Great Tenor Arias

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Here the remarkable young Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez not only offers us what we've become accustomed to---gorgeous, graceful singing of very difficult bel canto gems (in this case, high-flying, virtuosic arias from Rossini's Semiramide and L'Italiana in Algeri. He also ventures into unknown waters. He sings an aria added by Donizetti for an Italian production of The Daughter of the Regiment ("La figlia" rather than the usual "La fille") which turns out to be just right for his voice, and he charms with his crisp diction and youthful approach. Paolino's aria from Cimarosa's Il matrimonio segreto is a substantial piece of bel canto writing, with some nice coloratura fireworks near the end which Florez sails through with ease, and Rinuccio's ditty from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi---perhaps the most heavily orchestrated piece he's sung and stylistically the opposite of anything else on the CD---is also tossed off with true élan. On the other hand, Florez has a lot to learn about the Gluckian style, judging from his Romantic approach to Orphée's aria, and his French could use some brushing up if he's going to sing anything from Halévy's La Juive, although the vocal hurdles that the composer put in the tenor's way do not seem to bother him at all. A surprising disappointment is "La donna e mobile," which is over-sung and charm free. But can any tenor around be expected to sing all of these (and a few others, too) perfectly? Florez remains a true delight, his sound beautiful, his production easy from top to bottom. Despite reservations, highly recommended. --Robert Levine

Tracks:

La Boheme: Che gelida manina
Manon Lescaut: Donna non vidi mai
Carmen Bizet: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee (Flower Song)
Luisa Miller: O! fede negar potessi .. Quando le sere al placido
La Traviata: Lunge da lei ... De' miei bollenti spiriti
Martha: M'appari
Giordano: Amor ti vieta
L'Africaine: Mi batte il cuor .. O paradiso
La Favorita: Favorita del re . . . Spirto gentil
Werther: 'Pourquoi me reveiller'
Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: 'Morgenlich leuchtend in rosigem Schein'
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: O Dieu! De quelle ivresse
TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle
Pagliacci: Recitar! ... Vesti la giubba
Il Trovatore: Di quella pira
Aida: Se quel guerrier .. Celeste Aida
TOSCA: Recondita armonia
L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima
La Gioconda: Cielo e mar!
Turandot: Nessun dorma

Customer Reviews:

The End of the Big Voice?.......2007-04-16

This CD, which is truly fine overall, reminds me of Marilyn Horne's lament that we have probably seen the end of the big voice and it makes me sad. I agree with the reviewer who refers to "microphonies". And more justice could be done to Bjorling's voice with a better transfer. But at some point, music becomes a matter of taste and I prefers singers who have the instrument and the support and the training, whether formal or not, to just let fly and take a chance on making a mistake. Domingo can be wonderful and so can his musicianship but he tends to be so stiff. I have to wonder at the virulence and asperity with which some people go after Pavarotti. It's true that late in his career he made some questionable recordings but the answer to that is simple: don't buy them. At his best, he belongs for all time in the top echelon of tenors. I love this CD and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys great (big) voices.

Fla Gator Lady.......2007-01-12

Highly recommend this CD with these beloved arias of the greatest tenors in opera. I have owned this CD for a couple of years and purchased another for a friend who always requests that I play it ... perfect for listening in the car, dinner, bridge games, relaxation ... just so perfect. You won't be disappointed in this one.

20 Great Tenor Arias.......2007-01-09

A great disc,combination of the greatest tenors of the 20th century and some of the most beautiful music ever written in any century,a must addition to any opera lovers collection.

Plesantly surprised..........2006-01-14

I don't remember how I found this CD the other day surfing through the "Amazon" such as it is, but I did. I listened to a few clips provided & on the strength of that, I purchased this CD.

First it is a great buy. A booklet with pictures of each tenor, a small bio, the year recorded and TRANSLATIONS of each aria are provided. This is really nice. It seems more & more that translations are being left out. Being a former opera singer, I may know most of the words, but sometimes it's just nice to read along (sometimes it's just nice to listen too).

Being on the Decca label, there is admittedly quite a few Pavarotti selections. Out of 20 selections, he has 6 of them. But I love Pavarotti, so this is no problem for me. These are all early recordings & his voice is magnificent! Being a singer, I still marvel at his ability to sing "All'armi!" on a high D and still say the 2nd syllable "mi" on such a note! WOW. There is also of course his very sweet, impassioned and lyrical turn as Rodolfo in "La Boheme" as well as the lesser known (although I still have it on casette) "La Favorita" which has a particularly high tessitura.

Also featured are a young Plácido Domingo singing a VERY nice "Flower song/ La fleur que tu m'avais jetée" from Carmen. He usually sounds too pushed for me on the top notes (as one might expect from a Pavarotti fan, I like free top notes) but in this recording he is pretty darn fabulous. He also sings an aria from "Tales of Hoffman/Les Contes d'Hoffman" and I have always felt that he, like Neil Schicoff, were well suited to this role.

Lamentably there are only one selection each from Carreras, Correlli, Monaco, Aragall & Kollo. Especial kudos to the young recording they feature for Aragall. He had a very free and nice high tenor well suited to Verdi. Of course as his career went forward with the natural darkening of his voice and the "heavier" roles, he did start to develop a wobble. But this recording is before that. His top, his phrasing are all beautifully done in his featured aria from "La Traviata."
Mario del Monaco's "E lucevan le stelle" is hauntingly beautiful and has such a wonderful pianissimo in it that it makes you just want to gasp for beauty's sake. I now know every tenor I've heard sing this aria was trying to emulate what he did.

This is a great CD because it does bring together on one CD some of the greatest singers of the 20th/21st century. Bergonzi, di Stefano, Björling, in addition to the previously mentioned artists is quite an impressive collection. I'm sure there's only one of each for Carreras, Aragall (I believe they are formerly EMI/Angel artists) and perhaps some of the others because they are "imported" from another label. There's so much Pavarotti on this CD because he IS a Decca artist.

A highly recommended CD, affordable, not the usually obscure and unpolished artists that are sometimes found on compilations. Plus acutal linear notes and translations. Nicely done, Decca!!!

Absolutely Agree About Corelli.......2005-05-27

Franco Corelli's "Nessun Dorma" is still the best of them all - clear, passionate, and exciting. (And those final two notes...! Gives me chills just to think of it.) I was fortunate enough to see him live in both "Turandot" and "Romeo and Juliet" a year before his retirement, and he was still a Calaf and a Romeo to die for... as, of course, Liu and Juliet did! As it is, I tend to buy compilations depending on how much Corelli they include - though Bjorling is a strong second, and I have happy memories of Domingo. Long live the Golden Age of Operatic Tenors!

Average customer rating:

Great Voice
Florez shines in enticing variety, versatility of repertoire
Third album by Florez
Florez in another dazzling disc!
Muy bien cantado...Pero falta algo

Great Tenor Arias

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

General | Arias | 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

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

Juan Diego Florez ~ Rossini Arias
Una Furtiva Lagrima
Sentimiento Latino
Sentimiento Latino
Rossini - Il Barbiere Di Siviglia / Juan Diego Florez, Maria Bayo, Pietro Spagnoli, Ruggero Raimondi, Bruno Pratico, Gianluigi Gelmetti, Madrid Opera

ASIN: B0002K6ZWU
Release Date: 2004-09-14

Tracks:

J'ai Perdu Mon Euridice
Pietoso Al Lungo PiantoAlfin M'arride Amore...Deh! Lasciate A Un'Alma Amante
La Speranza Piu Soave Gia Quest'Alma Lusingava
Eccomi Finalmente...Feste? Pompe? Omaggi? Onori?
Loin De Son Amie Vivre Sans Plaisirs
Languir Per Una Bella
La Donna E Mobile
Pria Che Spunti In Ciel L'aurora
Com'e Soave Quest'Ora Di Silenzio Al Mio Dolente Cor... Anch'io Provai Le Tenere Smanie D'un Puro Amore
Avete Torto!...Firenze E Come Un Albero Fiorito

Amazon.com

Here the remarkable young Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez not only offers us what we've become accustomed to---gorgeous, graceful singing of very difficult bel canto gems (in this case, high-flying, virtuosic arias from Rossini's Semiramide and L'Italiana in Algeri. He also ventures into unknown waters. He sings an aria added by Donizetti for an Italian production of The Daughter of the Regiment ("La figlia" rather than the usual "La fille") which turns out to be just right for his voice, and he charms with his crisp diction and youthful approach. Paolino's aria from Cimarosa's Il matrimonio segreto is a substantial piece of bel canto writing, with some nice coloratura fireworks near the end which Florez sails through with ease, and Rinuccio's ditty from Puccini's Gianni Schicchi---perhaps the most heavily orchestrated piece he's sung and stylistically the opposite of anything else on the CD---is also tossed off with true élan. On the other hand, Florez has a lot to learn about the Gluckian style, judging from his Romantic approach to Orphée's aria, and his French could use some brushing up if he's going to sing anything from Halévy's La Juive, although the vocal hurdles that the composer put in the tenor's way do not seem to bother him at all. A surprising disappointment is "La donna e mobile," which is over-sung and charm free. But can any tenor around be expected to sing all of these (and a few others, too) perfectly? Florez remains a true delight, his sound beautiful, his production easy from top to bottom. Despite reservations, highly recommended. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Great Voice.......2007-05-13

This young tenor is a worthy successor to Carreras, he will be a superb singer.

Florez shines in enticing variety, versatility of repertoire.......2005-03-14

An altogether delightful disc. The arias on here that do not require heavy pryotechnics are delightful and reveal a very pleasant insouciance of tone and character that are very fitting, only very intermittently offset by a slight hardness of tone on top. The aria from Semiramide and cabaletta to the charming Cimarosa aria serve up the fireworks, so common on the first disc and perhaps the one that followed it, for those listeners who are attracted to this disc by having heard especially the first and highly brilliant all-Rossini outing. Rossini is also well represented here by a charming romanza and lively cabaletta from Italiana in Algeri.

Several rarities are included, unlike with the above, and he makes something very charming and inviting of the selection from Verdi's Un giorno di regno (Verdi's rarely performed comedic second opera). The alternate Italian aria from Fille du regiment is a welcome supplement to his having recorded the more famous aria for Tony on his second recital disc. The aria from Donizetti's Lucrezia Borgia (an easy equal to Lucia in inspiration) is also a highlight, Florez's insouciance of manner here particularly telling, as it has fatal consequences for his character and all this character's buddies in this opera. Eleazar's aria, or one of them, from Halevy's La Juive reveals the possibility of a little greater reach into repertoire that approaches the dramatic for this tenor - but one senses as well that he will and can, should take his time getting there. The tribute to Firenze from Gianni Schicchi at or toward the end of this recital is compelling enough to convince the most hardened travel cynic buying this disc to call the airlines/hotels, inns to book for there right away. The "Che faro" from Orfeo (but sung in French) is an ideal vehicle from which Florez can deliver such a sublime and heartfelt lament, as heard here, albeit a bit too closely recorded.

Carlo Rizzi, not always dependable, gives fine accompaniments here. The engineering does place the voice just a bit too forward, however, yet ironically a voice that has developed full body and better evenness than when his first all-Rossini disc was recorded (yet still certainly too early to tackle the part of Eleazer on stage as of yet), erasing any concerns I may have had at that time. For some readers, any problem with the sound quality here might demote this outing to four stars, but taking the singing, the interesting repertoire chosen for this disc, and the fine, deft accompaniments from Rizzi and the Verdi orchestra from Milan (some alternate band to Muti's peerless one at La Scala? - the endless nature of so much politics in music), have me sticking with five, and with a mind about several other vocal recital discs that have been getting rated too highly on this website.

Ditto. Just received credible correction from Vince Chau of one piece of misinformation I submitted here. The aria that Florez sings from La Juive belongs to the second tenor part of Leopold, not that of Eleazar. While I am on the subject of corrections of my reviews, he also had said that I had incorrectly challenged Gheorghiu's Laggiu nel Soledad for having ended on a high C. Not having been so graphic as that in how I describe what happened there, I had led him to believe and perhaps a few others that I was saying there was no high C in the aria at all, so I have just taken pains to fully explain the situation on the new Gheorghiu Puccini recital by thereby editing my review of it. I would not trade Gina Cigna's ONLY high C TOWARD the end of Laggiu nel Soledad for all the gold in Fort Knox, or Nilsson's or Tebaldi's ...

Third album by Florez.......2005-01-01

This, the young Peruvian tenor Juan Diego Florez' third album, includes more of the bel canto repertory with which he has risen to international fame. Hearing Lindoro's scene from L'Italiana in Algeri, to cite one example, will make the first-time listener realize why. The tenor's firm, even tone, agility in coloratura and secure high notes--all the way up to a solid high D in one selection--are still sources of wonder.

"Great Tenor Arias" also includes forays into other areas of the repertory, from operas which Florez has not yet sung and may never sing on stage. Indeed, one hopes that no one talks him into trying Verdi's Duke of Mantua any time soon--his rendition of "La Donna e Mobile" is solid, if a bit lacking in charm, but the entire role would surely overtax his vocal resources. Puccini's Rinuccio, from the evidence of Florez' take on the aria from Gianni Schicchi that concludes this somewhat short (less than an hour of music) CD, would be a more comfortable fit, but he is already too much of a marquee name to take on what is basically a supporting role.

If this CD as a whole leaves a slightly unsatisfying impression, it is because the experiments by Florez remain just that--vocal explorations rather than performances undertaken out of deep dramatic or musical conviction. In addition, some of the more obscure music, Cimarosa and early Verdi in particular, is not of the highest quality, and here Florez' comparative inability to characterize vocally becomes a liability. All in all, despite the outstanding singing, a newcomer to this tenor's art would probably be better served by starting with one of his two earlier albums, the first of Rossini, the second Bellini/Donizetti.

Florez in another dazzling disc!.......2004-11-25

Juan Diego Florez is definitely on a spin and that well-deserved
journey is the product of fine training, excellent coaching, and a keen sense of pacing in a career that tends to push the gifted ones too quickly. Though Florez' crowning gifts are in the bel canto repertoire, with this recording he just starts there and pushes into the range of more lyrical arias, and to these ears he succeeds in demonstrating how special is this beautiful voice.

Even the decision about lineup of arias on this fine recording is intelligent: Florez moves from Gluck, Cimarosa and Rossini into Donizetti, Verdi and Puccini with great ease. Here is a tenor who can belt out the high notes to please the balcony but who is equally sensitive to the diminuendos and barely audible phrases that mark the true artist.

Dashingly handsome, and physically as well as vocally a fine actor on stage, this CD simply further demonstrates that Juan Diego Florez is one of the brightest tenors before us today. It is interesting to see how many Latin American tenors are suddenly becoming so important - Villazon, Calleja, Alvarez, Florez, etc. Refreshing! GRady Harp, November 2004.

Muy bien cantado...Pero falta algo.......2004-11-07

JUAN DIEGO FLOREZ es sin duda alguna el mejor tenor de la actualidad en su repertorio (Rossini y ciertos roles belcantistas) y sus trabajos discograficos siempre consiguen los mas fervientes aplausos. Yo mismo, ya elogie en su dia aqui sus dos registros anteriores en solitario con este mismo sello.
Pero ahora, en este tercer trabajo, la magia no se produce de igual manera que las veces anteriores: la voz sigue estando ahi, bellisima y con un alarde de agudos bastante importante...Pero el repertorio no es el mas adecuado a la vocalidad de Florez, por lo que le ofrece escasas posibilidades de lucimiento. Un repertorio como este, en la voz de un tenor desconocido que comienza pudo haber sido interesante, pero en la voz de un tenor ya consagrado como es Florez, deja una sensacion de vacio bastante grave. Habra que esperar al cuarto (ya se anuncian "Canciones latinoamericanas" en lo que puede ser un interesante cambio de registrio) para ver si se vuelve a producir la magia.
CARLO RIZZI y la orquesta rinden a un buen nivel, mucho mayor que la orquesta y el director del disco anterior de Florez.

Average customer rating:

Heppner -"Beauty and the Beef"
He is DEFINATELY NOT Del Monaco or Corelli
Ben Heppner is One of the Best Tenors of All time!
Finally, a real dramatic tenor voice.
Heppner just may be the perfect tenor.

Ben Heppner - Great Tenor Arias
Ruggero Leoncavallo , Giuseppe Verdi , Giacomo Puccini , Georges Bizet , Jules Massenet , Umberto Giordano , Munich Radio Orchestra , Bavarian Radio Chorus , Roberto Abbado , Michael Glaser , and Ben Heppner
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Opera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Ideale: Songs of Paolo Tosti
My Secret Heart - Songs of Parlour, Stage and Screen
Ben Heppner - German Romantic Opera
Heppner Sings Wagner
Ben Heppner - Airs Francais / LSO, Myung-Whun Chung

ASIN: B000003FO4
Release Date: 1995-08-15

Tracks:

La Boheme: Musetta! O gioia della mia dimora!....Testa adorata
La forza del destino: Oh! fede negar potessi... Quando le sere al placido
La forza del destino: La vita e inferno all'infelice... Oh, tu che in seno agl'angeli
Aida: Se quel guerrier io fossi!... Celeste Aida
Il Trovatore: Ah si, ben mio
Il Trovatore: Di quella pira
Manon Lescaut: Donna non vidi mai simili a questa!
Turandot: Nessun dorma
La Fanciulla del West: Ch'ella mi creda libero e lontano
Carmen: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee
L'Africaine: Pays merveilleux... O Paradis
Herodiade: Ne pouvant reprimer... Adieu donc, vains objets
Le Cid: Ah! tout est bien fini... O souverain, o juge, o pere
Andrea Chenier: Come un bel di di maggio
Andrea Chenier: Colpito qui m'avete ov'io geloso... Un di all'azzurro spazio

Amazon.com

Not since the days of Lauritz Melchior have we had a true heldentenor, a singer who can take on the big Wagnerian parts and the other roles that require a voice of real weight and heft. The Canadian tenor Ben Heppner is the closest we come these days, but he is both less and more than that--less because he has so far not attempted the bigger Wagnerian roles, more because (unlike most such tenors, and as demonstrated on this disc) he has successfully mastered the idiom of French and Italian operas. He has a big voice, flexible and even, capable of a good legato line when needed (e.g., in nicely sung performances of "Ah si, ben mio" from Verdi's Il Trovatore and "O Paradis" from Meyerbeer's L'Africaine). But while his brilliant sound and dramatic intensity make him often thrilling to hear, there is also a sense of effort and a lack of charm in his singing that can put a listener off, and RCA has done him no favors with their rather distant miking. Still, he is an exciting singer, and this is a recommended disc. --Alex Morin

Customer Reviews:

Heppner -"Beauty and the Beef".......2006-11-02

Comparing tenors is always risky-no matter what, someone's feelings get hurt.Ben Heppner is, as others have suggested, the leading heldontenor of the day.What seems to separate him from others, with whom he has been compared-Corelli,del Monaco,Melchior, is the obvious fact that Heppner has a stunning lyrical quality to his sound.Many of the Mellochi, dropped larynx technique singers, are simply incapable of producing a "sweet" sound.Size isn't everything.Volume and a sweet sound are qualities that when combined add so much more musical, and hence listening value.Heppner can sing everything, because his lyrical sound is listenable.When will they get it right...a triple forte presentation all the time isn't all there is to singing opera. With Heppner we have a sense of line, modulation and all the musical aspects that make performances enjoyable. As well, Heppner is a fine musician. I dislike over done portamento. Heppner sings and delivers as the composer intended-at least as far as one can tell.I loved Corelli's sound but his magnificence was diminished by a chronic failure to follow the score.And I don't think Del Monaco ever sang anything pianissimo.I am sorry fans, but that isn't good singing.With Heppner we have an artist who delivers music with great musicality. What a concept!This CD offers example after example of how it can and should be done.
This CD has all the goods to illustrate the point.Big sound plus sweet sound equals success.Great tenor arias from a great tenor!

He is DEFINATELY NOT Del Monaco or Corelli.......2005-04-27

For all of the people out there reading the reviews on here make sure you take them with a grain of salt. Most peoples ear for voice is terrible. If you had heard Del Monaco or Corelli live you would know what complete and utter bullcrap these reviews are. Although Ben Heppner's voice may be considered large by todays standards it is small compared to Corelli and ESPECIALLY Del Monaco. In this age of state of the art recording equipment everyone sounds like they have a big voice. Mr. Heppner also lacks the core and squillo that Del Monaco and Corelli (and countless others) had. The ring in their voices is where all of the harmonics happen. It is these kinds of comparisons that have allowed the opera to decline to the level that it is today. Intstead of saying, "Why are'nt people singing like DelMonaco and Tebaldi and Nilsson anymore?" we have people trying to bring lesser voices up to their level. Very sad.

Ben Heppner is One of the Best Tenors of All time!.......2000-01-28

The only reason that Ben Heppner would not be able to fill the shoes of Corelli, or del Monaco is because Ben wears a bigger size. Heppner not only has the large full ranged voice, mentioned by the previous reviewer, but he also has impecable artistry. Unlike del Monaco he knows what dynamics are. Unlike Corelli he can get to his top register without scooping, and unlike Corelli he knows how to count, and doesn't write the music as he sings it. Don't get me wrong Corelli, and Del Monaco are two of my favorite tenors, but they are by no means better than Heppner

Finally, a real dramatic tenor voice........1999-09-29

Since the days of Del Monaco and Corelli, there have not been many dramatic tenors worthy of note. The few dramatic tenors I have seen live in recent years, namely the Russians, Atlantov and Bogachev, and the Americans, Margison and O'Neill, have indeed had big voices but not particularly attractive ones. They have also lacked the musicianship and style of singers like Del Monaco and Corelli, not to mention their top registers! Now comes a tenor like Heppner who, although he cannot fill the shoes of Corelli and Del Monaco, as indeed who can, is nevertheless worthy to walk in their footsteps. Heppner has an immense, bronze colored tenor voice. It is not darkly shaded like Corelli's or perhaps as stentorian as Del Monaco's. But Heppner displays a rich, even timbre throughout his singing, from bottom to top. In many of the arias on this CD, Heppner effectively employs dynamic shading for someone with as big a voice as his. But, above all, Heppner offers us a clinic in fine, subtle legato phrasing. His musicianship is impeccable. Heppner has enough voice and breadth to be patient with these arias, shaping the phrases in long, flowing lines without tiring or compromising his tone. Although sometimes Heppner thins out at the top, I suspect that's more of a problem with the engineering than the voice. One small criticism to be made, however, is that perhaps Heppner's performance is too controlled, lacking the spontaneity and thrill characteristic of performances by greats such as Corelli and Del Monaco. Nevertheless, we should consider outselves lucky to have this wonderful heroic tenor on the stage today.

Heppner just may be the perfect tenor........1999-09-28

How on earth did I miss this one?! Recorded in 1995, I just stumbled across it the other day. What a voice! Here is that true rarity: a genuine Heldentenor with a sweet, flexible, well-placed voice; and he is definitely NOT a tenor-baritone. I've heard "Nessum Dorma" a thousand times, sung by a hundred tenors, but never like like this--your hair will stand on end! Who said a so-called dramatic tenor can't hit a decent high-C? Heppner not only hits it--dead center--he demolishes it. And the "Un di all'azzurro spazio" is a "textbok" in vocal agility. I know of no other tenor today (or yesterday) who can so perfectly handle the two distinct "styles" of the aria, at times lyrical, and others dramatic. This aria was meant to be difficult and, although many can sing it with fair success, only Heppner grabs it, shakes it for all it's worth, and conquers it. How nice to have a North American (albeit from British Columbia) do us so proud,

Average customer rating:

One Bizarre Recital - or Compilation!

Christine Brewer: Great Operatic Arias

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Strauss: Four Last Songs; Death and Transfiguration; Wagner: Prelude and Liebestod from Tristan und Isolde
Strauss: The Complete Songs, Vol. 1
Beethoven: Fidelio
Strauss: Four Last Songs; Death and Transfiguration; Wagner: Prelude & Liebestod from Tristan & Isolde [Hybrid SACD
Songs by Fauré, Hahn and Head; Arias by Rossini and Handel

ASIN: B000AA4JAW
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Tracks:

Great Hall Of Song
He Threatened My Honour
Almighty Gods Of Death!
Ocean! Thou Mighty Monster
The Night Is Calm And Cloudless
Fading Is The Star That Guides Me - Janice Watson
Where Is Love's Kingdom
You'll Never Walk Alone
On My Lips Ev'ry Kiss Is Like Wine
Blessed Virgin, May The Flame Of Love
Concert Aria: 'Ah! Perfido'
Mira - Can You Imagine That?

Customer Reviews:

One Bizarre Recital - or Compilation!.......2006-10-03

The Christine Brewer is one of our more important heroic soprano voices of the time is an understatement. For those fortunate enough to have been in the presence of her performances as Isolde there can be no doubt that this is a voice of huge range, flexibility, intelligence and burnished warmth. She is most assuredly a star on the ascent.

The selection on this strange CD is puzzling: 'Great Operatic Arias' these are not. Though there are some of the big ones included ('Don Giovanni', 'Tannhäuser', 'Alceste', 'Oberon', and 'Euryanthe'), the program is fleshed out with operettas from Lehar, Kalman, and Rodgers and even some concert arias such as Beethoven's 'Ah, perfido'! Brewer is accompanied by other singers where indicated and by the London Philharmonia Orchestra conducted by David Parry. But oddly enough the works are all sung in English translations - and some of these translations are poor ones at that.

It does seem a waste of time to include 'You'll Never Walk Alone' from 'Carousel', but that particular song allows Brewer to demonstrate amply that the mezzo range is a strong comfort zone for her. Despite the odd choices of works here, what makes the album work is Brewer's extraordinarily beautiful voice. She sails over the orchestra, tossing off difficult passages with utter ease, and always reminding us that her instrument is never less than one of beautiful sound. If you can get past the English versions and the mixed bag of works she has chosen to sing, you are in for an hour of beautiful vocalizing! Just don't let this album be your introduction to this very fine artist. Grady Harp, October 06

Average customer rating:

Great Tenor Arias

Manufacturer: Cbc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005NBXX
Release Date: 2001-07-01

Tracks:

Carmen: La Fleur Que Tu M'avis Jetee
Le Cid: Ah! Tout Est Bien Fini - O Souverain! O Juge! O Pere
Turandot: Nessun Dorma
Andrea Chenier: Colpito Qui M'Avete - Un Di All' Azzuro Spazio
I Pagliacci: Vesti La Guibba
Otello: Niun Mi Tema
Werther: Pourquoi Me Reveiller
Romeo Et Juliet: L'Amour, L'Amour - Ah! Leve-Toi, Soleil!
Un Ballo In Maschera: Ma Se M'e Forza Perderti
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina
Il Trovatore: Ah Si Ben Mio
Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle

Average customer rating:

Classic Recitals: Great Tenor Arias

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B0002L2ZVO
Release Date: 2004-10-12

Tracks:

Forse La Soglia Attinse... Ma Se M'e Forza Perderti
Amor Ti Vieta
Giulietta, Son Io
Addio, Fiorito Asil
Ah! Tout Est Bien Fini... O Souverain! O Juge! O Pere!
La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee
Merce, Diletti Amici... Come Rugiada Al Cespite
Mi Batte Il Cor... O Paradiso
M'hai Salvato... O Come Furon Lunghi
Quando A Solden
Tombe Degli Avi Miei... Fra Poco A Me Ricovero
Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti L'ali

Great Arias and Ensembles From Your Favorite Operas

Average customer rating:

Great Arias and Ensembles From Your Favorite Operas

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Czech | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | 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: B0007SK9UG
Release Date: 2005-04-26

Tracks:

Escamillo: 'You're Most Kind, And In Return I Toast You' - Philharmonic Orchestra
Carmen: 'There's An Old Bar In The City' (Seguedilla) - Philharmonia Orchestra
Belmonte: 'Constanza! Constanza' - 'Oh What Trembling, Oh What Passion' (Aria) - Nicolai Gedda
Falstaff: 'Hey, Page Boy!' - 'Your Honour? Vermin!' (Monologue) - English National Opera Orchestra
Fenton: 'From Lover's Lips A Happy Song Is Flying' (Aria) - Susan Gritton
Lucia: 'Imagine When The Breezes Sigh' (Duet) - Philharmonia Orchestra
Edgardo: 'What Restrains Me At Such A Moment?'/Enrico: 'What Restrains My Righteous Anger?' (Sextet) - Philharmonia Orchestra
Turandot: 'Within This Palace A Story Lives Forever' - 'Gentle Princess Lo-U-Ling, Pure, Serene And So Gentle' (Aria) - Philharmonia Orchestra
Liu: 'I Beg You, Hear Me, Ah My Lord, I Beg You!' (Aria) - Philharmonia Orchestra
'Through Her Soul In Endless Grieving' (Cujus Animam) - Barry Banks
Ilia: 'My Father Was Taken' (Aria) - Rebecca Evans
Forester: 'When Evening Arrives, I Welcome The Rays Of The Setting Sun!' (Final Scene) - Thomas Allen
Aida: 'We'd Leave This White Oppressive Heat' (Duet) - Dennis O'Neill
Propulace: 'Glory To Isis, Goddess Fair' (Grand March From Triumphal Scene) - Philharmonia Orchestra
'Rejoice Greatly, O Daughter Of Zion' (Aria) - London Philharmonic Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Even better on Hybrid SACD - Florez in another dazzling disc!,

Great Tenor Arias [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

General | Arias | 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

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

Una Furtiva Lagrima
Sentimiento Latino
Rossini - Il Barbiere Di Siviglia / Juan Diego Florez, Maria Bayo, Pietro Spagnoli, Ruggero Raimondi, Bruno Pratico, Gianluigi Gelmetti, Madrid Opera
Arias [Hybrid SACD]
Juan Diego Florez ~ Rossini Arias

ASIN: B0002K6ZX4
Release Date: 2004-11-09

Customer Reviews:

Even better on Hybrid SACD - Florez in another dazzling disc!, .......2006-12-04

Juan Diego Florez is definitely on a spin and that well-deserved journey is the product of fine training, excellent coaching, and a keen sense of pacing in a career that tends to push the gifted ones too quickly. Though Florez' crowning gifts are in the bel canto repertoire, with this recording he just starts there and pushes into the range of more lyrical arias, and to these ears he succeeds in demonstrating how special is this beautiful voice.

Even the decision about lineup of arias on this fine recording is intelligent: Florez moves from Gluck, Cimarosa and Rossini into Donizetti, Verdi and Puccini with great ease. Here is a tenor who can belt out the high notes to please the balcony but who is equally sensitive to the diminuendos and barely audible phrases that mark the true artist.

Dashingly handsome, and physically as well as vocally a fine actor on stage, this CD simply further demonstrates that Juan Diego Florez is one of the brightest tenors before us today. It is interesting to see how many Latin American tenors are suddenly becoming so important - Villazon, Calleja, Alvarez, Florez, etc. Refreshing! Grady Harp, December 06

Average customer rating:

Great Tenor Arias

Manufacturer: Class. for Pleas. Us
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Arias | 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

Requiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000NA831U
Release Date: 2007-05-22

Tracks:

La Donna E Mobile - Alfredo Kraus
Recondita Armonia - Placido Domingo
Intanto Amici...Viva Il Vino Spumeggiante - Jose Carreras
Marechiare - Giuseppe Di Stefano
Un'aura Amorosa - Alfredo Kraus
Gern Hab'ich Die Frau'n Gekusst - Nicolai Gedda
Tutto Ho Tentato - Luciano Pavarotti
Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi!...Celeste Aida - Jose Carreras
Che Gelida Manina - Nicolai Gedda
E Lucevan Le Stelle - Carlo Bergonzi
La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee - Jon Vickers
Wien, Du Stadt Meiner Traume - Placido Domingo
O Vaterland...Da Geh' Ich Zu Maxim - Nicolai Gedda
Fra Poco A Me Ricovero - Alfredo Kraus
Ach, So Fromm - Fritz Wunderlich
Dovunque Al Mondo - Jussi Bjorling
Mattinata - Giuseppe Di Stefano
Di Quella Pira - Franco Corelli
Ingemisco - Luciano Pavarotti
Nessun Dorma - Jose Carreras

John Tomlinson - Great Operatic Arias / PO, David Parry [in English]

Average customer rating:

John Tomlinson - Great Operatic Arias / PO, David Parry [in English]
George Frideric Handel , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Giuseppe Verdi , Hector Berlioz , Alexander Borodin , Alexander Sergeyevich Dargomizhsky , Liza Lehmann , Arthur Sullivan , Jacques Offenbach , Modest Mussorgsky , David Parry , Philharmonia Orchestra , John Tomlinson , Leslie Pearson , and Barry Banks
Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Arias | 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

Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

Tracks:

Acis And Galatea: Polyphemus' Recitative And Air: I Rage, I Rage, I Rage, I Melt, I Burn!... - John Tomlinson
The Abduction From The Seraglio: Act I. Osmin's Song: When A Maiden Takes Your Fancy - John Tomlinson
The Abduction From The Seraglio: Act II. Osmin And Blonde's Duet: I'm Going, But Take My Advice - John Tomlinson/Helen Williams
The Abduction From The Seraglio: Act II. Pedrillo And Osmin's Duet: Vivat Bacchus!... - John Tomlinson/Barry Banks
Samson: Act II. Harapha's Air: Honour And Arms Scorn Such A Foe - John Tomlinson
Simon Boccanegra: Prologue. Fiesco's Scena And Aria: A Last Farewell I Bid You... - John Tomlinson/Geoffrey Mitchell Chor
Faust: Mephistopheles' Song Of The Flea: There Lived A King Of Old - John Tomlinson
Prince Igor: Act II. Prince Igor's Aria: No Rest, No Slumber - John Tomlinson
Prince Igor: Act I. Galitsky's Aria: The Prince Has Drunk His Fill?/The Sober Life Of Boredom - John Tomlinson/Geoffrey Mitchell Chor
Prince Igor: Act II. Khan Konchak's Aria: Igor, Listen - John Tomlinson
Russalka: Act I. Miller's Song: Like Every Maiden In The Whole Of Russia - John Tomlinson
Ernani: Act I. Silva's Scena And Cavatina: Can I Believe It?/Vain Illusion! When I Believed Her - John Tomlinson/Geoffrey Mitchell Chor
In A Persian Garden: Myself When Young: Myself When Young Did Early Frequent - John Tomlinson
The Mikado: Act II. The Mikado's Song: A More Humane Mikado...My Object All Sublime - John Tomlinson/Geoffrey Mitchell Chor
Genevieve De Brabant: Gendarmes' Duet: We're Public Guardians Bold Yet Wary - John Tomlinson/Andrew Shore
The Pirates Of Penzance: Act II. Policeman's Song: When A Felon's Not Engaged In His Employment - John Tomlinson/Geoffrey Mitchell Chor
Boris Godunov: Prologue, Scene 2 (Coronation Scene). Boris's Prayer: My Soul Is Sad - John Tomlinson/Chor Of Opr North/Choristers Of Leeds Parish Church

Music Review:

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Singles [Extra tracks] [Import]

Famous Folk Song arrangements by Bartók, Kodály, Lajtha

Electro-Acoustic Music, Vol. 1

#1 Country Hits [Original recording remastered]

Edgar Winter's White Trash

Five Live Yardbirds [Import] [Live]

Deeper [Import]

Cinema a Romantic Vision [Import]

Full Time Hustlin'

Wonderful Peace

Red Clay