Puccini: Arias

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Though Puccini is one of the composers most associated with Callas, he was not the one closest to her heart. Even the title role of Tosca that showcased her talents so brilliantly (including during her vocal decline) didn't figure among her favorites. You'd never know, though, from this aria collection recorded in 1954--Callas's vocal prime--that was inexplicably overshadowed by her complete opera recordings. Even among the best of singers, aria collections take on a certain vocal sameness; Callas often has a different voice for every character. Her Mimi in La Boheme is all lightness and ingenuousness; the timbre of her Suor Angelica (which she sang onstage only once) has a similar but distinctly different lightness, also conveying a sheltered life. Once in a while one hears signs of vocal fatique, but generally, the flapping vibrato that afflicted Callas's high notes only a few years later is well under control, as she's guided through these selections by her longtime mentor, Tullio Serafin. --David Patrick Stearns

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 for kids!
Mediocre Sound Quality
I was pleased
The Most Famous Opera Arias
Okay But.... - a review of "The Most Famous Opera Arias"

The Most Famous Opera Arias

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco...

ASIN: B000002SCE
Release Date: 1994-07-19

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Legendary Enrico Caruso: 21 Favorite Arias

Average customer rating:

Great to hear the Great Tenor
A childhood memory
Great collection.

The Legendary Enrico Caruso: 21 Favorite Arias

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Match Point
Italian Songs: The Digital Recordings
Great Caruso
The Very Best of Beniamino Gigli
The Very Best Of Maria Callas

ASIN: B000003EOH
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Pagliacci: Vesti la giubba
TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle
Rigoletto: Questa o quella
Rigoletto: La donna e mobile
L'africana: O paradiso
La Juive: Rachel, quand du Seigneur
La Boheme: Che gelida manina
Aida: Se quel guerrier io fossi; Celeste Aida
Andrea Chenier: Come un bel di di maggio
La Favorita: Romanza: Spirto gentil, ne' sogni miei
La forza del destino: O tu che in seno agli angeli
Otello: Ora e per sempre addio
Les pecheurs de perles: Je crois entendre encore
La Gioconda: Cielo e mar!
Carmen: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee (Flower Song)
TOSCA: Recondita armonia
Faust: Salut, demeure chaste et pure
L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima
Martha: M'appari tutt'amor
Serse: Ombra mai fu (Largo)
Il Trovatore: Di quella pira

Amazon.com

There's a plethora of single-disc Caruso collections, but this one's the preferred choice for opera fans who treasure this golden- voiced epitome of Golden Age singing. It's a Greatest Hits collection to beat all Greatest Hits collections. Selections span Caruso's career, from the lyric effusions of 1906-7 to the darker-voiced later recordings, including one of his last records, the 1920 La Juive aria, "Rachel, quand du Seigneur," which he invests with a heartbreaking poignancy that hasn't been bettered. Caruso shines brightest in the Italian repertory, capturing the pathos of Vesti la Giubba, the insouciance of the Duke's Rigoletto arias, and the hero's dilemma in Celeste Aida, among much else. But everything here is wonderful--great music, great singing. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

Great to hear the Great Tenor.......2007-04-11

I am impressed how well these almost 100 year old recordings have been transfered to CD. Of course they aren't perfect but considering their age it is still a miracle. It is nice to hear Caruso in his prime and not on a scratchy vinyl. I would recommend this to any lover of Caruso's singing.

A childhood memory.......2006-05-28

I do not really know Opera. I am writing this review because I remember hearing Caruso's voice coming from a seventy- eight on an old Victor gramophone in my paternal grandparents house. The power and lyric quality of the voice struck me so strongly especially in 'Pagliacci'. The phrase has been with me, and comes back occasionally through all the years.
Caruso was then, and I believe still is considered at the very top of operatic singers. And it is a remarkable experience to hear so many years later , and in a stronger and clearer way sounds which one heard long ago in childhood, and have for years only lived in the mind.

Great collection........2000-11-04

This CD is an older RCA release, but still one of the best! A great introduction to Caruso.

Average customer rating:

Very Bad
Different is not always bad!
Pay special attention to this new promise !
A tenor who wishes he were a baritone
Finally, a SPINTO tenor!!!

Jose Cura - Puccini Arias / Domingo
Giacomo Puccini , London Philharmonia Orchestra , Plácido Domingo , and Jose Cura
Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000005E5L
Release Date: 1997-10-28

Tracks:

Turandot (Act III): Nessun dorma
Turandot (Act I): Non piangere Liu!
Gianni Schicchi: Avete torto! - Firenze ome un albero fiorito
Il Tabarro: Hai ben ragione
Il Tabarro: Io voglio la tua bocca - Folle di gelosia
La Rondine (Act I): Parigi! a cittei desideri
La Rondine (ActIII): Dimmi che vuoi seguirmi
La Fanciulla del West (Act II): Una parola sola - Or son sei mesi
La Fanciulla del West (Act III): Risparmiate lo scherno - Ch'ella mi creda
Madame Butterfly (Act I): Dipende dal grado di cottura - Amore o grillo
Madame Butterfly (Act III): Addio fiorito asil
Tosca (Act I): Recondita armonia
Tosca (Act III): E lucevan le stelle
La Boh (Act I): Che gelida manina
Manon Lescaut (Act I): Tra voi, belle
Manon Lescaut (Act I): Donna non vidi mai
Manon Lescaut (Act II): Ah, Manon mi tradisce
Manon Lescaut (Act III): Ah! non v'avvicinate! - No, pazzo son
Manon Lescaut (Act IV): Manon...senti, amor mio - Vedi, son io che piango
Edgar (Act II): Orgia, chimera dall'occhio vitreo
Le Villi (Act II): Ecco la casa - Torna ai felici di

Amazon.com essential recording

Good tenors are always in short supply, a particularly lamentable circumstance given the great demand for them in the operatic and symphonic repertoire. Thus, the advent of a good young tenor is always cause for rejoicing. A tenor of the caliber of Jose Cura--a composer, conductor and guitarist as well as a singer--is really good news. There is nothing wimpy about Cura's singing, nothing strained; he sings with baritonal beef and strong, chesty high notes. A protege of Placido Domingo, he shares some qualities with the older tenor, but is definitely an artist with something to say for himself. This is a career to watch. --Sarah Bryan Miller

Customer Reviews:

Very Bad.......2007-03-29

First of all, his voice does not suit for Puccini(I do not know what is fitting for him). If you buy this cd, you may listen the worst "Non piangere liu" "E Lucevan Stella" etc. He can not bring a little emotion. But Puccini demands it.

Different is not always bad!.......2006-11-26

It's very interesting to read all the reviews smashing Jose Cura for his "baritone-like" voice and supposed stiff and unvaried interpretation. The first opera I ever saw was The Washington Opera's 1997 production of Samson et Dalila (I was 13) with Jose Cura and Denyce Graves. Immediately I was converted into an opera lover! (specifically an opera-goer-lover) I don't necessarily like listening to all opera, and a lot of singer's voices still annoy me, but Jose Cura's voice is different (the source of much of the controversy...). The richness and deep quality of his voice that so contrasts with most tenor's voices (which can be rather squeaky at times) is what attracts me. And you should see this man act! A refreshing experience against the stereotypical stiff opera singer standing in the middle of the stage bellowing his/her lungs out. So please, try to actually see the man before you form an unshakeable opinion. I think his voice alone is gorgeous (especially with Puccini's incomparable work!), but pared with his charisma and ability on stage, it's irresistable.

Pay special attention to this new promise !.......2006-06-30

A talented artist, a potent and polished voice emerges to satisfy the Opera lovers all over the world.

Jose Cura is nowadays, one the most prominent figures of the Bel Canto. His charismatic presence and his timber have deserved him the best praises all over the world.

In this opportunity we may listen him singing a selection of Puccini's Arias, accompanied by Placido Domingo with the Philharmonia orchestra, a magnificent occasion to enjoy his art and impeccable timber.

A tenor who wishes he were a baritone.......2005-12-14

I bought this CD because I love Puccini above all other composers, due to the sheer emotion that he could put into his music. I also wanted to hear Placido Domingo conduct and I'm always on the lookout for a good tenor. However, this is not the CD to buy if you're looking for a good tenor. I can't help but agree with the reviewer who gave only one star, at first Jose Cura sounds great. But after I really listened I had to change my opinion. Cura sings ridiculously heavy to be a tenor. If you listen to him with the mindset that this is a tenor it's really laughable how heavy and pressed his voice is. I was reminded of Placido Domingo (Ugh) or Franco Corelli who also depressed his larynx giving him a very baritonal sound but by the time he was in his forties, when most voices really blossom, his was declining do to the tremendous weight he sang with. Cura scoops up even to middle register notes because he is unable to start on the pitch, and has one tone to his voice (except when he goes bellow mezzo forte when he has almost no control) and very little in the way of vocal expression due to the restrictions this weight puts on the voice. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not usually an opera snob (I listen to and love Josh Groban, Russel Watson, and Andrea Bocelli), but Cura truly warranted a review. I gave it two stars because I didn't think Placido did a bad job at conducting (not the best by any means but certainly not bad) and despite everything I just said, I really like Cura's performance of Nessun Dorma (I don't get why it's weak).

Finally, a SPINTO tenor!!!.......2005-10-14

I am SO happy that there is finally a tenor out there with the vocal power to sing over a Puccini orchestra but still keep the lyricism for the upper register! If your preference is for a sweeter, lighter sound, check out recordings of Carlo Bergonzi and Roberto Alagna. This is a voice meant for singing over large orchestras with some "muscle" in the low register and the ability to make high notes soar. (It also doesn't hurt that Sr. Cura is as gorgeous as his voice! :) )

Average customer rating:

heywhattsamattayou
full of passion and love
Absolutely Beautiful!
Where is Amore I?

Amore II ~ Great Italian Love Arias

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Most Famous Opera Arias
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Rapture: Opera's Most Heavenly Moments

ASIN: B00004C4MX
Release Date: 2000-02-01

Tracks:

Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
La rondine: Chi il bel sogno di Doretta
La Boheme: Quando m'en vo
La Boheme: Mi chiamano Mimi
La Boheme: Che gelida manina
TOSCA: Vissi d'arte
Madama Butterfly: Un bel di
Madama Butterfly: Bimba dagli occhi pieni di malia
Turandot: Tu, che di gel sei cinta
Rigoletto: La donna e mobile
Rigoletto: Caro nome
La Traviata: Lunge da lei...De miei bollenti spiriti...oh mio rimorso
Aida: Celeste Aida
L'Elisir d'Amore: Prendi, per me sei libero
L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima
Don Pasquale: Quel guardo il cavaliere
Fedora: Amor ti vieta
Turandot: Nessun dorma

Customer Reviews:

heywhattsamattayou.......2007-06-12

i'm a tellin you..... if you dont a like a this music....well you musta been born with the stone for a heart...heh

full of passion and love.......2007-03-31

This CD is full of passion and love. Whenever I listen to it, I get the butterfly feeling in my stomach...must have CD!!!! I strongly recommend!

Absolutely Beautiful!.......2002-03-02

Two words describe the music found on this CD: ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! The beauty of the vocals and music combine to allow one to transcend from the daily grind to a world of beauty. Bravo!

Where is Amore I?.......2001-02-16

This CD is a selection of arias from Italian operas. Most of the time when you get a compilation like this, you feel lucky if you like 2/3 of the selections. In this case, whoever did the selecting did a great job, there isn't a clinker in the lot. About half of the arias are by Puccini, the rest are by Verdi, Donizetti, and Giordano. Singers include Kiri Te Kanawa, Luciano Pavarotti, Richard Tucker, and Andrea Rost. There is enough variety to keep the whole CD interesting, yet the mood is consistent throughout. The sound is generally quite good, and while I am not generally a fan of live recordings, the audience response in the performance by Pavarotti really does add excitement to the presentation. Given the title of this CD, I assumed this was the second in a series, and I liked it so much I went looking for the original. Unfortunately, I can find no other CD on the Sony label titled Amore - too bad.

Average customer rating:

The best opera album ever
Beautiful Music, Nice price

Puccini: Great Opera Arias

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco...

ASIN: B00005YQLA
Release Date: 2002-01-29

Tracks:

Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro
Gianni Schicchi: Firenze e come un albero fiorito
La Rondine: Chi il bel sogno di Doretta
La Boheme: Si, mi chiamano Mimi
La Boheme: Quando m'en vo
Madama Butterfly: Un bel di vedremo
Madama Butterfly: The Flower Duet
Madama Butterfly: The Humming Chorus
Madama Butterfly: Tu? tu? Piccolo iddio
Tosca: Dammi i colori
Tosca: Vissi d'arte
Tosca: E lucevan le stelle
Turandot: Signore, ascolta!
Turandot: In questa reggia
Turandot: Nessun dorma
La Fanciulla Del West: Ch'ella mi creda libero e lontano
Suor Angelica: Senza mamma, o bimbo
Le Villi: Se come voi piccina io fossi
Manon Lescaut: In quelle trine morbide
Manon Lescaut: Sola, perduta, abbandonata

Customer Reviews:

The best opera album ever.......2007-01-26

I have listened this album almost every day for the past 4 years. For begginers and amateurs in this kind of music, the album rocks in every song with the exception of track 2 and 5.

Beautiful Music, Nice price.......2007-01-04

I purchased this CD for my daughter while searching specifically for arias. She was very pleased and I find myself enjoying it as well.
A wonderful collection for a terrific price, super fast shipping too- as always.

Average customer rating:

Beautiful Piano Arias
cocktails at La Scala
Liberace lives!
Outstanding
Gorgeous music magnificently played with technique to spare

The Puccini Album: Arias for Piano

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Romantica
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Puccini Without Words

ASIN: B000002SKC
Release Date: 1993-08-17

Tracks:

Prelude
La Boheme: Che gelida manina (How Cold Your Little Hand Is!)
La Boheme: Si, Mi chiamano Mimi (Yes. The Call Me Mimi)
La Boheme: O soave fanciulla! (Oh, Sweet Maiden!)
La Boheme: Quando me'n vo... (Musetta's Waltz)
La Boheme: Son andati? (Have they gone?)
Turandot: Non piangere Liu! (Don't cry Liu!)
Gianni Schicchi: O mio babbino caro (Oh, My Dear Daddy), Chi il bel sogno di Doretta (Doretta's Song)
Madama Butterfly: Un bel di (One Fine Day)
Madama Butterfly: Scuoti quella fronda di ciliegio (Blossom Duet)
Madama Butterfly: Coro a bocca chiusa (Humming Chorus)
Madama Butterfly: Tu, tu piccolo Iddio! (You, You Little God!)
Turandot: Signore, ascolta! (Lord, Listen!)
TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle... (And The Stars Were Shining...)
Turandot: Nessun dorma! (No Man Shall Sleep!)
Turandot: In questa Reggia (In This Palace)
Postlude

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful Piano Arias.......2006-03-19

This is a wonderful CD that is filled with beautiful Puccini arias played by a great pianist. I love to listen to it over and over since the music inspires me with thoughts of relaxation, exhilaration and peacefulness all wrapped into one. John Bayless truly captures the emotion of Puccini with his wonderful arrangements and musical skills. I recommend this CD for those who enjoy not only beautiful music but also love the piano.

cocktails at La Scala.......2004-01-23

This is a superb collection of Puccini's melodies arranged and improvised for solo piano, and brilliantly played by John Bayless; it wrings every bit of emotion from these resplendent arias, some so tender and expressive, like the exquisite "Son Andati ?" from La Boheme.
Puccini once told a soprano to "walk in clouds of melody", and on this disc we have a celestial feast, making one realize how starved we are in today's world of great melodies, with so much of popular music very uninspired in this area, and classical music ignoring it.
Perhaps my favorite track is the gentle and passionate interpretation of one of opera's best loved arias, "E Lucevan le Stelle" from Tosca.

The way Bayless has transcribed this music and improvised on it is a stroke of genius, and very clever marketing as well, giving us a new, unique take on "opera lite", and one of the most enjoyable I've heard; his virtuoso technique is up to the task, and he manages to get a myriad of sounds and colorations out of the instrument.
This enthralling presentation of operatic themes is lighthearted and would make great background music, but is also much more; it's inventive and beautifully performed, is true to the emotional content of the original, and oh ! those glorious melodies.
The sound is crisp and clear, and total playing time 78'28.

Liberace lives!.......2002-11-15

If you enjoyed the flourishing style of Liberace, you'll love this wonderful schmaltzy tribute to Puccini. All the favorites are here from Un Bel Di to Nessun Dorma, played with extravagant passion by John Bayless. I like to play this CD on a rainy day with a cup of hot cocoa, close my eyes and just disappear into the sensuality of the music

Outstanding.......2000-12-18

I have owned this CD for seven years and I am always delighted to discover it again. For those who love the original voice arias and love the piano -- you will not be disappointed.

Gorgeous music magnificently played with technique to spare.......2000-01-30

The first opera I ever liked was La Boheme and especially the solo arias in the first two acts. Bayless' rendition of Musetta's Waltz is the perfect blend of sweetness and bright shining light. He must have four hands, at least! Besides revisiting favorites that I knew and loved, this album introduced me to other Puccini operas that I was unfamiliar with. Like others who have reviewed this disc, I wanted a rating higher than 5 stars.

Average customer rating:

Voice of the 20th Century..
The OTHER essential Bjoerling CD; 10 stars! 20!

Jussi Bjorling: Opera Arias
Giacomo Puccini , Umberto Giordano , Francesco Cilea , Giacomo Meyerbeer , Charles Gounod , Jules Massenet , Friedrich von Flotow , Gioachino Rossini , Nils Grevillius , and Jussi Bjorling
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000002S05
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Tracks:

Act II: 'Una furtiva lagrima': L'Elisir d'Amore
Act III: 'Ah! si ben mio coll'essere': Verdi: Il Trovatore
Act I: Di tu se fedele': Un Ballo in Maschera
Act I: 'Se quel guerrier': Aida
Act I: 'Recitar!...Vesti la giubba': I Pagliacci
Act I: 'Che gelida manina': La Boh
Act I: 'O soave fanciulla': La Boh
Act I: 'Recondita armonia': Tosca
Act Three: 'E lucevan le stelle': Tosca
Act Three: 'Ch'ella mi creda libero': La Fanciulla del West
Act Three: 'Nessun dorma!': Turandot
Act Three: 'Amor ti vieta': Fedora
Act II: 'E la solita storia': L'Arlesiana
'Mi batte, il cor... O paradiso': L'Africaine
Act III: 'Salut! demeure chaste et pure': Faust
Act III: 'Je suis seul!...Ah, fuyez, douce image': Manon
Act III: 'M appari tutt'amor': Martha
Cujus animan: Stabat Mater

Customer Reviews:

Voice of the 20th Century.........2000-07-13

Björling tops most polls as "singer of the 20th century", and justly so. Whether one prefers his velvety,lyrically smooth voice of the 30s and 40s, or his more full-bodied, darker power-tenor of the late 50s (he was ready to take on Lohengrin and Otello just before his death), no other human voice has left a legacy of Björling's caliber in recording history.

This collection is a wonderful presentation of the young Björling. His voice was said to have a direct appeal to emotions. Listen to "Ch'ella mi creda libero" with its almost extraterrestial "lift" and try to keep the lump in your throat from growing!

The-37 "O Paradiso" is a fantastic display of power blended with beauty - which is also the case with the Tosca arias presented here.

"Che Gelida Manina" is by many regarded as Björling's signature aria, just as "La Boheme" was said to be his signature opera. The -36 version here shows Björling aged 25 with wonderful silvery tone and grasp of message, problems with Italian pronounciation or not.

Björling never lapsed into self parodic sobbing or exaggerated shouts or gliding "loops" to get a message across. He insisted on sticking to what the composer actually had written down...and within these vocal restraints, Björling still managed to portray an unexplored universe of human feelings. "Vesti La Giubba" is a good example of this: no sobbing or bitter laughter but downright hartbreaking nonetheless. True art!

His -44 studio version of "Nessun Dorma" makes an interesting comparison with his -59 recording from the complete Turandot. Touch and go which one to go for as the second or third best version of "...Dorma" ever in recording history. The shining beacon is in my opinion from a radio concert in Sweden in 1944, where Björling for once actually DOES go beyond the strict readings of the work. His final B just stretches on and on and on into eternity - read heaven.

As for his famous ringing high notes, his final D flat on Cujus Animan may be THE one most beautiful sound I've ever heard from a human being!

If you do not have any Björling CDs, this may be a perfect introduction to his art.

And where to go from there? Well,"O Paradiso" is one of many excellent collections from the 50s. There's also a Norwegian compilation called "jussi's Beste" (which sold to platinum in Norway 35 years after his death...). This CD contains among other highlights the wonderful Christmas song "O Helga Natt", in which the final high note is sung with such force that it threatens to blow your speakers to oblivion, never mind your ears...(if it is the last sound I will ever hear, it is OK by me...).

If you want a complete opera recording, you just have to invest your hard earned cash (or bank credit as is the case with me) on Beechams "La Boheme".

Someone said elsewhere that once you have listened to Björling, you may never want to listen to any other tenor...ever: HOW VERY TRUE!

The OTHER essential Bjoerling CD; 10 stars! 20!.......1999-03-15

Along with the "Pearl Fishers Duet" CD, to me this is the other essential Bjoerling. (The more than 2 dozen friends who've received those 2 CDs as a gift can testify to that!)

The "Vesti" is completely heartbreaking, maybe because there's none of the histrionic sobbing that usually accompanies it. And of course there is that 1945 recording of "Nessun dorma!", which I have seen referred to as one of the 5 greatest recordings of all time. The arias from Tosca are also outstanding. The only addition that would make this perfect CD "even more perfect" would be the inclusion of the Gonoud "Ah! Leve-toi, soleil!"

Although I have loved classical music since I was a kid, until Jussi every tenor I ever heard sounded like an opera parody. Jussi is different; he doesn't make you think "Now there's a guy taking a deep breath and singing loud." To steal a line from Amadeus, when he opens his mouth you "hear the voice of God"; absolute, divine beauty, untainted by ego or eccentricity. that seems to flow without strain or effort.

Tracks:

Ritorna Vincitor!
Qui Radames Verra!
O Patria Mia
Che Piu T'arresti?
Tacea La Notte Placida
Di Tale Amor Che Dirsi
Timor Di Me?; D'amor Sull'ali Rosee
Un Bel Di Vedremo
Tu? Tu? Piccolo Iddio! (Morte Di Butterfly)
Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta
Vissi D'Arte
Signore, Ascolta!
Tu Che Di Gel Sei Cinta

Customer Reviews:

A Legendary Masterpiece is Available Once Again:LEONTYNE PRICE's Operatic Studio recording debut - The "Blue ALbum".......2006-08-27

For those Opera-lovers who first encountered America's Diva assoluta, soprano LEONTYNE PRICE's magical vocalism from the recording studio, this collection comprises the entire legendary "Blue Album" which many operaphile consider to be one of the finest recordings ever. For Opera neophytes, there can be no more fitting introduction to vocal splendor than the singing on this disc. The selections gathered here vividly demonstrate the reason why Leontyne Price is regarded as the supreme VERDI soprano of her generation (30 years to date) a renowned PUCCINI specialist, and one of the greatest artists of all time. Recorded in the early 60's, Ms. Price's instrument was, in her own words "a juicy lyric". The intrinsic lyricism of her voice was aligned to warm, lustrous tone that pulsated in the middle voice, yielded a dark, uniquely sensuous sound in the lower regions, and gleamed with a distinctive, fast, liquid vibrato in the upper voice. That unique vibrato was elemental to this diva's ability to infuse Verdi and Puccini's most dramatic phrases with surging power (without pushing), and still produce lovely pianos in alt - soaring there with an ease that was singular to her, and that continued to her retirement in the 2002. All of those remarkable elements are on display in this seminal recording.

Leontyne Price recorded arias and scenas from every standard repertory VERDI opera with few exceptions (Nabucco/Luisa Miller/Vespri/Falstaff) in superlative fashion. Her onstage roles included the IL TROVATORE Leonora, the role of her sensational MET debut (that resulted in a record 42 minute ovation), thrice recorded by her (with Basile, Mehta, and Von Karajan respectively), and a signature role throughout her career. The first selections represented the sum of onstage VERDI roles that the soprano has sung at that time: Leonora from IL TROVATORE and the title-role of AIDA. Ms. Price soars effortlessly to the heights repeatedly in "Tacea la notte", aligned to sensuously throbbing tone, singing the inexplicably rushed cabaletta fluently. "D'amor sull ali rosee" (once the sole property of Ms. Price's Verdian predecessor Zinka Milanov) is enhanced by the soprano's expert trills, other musical nuances, and the glorious vibrato that carries her gossamer tones to a floated high C in alt. The leading newspaper of Italy said of Leontyne Price that "..our great Verdi would have her the ideal Aida", and that sentiment has been adopted the world over. The "Aida" selections here are the first ones recorded by the American diva, and remain a revelation. She recorded this opera twice, most famously with Sir Georg Solti and Jon Vickers, then triumphantly with Erich Leinsdorf and Placido Domingo. In "Ritorna vincitor" the soprano's lyric instrument is quite "juicy" indeed, declaiming Aida's fierce opposition to the Egyptian invaders of her Ethiopian homeland with energetic and powerful vocalism. She then masterfully delineates the young princess' dilemma with plaintive and youthful passion, ending with a prayerful "Numi pieta" suffused by warm, sable-colored tone. "O Patria mia" is another of Ms. Price's most revered performances, indeed the aria that garnered her a (5) five minute ovation on live television at her "farewell to Opera" (1985) performance in the same opera. The soprano injects Aida's farewell to her homeland with rich, smoky, plangent tones that rise effortlessly to a shining high C that bedeviled some of her most illustrous rivals, and would be bettered in the future only by the wonderful Spanish soprano Montserrat Caballe - and Ms. Price herself!!

Leontyne Price performed the veristic music of PUCCINI onstage in a number of his operas that included "MANON LESCAUT/TOSCA/MADAMA BUTTERFLY/LA FANICULLA DEL WEST/IL TABARRO/and TURANDOT, albeit with less frequency than with Verdi. She brought a luminous, womanly quality to all of the composer's music. Here, she sings with particular intensity and emotion as the geisha girl Cio-Cio San, her favorite Puccini role onstage, and superbly recorded complete on RCA with tenor Richard Tucker. "Un bel di" is sung fervently with glowing tone, while "Tu, tu piccolo Iddio" moves the listener to tears at the pain-laden urgency and commanding vocalism Ms. Price summons in this poignant scena. In "Vissi d'arte" the jealous and fiery Roman prima donna Floria Tosca is reduced to lamentation, which in Ms. Price's hands translates into limpid, melting tone, complete with a stunning high C followed by her trademark diminuendo on Aflat. While the complete opera is twice-recorded by the soprano (with Von Karajan and Mehta respectively),both highly-acclaimed, this aria became one of Ms. Price's most requested and performed encores. Puccini's music for the doomed Chinese slave-girl Liu is exquisitely sung. "Signore ascolta" is imbued with sweet lyricism and dulcet tones that spin on the top. "Tu che di gel sei cinta" once again displays the great soprano's ability to illuminate a scene and therein touch the heart -with sublime vocalism.The most outstanding qualities of this diva in Puccini's music were a warm femininity and profound humanity, inherent in all of her singing, but most pronounced with this composer. She also fearlessly sang his highest phrases with a vocal splendor and freedom unrivalled by anyone, nowhere more than as the tragic Butterfly. However, until she retired from public singing, one aria remained a 'sine qua non' for this diva and her public: "Chi bel sogno di Doretta" from Puccini's rarely performed operetta LA RONDINE. The performance here was her first recording of it, and is a classic in its own right. Ms. Price's voice shimmers throughout, singing the high C with astonishing purity, and caressing, velvety tone elsewhere.

For years, this "album" was unbelievably out-of-print. RCA has done a wonderful job in re-mastering this masterpiece, complete with the original Blue artwork This "Blue Album" will leave you felling anything but!!

Savor the marvellous youthful artistry of "La Splendissima" LEONTYNE PRICE.

Note:This review was written for the initial re-release of the digitally re-mastered disc. I'm sure those reviewers who've experienced the SACD version are quite accurate in their estimation of any improvements yielded by this relatively new technology. I hope to experience it soon myself.

truely one of the best compilations.......2006-06-20

If you like Opera then buy it! If you have the full versions of the operas on this SACD elsewhere then buy it anyway as she excels in this recording. As SACD this is a beautiful recording. CD layer is very good too.
The full version of the Il Travatore by Karajan-Berlin Philharmony- Price is not as good a recording technically as this one since you can hear the age of the recording. This SACD disc is very very good indeed.
You can feel her singing in such detail that is extraordinary.
Full 5 stars!

A great soprano caught in sublime form.......2005-10-10

Leontyne Price was the reigning American opera singer for almost 30 years, and she has made scores of wonderful recordings. As it happens only once did Living Stereo, the best engineering technique of the day, catch her in a state of sublime freshness and radiance--the result was tis famous "Blue Album." Besides being a superb example of her art as a prima donna, it has been a touchstone for audiophiles showing off how well a recording can capture the operatic singing voice, a fiendishly difficult thing. The CD reissue that I have is a faithful transcription of the famed LP, but anyone who acquires this SACD hybrid may hear even more--it's tempting to buy it twice.

A famous recording revisited.......2005-06-25

As a teen opera fan, I always heard about this famous "Blue Album" featuring Leontyne Price. I finally bought it and now having listened to it many many times over the past few years, I see why this disc is so celebrated. Price's voice is incredibly beautiful and expressive. The Aida selections are perfection. Liu is tragic but dignified. Leonora is sung with panache and Verdian style. Her phrasing is intelligent and always services the meaning of the music. But in the end, it's the beauty that gets me. Her rendition of the aria from "La Rondine" ('Che il bel sogno di Doretta') is one of the most beautiful recordings I've ever heard. I totally understand why music-lovers of the past swooned and went into convulsions. Her sound and her distinctive vibrato resonate within the listener. You just can't escape the beauty of the sound. It's in your ears and deep within your soul.

i take this to work.......2005-03-02

shes so intense leontyne makes even the most jaded queen wanna cry and the younger guys i work with go " whats that"
this is opera!!! what cd is this from
that voice and that emotion and that crying for love and your child and your sense of BEING A WOMEN

Mario Lanza ~ Opera Arias & Duets, from Andréa Chenier · La Bohème · I Pagliacci · Madama Butterfly · Otello

Average customer rating:

Mario Lanza Opera
Outstanding
Unsurpassed!
BMG Needs to hire Folks in the Know
Mario Lanza WAS a trained opera singer

Mario Lanza ~ Opera Arias & Duets, from Andréa Chenier · La Bohème · I Pagliacci · Madama Butterfly · Otello

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00000JMH3
Release Date: 2001-10-08

Tracks:

Celeste Aida
Amor Ti Vieta
Di All'azzurro Spazio [From "Andrea Chenier]
O Soave Fanciulla
Fleur Que Tu M'Avais Jetee
O Paradiso
Tal Giocco/Vesti la Giubba
Stolta Paura l'Amor - Mario Lanza,
Donna E Mobile
Vesti la Giubba
M'Appari
Nessun Dorma
Testa Adorata
Come un Bel Di Maggio
Lamento Di Federico
Dio Ti Giocondi - Licia Albanese, Mario Lanza

Customer Reviews:

Mario Lanza Opera.......2007-05-12

This CD of mario is absolutely fabulous. It is the only recording I have managed to find of him singing Nessum Dorma. It is not to be missed. One of operas greatest.

Outstanding.......2006-11-06

Hey, this is Mario Lanza, it can't get any better. A great collection of the best Arias!

Unsurpassed!.......2005-12-13

I am sick and tired of all these technical reviews and critical remarks leveled against everything Mario Lanza did in his short life!

True, musically Mario made some mistakes....but so has every other great tenor in history....from Caruso to Pavarotti and beyond!
And perhaps he sang some arias with too much fortissimo....so what?
Every single song on here, be it among his best or worst work, is a masterpiece when compared to renditions of the same arias by other, more legit and operatically acclaimed tenors.

In order to "get" Lanza one must discard all notions of "finesse", "grace" and " elegance" for Lanza operated, and sang on raw, unadulterated, gut wrenching emotion.
THAT was the genious of Mario Lanza.

We can argue for another 40 years as to his operatic legitimacy...for nought!
Lanza was a VOCAL master and his approach to song was as unconventional and idiosyncratic as was his life.
That's what makes these songs so special and unique.

No one other than perhaps Corelli had the voice and the balls to sing with such uninhibited emotion and that's what this CD is all about.
It is a testament of a great voice.
The fact that Lanza did not have the benefit of a great conductor or teacher guiding him through most of his career, makes these recordings all the more great.

He sang the music as he felt it and that's a big no-no in the stuffy, overbearing and self-righteous world of opera.
Lanza earned millions of dollars because his voice touched all who heard it. His art brought more people to opera than all the leading tenors of his day combined....and this during the golden age of tenors and opera as a whole!

The only word of lesser praise I can offer is the inclusion of the duets. Mario did not have the temprament for duet singing, and subsequently he ended up drowning his partners out, or engaging in a sort of vocal warfare which was the case with much of what he and Grayson recorded during his MGM days.
The arias are great....the duets are medicore on all accounts.

In closing, I apologize for not having spen time on the actual songs. It's been done to death.
All I can say is that, if you wish to hear opera arias sung in a way such as will never be heard again in our lifetime, then this is a CD for you.
If you want proper, technically proficient opera, sung by some big name opera jerk, then stick to that....you'll only end up feeling like all the other good people who have so much negative to say about this CD.

BMG Needs to hire Folks in the Know.......2004-06-15

There are several cuts on this CD that Lnaza did in fact record much better at other times. I have all his records LPs, 78s and movies and I wish BMG would consult a Lanza fan,or me,for the cuts would make the perfect CD. I think its great that we have such a wonderful collection of recordings of Lanza and this one warts and all is still one of the best. The best Lanza set was the RCA LP 2 record set put out in the 70s with Lanza on the cover in M. Butterfly. Where oh where can it be??? Long live Mario Lanza!

Mario Lanza WAS a trained opera singer.......2003-11-13

To the reviewer from Michigan who said Mario never performed an opera on stage, you are wrong. He did two performances as Pinkerton in Madame Butterfly before going off to Hollywood.

Mario had extensive operatic training from some top teachers. He was sought after by many opera companies, including the Met in New York.

It is true that some of Mario's recordings are not as good as others. He did various versions of much of his material, both live and studio, so of course you will find some you prefer to others. But the beauty, power and expressiveness of his voice is unmatched by any tenor I have ever heard.

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