Ah l'Amour l'Amour [CD-single] [Import]

Ah l'Amour l'Amour [CD-single] [Import]

Track Listings

1. Ah L'amour L'amour

2. Only Lies

3. Ah L'amour L'amour ( Instrumental)

4. You Promised Me

Editorial Reviews
Product Description
Taken from the 2003 album 'Rendez-Vous'. The title track is b/w three non-LP tracks, 'Only Lies' (English Version), 'Ah L'Amour L'Amour' (Instrumental), & 'You Promised Me'. ZYX. 2004.

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

Great for kids!.......2007-06-27

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

Mediocre Sound Quality.......2007-03-31

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

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

I was pleased.......2007-02-18

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

The Most Famous Opera Arias.......2007-01-05

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Note: We purchased and really preferred "The # 1 Opera Album". It has more selections and better artists in our opinion. Also it's a two CD set. Just something to consider.

Average customer rating:

If you love beautiful voices...
If you want to know Corelli's art, this is the right CD
excellent gift
Greatest Tenor of This Century!
Ah... Franco :}

The Very Best of Franco Corelli

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

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French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Very Best of

ASIN: B00008V5VV
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

A Te, O Cara
Meco All' Altar Di Venere... Me Protegge, Me Difende
Ah Si, Ben mio...De Quella Pira
Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi!...Celeste Aida
Pur Ti Riveggo, Mia Dolce Aida
Intanto Amici... Viva Il Vino Spumeggiante
Mamma, Quel Vino E Generoso
Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba
No, Pagliaccio Non Son
Colpito Qui M'avete...Un Di All'azzuro Spazio
Credo A Una Possanza Arcana
Legray!... Andrea Chenier!...Si, Fui Soldato
Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio
Vicino A Te

Tracks:

Donna Non Vidi Mai
Recondita Armonia
E Lucevan Le Stelle
Non Piangere, Liu... Ah! Per L'ultima Volta!
Nessun Dorma
Favorita Del Re!... Spirto Gentil
Cielo E Mar
L'anima Ho Stanca
Non Lunge Della Torre... Bianca Al Par Di Neve Alpina
Ange Adorable
L'amour, L'amour.. Ah! Leve-Toi, Soleil!
O Nuit Divine!
C'est La! Salut! Tombeau!
Fronde Tenere... Ombra Mai Fu
Ave Maria
Domine Deus
Core 'Ngrato
Torna A Surriento

Customer Reviews:

If you love beautiful voices..........2007-04-30

and passionate singing, you won't be disappointed. While Corelli certainly had his flaws, they are minor in the larger picture of this unique, magnificent force of nature. Then get this set for your friend who thinks Andrea Bocelli is a great tenor.

If you want to know Corelli's art, this is the right CD.......2007-03-10

Franco Corelli had one of the powerful tenor voices of the twentieth century. Think Mario del Monaco with more beauty and grace; think Richard Tucker with a smoother voice. He had annoying touches in his singing, such as those "catches" here and there. But, with Tucker, he is, in my estimation, one of the two most powerful and attention riveting tenors in the past century. Other tenors were more artistic, provided better characterization (think Domingo, Gigli, Pavarotti, Gedda, Caruso, and some others).

But Corelli was a wonder of nature! Some samples: "Ah si, ben mio. . .Di quella pira." If there were an aria made for Corelli, this would be it. His big, rich, powerful voice fits this cut nicely. Not much subtlety here. In "Di quella pira," he hits the high notes in a stentorian manner. There are those mannerisms, but they are so easily forgiven, taking into account that rich, lustrous voice.

"Celeste Aida" is another representative cut. This is a powerful version. Also, note how he goes from forte to piano at the end of this aria. A powerful effect indeed.

Then, there are the twin arias from "Tosca." In "Recondita armonia," his rich voice is well manifest. He exhibits a smooth line in his singing. This is a powerful version of this well known aria. "E lucevan le stele" displays again that rich voice. At one point, he goes from forte to piano in a mesmerizing manner (Who'd have thought it?). His final "la vita" grabs one's attention.

Finally, "Nessun dorma." Well, smoothly, and powerfully sung. The final "vincero" is powerfully rendered, leaving goose bumps on the spine.

This is the very best of Franco Corelli. Those who want to get a sense of the vocal prowess of one of the most powerful tenors of the 20th century should attend to this double CD set.

excellent gift.......2007-02-09

I gave it to my father and he says Its an amazing cd.

Greatest Tenor of This Century!.......2007-02-03

Franco Corelli is the greatest tenor of this century. Although there are many fine tenors including Carlo Bergonzi - no tenor comes close to singing with the pure heart and animal magnetism of Franco Corelli. Surprisingly, he was also quite comfortable with bel canto, listen to the incredible "A te o'cara". I've heard "Nessun Dorma" sung by many excellent tenors and hands down, none can touch the sublime beauty of Corelli's version. This 2cd set of his greatest arias is a wonderful gift for any opera fan. "Recondita Armonia" is my personal favorite. His thrilling vocal beauty and intensity of performance is truly unforgettable.

Ah... Franco :}.......2007-01-10

Such a pleasing voice. I can't believe the clarity and perfection. He was well before my time and others have become more 'popular' since then, but for some reason his voice seems better than the more current singers. I do not know much about opera so I will have to rely only on my own ears. I happily recommend this double album. I like to have it playing on the 5 CD changer with other opera cds, mixing through them...it is a perfect saturday morning accompaniment. enjoy.

Véronique Gens - Nuit d'étoiles (Mélodies Française) / Vignoles

Average customer rating:

Lovely
An unexpected glimpse of happiness.
Enchanting recital of French Melodies
Nuit d'toiles - Melodies Francaises/ Gens, Vignoles
An Outstanding Vocal Performance

Véronique Gens - Nuit d'étoiles (Mélodies Française) / Vignoles
Gabriel Fauré , Claude Debussy , Francis Poulenc , Véronique Gens , and Roger Vignoles
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tragédiennes
Joseph Canteloube: Chants d'Auvergne

ASIN: B00003ZKR9
Release Date: 2000-04-11

Tracks:

Apres un reve, Op. 7 No. 1
Sylvie, Op. 7 No. 3
Au bord de l'eau, Op. 8 No. 1
Lydia, Op. 4 No. 2
Le papillon et la fleur, Op. 1 No.1
Mandoline, Op. 58 No. 1: 5 Melodies de Venise
Clair de lune, Op. 46, No. 2
Les berceaux, Op. 23 No. 1
3 Chansons de Bilitis: I. La flute de Pan
3 Chansons de Bilitis: II. La chevelure
3 Chansons de Bilitis: III. Le tombeau des Naiades
Fetes galantes: I. En sourdine
Fetes galantes: II. Fantoches
Fetes galantes: III. Clair de lune
Nuit d'etoiles
Beau soir
Fleur des bles
La Belle au bois dormant
Noel des enfants qui n'ont plus de maison
BANALITES: I. Chanson d'Orkenise
BANALITES: II. Hotel
BANALITES: III. Fagnes de Wallonie
BANALITES: IV. Voyage a Paris
BANALITES: V. Sanglots
2 Melodies de Guillaume Apollinaire: I. Montparnasse
2 Melodies de Guillaume Apollinaire: II. Hyde Park
Les chemins de l'amour - valse chantee

Customer Reviews:

Lovely.......2005-08-30

I recommend this to any art-song lover, and really, anybody at all. Gens does an excellent performance of a great collection of beautiful French songs. Her voice is enjoyable all the way, she has great expression, and a convincing mastery of the genre.

An unexpected glimpse of happiness........2001-07-21

Stendhal wrote that "the sight of anything extremely beautiful, in nature or in art, brings back the memory of what one loves, with the speed of lightning. That is, ... all that is beautiful and sublime in the world takes part in the beauty of what one loves, and this unexpected glimpse of happiness immediately fills the eyes with tears. This is how love of the beautiful and love give each other life." This is what Ms. Gens will do to you when you listen to this CD.

Enchanting recital of French Melodies.......2000-07-07

This is a most enjoyable release, all the more so because Veronique Gens, who is generally considered a baroque specialist on the lyric stage, may well be a torch-bearer of the elusive art of the French song in the coming decades. The voice of Gens, which is solid and well-integrated with an alluring dash of vibrancy embedded therein, is eminently suited to the repertoire represented in this new Virgin Classics release. Her secure technique (just a hint of strain in one or two high notes) also renders it possible for her to fine down her voice in the ending of phrases to a charming effect. Being a native French speaker certainly helps, too. Although hers is perhaps not the most strongly-etched of readings, she is able to inflect the text intelligently, and her subtle but heart-felt stresses on particular words not only serve to illuminate the poetic prose, but also meld beautifully with the notes that she sing.

The CD opens with songs by Faure, and while Gens may not possess the charm and naturalness of utterance of Maggie Teyte, whose recordings of Faure's songs are, in the opinion of this reviewer, unsurpassable, she can conjure up the right kind of feeling for every song as no one can. Her tempo for the popular "Apres un reve" is a trifle too laid back. Yet, she conveys to perfection the dream-like quality of the song, as well as the sense of confusion and regret at awakening. Her singing of "Le papillon et la fleur" is delightfully vivid, and her evocation of the feeling of sadness being kept in restraint in "Les berceaux" makes the performance both intimate and touching.

The Debussy group is no less impressive. Despite the innovative idiom in which most of these songs are composed, Gens is able bring them off effortlessly and stylishly. She is in total command whether in the serenity of "Beau soir", the romanticism of "Nuit d'etoiles", the rustic charm of "Fleur des bles", or the harrowing grimness of "Noel des enfants qui n'ont plus de maison", the last one composed when Debussy was being haunted by the atrocities of the Great War. In "Fetes galantes I", although the vocal and piano parts are often independent of each other, Gens's remarkable interpretation succeeds in unifying the two strands into a picturesque and colourful whole. The "3 Chansons de Bilitis", which are composed very much in the style of PELLEAS ET MELISANDE, also find an ideal interpreter in Gens where, blessed with a keen sense of rhythm, she succeeds in propelling the texts forward with musical grace and dramatic import. She would surely make a wonderful Melisande.

The Poulenc is equally fine. The young soprano is able to do full justice to the diverse moods in "Banalites", which, according to Olivier Opdebeeck, who penned the CD notes, is composed in a "part-melancholy, part-joyful tone with a barb of irony which the composer identified in the poet". The "2 Melodies de Guillaume Apollinaire" are sharply contrasted, one (Montparnasse) languid and brooding and the other (Hyde Park) gusty and piquant. Gens's singing of "Les chemins de l'amour", a cross between a Viennese waltz and a cabaret song, is loveliness itself and provides a delicious end to an enchanting recital.

The major reservation that this reviewer has involves the accompaniment of Roger Vignoles. While he is able to provide secure support for the singer, his playing is uncharacterful and even bland. Besides, the piano tone seems to be rather thin at times. Nonetheless, this should not detract one from the sensuous beauty of Gens's performance. This reviewer hopes that Virgin Classics would be encouraged by the success of this release so that they can present this most promising singer in further volumes of French songs by, say, Chausson, Ravel and Duparc.

Nuit d'toiles - Melodies Francaises/ Gens, Vignoles.......2000-06-13

Not being a professional, but loving the genre of French melodies I'll avoid technical commentary; I have become a collector of these in recent years and find this one extremely satifying and appreciate the variety this CD presents.

An Outstanding Vocal Performance.......2000-05-01

This ranks as one of the very best recordings of French 'melodies' that I have yet heard. Unlike most other singers, Gens gives the words drama and meaning. Too many singers perform these works in a detached 'artistic' manner that often makes them all sound almost alike. I say this not to belittle Gens' voice (which is superb), but to indicate that this disk will take you beyond the 'standard' interpretations of these works. I had a chance to compare one of the melodies with another recent recording by Schafer, another singer whom I respect Both were being featured in a local record store. It was hard to realize they were actually singing the same piece. I recently saw Gens perform much of the same program at a recital in NYC. This was the best recital I had heard in a very long time (I go to many). The disk is almost as good. It suffers a bit from a very unnatural recorded sound: the microphone is much too close to the singer and the piano is much too forward. Also the accompaniest in NYC was clearly better. Nevertheless, it would be hard to find a better recorded performance. The more I listen to the disk, the less I notice these drawbacks. The choice of repetoire is also well done. I particularly liked the Debussy 'Trois chansons de Bilitis.' She ends with 'Les chemins de l'amour' which Poulenc wrote for Jean Anouilh's play 'Leaocadia'. This has become very popular outside the normal recital circuit. If you get only one disk of French melodies, this is the one to get.

Average customer rating:

A Grand Lady, A Grand Collection

Legend: Régine Crespin [CD & DVD]

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0009275XO
Release Date: 2005-07-19

Tracks:

I. Der Engel
II. Stehe Still!
III. Im Treibhaus
IV. Schmerzen
V. Traume
Einsam In Truben Tagen
Euch Luften, Die Mein Klagen
Eine Waffe Lass Mich Dir Weisen
Ich Sah Das Kind
Dich, Teure Halle
Allmacht'ge Jungfrau
D'Amour L'Ardente Flamme
Nous Avons Vu Finir... Chers Tyriens
Ah, Je Vais Mourir... Adieu, Fiere Cite

Customer Reviews:

A Grand Lady, A Grand Collection.......2005-09-28

Few who have had the privilege of seeing and hearing Régine Crespin in person will be able to pass this fine album by. A beautiful voice, a beautiful presence, an intelligent and sensitive mind all informed her singing whether on the grand stages of opera or in recitals. Who could ever forget her inimitable Berlioz' 'Les Nuits d'été or Ravel's 'Shéhérazade'? Indeed, Crespin is a legend.

In this very fine album we hear a stunning 'Wesendonck Lieder' of Wagner with Georges Prêtre conducting the Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française. While some singers find these songs matronly Crespin infuses the poems with frail and tender love. Staying with Wagner (she was after all a reigning Sieglinde in her day) she offers arias from 'Lohengrin', 'Die Walküre', 'Parsifal', and 'Tannhäuser' (with Otto Ackermann
conducting the Orchestre du Théâtre National de l'Opéra de Paris)
demonstrating that this very French singer could produce a huge sound that easily sails over Wagner's orchestration. Finally she is heard in Berlioz' 'Les Troyens' and 'La Damnation de Faust' (again with Otto Ackermann). There is not a weak moment in these selections.

Included with this CD is a well-produced DVD of Crespin singing French art songs, showing the poise and involvement she brought to every performance. This is a treasureable package and certainly commands the respect of the title 'Legend. It is brilliant! Highly recommended. Grady Harp, September 05

Average customer rating:

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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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!

Philips and Decca Recordings, 1961-1979 (Limited Edition)

Average customer rating:

Essential Performances from a Great & Beloved Singer

Philips and Decca Recordings, 1961-1979 (Limited Edition)
Janet Baker , John Shirley-Quirk , Graham Sheen , Johann Sebastian Bach , Ludwig van Beethoven , Hector Berlioz , Giovanni Bononcini , Benjamin Britten , Giulio Caccini , and Antonio Caldara
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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The Very Best of Janet Baker
Artistry of Elly Ameling (Coll)
Ernest Ansermet: Decca Recordings 1953-1967
Purcell: Dido and Aeneas / James, Lewis, Baker, Herincx
Baker Sings Gluck, Lully, Marcello, etc.

ASIN: B0000B0A0Q
Release Date: 2003-11-25

Customer Reviews:

Essential Performances from a Great & Beloved Singer.......2004-01-09

For those of us who grew up on Janet Baker's recordings (and were lucky enough to hear her "live" as well), the sound of her voice and her singular artstic personality - British restraint coupled with fierce emotional and spiritual commitment - are indelibly imprinted in our minds and hearts. The closest current equivalent is Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, another superb artist who has charted her own course, and not surprisingly there is some overlap of repertoire, in the music of J.S. Bach, of course, but also Berlioz's Didon and Beatrice, Handel's Ariodante and Britten's Phaedra (composed for Baker).
This wonderful compilation is complementary to EMI's 2-CD "The Very Best of Janet Baker" -- no overlap of repertoire whatsoever. Unlike that set, which focused on concert repertoire (with orchestra or piano) there's a generous sampling here of Baker's operatic roles including Handel, Mozart, Purcell, Rameau, Gluck, and Britten. Also welcome is "Phaedra," one of Britten's strongest late works. And it's good to have the Berlioz: "Cleopatre" and "Herminie" complete, the big aria from "Beatrice et Benedict." (Why EMI included nothing from her recording of the last 2 scenes of "Les Troyens" is unfathomable.) The wide time-span allows us to hear Baker's voice in all its youthful, "sappy" warmth, as well as in its artistic maturity (though truth to tell she was pretty much a complete artist from the start). There are a few signs of wear in later items, nothing serious, in fact rather less than I remembered. I could have done with fewer of the "Arie Amorose" in favor of more cuts from her Gluck LP, which I believe has never been issued complete on CD, but that's just personal preference. The focus here is entirely on orchestrally accompanied works (or, in the case of the marvelous early disc of Ravel, Chausson & Delage songs, with chamber ensemble) so for Baker the supreme interpreter of English, German and French song you'll need to go elsewhere (the EMI has a fair sampling, especially of her Schubert). But everything here is indispensible.

The Very Best of Victoria de los Angeles

Average customer rating:

Very nice introduction to the work of a great soprano
The very best performance by Victoria de los Angeles
In Memoriam: A Tribute To The Late Victoria
the genius of de los angeles
A n angelic voice

The Very Best of Victoria de los Angeles
Victoria De Los Angeles
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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The Very Best of Lucia Popp
Very Best of
Very Best of
The Very Best of Janet Baker
The Very Best of Franco Corelli

ASIN: B000083GOE
Release Date: 2003-04-22

Tracks:

O Mio Babbino Caro
Un Bel Di Vedremo
Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi - Jussi Bjorling
Senza Mamma
Voi Lo Sapete, O Mamma
Qual Fiamma Avea Nel Guardo!... Hui! Stridono Lassu
Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana
Nacqui All'Affano...Non Piu Mesta
Una Voce Poco Fa
E Strano!... Ah, Fors' E Lui...Sempre Libera
Porgi, Amor
Dich, Teure Halle
Einsam In Truben Tagen
Je Ne Suis Que Faiblesse...Adieu, Notre Petite Table
Les Grands Seigneurs...Ah! Je Ris
Quand Je Vous Aimerai?...L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle

Tracks:

Auf Flugein Des Gesanges
Ich Liebe Dich
Wiegenlied
Les Filles De Cadiz
Cuba Dentro De Un Piano
Chevre
Punto De Habanera
Cancion De Cuna Para Dormir A Un Negrito
Canto Negro
De Espana Vengo
Cancion Del Amor Dolido
Cancion Del Fuego Fatuo
La Pastoura Als Camps
Bailero
Chut, Chut
Uno Jionto Postouro
Oh! Had I Jubal's Lyre
An Die Musik
Dein Blaues Auge
Vergebliches Standchen - Gerald Moore
L'Invitation Au Voyage
La Flute Enchantee
Chanson Espagnole
Chanson Francaise
Chanson Italienne
Clavelitos!
Malaguena - Gerald Moore
Granadina - Gerald Moore
Adios, Granada
Zapateado (La Tarantula E Un Bicho Mu Malo) - Alicia De Larrocha

Customer Reviews:

Very nice introduction to the work of a great soprano.......2007-07-13

This 2 CD set is a terrific introduction to the body of work of Victoria de los Angeles. As the "liner notes" point out: "She was an artist who brought individuality and a sense of joy to everything she performed. . . ." And this is not hyperbole. She was a top soprano in the middle part of the twentieth century.

Some cuts exemplify her art:

"Un bel di" is a ravishing version of this well known aria. She demonstrates a rich voice with fine musicality. This is a ravishing version of this aria. The singer displays good vocal control. There are nice transitions across the registers.

"Si, mi chiamano Mimi" is another well known work for sopranos. Again, nicely done. She appears (to me anyhow) to catch the spirit of Mimi very nicely indeed.

From "La Traviata," she essays "E strano. . .Sempre Libera." This is an affecting version. She does not have the coloratura armamentarium that some have brought to bear on this aria, but she does a fine job nonetheless. She seems to capture the desperate spirit of Violetta in "Sempre Libera."

Rossini's "Una voce poco fa" is a nice tour de force for sopranos. De los Angeles does a nice job here. This is a work from the Bel canto repertoire, but she does well. She shows vocal agility and captures the spirit of the work. This is an affecting, charming version. There is some occasional vocal harshness, but not a serious issue.

From "Carmen," "L'amour est un oiseau rebelle." Richly and nicely sung.

Her range on this CD is worth noting: from Puccini and Verdi to Wagner to Rossini to Gounod.

And then another of her specialties--songs. She does a nice turn with the Spanish song "Malaguena." Then, in a nice twist, she accompanies herself on guitar in "Adios Granada." I'm not normally so excited about songs, but in this case I found her work enchanting.

So, if you want to get a sense of the artistry of Victoria de los Angeles, this is an excellent starting point. Highly recommended!

The very best performance by Victoria de los Angeles.......2006-09-13

Is the recording on Allegro records of her performance of Madame Butterfly in New Orleans in 1954, not the Rome recording. She is simply radiant, perfect, a voice truly that is a victory for the angels. Unbelievably marvelous.

In Memoriam: A Tribute To The Late Victoria.......2005-02-01

Victoria De Los Angeles died Saturday of heart failure at the age of 83 in Barcelona, Spain. The world of opera mourns her loss. She was a gifted soprano and a wonderful human being. On stage, she was able to directly speak to her audience and communicate with them in a very special and rare way that is not always seen today. She never hid herself behind a facade nor distanced herself from fans and audiences. She was born to sing opera. It was in her blood. This album showcases De Los Angeles in her most memorable and successful roles. Victoria De Los Angeles was one of the first singers from Spain to win worldwide acclaim. Others would follow- Placido Domingo and Montserrat Caballe. De Los Angeles is showcased in this album which may also serve as a tribute to the now late soprano.

Her voice was essentially full lyric with some spinto. Hearing her renditions of "O Mio Babbini Caro"- a signature soprano role, as well as "Ebben Ne Andro Lontana" from La Wally and her performances as Mimi, one is clearly treated to the truest form of a pure lyric soprano. Her voice is spunned gold, with sweet, warm, feminine textures. Her reperotire remained in the Italian and French. Of course, being Spanish, she was a leading singer in Spanish Lieder and romantic ballads. Her Art Songs in Spanish are full of elegance and grace. A champion of obscure composers, she sang and recorded recitals that featured the works of lesser known composers, though strictly Lieder and Folk/Art Song.

Victoria De Los Angeles is fortunately a well-documented artist. Some film footage exist of her performances. I seem to recall that there exists a taped performance of her Violetta in Verdi's La Traviata. She excelled in the lyric roles of Mimi in Puccini's La Boheme, Marguerite in Gounod's Faust. Her Madame Butterfly is a pure lyric rendition, with less of the dramatic intensity other singers have given the role- i.e. Leontine Price, Maria Callas, Renata Tebaldi, etc. But her Butterfly is actually the way the role ought to be sung. It's a voice of grace, naivete and above all romance that must colorize Butterfly. The dramatic intensity only makes her sound older and madly passionate. She is only a fifteen year old girl who has been deceived and betrayed. She must remain youthful sounding. De Los Angeles does justice to the truest form of Butterfly. She was thrilling in French and Italian operas and her Spanish songs were briliant and beautiful.

Victoria will always be remembered. She was a unique and talented artist of the lyric repertoire. Her pure, lovely voice was like an angel's. There will never be another Victoria De Los Angeles. With her death, the end of an era also passes. In particular, I will always remember one reported incident. She was about to make her first recital in America but she had no accompanist- pianist/guitarist etc. When asked how she would handle this, she remarked: "Well I brought my guitar with me". And she proceeded to accompany herself with the guitar.

the genius of de los angeles.......2004-02-14

the incomparable de los angeles combines exquisite sound and nuance to the world of superb singing. her mastery of a variety of styles is astounding and yet it always sounds natural.her magic will live forever.

A n angelic voice.......2004-02-06

De los Angeles' ability to sing with elegance and style has rarely been equalled and never been surpassed. She's the greatest Charlotte in "Werther", the most tender Santuzza in "Cavalleria Rusticana" and the most sumptuos Nedda in "I Pagliacci". Her Lieder-Recordings are legendary, my favourites are the Spanish ones of course. What a piano-culture and what a velvet sound! Get this set, it's cheap and it has GREAT singing!

Roberto Alagna & Angela Gheorghiu - Duets & Arias

Average customer rating:

Poor mix
a fine example of two shining opera stars......
A musical marriage made in heaven!
A Nice Collection, But Something's Missing
Perfection

Roberto Alagna & Angela Gheorghiu - Duets & Arias
Pietro Mascagni , Jules Massenet , Gaetano Donizetti , Jacques Offenbach , Leonard Bernstein , Charles Gounod , Gustave Charpentier , Hector Berlioz , Giacomo Puccini , Richard Armstrong , Roberto Alagna , Angela Gheorghiu , and Covent Garden Orchestra of the Royal Opera House
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002RWA
Release Date: 1996-04-23

Tracks:

Suzel, boun di...
L'amico Fritz, Atto 2: Tutto tace
Manon, Acte 3: Je suis seul! . . . Ah, fuyez
Toi! Vous! . . . Oui, c'est moi! . . .
Manon, Acte 3: N'est-ce plus ma main
Anna Bolena, Atto 2: Al dolce guidami castel natio
Don Pasquale, Atto 2: Tornami a dir
La Belle Helene, Acte 1: Au Mont Ida, trois deesses
West Side Story, Act 1: Only you . . .Tonight
Il se fait tard . . .
Faust, Acte 3: O nuit d'amour
Louise, Acte 3: Depuis le jour
Les Troyens, Acte 4: Nuit d'ivresse
La Boheme, Atto 1: O soave fanciulla

Customer Reviews:

Poor mix .......2006-02-20

There is no climatic piece in the whole album. It appears it was gathered selections...by that I mean, somebody said "oh let's use this one and this one..." The selections just drift from one to the next and carry little emotional impact on this listener. Yet I love Angela, but Roberto is second rate. Overall, not much on here to remember.

a fine example of two shining opera stars.............2005-10-28

How perfect is it that tenor Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu are a madly in love, married opera couple with voices like angels? I remember when this album first came out in the mid-1990s. At the time, I didn't have a CD player, and their album was a motivation for me to get one, if that says anything about how much I LOVE both of them, as well as the music samples I first heard on NPR.

Alagna's resonance is clear, but, never piercing. Gheorghiu's clean-sounding soprano is expressive, but never shrill, and exhudes a warmth, as well as a softness, when she attacks the really high notes. What sets Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu apart from the pack of young opera stars is their own original, highly energetic and sincere interpretations of popular opera duets, featured here. They include "Tonight" from West Side Story (which I really wouldn't consider opera, but, more an example of musical theatre), and "O soave fanciulla" from La Boheme. I guarantee that listening to this album will make you fall in love with these two wonderful singers.

A musical marriage made in heaven!.......2003-12-01

In the early 1990s I began following the careers of two immensely talented young singers then on the verge of international stardom. The French tenor Roberto Alagna wowed Covent Garden audiences as Romeo and Rodolfo, and had received rave reviews throughout Europe. The splendid Mimi of Romanian soprano Angela Gheorghiu enlivened an otherwise lackluster 1994 Metropolitan Opera broadcast, and an astounding triumph at Covent Garden as Violetta followed. I had often longed for these two splendid young artists to sing together, and I got my wish in spades when it was publicly announced that they were madly in love - this disc was recorded 6 months before and released in the U.S. 4 days before their real-life marriage. While I and many opera fans are hopeless romantics who are delighted by such things, what really matters is that their VOICES are married. Let's just say that I have heard other singers who are either married or otherwise romantically involved who do not have nearly the rapport that these two people do. They are supremely sensitive to and supportive of each other's artistry and even more importantly, are ultimately the servants of the composer.

Alagna's sweet, warm, earthy tenor and Gheorghiu's velvety, starlit soprano blend so perfectly that it often seems one voice is coming out of two mouths. Nowhere is this more true than on the triumph of the disc, 'Nuit d'ivresse' from Hector Berlioz's 'Les Troyens'. This is a good candidate for the best joint recording they have ever made and is certainly their best individual duet recording. While it is usually sung by a tenor with a heavier voice and a mezzo-soprano, the sheer lyricism of their voices renders this music utterly ravishing - I have never heard this piece sung more beautifully. And how many typical operatic 'love duet' albums would include something this rare? Their 'one voice' quality is also evident in 'Tornami a dir' from 'Don Pasquale', a triumph of heady sweetness, and again, not exactly standard fare. Throughout these selections, and indeed the entire album, we hear superb dynamic sensitivity and gorgeous pianissimo singing, and everything is sung with such dramatic intensity and immersion in character that you think you're hearing a live performance and not a recording. About the only quibble I have is that Alagna's diction in both French and Italian is so perfect that Gheorghiu's comes up a bit short by comparison.

The Cherry Duet from 'L'Amico Fritz' which begins the album is full of sweet affection and wistfulness. In the Saint Sulpice scene from 'Manon', Gheorghiu is irresistibly seductive and tender and Alagna believably torn between Des Grieux's pain at Manon's betrayal and his love for her. Some may actually prefer this version of the duet to the slightly more 'verismo' and less subtle rendition of their complete recording under Antonio Pappano. The Garden Scene from 'Faust', albeit not quite as intense as in their recent Metropolitan Opera performances, is still a triumph of French style, sensitivity, and drama, again with absolutely gorgeous pianissimo singing, this time at 'Eternelle!'. This should be no surprise to anyone who has heard them sing 'Romeo et Juliette'. And, of course, these masters of Gounod's version of 'Romeo and Juliet' also make something special of Bernstein's. I don't believe I've ever heard 'Tonight' more beautifully and musically sung - and as Gheorghiu pointed out in an interview, this is not 'easy' music to sing. The only problem here is that 'West Side Story' is more about Anglo/Puerto Rican culture clash than about family feuds, and so it hurts somewhat that the singers have the wrong (and more importantly, too similar) accents. Nevertheless, their English is clear and understandable, and as usual they mean every word they sing. The disc concludes with a radiant 'O soave fanciulla', where Rodolfo's and Mimi's romance is off to a tender and teasing start.

In addition to the six duets, each singer has two solo arias. Alagna's first is a splendid 'Ah, fuyez douce image', where he not only begins the aria pianissimo, but he makes more of the words than just about any tenor since Georges Thill. He follows this with a rollicking version of Paris' Entrance from 'La Belle Helene'. While not even Alagna can negotiate the B flat octave leaps with the ease of Jussi Bjorling (in his unsurpassable 1938 Swedish-language recording), he has the considerable advantage of native French speech, and a far better appreciation of the piece's humor. Gheorghiu has surpassed her two solo selections since making this recording - the 'Al dolce guidami' on her 'Casta Diva' bel canto disc and the 'Depuis le jour' on her live Covent Garden recital - but these versions demonstrate her ravishing top, command of legato, and extraordinary emotional expressivity.

Richard Armstrong (the music director of the Scottish Opera, who also conducted Alagna's solo debut album) is with his singers all the way and he has the Covent Garden Orchestra play gorgeously . In particular, his molding of the orchestral line and color in the Berlioz is very impressive. Excellent documentation, with full texts and translations, by British vocal collector John Steane. Although this is focused (as it should be) on the music rather than the singers, there is also brief biographical information on both Alagna and Gheorghiu, which none of their subsequent EMI CDs have had.

In short this album is a triumph from beginning to end and an absolute must for any lover of the human voice, absolutely giving lie to the common whine of 'all the great singers are gone forever'. Of course, you'll also have to buy Alagna's and Gheorghiu's complete opera recordings, their equally stunning Verdi duets CD, and too many individual solo albums to count. Almost anything either of these splendid artists do, separately or together, is worth buying and devouring. They're a Golden Age all by themselves!

A Nice Collection, But Something's Missing.......2003-11-09

Since Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu are opera's favorite lovebirds, and real life husband and wife, it is not inconceivable that EMI would release a disk of arias and duets featuring the couple. The disk is reasonably good. It has the standard duets such as "O Soave Fanciulla" from LA BOHEME and "The Cherry Duet" from L'AMICO FRITZ as well as a few lesser known pieces that make the disk interesting. The Broadway stage is also included in a duet from Leonard Bernstein's WEST SIDE STORY. As beautiful as Bernstein's music is, it somehow does not fit in this recording. The two do a reasonably good job, both as soloists and together, but the disk lacks power. The two fail to generate the energy on this disk that the two seem to have on television and in video performances. Their acting abilities surpass many "Golden Age" stars, but their music, while technically good, fails to generate the same excitement as a Corelli--Price, Pavarotti--Freni, or a Callas--Di Stefano pairing would generate. None-the-less, the recording is not bad, and it will certainly be pleasing to fans of the two.

Perfection.......2001-12-06

This is lovely from beginning to end. These two singers really know how to put together a recital CD. It's always satisfying no matter how often I listen to it. The selections they sing are well suited to their voices. It's a pleasure. I can't recommend this CD enough. It's truly a shared program with neither one overwhelming the other. They each get their solo turns and the duets are wonderful.

Average customer rating:

Gruberova's Extraordinary "Mein Herr Marquis", Sumi Jo's winning "Der hölle Rache"
Beautiful collection, even though not perfect
Breathtaking performances of standard literature
Finally, a 2-disc soprano collection from Decca
The grandeur of the Opera

The #1 Soprano Album

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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The Most Famous Opera Duets

ASIN: B000060OHV
Release Date: 2002-04-09

Tracks:

Puccini: Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro
Delibes: Lakme: Flower Duet
Catalani: La Wally: Ebben?...Ne Andro Lontana
Strauss: Die Fledermaus: Mein Herr Marquis
Canteloube: Chants D'Auvergne: Bailero
Bellini: Norma: Casta Diva
Mozart: The Marriage Of Figaro: Che Soave Zeffiretto
Mozart: The Magic Flute: Der Holle Rache Kocht In Meinem Herzen
Mozart: The Abduction From The Seraglio: Welche Wonne
Verdi: The Sicilian Vespers: Merce, Dilette, Amiche
Verdi: Rigoletto: Caro Nome
Puccini: Tosca: Vissi D'Arte
Puccini: Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremi
Puccini: La Rondine: Chi il Bel Sogno Di Doretta
Puccini: La Boheme: Quando M'en Vo'
Puccini: La Boheme: Si, Mi Chiamano Mimi
Schubert: Ave Maria

Tracks:

Bizet: Carmen: L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle
Offenbach: The Tales Of Hoffman: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'Amour
Rossini: The Barber Of Seville: Una Voce Poca Fa
Verdi: La Traviata: E Strano.Ah Fors'e Lui.Sempre Libera
Mozart: The Marriage Of Figaro: Giunse Alfin Il Momento.Deh Vieni Non
Mozart: Don Giovanni: In quali Eccessi.
Villa-Lobos: Aria from Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5
Bach/Gounod: Ave Maria
Handel: Rinaldo: Lascia/Ch'io Pianga
Handel: Samson: Let The Bright Seraphim
Giordano: Andrea Chenier: La Mamma Morta
Flotow: Martha: Last Rose Of Summer
Puccini: Manon Lescaut: In Quelle Trine Morbide
Wagner: Tristan Und Isolde: Mild Und Leise
Orff: Carmina Burana: Cour D'Amours: In Trutina
Shenandoah

Customer Reviews:

Gruberova's Extraordinary "Mein Herr Marquis", Sumi Jo's winning "Der hölle Rache".......2007-06-30

I bought that 2-CD set only for the extraordinary performance of Adele's "Laughing Song" ("Mein Herr Marquis") by Edita Gruberova. It is highly surprising (and inexcusable IMO) that a great label as Universal/Decca wrongly gives it to Kiri Te Kanawa, and that another great company (amazon) relays that big error on this site; the recording is quite recognizable (Gruberova can't be confused with anyone; and at her final, you can't confuse the particular audience of that live performance unable to refrain from blowing their stunning and applause before end), and you can check J. Strauss - Die Fledermaus / Te Kanawa, Gruberova, Fassbaender, Bär, Wiener Philharmoniker, Previn and search it, 1st for "Gruberova", 2nd for "Kanawa".

Another track is, alone, worth buying the CD: Königin der Nacht's "Der hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen" by Sumi Jo. Lucia Popp despite her quite deserved immense reputation for this, is beaten (IMO) by Cheryl Studer (purer and more subtle - at least when with Neville Marriner), who is in turn by Sumi Jo: Jo brings the incredible energy and speed and emotion yet chirurgical precision required by that piece full of terrible wrath and grudge (I once attended the Flute where Königin was on her balcony, pointing her finger at her daughter, far away in the court, giving full life to the ultra-powerful music and lyrics "The hellish revenge burns in my heart! Death and destitution to the traitor I hate! Strike him with this deadly weapon! Or you are not my daughter! never more and forever! Go away, ungrateful! Ungrateful! Everything is broken between us until he gives back his villain soul!"), she sings with perfect pitch, tempo and power even up to the 4-repeated highest note (F), with score in hand you find exceptionally little and small flaws, and only in secondary passages. And she sings with "no emotion added" (or removed!), I mean, she is quite accurate emotionally - not everyone is, particularly when singing perfectly such a masterpiece.

There are several more very good tracks (Casta Diva/Sutherland, Welche Wonne welche Lust/Kathleen Battle, O mio babbino caro/Fleming, Dôme épais le jasmin/Sutherland, Schubert's Ave Maria/Leontyne Price), each worth buying the disc, but I agree with previous reviewers that globally the selection is uneven.

Versailles, Sun 1 Jul 2007 01:55:40 +0200

Beautiful collection, even though not perfect.......2006-05-17

As many reviewers have said before, there is a lot of incoherencies in the choices of singers on this double CD. In order to be a truly ultimate collection, the boundaries of recording companies and rights must not interfere, as must have been in this case. This said, it is up to the private collector to accumulate his/her ultimate soprano collection, BUT these CDs are an enormous contribution!

It starts out very strong with beautiful pieces of, and then some singers repeat OFTEN. Not that they are bad choices, it's just that a greater variety would have been nice. More importantly it would have been great to have the "definitive" version/singer of a given aria. Just one example, Sumi Jo's Der Holle Rache is just everywhere as a previous reviewer mentioned -- let's not forget that there is a pristine-perfect-beyond-comparison of Lucia Popp's Queen of the Night also out there somewhere...just NOT on this particular CD...

As far as aria choices are concerned, that is a bit strange to me, too. Of all of Mozart's arias, why those and leave out the magnificent soprano aria from Zaide, "Ruhe sanft"? Hmm...But anyway, the CDs are much better than any other compilation I have of the same type. Highly recommendable after all.

Breathtaking performances of standard literature.......2005-06-09

This CD is a delight from start to finish. It covers most of the most famous soprano arias and duets, featuring celebrated performances by such artists as Nillson and Sutherland, Te Kanawa, Fleming and Bonney. The booklet lists the information on each performance, but does not include the translations. As all are very familiar peices, finding the opera from which they are taken should not be much of a challenge. Not all are opera arias, either; we have "Sheep May Safely Graze" and "Let The Bright Seraphim" to mention a few of the sacred arias here. For opera collectors and those who are just starting to listen alike, this is a very enjoyable CD.

Finally, a 2-disc soprano collection from Decca.......2004-01-09

This is a great compilation to have. I understand that no Maria Callas recordings are not available on this CD because she was never part of the company. There, I set the record straight for any fans of the late opera singer who question it. There are, however, some sopranos and mezzos who are a part of the company that were left off as well, which is my reasoning for giving a 4-star rating rather than a five. Where are Cecilia Bartoli and Mirella Freni. I know that Freni is featured as Mimi on the recording of Musetta's Waltz, but it is minor on the recording, and there should be a recording of her singing an actual aria of her own. Also, recordings of "Dove Sono" (by Te Kanawa, for example), "Voi Che Sapete" (by Bartoli, let's say), "Signore Ascolta" by Caballe, and the Song to The Moon should all be on this compilation. Plus I think that Tatiana Troyanos' recording of the Habanera from Carmen should be featured rather that of Marylin Horne's. Other than that, the #1 Soprano Album is great.

The grandeur of the Opera.......2003-11-27

The #1 soprano album, is a compilation of the most popular opera arias.
This album includes some of the best female voices in history, such as:
Joan Sutherland
Monserrat Caballé
Birgit Nilsson
Renée Fleming
Leontyne Price
Sumi Jo
Kiri Te Kanawa
singing excerpts from Gianni Schicchi, Madama Butterfly, La Bohéme, The Magic Flute, Carmen, Les contes du Hoffman, among many others.

Higlights:
O mio babbino caro/ Fleming
Dome epais le jasmin/ Sutherland & Berbié
Der hölle rache kocht in meinem herzen/ Jo
Un bel di vedremi/ Crespin
Let the bright seraphim/ Sutherland
La mamma morta/ Caballé
Mild und leise/Nilsson
among others.