| 1. Sigue |
| 2. Mi Medida |
| 3. Me Estoy Enamorando |
| 4. Quiero Que Te Enteres |
| 5. Amo |
| 6. Dulce Amargo |
| 7. Amor Comienza |
| 8. Eso |
| 9. Nena |
| 10. Me Puedes de Punta a Punta |
| 11. Memé |
| 12. Tu Rinconcito |
| 13. Mi Medida [CD-ROM Track][*] |
Amo,Axel,Sony International,Latin,Latin Pop,Latin Pop/Rock
Average customer rating:
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Sogno
B. / Cogliati, D. Zambrini , Tullio / Servillo, Giuseppe Ferro , Patrick / Servillo, Giuseppe Abrial , Ennio / Bardotti, S. Morricone , Ennio / Quarantotto, Lucio Morricone , Mauro / Bocelli, Andrea Malavasi , Guido Corti , Eros Ramazzotti , and Cecilia Chailly Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000IGX2 Release Date: 1999-03-30 |
Tracks:
- Canto Della Terra
- The Prayer (duet with Celine Dion)
- Sogno
- O Mare E Tu (duet with Dulce Pontes)
- A Volte Il Cuore
- Cantico
- Mai Piu' Cosi' Lontano
- Immenso
- Nel Cuore Lei (duet with Eros Ramazzotti)
- Tremo E T'Amo
- I Love Rossini
- Un Canto
- Come Un Fiume Tu
- A Mio Padre
Amazon.com essential recording
Andrea Bocelli's Sogno ("Dream") is a pop album of entirely original compositions that evoke traditional and modern influences. Bocelli himself describes the CD as secular Italian traditional melodic music with a contemporary twist. The album's 14 tracks include "The Prayer," a Bocelli and Celine Dion duet produced by David Foster; "Come un Fiume Tu," an intriguing collaboration with soundtrack maestro Ennio Morricone; "O Mare e Tu," a duet with Dulce Pontes; and "Sogno" (the first single excerpted from the album), a light-as-a-feather, emotional composition sung by Bocelli with his typical vocal emphasis, which has made him famous around the world since the release of his self-titled debut. --Ernesto De PascaleCustomer Reviews:
Romance.......2007-06-12
Andrea's masterpiece.......2007-04-20
A Great Collection Of Songs!.......2007-03-28
Sogno by Bocelli.......2007-03-09
Wow, Great Artist, & Great CD.......2007-01-04
Average customer rating:
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Luciano Pavrotti: The Best (Farewell Tour)
Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0007V5WB4 Release Date: 2005-09-13 |
Tracks:
- La donna obile
- Una furtiva lagrima
- "Libiamo ne'lieti calici (Brindisi)
- Donna non vidi mai
- Che gelida manina
- O soave fanciulla
- Mi batte il cor...O Paradiso!
- M'appari
- Quando le sere al placido chiaror d'un ciel stellato
- Se quel guerrier io fossi!..Celeste Aida
- Forse la soglia attinse
- Recitar! - "Vesti la giubba"
- Come un bel di maggio
- Ah mes amis - Pour mon
- Di quella pira
- Nessun dorma!
Tracks:
- Torna a Surriento
- Santa Lucia luntana
- La Danza
- L'ultima canzone
- Non t'amo pi
- Mattinata
- 'O sole mio
- 'A vucchella
- Core 'ngrato
- Nel blu, dipinto di blu
- Vivere
- Il Canto
- Caruso
- Buongiorno a te
- Ti adoro
- E lucevan le stelle
- Questa o quella (Ballata)
- Parmi veder le lagrime
Customer Reviews:
Luciano Pavrotti: The Best (Farewell Tour).......2007-06-27
Luciano Pavorotti.......2007-02-17
Luciano is the best!.......2007-01-20
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Bellini: I Capuleti e i Montecchi
Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0002XV2XO Release Date: 2005-02-15 |
Tracks:
- Sinfonia
- Aggiorna Appena...
- O Di Capellio, Generosi Amici
- E Serbata A Questo Acciaro
- Si: M'abbraccia
- L'amo Tanto, E M'e Si Cara
- Vanne Lorenzo
- Lieto Del Dolce Incarno
- Ascolta. Se Romeo T'uccise Un Figlio
- Riedi Al Campo
- La Tremenda Ultrice Spada
- Eccomi In Lieta Vesta...
- Oh! Quante Volte
- Propizia E L'ora
- Si, Fuggire: A Noi Non Resta
- Odi Tu? L'altar Funesto
- Vieni, Ah! Vieni
Tracks:
- Lieta Notte, Avventurosa
- Deh! Per Pieta, T'arresta
- Tace Il Fragor
- Che Miro?
- Soccorso, Sostegno Accordagli
- Accorriam...Romeo!
- Ne Alcun Ritorna!
- Morte Io Non Temo Il Sai
- Prendi, Gl'istanti Volano
- Deh! Padre Mio, Deh Padre Mio!
- Deserto E Il Luogo
- Chi Sei Tu?
- Qua' Voci! Oh Dio!
- Ella E Morta, O Sciagurato
- Siam Giunti
- Ecco La Tomba
- Tu Sola, O Mia Giulietta
- O Tu, Mia Sola Speme
- Ah! Crudel! Che Mai Facesti?
Customer Reviews:
Highest Level of Artistry Displayed .......2007-02-13
Now coming to the comparison made by a reviewer between Bellini and Verdi. Well, even if Bellini had lived to 80, it would not be his aim to write like Verdi. Bellini stood alone amongst the great opera composers of Italy. Even his contemporaries recognized it and called his music 'filosofico'. Bellini's aim was not to create dramas with music like Donizetti or Verdi, but rather music drama - a fact which Wagner recognized. Only that Bellini's aim was to realize it via the voice (think Norma), while Wagner did it with the orchestra. It is note-worthy that Wagner spared Bellini the usual bashing he gave to the Italians. Not only that - he admitted to Cosima that the love duet from Capuleti was the source of his inspiration for his own in Tristan. In his old age, he was proud to say that he learned from 'these pages' what Messrs Brahms etc had failed to learn. One should approach a Bellini opera as one does a Chopin Ballade or Wagner's Tristan, not Verdi. That is not to say that Verdi is inferior, but just different.
And regarding Bellini's orchestration, Wagner and Bizet were on separate occasions, were tasked to 'improve' the orchestration of Norma. Both eventually gave up the job as impossible and concluded that the orchestration written by Bellini was the most suitable. Comparing the orchestration between the early Il Pirata (with its almost Wagnerian finale!) with Norma, it dawns upon one that the decision to thin out the orchestra by Bellini was deliberate, in line with his purpose of using the voice as the primary tool to express the drama.
"Behold the Tomb".......2006-09-30
I have downoaded the text from Karadar Classical Music as well as a synopsis from Opera japonica. We learn that the Capuleti and Montecchi are local versions of the Guelph and Ghilbelline parties respectively. The Ghibelline Dante would have been allied with the Montecchi, Romeo's party. Capellio, Juliet's father, seeks to avenge the death of a son at the hands of Romeo. Romeo's part is sung by a mezzo-soprano, adding further to the absurdity of the EMI cover photo. Although Romeo and Juliet are already lovers, she refuses to elope with him out of loyalty to her father. These lovers really seem more interested in dying than in making love. Juliet does manage to declare that she breathes easier when she learns that Romeo has survived a fight. We know that Romeo has reached his appointed place when he sings, "Ecco la tomba." Janet Baker, as Romeo, shines in the slow, heart-broken singing that follows, interspersed with sympathetic passages by the chorus of Montecchi. There is no doubt that Bellini's operas allow top performers to sing as beautifully as they can. The instrumental accompaniment in this concluding scene is reduced to a bare minimum.
Well-sung Shakespearean travesty.......2005-10-15
Sound: Analog stereo. The engineering is competent, I suppose, but as a matter of personal taste I do not care for the distant and echo-y soundscape. It sounds as though the opera were taking place at the far end of a Gothic cathedral.
Documentation: No printed libretto, although there is a reference to an on-line libretto available at the EMI Classics website, (which failed to download in five tries over two days) just in case I want to listen to this opera while I am working at my computer. The accompanying essay by James Harding is the most useless I have ever found in a CD case--and that is by no means an easily earned distinction. Harding is vitally interested in Bellini's lame love life but indifferent to such trifles as the plot of the opera he is supposed to be writing about.
Format: Disk 1, Act I, Scenes 1 and 2; 60:42. Disk 2, Act I, Scene 3; Act II, Scenes 1-3; 74:23.
Bellini premiered "I Capuleti e i Montecchi" at Teatro La Fenice in Venice exactly one month before his twenty-ninth birthday. It was a success but it was not without critics. In his essay, Harding writes, "It was unfair of Berlioz to denounce I Capuleti e i Montecchi as a travesty of Shakespeare." Berlioz clearly had a point, for where the Bard had twenty characters, the librettist "Romani made do with only five. You will look in vain," Harding gushes on, "for the Nurse and Friar Laurence" and, I must add, for Mercutio, Benvolio and Paris, too. In the opera, Paris and Tybalt become a single character, Tebaldo, to the great detriment of the plot.
"I Capuleti e i Montecchi" came about midway in Bellini's too short career. The really big hits on which his fame rests were yet to come. The music is competent but somehow lacking that indefinable ping that makes "La Sonnambula," "Norma" and "I Puritani" extraordinary.
Overall, the performance is good. Best by far in the cast is Janet Baker. She does not generate overt excitement but she offers an overwhelming sense of rightness when she essays any part in the narrow range that she made her own. This recording is a little late for the best of Sills but she is still very bright and amazingly agile. As always, I feel that her voice is just a little too cool and too thin, but that is purely a matter of personal taste. It is also late for Nicolai Gedda, who sounds unexpectedly baritonal as Tebaldo, a part that any other 19th Century composer would surely have written for a baritone. (I know, I know, Gounod's Tybalt is a tenor. I sang the role, myself, back in college days. But Gounod's Tybalt is markedly different in character from Bellini's Tebaldo-Paris.) Gedda is very good, but I am not at all sure that I would have recognized him if his name had not been on the cover.
"I Capuleti e i Montecchi" is not a great opera, but three famous and very fine singers offer intelligent and entertaining performances. That's worth five stars as far as I'm concerned.
FOR THE HISTORICALLY MINDED: William Shakespeare wrote his "Romeo and Juliet" in the 1590s, in the early days of his career. As was usual for him, he based his play on older materials. The first literary mention of the Montagus and the Capulets is in Dante's "Purgatorio," vi, lines 106-108. The Montagus lived in Verona and the Capulets in Cremona. They were used by Dante as examples of warring factions that had been exterminated. About 1530, Luigi da Porto mistakenly assumed that the Montagus and the Capulets had both resided in Verona and had feuded with one another. He worked up a tale that involved two young members of his warring clans, Giulietta and Romeo. In 1554, Matteo Bandello published a novella called "Romeo e Giulietta" which proved to be an international hit. A French version was adapted from Bandello by Pierre Boaistuau in 1559. This, in turn, was translated into English in 1562 by Arthur Brooke as a "tragical history" in verse form called "Romeus and Juliet," later to be pounced on by Will Shakespeare in search of a popular hit. The only major changes that Shakespeare made in Brooke's plot were to compress the time frame and to introduce Tybalt into the story at an earlier point in order to build him up as a worthy adversary for Romeo. And, oh, yes, he created an array of living characters such as had never been conceived before.
A number of commentators have taken note of the much simplified plot of "I Capuleti e i Montecchi." They have accounted for it by declaring that Shakespeare's version was not yet well-known in the world, so Romani must have based his work on an earlier version of the story, by which I presume they mean by Bandello or even by da Porto. I don't buy that explanation. By 1830, the cult of Bardolatry was firmly established. The standard German translations (that the Germans to this day hold to be superior to the English originals) were well along. Two generations earlier, the tourist industry of Stratford Upon Avon had been given a kick start by the great actor, Garrick (in a bicentennial celebration conceived by David Garrick, written by David Garrick, produced by David Garrick, directed by David Garrick and starring David Garrick--additional dialogue by W. Shakespeare.) Just seventeen years later, Verdi would write his "Macbeth" and make sketches for a "King Lear," that greatest of all operatic might-have-beens. One of the twenty or so books that Verdi kept close to himself until the day he died was an Italian translation of the works of Shakespeare.
No, I do not think that Romani dealt with any obscure 16th Century originals. I think that he exercised a hack's privilege to pillage a respectable source for his convenience. Berlioz was correct. In both the literal and the figurative senses of the word, this is a travesty.
beautiful and moving opera .......2005-08-12
record this opera earlier in their careers (1975) yet still
be glad they did. Though there are some audible signs of vo-
cal wear their artistry and commitment are never in doubt and
they offer memorable performances. Janet Baker is on the other
hand in splendid voice and sings superbly - she portrays a
somber Romeo and is supremely moving in the tomb scene.
Robert Lloyd and Raimund Herincx offer excellent support.
Very well recorded and beautifully conducted by Maestro
Patane - a very welcome release !
Wonderful nostalgia .......2005-05-20
At the time Beverly was a known commodity in Bell Canto operas; however, Janet was mainly known as a song recitalist. Nevertheless, Janet Baker, in this opera, proves that she could sing opera with the best of them showing her great operatic credentials-she is up to every vocal challenge Bellini throws at her. She tackles the role with great artistry and beauty of tone. Her last scene STILL dissolves me to copious tears.
In this recording Beverly sings a little cautiously not throwing out high E's with abandon as before; however, her years of experience being a sublime singer of Bell Canto operas comes through. Her singing is gorgeous, sweet and touching to the highest degree, I truly believe that this recording was one of her best.
It truly is great to hear this recording again-ah the memories. Time has NOT diminished its appeal!
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Lorraine Hunt - Handel Arias
George Frideric Handel , Nicholas McGegan , Lorraine Hunt , and Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra Manufacturer: Harmonia Mundi Fr. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B0000007EU Release Date: 1994-05-17 |
Tracks:
- (Clori: Part I): Va col canto
- (Clori: Part II): Barbaro!
- (Clori: Part II): Amo Tirsi
- (Theodora: Act I, 5): Angels, Ever Bright And Fair
- (Theodora: Act II, 2): With Darkness, Deep
- (Theodora: Act II, 2): Oh! That I On Wings Could Rise
- (Ottone: Act II, 4): Vieni, o figlio
- (Arianna: Act I, 2): Mirami altero in volto
- (Susanna: Part I, 2): Bending To The Throne
- (Susanna: Part III, 2): Guilt Trembling Spoke My Doom
- (Messiah: Part III, 2): He Was Despised
- (Radamisto: Act III, 7): Qual nave
- (Agrippina: Act II, 20): Ogni vento
Customer Reviews:
When she sang...people would forget all that is conventional in opera.......2007-01-11
absolutely Beautiful.......2007-01-10
A glorious voice to remember.......2006-10-29
An Ode to Beauty and Artistry (Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson, 1954-2006).......2006-07-06
It is really sad to know that this great artist died of breast cancer two days ago in her home in Santa Fe, New Mexico. It was a big loss for the operatic world to lose such a beautiful instrument at such a young age. Lorraine Hunt-Lieberson will be missed.
subtle beauty.......2005-11-14
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Una Furtiva Lagrima
Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00008CLJK Release Date: 2003-04-08 |
Tracks:
- Allegro Io Son
- Una Furtiva Lagrima
- L'Elisir D'Amore
- Povero Ernesto
- Com E Gentil
- Tutto E Sciolto
- Ah Non Sogno
- A Teo O Cara
- La Fille Du Regiment
Amazon.com
Here again young Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez proves himself a pleasure to listen to. The music on this CD is not as florid as on his previous recital, but the manner in which he approaches this selection of scenes by Donizetti and Bellini is just as artful. The tone is beautiful and even from bottom to amazingly easy top; he gets "in" each character; his smooth, elegant delivery ("Una furtive lagrima" is simply and meltingly sung, as is Ernesto's aria from Don Pasquale) is as wondrous as his acrobatics--rarely have Tonio's nine high Cs from the Fille du Regiment aria sounded so natural, so part of the character's enthusiasm, and rarely has Arturo's abrupt rise to high C sharp in "A te o cara" sounded so effortless. Florez's basic sound is sweet, but he can exclaim excitingly, as he does in the scene from I Capuleti e i Montecchi. And wait until you hear the ditty from Donizetti's Rita! Rarely has singing sounded like so much fun. Conductor Riccardo Frizza leads the orchestra (and chorus) with knowing early 19th-century style. Don't miss this. --Robert LevineAlbum Details
2003 Release from Peruvian Opera Singer who Won the "Premio Abbiati Della Critica" and "Rossini D'oro" Prizes for Best Singer. He Carried Out his First Music Studies at the Conservatorio Nacional De Lima and Later at the Curtis Institute of Music of Philadelphia. He was Invited by the Famous Peruvian Tenor Ernesto Palacio (With Whom He Has Been Preparing his Repertoire Since Then) to Take Part to Some Opera Productions in Italy and They Sang Together in the First Modern Performances of Zingarelli's Oratorio "le Tre Ore Di Agonia Di Cristo" and in Martin Y Soler's Opera "il Tutore Burlato". He Sang at the Sully-sur-loire Festival and at the International Festival of Gerace (Italy). Since Then He Has Been Appearing in all the Most Important Opera Houses in Europe: London, Meyerbeer, Rome, Verona, Pesaro, Milan, Nice, Florence, Barcelona, Seville, Las Palmas, Genua, Pesaro, Trieste, Hamburg, Munich, Turin, Toulouse and Vienna.Customer Reviews:
Mistaken Composer.......2005-09-24
Una Furtiva Lagrima.......2005-04-12
Some of the tracks are a little heavy on the recitative, but the album notes include the translation, which makes it more interesting to listen to.
Juan Over .......2004-09-15
What I DO know is that to my untrained ear, Mr. Florez' voice is incredibly beautiful, a pleasure to revel in. Listening to his "Una furtiva lagrima" seems to transport me to another time and place. His voice is warm and tender and seems to soar effortlessly as he hits one high note after another and is worthy of appreciation by fans of any music style.
If you want an album filled with exquisite singing, this would certainly be a fine place to start.
Florez Continues to Impress.......2004-03-24
A CD worth having.......2003-06-17
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Sumi Jo - La Promessa / Vincenzo Scalera
Vincenzo Bellini , George Frideric Handel , Alessandro Scarlatti , Domenico Scarlatti , Giuseppe Verdi , Giuseppe Sarti , Christoph Willibald Gluck , Salvator Rosa , Giuseppe Giordani , Francesco Paolo Tosti , Antonio Cesti , Gioachino Rossini , Sir Julius Benedict , Stefano Donaudy , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Antonio Caldara , Giovanni Paisiello , Sumi Jo , and Vincenzo Scalera Manufacturer: Erato ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000AEKD Release Date: 1998-09-15 |
Tracks:
- Caro mio ben
- Lungi dal caro ben
- Malinconia, ninfa gentile - Bellini
- Qual farfalletta amante - D. Scarlatti
- Ad una stella - Verdi
- Lascia ch'io pianga - Handel_
- Per pieta, bell'idol mio - Bellini
- O del mio dolce ardor - Gluck
- Star vicino
- Se Florindo e fedele
- Non t'amo piu
- Intorno all'idol mio
- La promesa - Rossini
- La Capinera
- O del mio amato ben
- V'adoro pupille - Handel_
- Vaghissima sembianza
- Ridente la calma - Mozart
- Alma del core
- Nel cor piu non mi sento
Customer Reviews:
Slow, tuneless, boring........2007-07-13
Bettered by the real thing.......2007-03-21
Well, what can I say, I love this CD, her voice is fluid and elegant, sharp but not cutting, well formed and with a force that can be projected or held, it's a wonderful CD on so many levels and one I have never grown tired of listening to each morning, what a great way to start the day! As an introduction to operatic arias I would certainly recommend this as I am sure it would surprise and enchant even the most hardened of sceptics who think that "Opera is not for me", or that there was no life after Callas.
This afternoon I was very fortunate to have 5th row seats at her spring recital, here in Japan, and what a truly awe-inspiring performance. A genuine world-class soprano Sumi Jo certainly is. Today's repertoire ran from Handel, Vivaldi, Benedict, Strauss, Bellini to Verdi. Singing comfortably in FOUR languages she delivered a performance that the CD in now way prepared me for. A performance that brought her four encores, numerous standing ovations and thunderous applause from a usually reserved (Japanese) audience. Besides her obvious musical talents I have to say that I found her to be such a marvellously warm and appreciative human being who was genuinely appreciative of her audience and I can't wait to get out there and listen to more of the joy that is Sumi Jo.
Sumi Jo tackles Belcanto.......2006-11-03
In particular, her readings of "Star vicino" (Rosa), "Alma del core" (Caldara), and "Intorno all'idol mio" (Cesti) are chill-inducing. Supported by Vincenzo Scalera on the piano, the feather-light voice of Sumi Jo glides through these pieces with enviable skill. A beautifully-presented album.
[Erato/Warner Music 3984-23300-2]
A promise fulfilled.......2004-10-28
Loverly voice, perfect technique.......2003-04-04
There is no doubt about her voice and technique, which is one of the best among her peers today. But even in her best reviewed CDs and live performances, I always felt there is a little regret, which is the lack of passion. Behind her crystallike and gentle voice, I found the music is second to the technical showoff, or maybe I should say she is so perfect techincally that the music content was overshadowed. While, from another perspective, all her CDs can be perfect text books for students.
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Sentimento: Andrea Bocelli with Lorin Maazel and the London Symphony Orchestra [Limited Edition w/ Bonus Track]
Jacques Offenbach , Francesco Paolo Tosti , Gioachino Rossini , Johann Paul Aegidius Martini , Stanislao Gastaldon , Luigi Denza , Stefano Donaudy , and Lorin Maazel Manufacturer: Polygram Int'l ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00006IX20 Release Date: 2005-10-04 |
Tracks:
- En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor (Rodrigo)
- Mattinata (Leoncavallo)
- Barcarolle (Offenbach)
- L'Alba Separa Della Luce I'ombra (Tosti)
- Sogno d'Amore (Liszt)
- La Serenata (Tosti)
- L'Ultima Canzone (Tosti)
- Malia (Tosti)
- La Danza (Rossini)
- Ideale (Tosti)
- Sogno (Tosti)
- Plaisir d'Amour (Martini)
- Musica Proibita (S. Gastaldon)
- Occhi Di Fata (Denza)
- A Vuchella (Tosti)
- Vorrei Morire (Tosti)
- Vaghissima Sembianza (S. Donaudy)
Amazon.com
The international crossover success of tenor Andrea Bocelli has spawned any number of imitators on both sides of the Atlantic. But this collection of romantic arias and duets with violinist-conductor Lorin Maazel (who also arranges and helms the London Symphony Orchestra here) proves once again that the classical canon still offers ample room for compelling reinvention without nettlesome pop affectations. In reviving a genre (violin and vocal) largely dormant since the days of Caruso, Bocelli has taken some rewarding liberties with Rodrigo's "En Aranjuez can ta amor" and forged Liszt's familiar Liebestraume No. 3 into "Sogno D'Amore" with new, self-penned lyrics. Maazel's warm, evocative violin obligatos and sensitive, sympathetic arrangements infuse this tenor's showcase not only with unabashed romance, but as their lively romp through Tosti's "Malia" demonstrates, a sense of joyous fun. An album for romantics of all ages and persuasions--and one that gratifyingly demonstrates that crossing over is hardly the same as selling out. Enhanced CD includes a mini-documentary with comments by Bocelli and Maazel, as well as links to a more comprehensive interview with the tenor. --Jerry McCulleyAlbum Details
A Sensational Album featuring Truly Beautiful Songs and Arias that Evoke Feelings of Passion and Romance. The UK Special Edition of the Album Includes the Bonus Track "Non T'amo Pui" by Tosti.Customer Reviews:
Fine idea, weak execution.......2007-04-26
Maazel seems to enjoy the feel of the violin under his chin, and generally produces elegant sounds. The orchestration, which he tells us in his notes evolved amidst a hectic schedule of conducting and rehearsing Don Carlo and Don Giovanni, is basic and generally inoffensive. Good thing he tells the listener of his busy schedule, or one would have to be harsher with his sometimes dreary musical arrangements.
Andrea Bocelli is something of a controversial figure in some circles. I am a picky listener, and suffer from the maniacal ailments that afflict the opera buff. Still, I have always enjoyed Bocelli's popular recordings. I like pleasant tunes sung by a full, clear tenor voice. Having said this, I find his operatic recordings lamentable.
Though not opera per se, Bocelli sounds over-taxed by the repertory at hand (mostly lovely 19th century songs). Each track is unworthy of comparison with past performances by operatic greats-- Pavarotti, Carreras, Gigli, Di Stefano, and Schipa come to mind. Bocelli's voice is strained, and he offers nothing resembling the grace required by these three-minute masterpieces.
Those who are in love with Bocelli's voice will no doubt enjoy this recording. Still, I strongly urge exploring this repertory as it is presented by far more capable performers, and far better endowed voices.
He's magnificent.......2007-03-12
Romantic sounds!.......2007-01-12
Simply beautiful!.......2006-07-09
Average Bocelli at best.......2005-01-20
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José Carreras: The Golden Years
Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000J9GN Release Date: 1999-06-15 |
Tracks:
- La Boheme: Che gelida manina
- TOSCA: Recondita armonia
- TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle
- Manon Lescaut: Donna non vidi mai
- Turandot: Nessun dorma
- L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima
- Un Ballo in Maschera: Forse la soglia attinse
- Rigoletto: Parmi veder le lagrime
- Ernani: Come rugiada al cespite
- II Trovatore: Di quella pira
- La Battaglia di Legnano: La pia materna mano
- Pagliacci: Vesti la giubba
- Carmen: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee
- Werther: Je ne sais si je veille
- Das Land des Lachelns: Dein ist mein ganzes Herz
- II Tedesco: Plaisir d'amour
- Serse: Ombra mai fu
- Rinaldo: Lascia ch'io pianga
- Caro mio ben
Tracks:
- Misa Criolla: Kyrie
- A vucchella
- La Serenata
- Marechiare
- Malia
- L'ultima canzone
- Ideale
- Non t'amo piu
- Good-bye
- Mattinata
- O sole mio
- Core 'ngrato
- Funiculi, funicula
- Torna a Surriento
- Granada
- La Danza
- You Belong To My Heart
- Because
- West Side Story: Tonight
- Be My Love
- Because You're Mine
- Cats: Memory
Customer Reviews:
A Collector's Item.......2007-03-09
STUPENDOUS!!!!.......2005-06-20
Even though I like the whole album, some of the songs on the first cd (which consists of operatic arias) stand out to me - like "Una furtiva lagrima", "donna non vidi mai", "vesti la giubba" and "nessun dorma" (Sorry Pavarotti - José is way ahead of you interpreting this song. It's not enough to sing it on full blast....) Here's also the loveliest rendition of "Forse la soglio attinse". In 1975 the audience at La Scala in Milan went absolutely crazy after he had sung this aria. I have a recording from that night and it sounds as if they are standing on their seats, cheering and applauding. And it's almost like I want to do the same myself after listening to his singing on this album. And in the song "dein ist mein ganzes hertz" he makes me believe that his whole heart really is mine......In my opinion Carreras has the best rendition of this song ever. No one else comes even close to this one. And I mustn't forget his "che gelida manina" from La Bohême. I have the -79 recording it's taken from and it's the ultimate Bohême ever.
The second cd has a "lighter" repertoire with songs from composers like Tosti, Cardillo, Lara and others. My personal favourites here are "Core n'grato", "Ideale" and "Granada". In my opinion no one sings these songs like Carreras. Or rather - no one sings like Carreras. Period!
His singing will no doubt give you goosebumps all over and make your hair stand on end. If not, I bet you're either a Pavarotti or Domingo-fan....
a great partial overview of an extraordinary career.......2005-04-09
Though his voice is powerful and full of beauty, those with keen ears will detect his voice losing a tiny bit of its magnificence starting in the early 80s, and one wonders if the stress and exhaustion of stardom contributed to this as well as to the illness, or whether it was because the seeds of leukemia were taking root.
CD One is the operatic disc, and the two most sublime cuts are both from '76, Puccini's "E lucevan le stelle" (Tosca), and Verdi's "Forse la scoglia attinse" (Un Ballo in Maschera). Another track I adore is the heavenly Lehar "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz" (Das Land des Lachelns), from 1978, and few have performed this popular piece with more loveliness.
CD Two is in a lighter vein, and starts with a stupendous rendition of Ariel Ramirez' "Kirie" (Misa Criolla), sung softly and with extraordinary tenderness and artistry.
There are lots of heavenly melodic Italian songs, like "O Sole Mio", and a few in English like the song made famous by Lanza (who according to the liner notes, inspired Carreras to be a singer when he saw "The Great Caruso" at the age of six) "Be My Love " (Brodszky/Cahn).
The foldout insert has complete track list info and liner notes, and mention must be made of the incredible, sensitive sepia portrait of this handsome singer on the cover. Total playing time for CD One is 75'32, and for CD Two 75'47.
A must for Carreras fans, and anyone who appreciates the finest in operatic voices.
What a beauty!.......2005-01-13
Some of the opera recordings are live, and that adds a lot to them. Both sides of the CDs have fantastic repetoire.
Definately a worthy buy!
He answered my SOS - with his soul.......2004-02-07
Jose Carrera covered the full gambit of Caruso's classics. They must've played him for 2 hours straight. I was mesmerized. I could have touched him and put his hand to my face, his voice was so close. He sang with such emotion and outcry that I wanted to take him into my arms and console him. "Damn" is all that I could verbalize, when the program ended.
I'm not into Jose Carrera singing pop tunes, but he completely blows me away when he's in his own element. I was never feeling the three tenors, and although I remember Pavarotti and our school taking us to the Met in the 80's, Jose Carrera, is an animal of an entirely different species. He's one of a few artists that I can only listen to on my Bose, all alone, to fully appreciate the gravity of talent.
Average customer rating: |
Italian Renaissance Dances, Vol. 2
Manufacturer: Hmf Classical Exp. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005UONH Release Date: 2002-04-09 |
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Women in Chant: Gregorian Chants for the Festal Celebrations of the Virgin Martyrs and Our Lady of Sorrows
The Choir of Benedictine Nuns at the Abbey of Regina Laudis Manufacturer: Sounds True Direct ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00000379Y Release Date: 1997-10-21 |
Tracks:
- Bells of Jesu Fili Mariae
- Orante Sancta Lucia
- Jesu Corona Virginum
- Columna Es Immobilis
- Regem Virginum Dominum
- Dilexisti
- Annulo Suo
- Matins Lesson
- Amo Christum
- Ecce Quod Concupivi
- Me Exspectaverunt
- Quinque Prudentes
- Valerianus
- Adjuvabit Eam
- Virgo Gloriosa
- Confundantur
- Benedico Te
- Virginis Proles
- Paganorum
- Gaudeamus
- Stabat Mater
- Nolite Me Considerare
- Kyrie, Pater Noster, Collect, Blessing by the Abbess
- Regina Caeli
Customer Reviews:
A CRUCIAL COLLECTION OF HYMNS FROM VARIOUS VIRGIN FEASTS LIKE OUR LADY OF SORROWS; CROWNED BY THE ABBESS'S CHANT OF PATER NOSTER.......2007-03-09
The recording of the chant by this living Gregorian Choir of sacred women is perfect in every way, although on my small player I found some overtones in the upper registers. Certainly this was the fault of my inadequate player, and I shall try it again. The cassette tape copy which kept me company for thousands of my miles in my small truck finally separated, and its sound was full and deep until then, very present, in fact so much so I felt I must arise to bow while driving whenever the Gloria Patri et Filii came on.
As subtle and precise as is the chant itself, the extensive booklet informs and educates not only the initiate but all of us already familiar with these sacred tones. The full text of the hymns are presented in the 45 page well-illuminated booklet, along with English translation. The translation of scriptural verses is drawn "from the Confraternity Version of The Holy Bible: The Book of Psalms and the Canticles of the Roman Breviary, published by the St. Anthony Guild Press. This edition was chosen because of its reliability and because its numbering of the Psalms corresponds to that used in the Graduale Romanum, Antiphonale Monasticum, and Breviarium Monasticum. (p.39)" Therefore the anglophile yet Catholic listener should feel all confidence in the English translation employed in the accompanying text. Please note nevertheless the Nolite's English was drawn from the very well-regarded Jerusalem Bible.
What you might find most extraordinary about the English translations is that non-SCriptural yet very traditional hymns and sequence such as the Stabat Mater comes not only with a brief description of author. but also new English translations done at the Abbey in order to provide a fresh and simplified understanding of the profound meaning of these chants. As one who in my youth wished nothing more than to do precisely such sacred translations, I must restrain myself from contesting the words used, as any translation is treason, as they say. Rather I resolve to find what remains within my heart and mind to do as an exercise of prayerful contemplation the translation I might once have done, knowing full well this is now impossible. By this disk I may now view from a distance the Promised Land which might once have been attained.
Please purchase this disk and you will be greatly and overwhelmingly rewarded in so many dimensions. I find a profound homecoming in the stunning centerfold photo of the new Abbatial nave, a true and sturdy ship of our Faith. I weep once agian to view the beautiful bas-relief of the Holy Virgins here presented, and of Mother Placid's excellent Via Crucis. The photos of te two Abbesses are a strengthening and truly Ikonic joy (in the true sense of the word IKON, not the meaningless cliche it has now popularly and commercially become). The introduction includes brief biographies of Dr. Marier and of Tom P., the producer, but what follows is truly blessed, a one page biography of the Reverend Mother Benedict Duss, followed by an extensive interview with her regarding the essence of the Chant, concluding:
"When I hear the chant, I hear people at peace together (p. 9)"
A fine colleciton of hagiography follows, etc. Please give yourself the gift of this recording and its warmly embracing theological commentary.
Beautiful Benedictine Chant.......2002-11-16
Perfect for Meditation.......2000-08-14
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