Rossini Overtures

On this CD:

1. Overture to La cambiale di matrimonio
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham

2. Overture to L'inganno felice
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Polish Chamber Philharmonic
Conducted by Jerzy Maksymiuk

3. Overture to La scala di seta (The Silken Ladder)
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted by Alceo Galliera

4. Overture to Il signor Bruschino
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Sir Colin Davis

5. Overture to L'italiana in Algeri (The Italian Girl in Algiers)
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted by Alcea Galiera

6. Overture to Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville)
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Malcolm Sargent

7. Overture to La gazza ladra (The Thieving Magpie)
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Sir Thomas Beecham

8. Il viaggio a Reims, opera Overture
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Malcolm Sargent

9. Overture to Guillaume Tell (William Tell)
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted by Alceo Galliera

10. I Vespri siciliani, opera (Les vêpres siciliennes) Overture
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

11. La Traviata, opera Prelude Act I
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

12. La Traviata, opera Prelude Act III
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

13. La forza del destino, opera Overture
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

14. Nabucco, opera (Nabucodonosor) Overture
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

15. Aida, opera Prelude Act I
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

16. Norma, opera Overture
Composed by Vincenzo Bellini
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

17. La cenerentola (Cinderella), overture
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

18. Linda di Chamounix, opera Overture
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

19. Don Pasquale, opera Overture
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted by Tullio Serafin

Tracks:

Clavelitos
Espana Cani
Cielito Lindo
Seventh Heaven Of Love
Carmen: Ov
Hava Nagila
Tea For Two
Moulin Rouge/Paris Canaille
Sirtaki (Zorba's Dance)
Fascination
The Gipsy Princess Medley: Love, Love, Love!/The Swallow Song/How Could I Know?/Love, Love, Love!
William Tell: Ov
Jalousie
The Canals Of Amsterdam
Let's Go To Varasdin
Chianti-Lied
La Vie En Rose/Padam Padam/Sous Les Ponts De Paris
Funiculi Funicula
Auld Lang Syne

Customer Reviews:

Fabulous.......2005-10-23

This DVD is spectacular. Andre Rieu is absolutely fascinating to listen to and the costumes of the orchestra as gorgeous. Well worth every penny.

Andre Rieu "Fiesta".......2005-09-20

This CD is absolutely fantastic. There is no musician quite like Andre Rieu. His music does indeed lift the spirit.

Fiesta.......2005-09-12

The music lifts my spirits! It is fun and lighthearted. I sincerely recommend this CD by Andre Rieu.

Not the best versions available.......2002-02-12

First of all, why call this recording
"Fiesta"? only for the first four latin-american
works? because the rest of the cd is of
German music.I you want a real "Fiesta"
disc, I recomendation is that disc
of Keith Lockhart, is much more fun and
much more in a fiesta spirit than this one.

This is a great album!.......2002-01-02

I highly recommend this album. Andre Rieu is a great violinist. If you buy this album you will not be dissappointed. I'd give it ten stars if I could.

Average customer rating:

Great Teaching Tool
Donna Diana
William Tell & Other Favorite Overtures
Blockbuster demo disk!
Fantastic!

William Tell & Other Favorite Overtures

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Famous Overtures
25 Thunderous Classics
Rossini: Overtures (14)
Orchestral Spectaculars
Symphonic Spectacular

ASIN: B000003CTP
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Light Cavalry
Daniel-Francois Auber
Zampa
Poet And Peasant
Donna Diana
Orpheus In The Underworld
William Tell

Customer Reviews:

Great Teaching Tool.......2007-05-29

The pieces on this disc represent some of the more intersting and dynamc overtures, very suitable for music appreciation classes to point out use of classics and neo-classical music in contemporary culture

Donna Diana.......2005-07-28

This CD has a nice mix of the familiar and unfamiliar --- but all are upbeat and fun to listen to. Well worth the price.

William Tell & Other Favorite Overtures.......2002-09-10

Suppe's Light Calvary and Poet and Peasant Overtures were absolutely grand, as were Daniel-Francois Auber's Fra Diavolo, Herold's Zampa, Reznicek's Donna Diana, Offenbachs Orpheus in the Underworld, and the magnificent William Tell Overture by Rossini. One word of caution: this CD will really test your stereo, the bass actually thunders, and will blow your socks off. Erich Kunzel and the Cincinnati Orchestra did a fine job, I would recommend this CD to anyone who loves the thunderous music of an orchestra, you cannot go wrong buying this CD, I love it on the car stereo and at home.

Blockbuster demo disk!.......2000-09-22

The Telarc label does it again. This is the perfect disk for showing off your sound system. Great recordings and great selection of overtures. I've been listening to this CD for about 15 years now and the Orpheus in the Underworld track still sends chills up my spine.

Fantastic!.......2000-05-26

Couldn't ask for anything more from a CD full of famous overtures. Kunzel and co. rock my world yet again.

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

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Famous Overtures
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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:

Fantastic
Famous Overtures
Spectacular
Excellent
The best Overture Album !

Famous Overtures

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Suppe: Overtures

ASIN: B00002MXN4
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

Light Cavalry - Suppe
Ruslan and Lyudmila - Glinka
La Traviata - Prelude, Act I - Verdi
Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg - Prelude, ACt I - Wagner
Les Francs-Juges - Berlioz
Le nozze di Figaro - Mozart
Egmont - Beethoven
Oberon - Weber
Academic Festival Overture - Brahms
Pique Dame - Suppe

Tracks:

Morning, Noon and Night in Vienna - Suppe
Il barbiere di Siviglia - Rossini
Prince Igor - Borodin
Carmen - Prelude, Act I - Bizet
Der fliegende Hollander - Wagner
Leonore No 3 - Beethoven
Hansel und Gretel - Humperdinck
Khovanshchina - Mussorgsky
Poet and Peasant - Suppe

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic.......2006-06-30

First of all anything with Sir Solti's name on is worth purchasing. Solti has such a way with interpreting music! If you like overtures this CD is for you. It has the best overtures here in one collection. With orchestras like chicago, london, and the vienna you cannot argue with the performances. There are a few "weaker" ensembles, but when compared with the other ensembles there are few that will not sound weak. Again any work Solti has done is worth purchasing!

Famous Overtures.......2005-08-16

Did not like the way these musical pieces were "interpretted".
Did not like the tempo and in one piece one of the instruments played a portion which I would say they played a flat instead of a natural note. This is based on hearing the same pieces played by someone else, it's just my opinion.

Spectacular.......2003-09-25

Not only does it include some of the most famous overtures, but they are played in such an exciting style, full of life and passion. The Suppe overtures are superior and the Wagner overtures are wonderful as well. There is not a bad point to this recording - highly recommended!

Excellent.......2002-06-11

This is an excellent collection of overtures, especially of Von Suppe's overtures. Solti truly brings out life in these pieces.

The best Overture Album !.......2000-02-28

If you like overtures, here is the album. Never have these been performed so musically and with such excitement. The orchestras involved vary in their abilities, yet the Chicago, Vienna, and London Symphony perfom with style. Solti loves this music and it shows.

Average customer rating:

Five stars for five winning performances.
Great Performances Indeed!

Favorite Overtures

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000025ME
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Zampa Overture
Mignon Overture
Raymond Overture
Poet And Peasant Overture
William Tell Overture

Customer Reviews:

Five stars for five winning performances........2003-09-19

I owned the LP of this back in the early 1960s (the cover showed a bright red apple with a target painted on it) and played these pieces over and over. The music is wonderful, the performances among Bernstein's best, and the sonics spectacular. I wish I still had my vinyl copy, however, because I would love to compare it to this CD-for sonics, I suspect the LP would win.

Not that the CD is bad, but Columbia LPs in those days were produced with a very recognizable equalization that is not apparent here. And as I remember, there was somewhat more detail on the LP, especially in the strings and in the many bells that decorate these quickly recognizable, entertaining pieces. (Each of the five compositions held a firm place as background music for Warner Brothers cartoons.)

However, the CD is entirely listenable (and certainly contains no pops or scratches). I will be interested to hear the SACD version if Columbia ever produces one. From what I have heard, Columbia's few SACD reissues sound more like the LPs. In any case, the product labeling is poor. The front cover says, "Digitally mastered analog recording," while the back cover informs us that the disc is AAD. (The disc itself says AAD, but it wouldn't be the first mislabeled CD.) No date of production whatsoever appears, though we learn that the cover was designed in 1981. (Give me the apple with the target on it.) The interesting liner notes are what appeared on the back of the LP, no more, no less.

It's not an expensive disc, and some of the pieces, oddly, are not easy to find. Get it!

Great Performances Indeed!.......2001-08-04

This disc which is aptly named "Favorite Overtures" captures Leonard Bernstein and the New York Philharmonic at the peak of their creative powers during the 1960's. Each of the five overtures are gems, but of particular delight are the Mignon and Raymond Overtures by Ambroise Thomas. The Raymond Overture with it's galloping opening motive is a hidden treasure which has not been recorded very often. Thankfully, Bernstein gives us a rendition of Raymond that could only be described as definitive. The other overtures on this disc are Zampa, Poet and Peasant, and William Tell. Not only are they expertly played, but their sound is in the demonstration class which is amazing considering that they were made nearly forty years ago. The fact that this disc has remained in circulation for so long speaks for itself. My highest recommendation.

Average customer rating:

Overtures, The Greatest Hits

Manufacturer: Compendia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003QWY
Release Date: 1994-04-13

Tracks:

Light Cavalry
The Barber Of Seville
The Bartered Bride
The Flying Dutchman
Egmont
The Marriage Of Figaro
Poet And Peasant
1812 Overture

Tracks:

Mastersingers Of Nuremburg
William Tell
The Italian Women In Algiers
Russlan And Ludmilla
Merry Wives Of Windsor
The Hegrides (Fingal's Cave)
Die Fledermaus
Orpheus In The Underworld

Average customer rating:

Excellent performance and recording
Very Nice
Sparkling Performances

Rossini: Complete Overtures

Manufacturer: Umvd Labels
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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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:

Rossini as he was meant to be heard!

Rossini: Overtures

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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Beethoven: Symphonies 6, 8 & 9; Carlo Maria Giulini; London Symphony Orchestra
Mozart: Overtures
Tchaikovsky & Mendelssohn Violin Concertos
Beethoven: Piano Trios, Vol. 2; Itzhak Perlman; Vladimir Ashkenazy; Lynn Harrell
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ASIN: B0001HAHDC
Release Date: 2004-03-23

Tracks:

La Scala Di Seta
Il Signor Bruschino
Tancredi
L'Italiana In Algeri
Il Barbiere Di Siviglia
La Cenerentola
La Gazza Ladra
Semiramide
Guillaume Tell

Customer Reviews:

Rossini as he was meant to be heard!.......2004-03-27

The Carla Maria Giulini versions of Rossini's overtures have long been one of my all-time favorite classical recordings. I currently own both the old LP versions and the 1986 Angel CD. This new re-mastered version is an improvement over the 1986 issue for two reasons: The first is the sound quality. The sonics are greatly improved, with a punchier sound and much less tape hiss (although a tiny bit still sneaks through, one must remember that these are 1961 and 1965 analog recordings). The second is the inclusion of the "Tancredi" overture, which appeared on the original LP, but was inexplicably left off the 1986 digital version. As for the music, it is hard to say enough about it. It is nearly perfect in terms of orchestral balance and clarity. You can hear every subtle nuance of this delightful music, with Rossini's classic crescendo in full force! The instrumentalists are wonderful, the reeds in particular, giving tight, crisp performances that never sound stiff or rigid, but flow with the spirit that the composer no doubt intended. The music is wonderfully executed and captures the full Italian spirit and wit of Rossini beautifully! If you're looking for one CD of Rossini overtures with consistently vibrant performances from beginning to end, this is it. Viva Rossini! Viva Giulini!

Average customer rating:

A Very Good Recording
Mostly well-played, not the best
Bargain Rossini collection

Rossini: Overtures

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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ASIN: B00004Z19O
Release Date: 2001-09-18

Tracks:

La Scala Di Seta
Semiramide
La Gazza Ladra
Guillaume Tell
Il Barbiere Di Siviglia
L'Italiana In Algeri
Il Signor Bruchino
La Cenerentola

Customer Reviews:

A Very Good Recording.......2006-02-27

First, I have no where near the knowledge of classical music to be able to gauge one symphony/conductor against another. All I know is what sounds good to me. In short, what sounds like the real deal and not a recording. I notice that everyone talks about and evaluates recordings, from the casual listener like myself, to experts that write for Stereophile. To me, the one thing that is always missing is that we never really know how well these people hear. So, considering personal preferences, and physiological differences, it is easy to understand the diversity of opinions regarding the reproduction of music in general. Add to this the differences in audio equipment and room acoustics, how can one person definitively rate and universally apply an opinion concerning a particular recording? I have spent considerable effort, and money, trying to - for lack of a more articulate description - recreate live "natural" performances from recorded media. I have tried them all: CD, HDCD, XRCD24, SACD, DVD-A - the latter two in both multi-channel and stereo. I have studied analog (audiophiles' sacred vinyl records), 16 Bit/44.1 KHz, 24 Bit/96 KHz recording theories, mastering techniques, and tried to understand which format makes sense from a scientific perspective. Confused, is my current state of mind. My practical experience has shown me that a properly mastered CD can run with anything. Maybe a pristine analog recording on a top notch audiophile system will sound better, but I think the hardware requirements to achieve such results is well beyond what the vast majority of us can afford. And to be frank, I don't think the improvement is going to be "jaw-dropping." This finally brings me to this relative inexpensive recording of Rossini Overtures. This recording is part of the "Eloquence" series that is collection of Decca, Phillips and Deutsche Grammophon classical recordings. It was re-mastered by Emil-Berliner Studios using their Ambient Surround Imaging (AMSI) process. Honestly, I am not a fan of multi-channel, or surround sound imaging. As a matter of fact, I had no idea that the recording was considered two channel surround sound until I read the jacket. This is what I can tell you, I was very impressed by the clearness and imaging of the recording. It is one of the very few recordings that I own that does justice to classical music. I was so impressed with this CD, and the AMSI re-mastering process, that I have ordered five additional CD's from the Eloquence collection. Note that the Rossini CD is relatively new (1992) and is DDD.

Mostly well-played, not the best.......2005-10-12

Rossini Overtures have a long history of being popular showpieces in the orchestra hall and at bandstand concerts, with good reason - they are packed full of delightful melodies, high spirits and potent energy - when played properly. The Montreal Symphony under Charles Dutoit made a name for itself by recording colorful classics like these in the 1980's and 90's, but these are not the best of that otherwise worthy ensemble's output.

There are two major reasons for this. First is the sound that Decca gave to the orchestra in the St. Eustache Church locale. It is lush, rich and sweet - which is great for many kinds of music - but these overtures generally require a little bit crisper, slightly more astringent, more immediate sonics to be at their best.

Second, Dutoit encouraged a lush, suave sound from his orchestra that was elegant and lively, and this did him very well for staples of the French repertoire for which they became well known. However, the same sound that supported with class and elegance his Ravel recordings, was a bit too toned down to yield the finest results for this repertoire. Make no mistake, the playing is nearly immaculate and refined (with one or two glaring exceptions), but it is just a bit too - easy-going? - for the rambunctious parts for which these showpieces are known.

As to playing, one part that especially stands out for the wrong reasons is the opening of the famous galop from William Tell - the brass comes in "more or less" strongly enough, but then begins to trip over itself - that is, they sections do not keep in step with each other, and the thing sounds haphazardly played. This is one of those glaring exceptions. The rest of the galop is only lukewarm compared to the best.

This set includes the most famous of Rossini's vital overtures. For a better set of most of them, Fritz Reiner's Chicago Symphony recording on BMG/RCA with six of them is about the pinnacle of performance for these pieces, bringing an energy to these pieces that surpass practically all other recordings. One who loves Rossini orchestral work should not be without this set.

Leonard Bernstein and the NY Philharmonic on Sony hold up well too, with typically rambunctious and inspired playing. The Bernstein Edition CD is OOP but often available used, and adds two favorite Suppe overtures. Riccardo Chailly's bargain two-fer recording of 14 overtures on Decca is very well-done for most of the pieces and lively with good sound, even if the William Tell is slightly aloof and a little less potent than some.

Roger Norrington's recording of Rossini Overtures is highly regarded as well, although I have not heard this one yet (one of these days).

If you want a crackling good William Tell coupled with top-notch overtures by some other composers, Arthur Fiedler and the Boston Pops on RCA (Fiedler's Favorite Overtures) is a good bet (OOP, but usually available used). The sound is a little dated (but by no means bad), and the CD is an earlier late 80's - early 90's vintage, but the adrenaline flows freely in Fiedler's performances, and this set contains many other gems too.

Bargain Rossini collection.......2003-06-25

For those who don't have any Rossini in your CD collection, this Dutoit/Montreal recording is a good starting point. My only quibble is that there are no liner notes and that the song titles are only in Italian. For this bargain price, though, I can't complain. Dutoit and his home orchestra are always top notch, this recording included.

Average customer rating:

Great compilation but the title's a misnomer.
A great introduction to opera!

Essential Opera

Manufacturer: Decca
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

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Essential Opera
The Most Famous Opera Duets
Operas Greatest Moments / Domingo, Price, Caballé, Kraus, Norman, Lanza
The Most Famous Opera Arias
The #1 Opera Album

ASIN: B0000041ZX
Release Date: 1992-02-11

Tracks:

Carmen: Prelude To Act One
Tosca: Vissi D'arte
Il Trovatore: Vedi! Le Fosche
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Voi Che Sapete
Rigoletto: Bella Figlia Dell'amore
Nabucco: Va Pensiero
Carmen: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee
La Wally: Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana
Il Barbiere di Siviglia: Largo Al Factorum
Verdi: Gloria All'egitto
Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babino Caro
Turandot: Nessun Dorma
Les Contes D'Hoffmann: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'armor
Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo
Don Giovanni: Finch'han Dal Vino
Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo
Turandot: Non Piangere Liu...Ah! Per L'ultima Volta!

Customer Reviews:

Great compilation but the title's a misnomer........2006-07-14

I agree that this--and Essential Opera 2--is a very good collection for opera lovers and opera beginners alike, but am afraid I can't agree that this is "essential" opera. Where is Maria Callas in the line-up? Absent Maria, any opera collection that deems itself "essential" deludes itself. Callas is as indispensable to opera as, say, Picasso is to cubism.

The misnomer is made the more stark and jarring when one sees that a contemporaneous rival, Renata Tebaldi, is given two tracks to sing and the Divina Absoluta, none. Tebaldi was Callas' rival like Clementi was Mozart's--whoever remembers the rivals now? History has judged well who the masters are. So I listen to arias in this CD--arias that Callas have incomparably performed like Tosca's Vissi d'Arte, La Wallys's Ebben Ne'andro Lontana"--to disappointment.

I'd give this disc five stars if not for Callas' omission, a fatal mistake for an opera collection that aspires to be "essential."

A great introduction to opera!.......1998-12-19

This CD is full of the most accessible works from the world of opera by some of the greatest performers. Several of the selections have been used in popular media(commercials, movies etc.)so they may be familiar. The liner notes give full details of the operas from which the pieces are selected. I find this an excellent gift for my opera-phobic friends and for children. The performances are top notch and the arrangement of pieces on the CD is well thought out.

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