
Release Date: 2007-06-19

Tracks:

Prelude: Lent
Le Sultan Des Mogols A Passe La Troisieme Porte
A, A!...Souverain D'un Peuple Florissant
War Dance
Dance Of the Slave-girls
Ce Sont Les Femmes Du Palais
Elle Mont Au Ciel Ou Reve Le Printemps
Aux Armes...Il Est Trop Tard

Tracks:

Prelude
Om! Siva...Siva, Laisse Ma Voix
Padmavati!
Ah!...O Mes Soeurs Fideles
Pantomime
Dance And Pantomime
Dans La Nuit Flamboyante, La Nuit Conduite Par La Mort

Customer Reviews:

A Beautiful and Exotic Opera.......2007-07-10

I first got to know this opera from the original LPs that were issued and, since I no longer have a turntable, I was hoping that Padmavati would be issued on CD. Albert Roussel visited India in 1909 and was enchanted with the country. During this journey, Roussel and his wife visited the palace of Padmavati, near the ruins of the town of Chittorgarh, and saw the cave where she committed suicide. Back in France, Roussel was asked by Jacques Rouche to suggest a new project following the success of Le Festin de l'araignee and so Padmavati came to be composed. The opera was completed in 1918 and premiered in 1923 with a lavish stage design. Roussel thought of Padmavati as an opera-ballet because of all of the dance sequences in its two short acts. A good portion of the opera is purely orchestral, most notably with the Warrior dance in the first act and Padmavati's pantomime in the second act.

The story of the opera, in brief, is set in 13th century India at the city of Chitoor. From here the noble and just Prince Ratan-Sen rules India; he is married to the beautiful Padmavati. The drama of the story centers on the Mogul ruler of Delhi, Alauddin, who is approaching Chitoor with his army. Alauddin is entertained by Ratan-Sen but the Mogul wishes to see the face of Padmavati and when he sees her, unveiled, he falls in love with her and demands that she be handed over to him. Ratan-Sen, naturally, refuses. A battle ensues and Ratan-Sen is wounded and dies; Alauddin is unrelenting in his desire for Padmavati but she ends her life by joining her husband on his funeral pyre.

The recording is beautifully cast with Marilyn Horne as Padmavati and Nicolai Gedda as Ratan-Sen; Jose Van Dam makes a suitably sinister Alauddin. The chorus - Orfeon Donostiarra - are marvelous in their demanding role and the Orchestre Capitole de Toulouse, conducted by Michel Plasson, play beautifully, bringing out the exotic shadings of the music. The booklet reproduces the original album cover with Marilyn Horne dressed as Padmavati and while there is no libretto (it is available at www.theoperaseries.com) but the synopsis is very detailed. The CDs are presented in a small box with each disc in a card sleeve. Padmavati is a must for fans of Roussel's music and early 20th century opera.

Average customer rating:

Karajan's 2nd Carmen: His Best. Powerful!!!!
A Carmen with a double cast
Polished, propulsive, utterly charmless
A casual opera fan LOVES this version of Carmen
Stunning Carmen

Bizet: Carmen

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
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ASIN: B000001G4J
Release Date: 1983-11-17

Tracks:

Carmen: Prelude - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1 - Introduction : 'Sur la place chacun passe' (Les Soldats, Morales) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: 'Que cherchez-vous, la belle?' (Morales, Micaela, Les Soldats) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: Marche et Choeur des gamins : 'Avec la garde montante' (Choeur des gamins) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: 'Halte! Repos!' - 'Une jolie fille est venue' (Zuniga, Morales, Don Jose, Le lieutenant de la garde descendante) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: 'Et la garde descendante' (Choeur des gamins) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: Dites-moi, brigadier' (Zuniga, Don Jose) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: Choeur et Scene 'La cloche a sonne' (Les jeunes gens, Les soldats) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: 'Dans l'air, nous suivons des yeux la fumee' (Les cigarieres, Les jeunes gens) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: 'Mais nous ne voyons pas la Carmencita?' (Les soldats, Les jeunes gens) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: 'Quand je vous aimerai?' - Havanaise : 'L'amour est un oiseau rebelle' (Carmen) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: Scene : 'Carmen, sur tes pas nous nous pressons tous!' Les jeunes gens, Les cigarieres) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: 'Monsieur le brigadier?' (Micaela, Don Jose) - Duo : 'Parle-moi de ma mere!' (Don Jose, Micaela) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: Votre mere avec moi sortait de la chapelle' (Micaela, Don Jose) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: 'Ma mere, je la vois! ...' (Don Jose, Micaela) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: 'Tu la verras! Eh bien!' (Don Jose, Micaela) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: Choeur : 'Au secours!' (Les cigarieres, Zuniga, Les Soldats) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: 'Ah! enfin! un peu de silence!' (Zuniga, Don Jose, Carmen) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: Chanson et Melodrame : 'Avez-vous quelque chose a repondre?' (Zuniga) - 'Tra la la la...' (Carmen, Zuniga, Choeur, Un soldat) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: 'Vous etes si jeune, seigneur officier' (Carmen, Don Jose) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: Chanson et Duo : 'Pres des remparts de Seville' (Carmen, Don Jose) - G. Bizet
Carmen: Act 1: Final : 'Le lieutenant! Prenez garde...' (Don Jose, Zuniga, Carmen) - G. Bizet

Tracks:

Carmen: Entr'acte - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: Chanson : 'Les tringles des sistres tintaient' (Carmen, Frasquita, Mercedes) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: 'Vous avez quelque chose a nous dire...?' (Zuniga, Pastia, Andres, Frasquita, Carmen) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: Choeur et Ensemble : 'Vivat! vivat le Torero!' (Les amis d'Escamillo, Zuniga, Mercedes, Andres, Frasquita, Pastia) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: Couplets :' Votre toast, je peux vous le rendre' (Escamillo, Choeur) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: 'Messieurs les officiers, je vous en supplie' (Pastia, Zuniga, Escamillo, Carmen, Choeur, Frasquita, Le Dancaire) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: Quintette : 'Nous avons en tete une affaire!' (Le Dancaire, Frasquita, Mercedes, Le Remendado, Carmen) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: 'En voila assez' (Le Dancaire, Carmen, Frasquita, Mercedes) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: Chanson : 'Halte-la! Qui va la?' (Don Jose, Mercedes, Frasquita, Le dancaire, Carmen) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: 'Enfin...Tu as mis le temps!' (Carmen, Don Jose) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: Duo : 'Je vais danser en votre honneur' (Carmen, Don Jose) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: 'La fleur que tu m'avais jetee' (Don Jose) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: 'Non, tu ne m'aimes pas!' (Carmen, Don Jose) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: Final : 'Hola! Carmen! Hola!' (Zuniga, Don Jose, Carmen, Le Remendado, Le Dancaire, Les Bohemiens) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: 'Suis-nous a travers la campagne' (Frasquita, Mercedes, Carmen, Le Dancair, Le Remendado, Les bohemiannes, Les bohemiens) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 2: Entr'acte - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 1: Introduction : 'Ecoute, compagnon, ecoute!' (Les contrabandiers, Frasquita, Mercedes, Carmen, Don Jose, Le Dancaire, Le Remendado) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 1: 'Carmen, ne me fuis pas ...' (Don Jose, Carmen) - Georges Bizet

Tracks:

Carmen: Act 3: Scene 1: Trio : 'Melons! Coupons!' (Frasquita, Mercedes) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 1: 'Carreau! Pique!...La Mort!' (Carmen) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 1: 'Parlez encore, parlez' (Frasquita, Mercedes, Carmen) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 1: 'Alerte!!!' (Le Dancaire, Carmen, Frasquita, Mercedes, Don Jose) - Morceau d'Ensemble : 'Quant au douanier, c'est notre affaire!' (Frasquita, Mercedes, Carmen, Les bohemiennes, Le Dancaire, Le Remendado, Les bohemiens) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 1: 'Nous y sommes, petite ...' (Le Guide, Micaela) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 1: Air : 'Je dis que rien ne m'epouvante' (Micaela) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 1: 'Mais... je ne me trompe pas...' (Micaela, Escamillo, Don Jose) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 1: Duo : 'Je suis Escamillo, Torero de Grenade!' (Escamillo, Don Jose) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 1: Final : 'Hola! hola! Jose!' (Carmen, Escamillo, Le Dancaire, Les contrebandiers, Les contrebandiers) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 1: 'Halte! quelqu'un est la qui cherche a se cacher!' (Le Remendado, Carmen, Le Dancaire, Don Jose, Micaela, Frasquita, Mercedes, Les contrebandieres, Les contrebandieres, Escamillo) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 1: Entr'acte - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 2: Choeur : 'A dos cuartos!' (Les marchandes, Les marchands, Zuniga, Une Marchande, Andres, Un Bohemien) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 2: 'Qu' avez-vous fait de la Carmencita?' (Zuniga, Frasquita, Andres, Mercedes) - Choeur et Scene : 'Les voici! les voici!' (Les enfants, Choeur) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 2: 'Si tu m'aimes, Carmen ...' (Escamillo, Carmen, Quatre alquazils, Frasquita, Mercedes) - Georges Bizet
Carmen: Act 3: Scene 2: Duo Final : 'C'est toi!' - 'C'est moi!' (Carmen, Don Jose, Choeur) - Georges Bizet

Amazon.com

If you're going to start with one opera, make it Carmen. It's full of memorable melodies, fascinating situations, and gripping drama. Herbert von Karajan and his colleagues give a polished account that revels in the beauty and color of the score. --Ted Libbey

Amazon.com

This is another one of those Herbert von Karajan dissections, in which every separate scene in the opera appears to be the only scene: it's all so intensely led, with each instrument audible, every tempo change made (although for the most part, this is a very slow outing), and every dynamic notation observed. A pity, too, since with a less-obsessed conductor, Agnes Baltsa's gutsy Carmen wouldn't seem so underlined and José Carreras's Don José, recorded after his prime, wouldn't be so clearly after his prime. He's ardent--indeed, almost hysterical--but the voice is under severe pressure even without the slow-motion leadership. José van Dam seems indomitable as Escamillo, but Katia Ricciarelli forces wearily and eventually sounds bored. Bizet would be puzzled; listeners should stick to Callas. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Karajan's 2nd Carmen: His Best. Powerful!!!!.......2006-03-09

Agnes Baltsa [Carmen] ** José Carreras [Don José] ** José van Dam (baritone) [Escamillo] ** Katia Ricciarelli [Micaëla] ** Christine Barbaux (soprano) [Frasquita] ** Jane Berbié (soprano) [Mercédès] ** Alexander Malta (bass) [Zuniga] ** Mikael Melbye (baritone) [Moralès] ** Gino Quilico (baritone) [Le Dancaïr] ** Heinz Zednik (tenor) [Le Remendado] ** Michel Marinpouille (tenor) [Andrès] ** Berlin Philharmonic ** Herbert von Karajan (conductor]

There is no doubt in my mind that this studio recording is by far the most powerful Carmen I've ever heard. This 80's recording captures both the lush, beautiful musicality of this opera-comique and the intense visceral "verisimo" drama, thanks to the efforts of Karajan and his illustrious Berlin forces and the great singing from Agnes Baltsa, Jose Carreras, Katia Ricciarelli and Jose Van Dam.

Karajan had previously recorded Carmen in the 70's, in a more dramatic, overblown fashion when he conducted the Vienna Phil with the voices of Leontyne Price and Franco Corelli. Although that recording has its individual merit, it was not really his best effort. He had scored greater success with Grace Bumbry in the lead role and Jon Vickers as Don Jose, productions he conducted at the Salzburg Festival in the late 60's. In the 80's he was a white-haired old man, the image many younger music lovers remember him from after seeing videos and recording covers he was in fact experiencing the last phase of his career before his death in the late 80's. He is nevertheless a supremely gifted conductor, masterful and able to bring out the best from his orchestra. The Berlin is actually better than the Vienna Phil in his earlier recording with Leontyne Price. The Berlin forces weave great music, capturing the colorful slices of life in this steamy, sordid opera. Yes, it is of the "grand opera" and verisimo vein and not the more simplistic, opera-comique Carmen but it is absolutely powerful in its wake. Karajan has never done a better job. It is his second recorded Carmen and his best.

Each of the singers bring a vitality and nuance to their performance and sing with the freshness of their prime. It is not surprising to find Jose Carreras and Katia Ricciarelli in the same cast. Theses two worked well together and recorded and performed operas throughout the 80's, even carrying out an affair together. Ricciarelli and Carreras as Don Jose and Micaela sing with glorious harmony, making their romance all the more tragic because Don Jose rejects the purity of her love and destroys himself in his passionate relationship with the temptress Carmen. Their duet in the beginning feels prolonged but that's a great thing because their voices are so beautiful to hear together.

From the beginning, Jose Carreras sings with a darker voice. He understands that Don Jose becomes obscessed with Carmen and develops a psychosis. It is a rich, powerful and masculine voice, albeit darker and edgier than even Jon Vickers and Placido Domingo. He sings everyting with great passion, despite the fact that his voice may not have done what he may have wanted it to. He is somehow, strangely, through sheer force of will, the best Don Jose, the most dramatically satisfying. His detractors and critics claim he was in bad vocal shape, at least in regards to his age (he was past his prime, he had been operated for leukemia, etc) and worse, his Don Jose has been called "melodramatic, hysterical". I whole-heartedly disagree. Carreras sings with so much integrity to the character's essence that he single-handedly blows all other contenders away. I've heard them all- Franco Corelli (in the Leontyne Price recording) Placido Domingo (in the Berganza recording and the Obraztsova, and Migenes movies) and Jon Vickers (in the recording and film with Grace Bumbry). His tenor voice is right on target for the darker side of Don Jose. He is passionate, yet lyrical in the first part and by the climatic finale he is understandably pushed to the edge. There is definate chemistry between Carreras and Baltsa and they would also make a film of the Metropolitan Opera stage production, which is wonderful. Please give Carreras a chance. He is the best Don Jose I've ever heard.

Ricciarelli is a very nuanced, soulful Micaela, bringing passion and grandeur to the role, instead of singing the role like a shrinking violet. This Micaela is willing to fight to get her man back from Carmen. In this way, she is a lot like Mirella Freni, who also sang a feistier Micaela. Ricciarelli is in great vocal form, and her rendition of "Je Dis" is beautiful and heart-felt. Those who have criticized her for what they feel is forced singing didn't really listen to the recording. She is mannered, she is mellow and in control. She has a genuinely dramatic way of singing, but then again, I've already made the comparison to Mirella Freni, whose Micaela is also dramatic. Quite frankly, this is the way Micaela should be sung. She is still a soprano, usually the lead in an opera and Ricciarelli understands that if she doesn't impress in the few moments she has in the opera, then she is letting the mezzo-soprano take all the glory. Ricciarelli is wonderful here and Micaela is one of her greatest roles, despite the fact she moved on to sing heavier roles like Tosca, Leonora, Aida and Turandot. She is probably better in the subdued lyrical roles then the heavier roles.

Jose Van Dam's Escamillo is dark, "butch" and strongly sung. He has a sharp musical intelligence and recognizes that Escamillo is also not the star but has his moments of radiance. He sings the famous Toreador Aria with great gusto and power. Karajan's slow conducting and colorful orchestration allows his few moments in the opera to really burst with maximum energy. Upon hearing Jose Van Dam's Escamillo, one can understand why Carmen jilts the now lackluster Don Jose. Van Dam is absolutely superb.

Last but certainly not least, there is Agnes Baltsa's Carmen. She was born to sing this role. It is a Carmen of several levels- she is playful (listen to how she slides her voice in the Habanera and Seguidilla) she is feminine but wordly. If she sounds mature and not youthful this is still to her credit. Carmen is a wordly, experienced libertine. Baltsa lives the character in ever scene. She sings with great power and beauty. The Death Card Aria has a tragic quality to it and she sings with a resigned spirit, acknowledging her fate. More than any other mezzo-soprano who has sung Carmen on record, to my knowledge, she really acts the hell out of that final scene. She is singing with grand flair, dramatic to the point she is boiling over with rage. Listen to how she emotes when she declares "Libre Elle Nee e Libre elle Morra" (I was born free and I shall die free!) and "E Bien! Frappe-Moi Donc, Or Lassez Ma Passe! (Very Well Then! Kill Me! Or Let Me Pass!). Finally, she nearly cracks her voice with the high, anguished cry of "C'este Autefrois Que Tu Me Vais Donne - TIENS!!!" (This ring you once gave me - TAKE IT!!!). Both Carreras and Baltsa take the trophy when it comes to dramatically belting out this famous scene in opera.

Once upon a time I thought that Jon Vickers and Grace Bumbry were the greatest Carmen/Don Jose interpretors. I don't believe that anymore after hearing Jose Carreras and Agnes Baltsa.

A Carmen with a double cast.......2005-10-11

Accidently I hit the "5 star button" and now I'm unable to edit my error..... I really wish I could give this album 5 stars, but since someone decided to ruin this recording with the use of French actors for the spoken dialogues, I simply can't give more than 4 stars. After having watched Baltsa and Carreras in the Carmen dvd I was excited to find this recording, but listening to it was a devastating experience as I became really disappointed because of the French actors who did nothing else than annoy me. I find it extremely difficult believing that the voices in the spoken dialogues should be the same as that of the singers. The speaking Carmen sounds like a woman who has spent all her life in a "boudoir" doing little else than smoking and drinking which is a stark contrast to the singing Carmen whose voice is as clear as a bell!! And while Don José Carreras melts your heart with his sensual, lyrical voice, the speaking Don José sounds as charming as a wet dishcloth. So why did they decide to let someone else than the singers perform the spoken dialogues? It beats me. It certainly can't be because they thought the singers unable to utter a spoken word. If you watch and listen to the highly recommendable Carmen dvd with Baltsa and Carreras you'll see how well they pull off this task. I have to admit that when listening to this cd I skip the spoken dialogues wherever possible - which means I work my remote control an awful lot. Enough said of this; I just needed to get it out of my system.

The singers in this album are as perfect as you'll ever want them to be. Baltsa is the best Carmen ever in my opinion; both flirtatious and a firework. After hearing her seductive "Pres de ramparts de Seville" it's no wonder Don José is irresistibly drawn to her. Even I have the same reaction to her singing as Don José. For some unknown reason; while I'm listening to the phrase "Mon officier n'est pas un capitaine" I can't stop myself from taking a deep breath of "contentment" (you know, the way you would do if someone declared his undying love for you...) and this is something that never fails to happen whenever I listen to this aria. The strange thing though is that you'll hear Don José doing the exact same thing at the exact same time. The first time I heard this it was almost unbelievable. Listen to this aria and you'll probably understand what I'm talking about.

Ricciarelli's Michaela is the sweetest one I've ever heard. If I was Don José I would really be having a hard time deciding which one of the women to choose. (But of course, no man goes for "sweet" when he can get "steamy hot" instead...) The duets between Michaela and Don José are just as sweet and tender as the duets between Carmen and Don José are full of sensual tension.

The Don José in the voice of Carreras is from my point of view the most perfect one. He can sound like the naïve and shy young soldier falling madly in love for the first time and also like the madman Don José ends up as in the final act. And speaking of the final act; the last 10-15 minutes of this opera are worth the price of the opera alone. Don José alters between begging and threatening to get Carmen back while Carmen herself refuses everything he says or does. The tension escalates every minute and ends when Don José finally kills Carmen. And I'm getting goose-flesh all over when he's crying "Ma Carmen, adorée". His singing throughout the entire opera is outstanding. I love the duets with Ricciarelli and Baltsa in addition to the famous and wonderful rendition of "La fleur que tu m'avais jetée". This aria ends up like the most gentle and tender love song. Thank you, Carreras and Karajan for that moment!

The rest of the cast are really good as well; we have José van Dam doing a fine job as the toreador Escamillo and Frasquita and Mercédès are portrayed by Christine Barbaux and Jane Berbié. So although the French actors are horrible (with the exception of Michaela) the singers make it worthwhile.

Polished, propulsive, utterly charmless.......2005-09-24

All three principals in this glossy Karajan production were favorites of his, but Carreras strains quite a lot, Baltsa is fiery in a harsh way, not a passionate way, and van Dam is dry, withoout the slightest hint of animal magnetism. Karajan propels the whole thing along with great polish, but what's the point if you don't love Carmen or feel Don Jose's plight?

A casual opera fan LOVES this version of Carmen.......2005-06-07

I own perhaps 15 operas, mostly Verdi, and the only other Carmen I've heard is the Julia Migunes Johnson/Domingo film version.

That being said, this Carmen remains tied for first among my operas.

Maybe there's a better version out there (Abbado/Bergazon/Domingo? Plasson/Georghiu(sp?/Alagna?), but you can't go wrong with this version.

Stunning Carmen.......2004-05-28

This is one of my favourite Carmens forever. While Baltsa may not be as fluent or idiomatic in the French style as lets say de los Angeles or Beatrice Uria-Monzon, her steamy hot mezzo will thrill you incredibly. There is a sensous, exciting glow in this seductive, dark timbre and Baltsa's unique vocal colour is as thrilling as Maria Callas' version of the fiery gypsy. Baltsa once stated that, after seeing Callas as Norma, she was proud to be a Greek singer (She saw Callas as Norma in her famous Normas in Epidaurus), she won a Callas-stipendium and became one of the greatest Cherubinos ever. Her switch to more dramatic roles like Carmen and Eboli is very interesting. This Carmen is sensual, flirtatious, brutally honest and incredibly hot. José Carreras was Baltsa's favourite partner, she preferred him over all the other Don Josés she sang with. His meltingly beautiful, dark and yet honeyed timbre is made for the dreamy, passionate and besotted Don José.
I for one don't mind von Karajan's bombastic orchestration and tempi here, I think it's very appropriate. I absolutely love this recording and I'm sure you'll never regret buying it.

Bizet: Carmen (Highlights) / Solti, Troyanos, Domingo

Average customer rating:

Nice music, nice voices

Bizet: Carmen (Highlights) / Solti, Troyanos, Domingo

Manufacturer: Decca
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Binding: Audio CD

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Verdi: Rigoletto (Highlights) / Sutherland, Pavarotti
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Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro / Te Kanawa, Popp, Ramey, Solti [Highlights]
Puccini: Tosca (Highlights) / Freni, Pavarotti
Carmen / Troyanos, Domingo, van Dam, Te Kanawa; Sir Georg Solti

ASIN: B000006P4O
Release Date: 1998-05-12

Tracks:

Carmen: Act I: Prelude
Carmen: Act I: Mais nous ne voyons pas la Carmencita! ... - L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera)
Carmen: Act I: Parle-moi de ma mere
Carmen: Act I: Pres des remparts de Seville (Seguidilla)
Carmen: Act II: Les tringles des sistres tintaientI
Carmen: Act II: Vivat, vivat le torero! ... Votre toast (Toreador song)
Carmen: Act II: Nous avons en tete une affaire
Carmen: Act II: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee (Flower song)
Carmen: Act II: Non! tu ne m'aimes pas!
Carmen: Act III: Melons! Coupons!
Carmen: Act III: Je dis que rien ne m'epouvante
Carmen: Act IV: Les voici, les voici
Carmen: Act IV: C'est toi! - C'est moi!

Customer Reviews:

Nice music, nice voices.......2000-06-15

This is Georges Bizet! He doesn't need any special advertising!

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Superlative collection
Great value for the money
Great for the money and a good starter on opera....
Amazing Value

100 Best Opera Classics

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The Most Famous Opera Arias
Best Classics 100
The Most Famous Opera Duets
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The #1 Opera Album

ASIN: B0007QOERC
Release Date: 2007-05-14

Tracks:

Voi Che Sepate - Teresa Berganza
Porgi Amor - Heather Harper
Deh, Vieni Alla Finestra - Thomas Allen
Batti, Batti, O Bel Masetto - Elizabeth Gale
Der Holle Rache - Edda Moser
O Isis Und Osiris - Cornelius Hauptmann
Temerari...Come Scoglio - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
La Calunnia E Un Venticello - Ruggero Raimondi
Nei Giardin Del Bello - Ambrosian Opera Chorus
Casta Diva - Maria Callas
Se Quel Guerrier...Celeste Aida - Franco Corelli
Tenesta La Promessa...Addio Del Passato - Beverly Sills
Niun Mi Tema - Jon Vickers
Un Bel Di Vedremo - Renata Scotto
E Lucevan Le Stelle - Placido Domingo
Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi - Mirella Freni
In Quelle Trine Morbide - Montserrat Caballe
Signore, Ascolta - Kiri Te Kanawa
Recitar...Vesti La Giubba - Jose Carreras
Amor Ti Vieta Di Non Amor - Roberto Alagna

Tracks:

Le Veau D'Or Est Toujours Debout - Boris Christoff
Ou Va La Jeune Hindoue? - Mady Mesple
L'Amour, L'Amour...Ah! Leve-Toi, Soleil - Alfredo Kraus
Allons! Le Faut...Adieu Notre Petite Table - Ileana Cotrubas
Toute Mon Ame Est La Pourquoi Me Reveiller - Nicolai Gedda
Quand La Flamme De L'Amour - Jose Van Dam
L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle - Victoria De Los Angeles
A Cette Voix...Je Crois Entendre Encore - Alain Vanzo
Une Puce Gentille - Gabriel Bacquier
Je Vais Mourir...Adieu, Fiere Cite - Regine Crespin
Mon Coeur S'Ouvre A Ta Voix - Rita Gorr
Wie Todesahnung...O Du Mein Holder Abenstern - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Johohoe! Traft Ihr Das Schiff Im Meere An? - Anja Silja
In Fernem Land - Chor Der Wiener Staatsoper
Heil Dir, Sonne! - Siegfried Jerusalem
Mild Und Leise - Helga Dernesch

Tracks:

Che Faro Senza Euridice? - Agnes Baltsa
Der Vogelfanger Bin Ich Ja - Walter Berry
Finch'Han Dal Vino - Nicolai Ghiaurov
E Susanna Non Vien!...Dove Sono - Barbara Hendricks
Abscheulicher! - Christa Ludwig
Ne M'Abandonne Pas, Espoir De La Vengeance...Asile Hereditaire - Nicolai Gedda
Largo Al Factotum - Tito Gobbi
Ella Giammai M'Amo! - Ruggero Raimondi
La Donna E Mobile - Alfredo Kraus
Di Quella Pira - Franco Corelli
Esultate! - James McCracken
Dio! Mi Potevi Scagliar - Placido Domingo
Vissi D'Arte, Vissi D'Amore - Maria Callas
In Questa Reggia - Ghena Dimitrova
Tanto Amore - Janine Micheau
O Mio Babbino Caro - Montserrat Caballe
Ed Anche Beppe Amo - Luciano Pavarotti
Poveri Fiori - Maria Callas
Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio - Roberto Alagna

Tracks:

Les Grands Seigneurs...Ah! Je Ris De Me Voir Si Belle - Victoria De Los Angeles
Marie, Avec L'Enfant Jesus - Jules Bastin
Heureux Petit Berger - Janine Micheau
Connais-Tu Le Pays - Jane Rhodes
Elle Ne Croyait Pas Dans Sa Candeur - Nicolai Gedda
Votre Toast, Je Peux Vous Le Rendre...Toreador - Victoria De Los Angeles
Les Oiseaux Dans La Charmille - Mady Mesple
Maintenant, Chantons...Devant La Maison De Celui Qui D'Adore - Gerard Souzay
Depuis Le Jour - Beverly Sills
Da Geht Er Hin - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Einsam In Truben Tagen - Regine Crespin
Dich, Teure Halle - Hildegard Behrens
Leb Wohl, Du Kuhnes, Herrliches Kind - Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau
Hojotoho! Hojotoho! - Ute Walther

Tracks:

Non Piu Andrai - Thomas Allen
La Ci Darem La Mano - Graziella Sciutti
Duo: Pa-Pa-Pa - Andreas Schmidt
Soave Sia Il Vento - Delores Ziegler
Mira, O Norma - Maria Callas
Il Dolce Suono - Edita Gruberova
Com'e Gentil - Alfredo Kraus
Una Voce Poco Fa - Maria Callas
Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici - Alfredo Kraus
Gualtier Malde!...Caro Nome - Michele Pertusi
Ritorna Vincitor - Birgit Nilsson
Ave Maria - Katia Ricciarelli
Nessun Dorma - Franco Corelli
Che Gelida Manina - Nicolai Gedda
Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana - Barbara Hendricks

Tracks:

Mes Amis, Ecoutez L'Histoire - Nicolai Gedda
Mieux Vaut Mourir...Amour Sacre De La Patrie - Alfredo Kraus
Ah! Je Veux Vivre Dans Ce Reve - Mady Mesple
Puisqu'on Ne Peut Flechir...Vainement, Ma Bien-Aimee - Henry Legay
Suis-Je Gentille Ainsi?...Je Marche Sur Tous Les Chemins - June Anderson
Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'Amour - Jessye Norman
La Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee - Jose Carreras
C'est Toi!...Au Fond Du Temple Saint - John Aler
Werther, Werther, Qui M'Aurait Dit...Ces Lettres! - Tatiana Troyanos
Viens, Mallika - Mady Mesple
Ah! Je Suis Seule Enfin...Dis-Moi Que Je Suis Belle - Beverly Sills
Alerte, Alerte!...Anges Purs, Anges Radieux - Nicolai Ghiaurov
Boris's Farewell - Boris Christoff
Schreckensschwur! - Gary Lakes
Die 'Selige Morgentraum-Deutweise'...Selig, Wie Die Sonne - Peter Schreier
Was Am Besten er Kann...Nothung! Nothung! - Siegfried Jerusalem

Customer Reviews:

Superlative collection.......2006-10-11

A collection of 100 individual arias and ensembles from the EMI catalogue of complete works recorded between 1955 and 2003. It includes selections from operas by Italian, Austrian, German, Russian and French composers. The French composers are especially well represented unlike most such anthologies. And there are several more obscure contributions, such as an aria from Catalani's La Wally. A well-judged balance of musical periods and styles, and the very best singers of the last half of the last century. And remarkably, the whole collection of 6 CDS, over 7 hours of music, is being sold for the cost of only 1 CD !

Great value for the money.......2006-04-23

This is simply the best collection of opera arias that I have seen. It's not 100% in that there are a few well-known arias that are not here, but what is here is simply a treasure. The organization is a bit strange, but there's some logic. For example, Disk 6 is mostly from French operas. A seemingly endless amount of glorious music. Just fabulous. You won't be disappointed.

Great for the money and a good starter on opera...........2006-01-07

This cd is a splendid collection of songs, and the price is unbeatable; I have but a few minor complaints about the overall product. The cd would have been much more enjoyable if they had put the music in some sort of order, rather than jumping around from artist to artist sporatically. My only other complaint would be that they could have chosen some better vocalists to play some of the songs. For example, in CD 6, track 3: Romeo et Juliette, the singer was not nearly as strong and definative as she should have been and I've definately heard in various other versions that were way better than this. This disappointed me greatly. But even with these few small complaints, this collection is still great and the price is amazing. It includes MOST of the famous opera pieces, as well some great songs that are often overlooked such as the beautiful song from Wagner's Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg (CD 6, track 16) along with others.

Amazing Value.......2005-08-23

I am so impressed by this collection that I must share my joy at getting so many beautiful arias, duets, et al in one collection. It captures many of the great operatic voices in stellar performances spanning the last 50 years. If you are enchanted by beautiful operatic highlights, removed from their operatic storylines, this set is for you. Hours of gorgeous music for practically pennies!

Music Review:

Music Review

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