Rossini - Otello (Malibran Version) / Ratiani · Ciofi · Edwards · Bonfatti · Kang · Paolo Arrivabeni [Box set]

On this CD:

1. Otello, opera
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Italian International Orchestra with Simon Edwards, Gregory Bonfatti, Patrizia Ciofi

Tracks:

Ah Dov'e, Dov'e El Cimento
Che Ascolto!
Cessa Di Piu Resistere
Vieni Fra Queste Braccia
Concedi, Amor Pietoso
Terra Amica
Oh Fiamma Soave
Si, Ritrovarla Io Giuro

Amazon.com

This disc by the rising young Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Flórez is a winner. He has a light lyric tenor of quality, stunning coloratura technique, and a real feeling for the Rossini style. He shines in these bravura arias, scattering high Cs and Ds with abandon. There aren't many tenors these days who can fearlessly negotiate the perils of arias like "Cessa di piu resistere" from The Barber of Seville with such aplomb. Nor are there many who can capture both the pathos and the fevered intensity of "Oh fiamma souave" from La donna del lago. Even those who might wish for a warmer, sweeter sound in the bel canto repertory than Flórez's brighter, more brilliant tones should welcome this auspicious solo debut. He's helped by the sure hand of Riccardo Chailly at the helm, ensuring stylistically sympathetic performances. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

What an incredible disc.......2006-03-04

This was my first Juan Diego Florez CD and I was just amazed for what I heard the very first time. Such an elegance while singing, bright and powerfull performance and above all a full respect for what rossini wrote. This is a masterpice and every single collector should have it. Juan Diego Florez sing as no one can: he is the number one. These selection of Rossini arias are among the most difficul ones for the tenor voice and Florez is able to sort them with no apparent effort. By the way if you have not yet bought his last disc, and if you have some affection for Latin America, go for it. That disc, "Sentimiento Latino" is full of the most representative songs from Latin America and Florez manages to master them all as no one has done before. What a great artist.

Rossini tenors.......2005-08-26

At last a real Rossini tenor, as rare as hens teeth! Mr Florez has all the right vocal technique and a stunnning head tone to produce the high, light tenor sound needed for these impossible to sing Rossini arias. I hope he continues to sing roles suited for his fabulous voice and avoids the heavy Verdi and Puccini roles. Juan Diego Florez is the real deal.

Exceptional Tenor!.......2005-01-30

Theo made a very good point when describing Juan Diego Florez. He indeed is all the talents of these legendary tenors combined, along with the exemplary skills of the old school of Italian music. Sure, he doesn't possess the warmth of a Domingo or a Gigli, but what would you expect of a Rossinian tenor? Heavy voice that goes up up up? That is quite uncommon for such a beautiful voice of this timbre. Now if there were indeed a tenor with a dark voice who could tackle such material and do just about anything that the operatic repertoire requires of him, yet maintain a limber quality about his voice when tackling the challenging bel canto repertoire, then we would have Callas reincarnated in the tenor voice (LOL!!). But truly, this is a gem of a recital. No other tenor nowadays can perform such challenging material without resorting to unconventional means of singing. He truly revived the real bel canto voice--fresh, light, yet invigorating in drama. Drama, I say, is exemplified here not through the typical verismo style we are acquainted to nowadays. It is rather inflicted upon the soul in the traditional bel canto manner--through embellishments and dramatic singing without sobs or such and so. He does it with grace. His florid lines will astound, amaze, and astonish you. His high notes are chesty yet beautiful. Take my word for it, this is a tenor you will be very sorry to miss if you don't sample the many delicacies he has to offer.

Worth a listen .......2004-10-10

As you may have determined from the other reviews of this CD, Juan Diego Florez is a controversial artist. With a high tessitura, athletic vocal agility, and penetrating vibrato, Mr. Florez's voice might find more fans in Europe than in the US (where the dramatic arias of Verdi, Puccini and Wagner are more popular than the jaw-dropping vocal fireworks that made Rossini famous). For opera fans who were introduced to Rossini's difficult and now rarely-heard music in the 1980s through such great artists as the Mexican tenor Francisco Araiza (e.g., through the opera film 'La Cenerentola' by Jean Pierre Ponnelle), Florez may be a shock. Mr. Araiza's voice was deeper, darker, and more 'masculine' than Florez's voice yet possessed the same amazing agility and range. However, Juan Diego Florez is worthy of praise and recognition. He has an 'easy top' much like Pavarotti, and high notes that avoid the bone-grating 'slide' up to the high Cs and Db's that other tenors have used in Rossini operas. Being young (barely 30), Mr. Florez will have time to grow into his powerful voice. We should all hope that his talent will be recognized by a wider audience and lead to new, more authentic recordings of Rossini's rare and difficult operas such as Semiramide, Tancredi, and Ermione.

Impressed, but not moved..........2003-06-20

I am sorry, but I only feel I can give this cd three stars. Juan Diego Florez pulls off some very diffcult roulades. His voice is definitely more beautiful in some ways than many of the tenore di grazia's to come before him. However, every note of the arias seems to sound the same. Maybe it is only my personal preference, but I have always enjoyed a bit more text painting. Although he has a solid technique, I think this cd set leaves me completely unsatisfied emotionally and I must admit that I do not particularly care for the shrillness of the high notes. I am impressed, but not moved. I recommend buying this cd just to hear a tenor that may be the best of the young tenors that are out there today(technically). However, I like to be reeled in emotionally and really feel connected to the text due to the singer's interpretive skill. Florez does this for me at no point. The singing is not effortless by any stretch of the imagination, but seems to show that a great deal of hard work was put into attaining the high level of technical achievement. Hopefully, he will continue to improve and blow me away with his next album release.

Average customer rating:

King of overtures on display
Dynamic Rossini
High Excitement
Amuse-Bocuse for the Ears!
All the Rossini I need!

Rossini: Overtures (14)

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music

More Titles at Least 20% Off | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Famous Overtures
William Tell & Other Favorite Overtures
Suppe: Overtures
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Strauss: The Best of Vienna

ASIN: B00000425N
Release Date: 1995-06-13

Tracks:

Overtures: Guillaume Tell - G. Rossini
Overtures: Il signor Bruschino - G. Rossini
Overtures: Il viaggio a Reims - G. Rossini
Overtures: La scala di seta - G. Rossini
Overtures: La gazza ladra - G. Rossini
Overtures: Il turco in Italia - G. Rossini
Overtures: L'Italiana in Algeri - G. Rossini

Tracks:

Overtures: Il barbiere di Siviglia - Gioacchino Rossini
Overtures: Torvaldo e Dorliska - Gioacchino Rossini
Overtures: La cambiale di matrimonio - Gioacchino Rossini
Overtures: Otello - Gioacchino Rossini
Overtures: Semiramide - Gioacchino Rossini
Overtures: La Siege de Corinthe - Gioacchino Rossini
Overtures: Tancredi - Gioacchino Rossini

Amazon.com essential recording

Rossini's Overtures are absolute jewels of the Classical period. He used them as his musical "calling cards," and with the exception of William Tell, there's absolutely no relationship between the overture and opera it introduces. The famous Barber of Seville overture, for example, was used previously for two tragic operas, including one called Elizabeth, Queen of England! All they were supposed to do was entertain the audience and let them know that the real business was about to begin. And that's just what they've been doing ever since. This comprehensive collection, at two discs for the price of one, will keep you in Rossini for a good, long time. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

King of overtures on display.......2007-03-07

This 2-disc set contains 14 overtures by the master of this musical form himself, G. Rossini. The music quality is good - standard for digital, the orchestration is clear, and each CD provides about 1 hour of good, lively music. The choice of music is also great, making this set a great buy.

Dynamic Rossini.......2005-04-26

For Rossini lovers, this album gives you a sample of Rossini at his best. The dynamic range of the composer, his verve and vitality delivered in the most popular overtures ever written.
The quality of the recordings is very good, and should satify any and all Rossini fans. I love to kick back, with a set of ear phones and absorb the incredible sound and muscularity of Rossini. Well worth the price of admission.

High Excitement.......2005-03-02

I originally bought the LP versions way back before CDs were introduced. High excitement is the best way I can describe the performances. I have heard nothing since to equal Chailly's energetic read. I haven't gotten this CD version yet, but the first volume one did have better quality miking then the second volume. The price makes it worth just buying the CD instead of trying to digitize my LPs.

Amuse-Bocuse for the Ears!.......2004-09-10

Just as amuse-boche is meant to entertain and tempt the tastebuds for the coming courses in a gourmet meal, so does the overture function in the operatic banquet.

Rossini is one of the greatest overture composers, and here is collection of fourteen of his best!

They are soaring and delightful. Especially captivated by some that were new to me, causing one to want to followup with the opera-- a brilliant way to cause interest in operatic world. These included the likes of Otell, Semiramide and Le Siege de Corinthe.

Amazing and vibrant double CD collection!

All the Rossini I need!.......2003-06-30

As far as I'm concerned, I don't need to search the field for any other Rossini overture CDs--this 2-CD set has it covered. Chailly's interpretations of these pieces are wonderfully exuberant, and the National Philharmonic plays with precision and flair. These CDs have become the standard I use to judge other recordings of Rossini overtures. Granted, they're not perfect: As another reviewer pointed out, Chailly takes some passages differently than we're used to hearing them (the end of the Barber of Seville overture is faster than usual, for example). However, the orchestra is so competent and the conductor so assured that these small, occasional differences are refreshing rather than annoying. As well, there are (very) occasional moments where the orchestra slips a little out of synch, but only because they're having so much fun playing the music. This is Rossini the way it was meant to sound--playful, melodious and energetic to the end.

Average customer rating:

Excellent performance and recording
Very Nice
Sparkling Performances

Rossini: Complete Overtures

Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Tchaikovsky: Complete Suites for Orchestra
Debussy, Ravel: Orchestral Works
Saint-Saëns: Les 5 Symphonies
Mendelssohn: 5 Symphonies; 7 Overtures
Vivaldi: The Masterworks (Box Set)

ASIN: B00009KV0W
Release Date: 2003-08-12

Customer Reviews:

Excellent performance and recording.......2007-02-02

If you like Rossini, this is an a must-have recording. Sure, he tended to write the same pieces over and over again, but they are utterly delightful. These performances by Neville Marriner and his personal orchestra are precise, and the fun inherent in many of these works does not get lost in the shuffle. The orchestra is blessed with excellent woodwind players; just listen to the oboe on some of the really fast passages.

Nice recorded sound. I really don't have anything bad to say about this entire package. It's almost a desert island recording for times where Mahler or Beethoven might be a little (or a lot) heavy.

Very Nice.......2005-03-17

Yes, these overtures may be cliched, but every classical collector should probably have them. Marriner, as usual, gives great performances, and the sound quality is very good.

Sparkling Performances.......2003-09-15

I only have glowing things to say about this set of Rossini overtures. First of all, Rossini's overtures are brilliant gems. They are light, fun and full of life!! Secondly, Marriner's conducting is marvellous. The performance sparkle like precious diamonds. Everything is very enjoyable, there's not a single boring number, unlike many other discs you purchase. And to top it off, it comes at a terrific bargain price. 3 very full CDs - 75 mins, 30 mins and 65 mins - of top notch music at seven dollars a piece is incredible.

Average customer rating:

The Art of Ruggiero Ricci

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Milstein (4CD Set)
The Art of Ivry Gitlis
Leonid Kogan Edition [Box Set]
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli Vol. 2 [Germany]
Lazar Berman Edition (Box Set)

ASIN: B0001NPTX4
Release Date: 2005-10-18

Average customer rating:

INCREDIBLE TECHNIQUE, PHRASING,TONE
Very good technique....tone...no
Wow

Amanda
Isaac Albeniz , Fryderyk Chopin , Manuel de Falla , Enrique Granados , Ernesto Lecuona , Franz Lehar , Thelonious Monk , Gioachino Rossini , Cyril Scott , Carl Maria von Weber , and Amanda Pepping
Manufacturer: Summit(Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Caprice - Alison Balsom
Bach: Works for Trumpet
Music for Trumpet and Organ
Jens Lindemann: Flying Solo
Jens Lindemann: Rising Sun

ASIN: B000AMPZL2
Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

Asturias Leyenda De La Suite Espanola
Cordoba
Andalucia
Gitaneras
Malagunea
Lotus Land
Andaluza, Spanish Dance No.5
Scherzo
Muzurka
Frasquita
Malaguena
El Pano Moruno
Seguidilla
Asturiana
Jota
Nana
Cancion
Polo
The Willow Song
Danse Espagnol
Round Midnight

Album Description

Amanda Pepping, one of the rare company of female trumpet virtuosi, enjoys a diverse career as an active soloist, ensemble musician, and music teacher. She has had dozens of solo engagements in the last few years. This CD is a collection of many of Pepping's favorite pieces.

Customer Reviews:

INCREDIBLE TECHNIQUE, PHRASING,TONE.......2007-06-28

I don't know what music the first comment was referring to when he said she doesn't have good tone. Amanda Pepping is superb in every aspect of her playing. Fast, articulate, great phrasing, technique, and tonal quality. He needs to get his trumpet out and match what she does. (If he even plays at all). I think he can probably play "Twinkle, twinkle, little star".

T.A.

Very good technique....tone...no.......2005-10-21

She's got some very impressive technique, especially from what you hear on the first track...all that rapid firing! wow

But when you talk about tone, which I believe is the essence of trumpet playing, she does not produce a rich enough tone

If you want to listen to INSANE technique while still retaining a beautiful tone, listen to Maurice Andre, his Carnival of Venice was quite impressive

Wow.......2005-09-20

Amanda Pepping is most definitely in the elite company of the small sorority of female trumpet virtuosi. Brava!

Mario del Monaco: Historical Recordings 1950 - 60

Average customer rating:

One of the biggest voices of the past 50 years
The Biggest Tenor Voice of the 20th century

Mario del Monaco: Historical Recordings 1950 - 60

Manufacturer: Gala
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

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

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Mario del Monaco: Opera Arias
Beniamino Gigli: Historical Recordings 1927 - 1951
The Very Best of Franco Corelli
Grandi Voci: Mario del Monaco
The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli

ASIN: B000001XLU
Release Date: 2000-06-06

Tracks:

'I pagliacci': Prologo
'I pagliacci': Vesti la giubba
'I pagliacci': No, pagliaccio non son!
'Il trovarore': Di quella pira
'Il trovarore': Mal reggendo
'Il trovarore': Ah, si ben mio
'Macbeth': Ah, la peterna mano
'Otello': Esultate
'Otello': Niun mi tema
'Otello': Morte di Otello
'Madama Butterfly': Addio fiorito asil
'Tosca': Recondita armonia
'Tosca': E lucevan le stelle
'Il tabarro': Hai ben raggione
'Il tabarro': Folle di gelosia
'Andrea Chenier': Un di all'azzuro spazio
'Andrea Chenier': Si fui soldato
'Andrea Chenier': Come un bel di maggio
'Les troyens': Aria di Enea
'Il Barbiere Di Siviglia': Largo al factotum
'Die Walkure': Monologue of Siegmund

Customer Reviews:

One of the biggest voices of the past 50 years.......2007-02-19

Mario del Monaco was not the most elegant tenor; he was not a great actor. But, man, did he have a big voice! He had one of the most powerful tenor voices of the past 50 years. We're talking Richard Tucker and Franco Corelli power here (and maybe even more at that).

Some examples. He sings "Largo al factotum" from Rossini's "Il Barbiere de Siviglia." He takes it at a fast pace. This work is normally sung by a baritone, but del Monaco makes it his own anyhow. He has fun with this aria and it shows.

For tenors, "Di quella pira" is a show off aria (from Verdi's "Il Trovatore"). The high C here is a splendid place to demonstrate one's voice. Del Monaco has the big voice for this; the high notes ring out. On the other hand, with the "shake" in this work, he is pretty rough and inelegant. But elegance was not del Monaco's forte; power was. His voice on the final notes sails above the orchestra and chorus.

Verdi's "Tosca" has two showstoppers for tenors: "E lucevan le stella" and "Recondita armonia." His version of the former is powerfully sung. Again, not elegant, no great characterization--but powerfully sung. A stentorian voice deployed to good effect. His singing of the words "la vita" catches one's attention. As for the latter, more of the same. If elegance you want, do not attend to Mario del Monaco. If you are intrigued with power, then he is someone you might wish to listen to.

"Vesti la giubba" was one of Caruso's most famous pieces. This aria, from Leoncavallo's "I Pagliacci," is one of the most well known works in the repertoire. Again, del Monaco's version is not graceful. His laughter works nicely; his voice is almost too much for this aria. Nonetheless, again, for those interested in the work of del Monaco, this is interesting to listen to.

All in all, a nice introduction to the work of Mario del Monaco. Personally, I find his power wondrous to listen to; on the other hand, I wish that there were a bit more elegance and subtlety. But the power of his voice is a natural wonder!

The Biggest Tenor Voice of the 20th century.......2005-08-01

Most music scholars and opera cognescentes credit the Italian from Florence Mario Del Monaco to have been blessed with the most powerful and biggest tenor voice in the 20th century. I wouldn't know about in all history, but for all I know, he could have indeed have the biggest tenor voice in history, since in the old days of opera -Baroque Era to the 19th century, purely lyric tenors with only some weight and power- like Caruso, were in vogue. When Monaco came along, he changed the course of tenor performances. He was singing in electrifying performances during the 50's- his career spanned the same time of Maria Callas' legendary performances. He even worked with Callas and Tebaldi in such operas as Norma and Andrea Chenier. Mario Del Monaco's most famous role was Verdi's Otello, still considered the greatest interpretation by any tenor of that role. This album finds him at his peak and he sings aria after aria in powerful, masculine, dynamic and beautiful voice, exemplifying the best way to sing in the Italian manner. Find out for yourself and put on this recording while listening to other tenors singing the same arias at the same time. I have tried it. Monaco's voice is far bigger and meatier than such celebrated tenors as Giuseppe Di Stefano, Franco Corelli, Jon Vickers, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavoratti. Vickers had a big voice as well but even his voice is thinner next to the hefty voice of Del Monaco. Not only that but Del Monaco was the first real "star" tenor at a time when soprano divas were always the stars. He immersed himself in the roles he sang and brought to life for post-World War II audiences.

This well-documented album showcases Mario's versatility in various Italian operas. The only non-Italian aria here is the last one, Siegfried's Aria and Monologue from Wagner's Die Walkure. But mostly, he sang in Italian as only singers from Germany itself sung in the operas of Strauss and Wagner. Americans or Italian singers sticked to the much beloved Italian repertoire. Monaco shows off his muscular vocal chords in the classic tenor signature aria - Vesti La Giubba from I Pagliacci, made famous by Enrico Caruso. In this aria, Pagliacci, just learning that his lady love Nedda has been unfaithful, is naturally crushed but has to perform that night and adopts a "show must go on" attitude. "Laugh, clown, laugh" is his motto in that aria. Monaco makes that aria more intense than any other tenor that followed him. His Manrico is the perfect vehicle for his heroic bravado technique and his Di Quella Pira is hands down the finest interpretation. Included here are arias from Otello, including the passionate "Esultate!" which soars above a powerful orchestra. Also here are stirring arias from Andrea Chenier and even a delightful rendition of "Largo Al Factotum" from the comic Rossini masterpiece The Barber of Seville. Surprisingly, Monaco does not seem perfect for such a role, since it seems to be vocally beneath him. Del Monaco was too serious and heroic sounding that such comic roles as a barber appeared like an odd stray from the norm. But it also proves his versatility I guess. For me, Mario Del Monaco was at his best in such roles as Manrico from Trovatore, Radames from Aida, Cavaradossi from Tosca (included here) Don Jose in Carmen, which he sung opposite Regina Resnik, Calaf in Turandot and Siegfried as well as Otello. Get this album and hear for yourself the voice that dazzled audiences and the man who is still beloved and talked about by opera lovers to this day.

Average customer rating:

Wow! Bastianini can really sing!
a voice of gold
The gift from the Heaven
supreme beauty
Non ti scordar!

Ettore Bastianini in Recital

Manufacturer: Myto Records Italy
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Verdi: Rigoletto
Robert Merrill
Recital: Piero Cappuccilli
Carlo Bergonzi - The Sublime Voice ~ 40 Tracks from the Legendary Tenor
Verdi: La Forza del Destino

ASIN: B000001MKV
Release Date: 2000-09-09

Tracks:

Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum
La Forza Del Destino: Urna Fatale
Un Ballo In Maschera: Alzati/La Tuo Figlio
Un Ballo In Maschera: Eri Tu Che Macchiavi
Otello: Vanne/La Tua Meta Gia Vedo
Otello: Credo In Un Dio Crudel
Don Carlo: O Carlo, Ascolta
Rigoletto: Cortigiani, Vil Razza Dannata
Andrea Chenier: Questo Azzurro Sofa
Andrea Chenier: Son Sessant' Anni/O Vecchio
Il Tabarro: Nulla!...Silenzio!...
Il Tabarro: T'ho Colto!
I Pagliacci: Prologo
Cavalleria Rusticana: Il Cavallo Scalpita
Cavalleria Rusticana: Oh! Il Signore Vi Manda
L' Amico Fritz: Per Voi/Ghiottoni Inutili
Lodoletta: Tel Dissi/Lodoletta
Le Maschere: Quella E Una Strada
Il Sogno
Non Posso Chiedervi
Eterna Memoria
Ovunque Tu

Customer Reviews:

Wow! Bastianini can really sing!.......2007-03-19

Ettore Bastianini is so awesome! The man could really sing, and I mean, really sing! His voice is so dark, so sexy, aristocratic, it sounds like bronze. He really was a vocal phenomenon. I was always interested in him; the rave reviews on amazon convinced me to purchase this CD, and I'm glad I did. His voice was gorgeous.

a voice of gold.......2003-02-23

I first heard Bastianini is Serafin's London recording of "La Boheme" with Carlo Bergonzi and Renata Tebaldi. I was impressed then and I still am now.
To possess such evenness in every part of one's range is nothing short of amazing. Bastianini's high notes are as rich as his lows and it is stunning to hear such brassiness in a baritone. A beautiful timbre is matched by peerless vocal skill; he is VERY well trained as a singer. Nothing is out of tune, a beat behind, or cut short for lack of air.
His opera buffo is superb; I wish there was a recording of "The Barber of Seville" with him in the title role. He truly has character when he sings comedic roles and his diction is impeccable; I don't think I've ever heard recitative done that quickly before. He is a little static and distant in "Eri tu" (I like it a little slower), but I think that, had he lived longer, he would have grown more into the role of Renato. Despite this, he is a true Verdi baritone singing with great civility and consistancy. Track 7 from "Don Carlo" shows this perfectly; easily some of the best lyrical phrasing on record.
Every song is done with perfect technique punctuated by great expression. He makes the change from technical singer to interpretive artist with considerable ease, especially in the last tracks which are live recordings of him in concert.
The orchestra and piano accompaniments are just that; accompaniments. And there is little effort made on the part of the conductors to intrude upon his singing. There is depth, but it quietly provides a very easy platform from which to simply listen to his voice and enjoy the sparkling clarity.
The recording quality is excellent mono that sounds like a very distant stereo instead of like someone singing into a box. There is very little static or hiss and the audience is barely audible at all.
Truly, an excellent (and rare) recording of a singer whose voice was a gift from God. It's a rather odd, but very special album that any opera buff should have.

The gift from the Heaven.......2000-06-06

Ettore was the best and the most incredible baritone of all time. This CD contains many of earlier recordings when he switched from bass to baritone. And he sang absolutely wonderful. He'll take you to heaven when you hear pieces from Forza, Ballo and all the rest. He would have been a great Iago. He proved in this CD. He also proved that he was a great comedian in Barbiere and Maschere. What a pleasure and the gift he'd left with us. I can't thank him enough!

supreme beauty.......2000-06-04

When I listened to Ettore Bastianini for the first time, I got very impressed with the pureness of his sound. His range was incredible and even though he started his career as a bass, his roles as a baritone are superb. His voice of supreme beauty reminds us that baritone's voices don't have to be limited and common. This recording is great. That "Si puo? is powerful. All the arias are performed with passion and beauty. Bastianini is a must to have baritone in all opera collections.

Non ti scordar!.......2000-04-14

While there have been a few great baritones since Ettore Bastianini's departure from the opera stage, I feel it would be a great loss if we allow his name to be forgotten. In a recent survey by Opera News magazine, Dmitri Hvorostovsky named Bastianini as his inspiration and singing role model, particularly emphasizing a certain "dark force" of his voice. This says a lot coming from today's leading baritone. Indeed, the beauty of the voice and the impeccable technique can be a point of standard for everyone who came after.

Bastianini started out as a bass before developing the powerful upper register to match his rich secure low notes. His baritone is, therefore, the darkest you would ever hear, with a possible exception of Renato Bruson. Yet high tessitura of Verdian arias presented no difficulty for him. On this disk the arias from Un Ballo, Otello, Rigoletto, and Don Carlo are presented in a sequence, all of the highest difficulty and all flawlessly executed. Bastianini must have been perfect on stage as well with sound so immense it overwhelms the recording system several times. His talents also shine in rarely performed arias from operas "Lodoletta", "Il Tabarro", and "L'Amico Fritz". There are four beautiful art songs at the end of the disk. While Bastianini was mostly famous for the sheer beauty of his voice, I found his characterizations to be wonderful as well. Just take Figaro's flamboyant swaggering introduction versus Iago's dark brooding credo. It really sounds like two different people singing. Without ever breaking the line or sacrificing the quality for the dramatic effect, he was able to convey the very nature of the character.

Needless to say, I would like to see more recordings become available of this magnificent baritone. Since he's featured on quite a few Decca releases of complete operas, perhaps the company would treat us with a compilation album? That would be most appreciated by everyone who wants to see the opera legends not perish from audience's memory. In a meanwhile, get this disk that has over 70 minutes of pure joy recorded on a surprisingly good level.

Rossini: Otello
Average customer rating:

Shakespearean Bel Canto: The Other Otello

The opera goes on a bit but Otello reigns!

Rossini: Otello

Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by Rossini | Rossini, Gioacchino | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
Opera & Vocal | Imports | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Rossini: L'Assedio di Corinto

Rossini - Bianca e Falliero / Larmore · Cullagh · Banks · D'Arcangelo · LPO · Parry (Complete Opera)

Verdi: Un Giorno di Regno

Rossini - Guillaume Tell / Bacquier, Caballé, Gedda, Mesplé, Kovacs, Howell, RPO, Gardelli

Rossini: La Donna Del Lago

ASIN: B0001GAS5U
Release Date: 2004-04-16

Tracks:

Overture
Act One
Act Two
Act Two - Continued
Act Three

Customer Reviews:

Shakespearean Bel Canto: The Other Otello.......2005-11-18

It is Verdi's masterful opera Otello that most opera connoisseurs are familiar with, but Rossini's Otelli is a different animal. On this Phillips recording we are treated to purely bel canto style drama that was typical of Rossini's early operatic ventures, starring the talented singers Jose Carreras in the tenor lead of Otello, mezzo soprano Federic Von Stade as Desdemona, tenors Pastine and Fisichella as Cassio and Rodrigo and Samuel Ramey as the villainous Iago. The Spanish conductor Jesus Lopez Cobos lead the Philharmonia Orchestra. While musically speaking, this is inferior to Verdi's Otello, it is still a superb bel canto piece, where the compelling drama takes a backseat and the focus is the beauty of the melodic lines and the singing; namely in fioritura arias for both tenor and mezzo soprano and the sumptuous ensembles. Rossini is not just a composer of innovative, bubbly, nearly Mozartian comedies like Barber of Seville, or the Italian Girl in Algiers. He enjoyed success in dramatic pieces like Elisabetta D'Inglaterra about Queen Elizabeth I of England and his masterpiece of grand opera William Tell. He took up the challenge of setting Shakespeare's tragedy Othello into bel canto opera. He succeeded. This is the most beautiful bel canto drama I have ever heard. The singing is florid, the music is lively and there are a few moments in which the drama takes over. Particularly impressive are Jose Carreras as a very dramatic Otello, Federica Von Stade as a warm, vulnerable Desdemona and Samuel Ramey as the scheming Iago.

The pairing of Carreras and Von Stade was ideal, for they are able to portray the tragic couple with aplomb. Carreras more than any other tenor could convey insecurity and vulnerability in his singing of heroic roles. Rather than focusing on bombast and hugeness, he sang beautifully and plainly. His Otello is perhaps the most realistic, and it's a crying shame he didn't attempt the more difficult Otello of Verdi's creation. It must have been too much for him. However, THIS Otello is the most credible. In Act 1 he is still very much in love with Desdemona, secure in his position as General and happy with his life. By the opera's finale, he is but a shadow of his former self. Destroyed by jealousy, he loses his dignity. Carreras can color his voice to emote all these feelings and does so while still being true to the beauty of the music. Federica Von Stade's Desdemona is entirel unlike soprano Desdemonas. Von Stade has a purely mezzo voice but she can heighten her singing for dramatic effect. It is this Desdemona that prepared her for the role of Charlotte in Werther, which calls for a dramatic mezzo voice. While Von Stade can never and has never sung Amneris, Azucena, Eboli or other dramatic mezzo roles, she is still a very dramatic singer. Her Desdemona is a lyric creation composed of beauty, femininity and anguish. Her command of Rossini roles is superb. Samuel Ramey is doing a hell of a job as Iago. He has sung the Verdi Iago as well. Here, however, we find the Ramey that was initially a leading Rossini singer. He essays the music with bravura and strong baritone voice. He may not be as nasty an Iago as others have been, but the quality of his voice is right on. He sings with an edge and sexiness that next to Carreras is darker and more dangerous. And Iago is dangerous! Jesus Lopez Cobos is a masterful conductor of a variety of operatic repertoire (from Albeniz' Merlin to Massenet's Manon) and here he demonstrates how Rossini opera can be both beautiful, elegant and intensely dramatic. This is still a good opera, despite its almost risably melodramatic elements. It is a beautiful work. I wish they could stage it more often in nationwide opera houses. With the right singers and art direction this can be a thrilling work. It's just that bel canto operas have gone on the wayside in light of the more popular Verdi-Wagner-Puccini opera diet. It was a big movement in the 60's and bel canto specialists like Monsterrat Caballe, Joan Sutherland and Beverly Sills would have made terrific Desdemonas. But I am 100 percent sure that today's singers can really add excitement to this opera. Imagine the following cast for this opera: Placido Domingo, Salvatore Licitra, Roberto Alagna, Juan Diego Florez or Jose Cura or some other Latin tenor singing today as Otello, Renee Fleming, Anna Netrebko, Natalie Dessay, Cecilia Bartoli or Andrea Rost as Desdemona! And Samuel Ramey can still sing a terrific Iago but so could Bryn Terfel, Justino Diaz and any other well-trained Rossini baritone of today's opera scene.

The opera goes on a bit but Otello reigns!.......2005-11-05

This is not one of Rossini's best works but the recording is worth it for Carreras and Ramey. Both chaps are fantastic even if some Rossini fioritura gives Carreras a hard time here and there. It's hard to imagine a more handsome voice for the role however. And who else could bring this heroic character to life? The young Ramey as Elmiro also stands out from the crowd with his promising regal voice.

Rossini continues his tradition with multiple tenors but Pastine and Fisichella sound rather indifferent and the latter's voice is an acquired taste. At least the contrast with Carreras' voice is evident. We know who Otello is!

Von Stade is a mezzo and unfortunately that says it all for me. I'm not a big fan of this type of voice. If you like Rossini mezzos she won't dissapoint, especially since her voice has a distinct warmth that makes her a convincing, fragile Desdemona. The willow song is eloquent. The fluttery top notes on the other hand are distracting.

Lopez Cobos is a sensitive conductor but I felt his conducting was a bit lifeless here. Then again, Rossini's works don't offer many opportunities for a conductor to stand out anyway.

The Opera Rara version achieves overall a better result I feel but this Philips classic is still a safe choice, especially with such a handsome sounding Otello!

Frederica von Stade Sings Mozart & Rossini Arias [Hybrid SACD]

Average customer rating:

Wonderful, But ...

Frederica von Stade Sings Mozart & Rossini Arias [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Pentatone
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

A Protrait of Frederica von Stade
Frederica von Stade sings Dorumsgaard, Mahler, Ives, Poulenc and others
Frederica von Stade - French Opera Arias
Puccini: Tosca [Hybrid SACD]
Rossini - La Cenerentola / Frederica von Stade, Francisco Araiza, Paolo Montarsolo, Claudio Desderi, Laura Zannini, Claudio Abbado

ASIN: B0009KBMMQ
Release Date: 2005-08-16

Customer Reviews:

Wonderful, But ..........2005-08-20

This hybrid SA-CD derives from a recording made by Philips in 1975. At that time quadraphonic recordings were supposed to be the coming thing, and Philips made many recordings in four-channel sound, but the actual sound issuing from phonograph records at that time simply couldn't accommodate what was actually contained on the master tapes. Back then these performances were released in two-channel sound, but recently a group of former Philips audio types have now formed a new company, PentaTone Classics, which is in the process of releasing in SA-CD multichannel (actually four, rather than the possible five, channels) stereo, allowing us to hear the original sound as it was intended.

Frederica von Stade was thirty when she recorded these Mozart and Rossini arias and the sound of her voice is simply lovely. I've always adored her sound even when I was aware that her technique, particularly in coloratura, was a little deficient. Her 'Una voce poco fa,' for instance, is beautiful sounding but doesn't have the kind of vocal fireworks we've come to expect from coloratura mezzos who have come on the scene since the 1970s. Still, her silvery, 'smile in the voice' sound is endearing here and elsewhere in these arias. She does better in the slower, more lyrical passages. Her pearlescent pianissimo must be heard to be appreciated. 'Nacqui all'affanno' from Rossini's 'Cenerentola' is delicious even with its sometimes approximate fioriture. The recorded sound itself is exemplary. One can hear clearly the orchestra (the Rotterdam Philharmonic under Edo de Waart) behind and below her. At times, though, her voice almost disappears into the orchestral sound mass. This happens, for instance, in the soft beginning of Desdemona's 'Willow Song' ('Assisa a' piè d'un salice' from Rossini's 'Otello').

Almost no one in her era commanded pants roles quite the way von Stade did. Her slim figure and believable acting made her an adorable Cherubino, and I am completely satisfied with her 'Non sò piu' and 'Voi, che sapete.' I don't recall whether she ever sang Sexto in 'La clemenza di Tito' (or Vitellia, for that matter) but the two arias of those two characters are also quite satisfying for their acting with the voice. As for Zerlina's 'Vedrai, carino,' I've rarely heard it so well done.

So there are pluses and minuses in this issue, but the pluses outweigh the minuses and this CD makes for a mostly satisfying experience.

Scott Morrison

Cecilia Bartoli - Rossini Arias / Patanè

Average customer rating:

Rare Skill and Sensitivity in one so young
Pure Fun!
Cecilia is a wonderful singer!

Cecilia Bartoli - Rossini Arias / Patanè
Gioachino Rossini , Giuseppe Patanè , Cecilia Bartoli , and Vienna State Opera Choir Concert Association
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Bartoli, Cecilia | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Cecilia Bartoli - Mozart Arias
Cecilia Bartoli - Rossini recital ~ 19 songs & Cantata: Giovanna d'Arco
Cecilia Bartoli - Rossini Heroines
Cecilia Bartoli - Gluck Italian Arias ~ Dreams & Fables
Cecilia Bartoli - Mozart Portraits

ASIN: B0000041VL
Release Date: 1989-09-26

Tracks:

L'Italiana in Algeri: Cruda Sorte! Amor tiranno
L'Italiana in Algeri: Pronti abbiamo...Amici in ogni evento...Pensa alla patria
La Donna Del Lago: Mura felici
Tancredi: Oh! patria!...Di tanti palpiti
Otello: Assisa a pie' d'un salice
Stabat Mater: Fac ut portem
La pietra del paragone: Se l'Itale Contrade...Se per voi, le care, io torno
La Cenerentola: Nacqui all'affano...Non piu' mesta

Customer Reviews:

Rare Skill and Sensitivity in one so young.......2000-11-01

At an age when most mezzos are doing local theatre, studying, and dreaming of perhaps one day doing Tancredi or La Cenerentola, 22-year-old Cecilia Bartoli recorded this collection and, in doing so, served notice that for the forseeable future, one could not mention late 20th-century mezzo-sopranos without including her name near the very top of the list. This is no mere album of pretty songs done by a competent singer but some of the most beautifully and skillfully-rendered Rossini in recent memory. Not since Jackie Horne in her prime have some of these songs received such engaging treatment. And, some, like "Cruda sorte! Amor tiranno" from "La Italiana in Algeri", are now Cecilia's, alone. Here's a tip; leave the incredulity at her tender age behind and just listen. You'll be treated to some of the finest Rossini you're ever likely to hear.

Pure Fun!.......2000-07-06

You can't criticize a perfect blend. Of course everyone knows about Bartoli's weaknesses, BUT her voice was made to sing the lively & lilting, tuneful & titillating music of dear Rossini. This album is pure fun! Don't analyze it, just let yourself lift off! Ciao!

Cecilia is a wonderful singer!.......1999-09-24

This album recorded 1989. She is 23-year-old in those time, but she sung well these Rossini's Aria. I think she will be wonderful singer in the 21st Century. She has a wonderful voice and techinique. Some people says she is not good compared with the singers in the good old days. But I don't mind the things they said. They must envy her sucess.

I recommend it highly!

Music Track: