Gala 12 [Enhanced]

Product Description
Multimedia Track Included, with the Best Moments of the Finery, Biographies of the Offerings, Tests, Pictures of the Finery, the Info on the Songs Interpreted, Distribution of Songs and Interpreters.

Gala 12,Operacion Triunfo,Vale,Latin,Latin Pop/Rock

Music

jazz

music

Jazz

Average customer rating:

Dallas Christmas Gala (Hybr) Manufacturer: Delos Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Lauridsen | Lauridsen, Morten | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Litton, Andrew | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music ASIN: B00005MHQQ Release Date: 2001-11-27

Average customer rating: Great Christmas music -- but the sleeve MIGHT have a printing error SACD? Wait until you hear the SACD Stereo/Surround/Hybrid Disc There are some great songs that should be classics

Dallas Christmas Gala Manufacturer: Delos Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Lauridsen | Lauridsen, Morten | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Classical Instrumental | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Classical Instrumental | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Pop Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music Similar Items: A Feast of Carols ASIN: B00004WJM1 Release Date: 2000-11-14

Tracks:

1. Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas
2. Seasonal Sounds
3. Caroling, Caroling
4. Personent Hodie
5. Festival Fanfare For Christmas
6. The Holly And The Ivy
7. A Christmas Flourish - Shiloh - Joy To The World - Silent Night - Angels We Have Heard On High
8. Sleigh Ride
9. White Christmas
10. O Magnum Mysterium
11. The 12 Days After Christmas
12. Bellsong Fantasy
13. This Christmastide
14. A Christmas Garland - Ding, Dong Merrily Oh High - God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Customer Reviews:

Great Christmas music -- but the sleeve MIGHT have a printing error.......2006-10-10

I purchased this CD for the purpose of practicing what is listed as Track 7, "A Christmas Flourish," arranged by Randol Alan Bass, which is a choral medley of "Shiloh," "Joy To The World," "Silent Night" and "Angels We Have Heard On High." Instead, Track 7 turned out to be what is listed as Track 2: a Bass arrangement entitled "Seasonal Sounds," which is a choral medley of "Santa Claus Is Coming To Town," "Here Comes Santa Claus," "Rudolf The Red-Nosed Reindeer" "Frosty The Snowman" and "Jingle Bells." Not having listened to the rest of the CD, I wrote to the publisher, asking what happened. I received the company's very prompt reply that both recordings ARE there, but Tracks 2 and 7 were inadvertently switched on the sleeve; that later shipments of the CD contained a corrected contents list. If it is there at all, the printing error should not deter any potential buyer from purchasing this very fine recording. If need be, just get out your pen and fix the sleeve.

SACD?.......2005-12-23

I must have missed that release of the SACD. I have fantastic surround system and the CD sounds great on it, BUT, if there is an enhanced CD for surround, I would sure like to know how to get it. The DSO is right here in my area and I enjoy going to the Meyerson and listening to the DSO and Chorus. Especially, the Christmas program. I believe the Lay Family Organ to be one of the finest examples of workmanship of a concert organ. To hear that ole 42' Bourdon on my system would probably shatter the windows! :)

How can I get this SACD? Anyone know?

Wait until you hear the SACD Stereo/Surround/Hybrid Disc.......2001-11-26

The CD was great, but this is a truly spectacular recording in the SACD version. While the selections tilt the balance more towards the secular, one of the most richly rewarding large versions of Silent Night are included in the "A Christmas Flourish" medley, all grounded by the deep pedal tones of the C. B. Fisk pipe organ. The Festival Fanfare for Christmas is great fun.
This disc certainly makes a joyful noise and will give your sound system a full workout!

There are some great songs that should be classics.......2000-12-15

This CD has some great songs that I haven't seen on other CDs before, but it also has some cheesy ones (albeit well performed). Favorites include This Christmastide, O Magnum Mysterium, and the Twelve Days after Christmas. On the cheesy side...Merry Christmas, Merry Christmas. Overall, a good album.

Average customer rating: BEST GILDA THERE IS

Verdi: Rigoletto (Highlights) Manufacturer: Gala ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | 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 ASIN: B000006O26 Release Date: 2000-06-06

Tracks:

1. Act One: Ballad: This Woman Or That - Alfredo Kraus
2. Act One: No.4: Scene And Duet: We Are Alike! - Aldo Protti
3. Act One: My Daughter!...Father - Aldo Protti/Gianna D'Angelo
4. Act One: Duet: I've Been Here Three Months - Aldo Protti/Gianna D'Angelo
5. Act One: Giovanna, I Feel Remorseful - Alfredo Kraus/Liliana Hussu/Gianna D'Angelo
6. Act One: Aria: Love Is The Sunshine Of The Soul - Alfredo Kraus/Gianna D'Angelo
7. Act One: Oh Tell Me Again That You Love Me - Alfredo Kraus/Gianna D'Angelo
8. Act One: No.6: Scene And Aria: Gaultier Malde...That Sweet Name - Gianna D'Angelo
9. Act Two: She Was Stolen From Me - Alfredo Kraus
10. Act Two: I Seem To See The Tears - Alfredo Kraus
11. Act Two: Your Highness! - Alfredo Kraus
12. Act Two: You Courtiers, Vile Accursed Race - Aldo Protti
13. Act Two: No.10: Scene And Duet: Oh Father...Gilda! My Daughter! - Gianna D'Angelo/Aldo Protti
14. Act Two: Every Sunday In Church - Gianna D'Angelo
15. Act Two: O Lord, I Sought Of Thee - Aldo Protti
16. Act Two: Since Vainly I Cursed You - Vito Susca/Aldo Protti/Gianna D'Angelo
17. Act Three: Woman Is Wayward - Alfredo Kraus
18. Act Three: No.12: Qt: One Day, My Dear, I Met You - Alfredo Kraus/Bruna Roncini/Gianna D'Angelo/Aldo Protti
19. Act Three: Lovely Daughter Of Pleasure - Alfredo Kraus/Bruna Roncini/Gianna D'Angelo/Aldo Protti
20. Act Three: No.14: Final Scene And Duet: At Last The Moment Of Vengeance Is At Hand! - Aldo Protti/Giorgio Tadeo
21. Act Three: The Who, Who Is This In His Place? - Aldo Protti/Gianna D'Angelo
22. Act Three: I Deceived You, It Was My Fault - Gianna D'Angelo/Aldo Protti

Customer Reviews:

BEST GILDA THERE IS.......2002-09-26

ok, Protti is not great, but not bad either...and ofcourse, Kraus is consistent and proves to be a prince among tenors...but it is d'Angelo who really makes this live recording... her Caro Nome is ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE...we don't get live singing like that these days (I've heard Andrea Rost, R.A. Swenson, et al)...d'Angelo's shaping of the musical line is to die for as are her timbre and sense of drama...the death scene is also unforgettable...get this, and you'll understand what I'm talking about!

Average customer rating:

Singles Gala 12 Operacion Triunfo Manufacturer: Msi Music Corp ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Latin Music | Styles | Music ASIN: B0002B7DRA Release Date: 2002-08-26

Average customer rating:

14 Greatest Tenors Manufacturer: Gala ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Donizetti | Donizetti, Gaetano | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Puccini | Puccini, Giacomo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Romberg, Sigmund | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Verdi | Verdi, Giuseppe | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Korngold, Erich Wolfgang | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | 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 ASIN: B000025YI4 Release Date: 1994-01-01

Tracks:

1. I Pagliacci: Vesti La Giubba
2. The Student Prince: Serenade
3. L'Elisir d'Amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima
4. Andrea Chenier: Un di All'azurro Spazio
5. Aida: Celeste Aida
6. Turandot: Nessun Dorma
7. Faust: Quel Trouble Inconnu
8. Die Zauberflote: Dies Bildnis Ist Bezaubernd Schon
9. Die tote Stadt: O Freund, Ich Werde Sie Nicht Wiederseh'n ... Gluck, Das Mir Verblieb
10. Les pecheurs des perles: Je Crois Entendre Encore
11. Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile
12. La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina
13. Ernani: Merce, Diletti Amici
14. I lombardi: La Mia Letizia Infondere

Average customer rating:

Operacion Triunfo: Singles Gala 12 Various Artists Manufacturer: Vale ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Latin Music | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Latin General | Latin Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Latin General | Latin Music | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music ASIN: B000065ALV Release Date: 2002-08-26

Tracks:

1. Flor De Lis (Flor De Liz)
2. Ausencia (Adagio)
3. Con Los Anos Que Me Quedan
4. Quiero
5. Haste Que El Alma Resista
6. Best
7. People
8. All The Man That I Need

Album Details

The Twelfth Chart Topping Collection from the Massively Popular TV Series that Showcases Young Spanish Talent in the Making, Performing Popular Favorite Spanish Songs, Songs from the English Charts En Espanol and International English Hits as Well.

Average customer rating:

Mozart: Le Nozze Di Figaro - Highlights / Giulini, Prey, Schwarzkopf, et al Hermann Prey , Elisabeth Schwarzkopf , Giuseppe Taddei , Graziella Sciutti , Dutch Chamber Choir , Residentie-Orchestra , and Carlo Maria Giulini Manufacturer: Gala ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | 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 4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B000006O25 Release Date: 2000-06-06

Tracks:

1. Act One, No.6 Aria: I No longer Know What I Am Or What I'm Doing - Stafania Malagu
2. Act One, No.9 Aria: No More, You Amorous Butterfly - Giuseppe Taddei
3. Act Two, No.10 Cavatina: O Love, Bring Some - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
4. Act Two, No.11 Canzona: You Ladies - Stafania Malagu
5. Act Two, No.12 Aria: Come...Kneel Down - Graziella Sciutti
6. Act Two, No.15 Finale: Now Out You Come, You Imp Of Satan - Hermann Prey/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
7. Act Two, No.15 Finale: My Lord And Lady, The Musicians Are Outside - Giuseppe Taddei
8. Act Two, No.15 Finale: Oh My Just And Noble Lord - Mimi Aarden/Frans Vroons/Joseph Rouleau/Hermann Prey/Graziella Sciutti/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf...
9. Act Three, No.16 Duet: Cruel One, Why Have You Caused Me Thus To Languish? - Hermann Prey/Graziella Sciutti/Giuseppe Taddei
10. Act Three, No.17 Recitative And Aria: We've Won Our Case!...Must I See A Serf Of Mine Made Happy - Hermann Prey
11. Act Three, No.18 Sextet: Dearest Son, In This Embrace - Hermann Prey/Graziella Sciutti
12. Act Three, No.19 Recitative And Aria: Susanna's Not Come!...Where Are Those Happy Moments - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
13. Act Three, No.20 Duet: To The Zephyr...How Sweet The Breeze - Graziella Sciutti/Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
14. Act Three, No.26 Recitative And Aria: Everything Is Ready...Just Open Your Eyes - Giuseppe Taddei
15. Act Three, No.26 Recitative And Aria: At Last Comes The Moment...Come, Do Not Delay - Graziella Sciutti
16. Act Three, No.26 Recitative And Aria: Ho There! Bring Your Swords - Hermann Prey/Giuseppe Taddei/Frans Vroons/Chris Taverne/Ge Smit/Joseph Rouleau/Graziella Sciutti...

Average customer rating:

Bellini: Norma (recorded Milano 12-7-1955) Manufacturer: Gala ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0007YEM8K

Product Description

Track List: Compact Disc 1~~ 1. Sinfonia, 2. Introduzione-'Scena: Ite Sul Colle' (Oroveso, Coro, 3. Introduzione-Recit: 'Svanir Le Voci' (Pollione, Flavio, 4. Cavatina: 'Meco All'Altar' (Pollione), 5. Recit: 'Odi! Suoi Riti A Compiere' (Flavio, Coro, Pollione, 6. Cabaletta: 'Me Protegge, Me Difende Un' (Pollione, 7. Coro: 'Norma Viene', 8. Recit: 'Sediziose Voci' (Norma, Oroveso, Coro, 9. Cavatina: 'Casta Diva!' (Norma,), 10. Recit: 'Fine Al Rito' (Norma, Coro), 11. Cabaletta: 'Ah! Bello A Me Ritorna' (Norma, Coro), 12. Recit: 'Sgombra E La Sacra Selva', 13. Aria: 'Deh! Proteggimi, O Dio!' -- Scena: 'Eccola! Va' (Adalgisa, P, 14. Duetto: 'Va, Crudele' (Pollione, Adalgisa), 15. Recit: 'Vanne, E Li Cela Entrambi' (Norma, Clotilde), 16. Scena: 'Adalgisa! ... Alma Costanza' (Norma, Adalgisa), 17. Duetto: 'Oh, Rimembranza!' (Norma, Adalgisa), 18. Finale: 'Ma Di' L'Amato Giovane?' (Norma, Adalgisa, Pollione), 19. 'Oh Non Tremare' (Norma, Adalgisa),~~Compact Disc 2~~ 1. Trio: 'Oh Di Qual Sei Tu Vittima' (Norma, Pollione, Adalgisa), 2. 'Perfido!... Or Basti!' (Norma, Pollione, Adalgisa), 3. Introduzione (Orchestra), 4. Recit: 'Dormono Entrambe' (Norma, Clotilde), 5. Recit: 'Mi Chiami, O Norma' (Adalgisa, Norma), 6. Duetto: 'Deh! Con Te' (Norma, Adalgisa), 7. Duetto: 'Mira, O Norma' (Adalgisa, Norma), 8. Coro: 'Non Parti?', 9. Recit: 'Guerrieri, A Voi Venirne' (Oroveso, Coro), 10. Scena: 'Ah Del Tebro Al Giogo Indegno' (Oroveso, Coro), 11. Scena: 'Ei Tornera, Si' (Norma, Clotilde, Coro), 12. Scena: 'Squilla Il Bronzo Di Dio!' (Coro, Oroveso, Norma), 13. Coro: 'Guerra! Guerra!' (Coro, Norma), 14. Recit: 'Ne Compi Il Rito' (Oroveso, Norma, Clotilde, Pollione, Co, 15. Duetto: 'In Mia Man' (Norma, Pollione), 16. Finale: 'All'Ira Vostra', 17. 'Qual Cor Tradisti' (Norma, Pollione, Oroveso, Coro), 18. 'Norma, Deh! Norma Scolpati!' (Oroveso, Coro, Pollione, Norma), 19. 'Deh! Non Volerli Vittime' (Norma, Oroveso, Coro, Pollione),

Average customer rating: What a wonderful ballad !!!

Operacion Triunfo: Gala 12 Various Artists Manufacturer: Vale ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Spain | Continental Europe | Europe | International | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00008KCNY Release Date: 2003-01-27

Tracks:

1. Corazon Partio
2. Si Tu Eres Mi Hombre Y Yo Tu Mujer (The Power Of Love)
3. Eloise
4. En Ausencia De Ti (In Assenza Di Te)
5. No Hago Otra Cosa Que Pensar En Ti
6. I Just Called To Say I Love You
7. La Incondicional
8. Livin On A Prayer
9. Forza Desta Vida
10. Interactive Track Of Gala 12

Album Details

Multimedia Track Included, with the Best Moments of the Finery, Biographies of the Offerings, Tests, Pictures of the Finery, the Info on the Songs Interpreted, Distribution of Songs and Interpreters.

Customer Reviews:

What a wonderful ballad !!!.......2004-04-17

Ainhoa show us what she is capable doing a fantastic spanish version of the ballad "Power of Love" (Celine Dion, Jennifer Rush, Laura Branigan). Ainhoa previously show us her talent singing ballads with "Caruso" (Gala 10), but now she give us her best.

Average customer rating: For Birgit Nilsson fans A superb performance. Wow!!

Beethoven: Fidelio Manufacturer: Gala ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music | Cantatas | Romances German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music ASIN: B00005Q6K7 Release Date: 2001-09-25

Customer Reviews:

For Birgit Nilsson fans.......2003-08-22

If you follow Birgit Nilsson's career, she has 3 recorded Leonores

1956 - Kleiber (review below)
1964 - Maazel (Decca)
1970 - Bernstein (this one)

The 1956 is her best!! This version is also good but the sound is not as good as the 1956 (surprise? I think it has to do with the remastering). I guess you wouldn't be looking at this set if you weren't into historical performances so this review is specially for such people.

REVIEW:

I always by lesser known labels with trepidation because I can never know what kind of sound quality I will get. However, so far my experience with Koch Schwann is that they provide superb sound quality. This is the second Koch Scwhann set that I bought. Yes, this performance is in mono, but it is superb mono - the best possible with lots of space around the music. I think Och Schwann has access to the original masters because these transfers are superb. Everything is crystal clear. The mono sound quality is definitely full-price quality.

Having put the question of sound quality to rest, what about the performance. Well, this is Birgit Nilsson's first recorded Leonore, and in my opinion, it is certainly her best. It is definitely better than her Maazel performance. Here she seems more involved than in the Maazel performance. Perhaps it is because she was not that famous in 1956 (her Met triumph was 1959) so it is possible that she worked harder at her characterization here and there is a palpable difference. In Maazel, she seems to lack interest in doing the part well - perhaps she was then famous and very busy doing too many roles and that affected her. Yes, I would definitely recommend this Birgit Nilsson set in mono and at full-price above the Maazel Decca set in stereo and at mid-price. Firstly, the sound quality here is superb - you needn't worry about the mono - it is superb mono. Part of the reason is that this was done specially as a radio broadcast and not from staged performances so the producers made sure that the singers are clearly heard and the orchestra well- balanced. Secondly, Kleiber's conducting is definitely superior to Maazel. Maazel (25 years old, thereabouts) was very young when he conducted the Decca set with Nilsson and his inexperience shows. On the other hand, Erich Kleiber (father of Carlos Kleiber) was a legend - witness his legendary Figaro with Decca in 1955. Unfortunately, he passed away shortly after doing this broadcast.

There is another performance Birgit Nilsson as Leonore - the Rome 1970 version with Leonard Bernstein. That version is terrific but for one thing, the sound quality there is not as good. And although Birgit Nilsson with Bernstein was better than with Maazel, she is still the best down here. Yes, this is Birgit Nilsson's best Leonore. All the rest of the singers are in top form.

A superb performance........2003-02-25

I must say. This is a wonderful live performance. It has an electricity which is missing in most studio versions. Birgit Nilsson here is far superior to her performance for Maazel (Decca). Her voice is warm and intense here whereas she is steely and frigid in Maazel. Birgit Nilsson here is far superior to Janowitz in Bernstein's later version. Janowitz's lyrical soprano sound too anemic - it lacks power. You don't get any kick out of listening too Janowitz. Yes, her voice is pure and beautiful. She sings with commitment and feeling. The problem is that this is FIDELIO. you don't just want to hear beautiful emotions and feeling, you want a DRAMATIC SOPRANO to pin you back in your seat!!!!!! Nilsson's legendary voice has the power of a nuclear plant. She does exactly that. When she hits those top notes, you are literally blown away. Ludovic as Florestan is also superior to Rene Kollo. Ludovic sounds far more at his wits end than Kollo and Ludovic's voice has more power. There is far more intensity and emotion here. Helen Donath is wonderful as Marzelline. Lucia Popp may sing more beautifully, but I think Helen Donath sings with greater intensity and soul. You kind of feel what she is thinking. Here it's a close call between Lucia Popp and Helen Donath. Theo Adam as Don Pizarro is far superior to Hans Sotin for Bernstein(DG). Theo Adam has more venom and intensity. The other singers too sing with an intensity which is not found in Bernstein's more popular 1978 DG version.

The only drawback is the recorded sound is not too good. It is a live performance. And some details are lost in the recording. But what is lost in detail is made up for by the intensity of the singers. I give 5 stars for the performance. The recorded sound should be 3 stars. Ultimately, the best version is still Klemperer (EMI) in which Christa Ludwig intensity blows every other recorded Leonore away - the power of a dramatic soprano mixed with raw emotion and intensity. But this Bernstein is certainly an outstanding performance with the kind of soul and intensity seldom found in studio recordings. The Klemperer, of course, is the exception that proves the rule.

If you are planning on Bernstein, I think this version would satisfy you more than his version for Deutsche Grammophon(DG). And it's far cheaper too. Yes, you sacrifice clarity, but ultimately, you want a Leonore to pin you back to your seat and you want singers with raw emotion and intensity. This version of Bernstein's Fidelio is like being involved in an action movie, the thrill is there but in the process, some details become fuzzy. Bernstein's later DG version is like reading a book. Everything is more or less crystal clear. But you lose some of the thrill of being in the action. Finally, there are some bonus tracks in this CD set - some performance from a live recording of Fidelio by Erich Kleiber in 1956, with Birgit Nilsson again. It is interesting to see how Nilsson has developed between 1956 and 1970.

Remember: in classical music, cheaper does not imply inferior. Don't discount this version. Enjoy this superb performance at an incredibly low price. You may enjoy it so much that you don't see a need to buy Bernstein's 1978 DG version.

Wow!!.......2003-02-22

Good performance - less than desirable but good sound quality.

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