The Greatest Opera Show on Earth

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This really is a remarkable collection, and anyone even remotely interested in opera is bound to be vastly entertained by it. Almost everything and everyone is here, albeit in small doses: Tebaldi, Pavarotti (a lot), Bjoerling, Bartoli, Sutherland, Solti, Karajan, Troyanos, Gheorghiu, Nucci; the composers are Puccini, Verdi, Bizet, and all the other usual suspects. There are plenty of fine compilation sets on the market, and this is one of the best. One can only hope that it whets listeners' appetites for whole operas. --Robert Levine

Tracks:

Carmen: Prelude - Various Artists
La Traviata: Brindisi: Libiamo, Ne Lieti Calici - Various Artists
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina - Various Artists
Lakme: Flower duet: Dome Epais Le Jasmin - Various Artists
Fedora: Amor Ti Vieta - Various Artists
Carmen: Habanera: L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle - Various Artists
Nabucco: Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves: Va Pensiero - Various Artists
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Dove Sono - Various Artists
Rigoletto: La Donna obile - Various Artists
Lohengrin: Bridal Chorus: Treulich Gefuhrt Ziehet Dahin - Various Artists
Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro - Various Artists
Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum - Various Artists
La Wally: Ebben?...Ne Andrntana - Various Artists
Madama Butterfly: Humming Chorus - Various Artists
Carmen: Flower Song: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee - Various Artists
Les Contes D'Hoffmann: Barcarolle: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'amour - Various Artists
Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle - Various Artists
Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di - Various Artists
Les Pecheurs De Perles: C'est Toi...Au Fond Du Temple Saint - Various Artists

Tracks:

Die Walkhe Ride Of The Valkyries - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Le nozze di Figaro: Voi Che Sapete - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Pagliacci: Recitar!...Vesti la giubba - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
La Boh: O soave fanciulla - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Il travatore: Anvil Chorus: Vedi! Le fosche - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Don Giovanni: Li Darem La Mano - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Mattinata - Leoncavallo
Faust: Soldiers' Chorus - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
L'Elisir d'Amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Turandot: Signore, Ascolta! - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Don Giovanni: Champagne Aria - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Cosi fan tutte: Trio: Soave Sia Il Vento - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Il Trovatore: Di Quella Pira - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
TOSCA: Vissi D'Arte - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Carmen: Toreador Song - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Madama Butterly: Love Duet: Vogliatemi bene - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Rusalka: O Silver Moon - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
La Boh: Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH
Turandot: Nessun Dorma - GREATEST OPERA SHOW ON EARTH

Amazon.com

This really is a remarkable collection, and anyone even remotely interested in opera is bound to be vastly entertained by it. Almost everything and everyone is here, albeit in small doses: Tebaldi, Pavarotti (a lot), Bjoerling, Bartoli, Sutherland, Solti, Karajan, Troyanos, Gheorghiu, Nucci; the composers are Puccini, Verdi, Bizet, and all the other usual suspects. There are plenty of fine compilation sets on the market, and this is one of the best. One can only hope that it whets listeners' appetites for whole operas. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Always makes me happy.......2007-04-07

I just bought my second copy of this excellent CD because I literally wore the first one out. No matter how I feel before I play this music, I feel joy whenever I listen to it. Highly recommended to beginners and the more experienced opera listeners as well.

The Opera Collection To Own.......2002-01-22

For novices, and beginners who are having their first sample of the fine art of opera, this collection is a must have. In what are the most beloved and well-known operatic pieces, "celebrity" opera stars Placido Domingo, Kiri Te Kenawa, Cecilia Bartoli, Andrea Bocelli, Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavoratti, provide a rich and colorful collection. Among the beautiful soprano arias you will find "Un Bel Di" from Madama Butterfly, "Voi Che Sapete" from Nozze Di Figaro and "Habenera" from Carmen great tenor arias such as the Flower Song from Carmen, Figaro's Aria from Barber of Seville. You will be enchanted with the fine ensembles from La Traviata (the waltz-like Brindisi) the Flower Duet from Lakme,the Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore and the very rarely heard O Silver Moon from Dvorak's Rusalka, sung beautifully by Renee Fleming. This cd is a must have for opera and non-opera fans alike. Five star buy. Highlights include the Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore with its powerful chorus, Va Pensiero from Nabucco with its message of hope and sung beautifully by the John Aldis Choir, and the lovely "Barcarolle" from the Tales of Hoffman. A beautiful tenor aria rarely performed also is "Mattinata" sung gorgeously by Bocelli. A five star buy. Opera has never sounded more attractive than it does in this high-quality cd.

great stuff!.......2001-04-19

this is a great CD. I got it as a birthday present from someone who knows how much I love opera. Lots of great selections here, sung by great singers. i want to be an opera singer! i lost it in Mexico and now I am buying another one online!

A fantastic collection.......2001-03-01

No question - this is an execellent collection of recordings! Rarely does one see this degree of variety and balance in the selection of composers, operas, conductors, and performers in a 2 CD set. If forced to be overly critical, though, I would make 3 points based on my personal preferences: First, I agree with those who feel Pavarotti is featured too often. Personally, I would rather have more Carreras (he appears only once - Donna non vidi mai from Manon Lescaut). Second, while there are some outstanding duets (like the pavarotti/sutherland brindisi from Traviata) and choruses (e.g., soldier's chorus from faust), there are too few ensembles. The Bella Figlia quartet from Rigoletto or the Mia Madre quintet from Figaro would have been excellent additions. Finally, there just ain't enough Wagner (is there ever?). We get only the bridal chorus from Lohengrin and the Ride of the Valkyries. The Meistersinger prize song or the pilgrim's chorus from Tannhauser would both have helped round out the set.

However, to make these additions without adding another CD, some of what's already there would have to go. And what's there now is so glorious, so representative of the great operatic works and (relatively recent) interpretations, I'd hate to see something else get left out.

Love this!.......2000-10-21

I enjoy opera and classical music quite a bit, without being a big opera buff. The selections for this CD are great -- some of my all-time favorites, and some pieces from operasI'd never heard before. I've been enjoying this from the moment I got it. This would make a great gift for someonoe like me.

Average customer rating:

Disappointing
A Wonderful Potpourri
If you could only afford one CD get this one.

The Greatest Classical Show On Earth

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

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

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Russian | Languages | 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

Te Kanawa, Kiri | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000009DG2
Release Date: 1998-07-14

Tracks:

Also sprach Zarathustra, op. 30 (opening)
William Tell Overture (Finale)
Peer Gynt, Op. 23: Morning
di Capua: O sole mio!
Suite No. 3 In D Major, BWV 1068: Air
Suite No. 2 In B Minor, BWV 1067: Badinerie
Piano Concerto No. 21 In C Major, K467 (II Andante)
Radetzky March, Op. 28
Violin Concerto No. 1 In G Minor (II Adagio): II Adagio
Eine kleine Nachtmusik (I Allegro)
Chants d'Auvergne: Bailero
Waltz In D Flat Major, Op. 64 No. 1: Minute
Cantata No. 208: Sheep May Safely Graze
The Flight Of The Bumblebee
Bolero (Finale)
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Barcarolle
Adagio In G Minor
Pizzicato Polka
Dein ist mein ganzes Herz

Tracks:

Carmina Burana: O Fortuna
Waltz II: Jazz Suite No. 2
Adagio For Strings
Fantasia On Greensleeves
The Four Seasons: Spring (I Allegro)
Trumpet Voluntary
Kanon
Casanova: Nonnenchor (Nuns' Chorus)
Piano Sonata No. 14 In C Sharp Minor, Op. 27 No. 2: Moonlight
Romeo & Juliet: Love Theme
Warsaw Concerto
Symphony No. 9 'From The New World' (II Largo -- Excerpt)
The Nutcracker: Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
Concierto de Aranjuez (II Adagio -- excerpt)
Solomon: Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
Hungarian Dance No. 5 In G Minor
Thais: Meditation
Turandot: Nessun Dorma

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2001-03-04

We were quite disappointed with this collection. Although the mix of music is good, the sound quality on several of the recordings was unacceptable and the volume fluctuates. For instance, "Carmina Burana" was either deafening or completely inaudible.

A Wonderful Potpourri.......2000-11-06

This album has some fabulous music on it, all by first-rate peformers. There isn't a disappointing cut on it, and it would be particularly a great gift for a person just embarking on an exploration of classical music in all its glory. It leaves the listener wanting to buy in their entirety all of the works included on the CD, and I don't think that you can ask for much more than that from a compilation. I'm ready for Volume II!

If you could only afford one CD get this one........1998-11-29

All of the pieces are true classics, and there is a varied selection. Most of the pieces are familar works, and the essence of the collection is far above your typical collection of classical hits. If you had to buy this same collection independently it would cost you a fortune. Save yourself the money, and trust that this CD contains all of the finest selections you will ever need to start off your basic collection.

Average customer rating:

Very powerful and moving

The Greatest Choral Show on Earth

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

World's Greatest Choruses
The Power & The Majesty: Essential Choral Classics
The #1 Choral Album

ASIN: B00000JNPO
Release Date: 1999-07-20

Tracks:

Nabucco: Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves: Va, pensiero - Chicago Symphony Orhcestra And Chorus
Madama Butterfly: Humming Chorus - Zurich Tonhalle Orch; Zinman, D.
Lohengrin: Bridal Chorus: Treulich gefuhrt ziehet dahin - Wiener Philharmoniker
Miserere (Abridged) Allegri - Zurich Tonhalle Orch; Zinman, D.
Cantata No. 147: Jesu bleibet meine Freunde - Orchestra Of The Collegium Musicum
Ave verum corpus, K. 618 - Zurich Tonhalle Orch; Zinman, D.
Canatique de Jean Racine - Stephen Cleobury
L'enfance du Christ: Shepherd's farewell: Il s'en va lion de la terre - Zurich Tonhalle Orch; Zinman, D.
Montesquiou: Pavane
Totus tuus (excerpt) - Zurich Tonhalle Orch; Zinman, D.
Ein deutsches Requiem: Wie lieblich sind deine Wohnungen - Chicago Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
Tannhauser: Pilgrims' Chorus: Begluckt darf nun dich - Zurich Tonhalle Orch; Zinman, D.
Requiem: Sanctus - Choeur et Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal
Requiem: Lacrimosa - Zurich Tonhalle Orch; Zinman, D.
Song For Athene - The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge
La Damnation de Faust: Laus! Laus! Hosanna! Hosanna! - Zurich Tonhalle Orch; Zinman, D.

Tracks:

Requiem: Dies irae ... Tuba mirum
Il trovartore: Anvil Chorus: Verdi! le forsche
Judas Maccabaeus: See The Conquering Hero Comes
Mass In B minor: Sanctus
Zadok The Priest
Symphony No. 9 'Choral': Fourth Movement - Excerpt
Requiem: Dies irae
Die Himmel erzahlen
Carmen: Toreador Chorus: Les voici, les voici
Elijah: Thanks Be To God
Weihnachtsoratorium: Jauchzet, frohlocket
Matthaus-Passion: Wirsetzen uns mit Tranen nieder
Ave, Signor degli angeli e dei santi!
Messiah: Hallelujah
Rule Britannia
Jerusalem
Carminia Burana: O Fortuna
Faust: Soldiers' Chorus: Gloire immortelle
Faust: Apotheosis

Customer Reviews:

Very powerful and moving.......2000-04-10

These two CD's, one titled Music Sublime and the other Music All-Powerful, bring together some of the greatest choral masterpieces ever composed. The All-Powerful CD, by the way, is not easy listening.

Tracks:

Eine kleine Nactmusik, K525: I Allegro
Piano Concerto No. 21 in C major, K467: II Andante
Le nozze di Figaro: Voi che sapete
Clarinet Quintet In A Major, K581: II Larghetto
Ave verum Corpus, K618
Vesperae solemnes de confessore, K339: Laudate Dominum
Concerto For Flute And Harp In C Major, K299: II Andantino
Le nozze di Figaro: Overture
Cosi fan tutte: Trio: Soave sia il vento
Symphony No. 39 In E Flat Major, K543: II Andante con moto
Horn Concerto No. 4 In E Flat Major, K495: III Rondo. Allegro vivace
Don Giovanni: Serenade: Deh, vieni alla finestra
Contredanse In C Major, K609: No. 1 'Non piu andrai'
German Dance, K605: No. 3 'Sleigh Ride'
Piano Concerto No. 23 In A Major, K488: II Adagio
A Musical Joke, K522: IV Presto

Tracks:

Symphony No. 40 In G Minor, K550: I Molto allegro
Piano Sonata No. 16 In C Major, K545: I Allegro
Die Zuberflote: Queen of the Night's aria: 'Der Holle Rache'
Clarinet Concerto In A Major, K361: Il Adagio
Don Giovanni: 'La ci darem la mano '
Serenade In B Flat Minor, 361: Ill Adagio
Die Zauberflote: 'Der Vogelfanger bin ich ja'
Le nozze di Figaro: Dove Sono
Violin Concerto No. 3 In G Major, K216: Il Adagio
Requiem, K626: Lacrimosa
Litaniae de venerabili altaris sacramento, K243: Dulcissimum convivium...Viaticum
Piano Sonata No. 11 In A Major, K331: Ill Rondo alla turca
Don Giovanni: Champagne Aria: 'Fin ch'han dal vino'
Divertimento No. 17 In D Major, K334: Ill Minuet & Trio
Exsultate, Jubilate: Alleluja
Symphony No. 41 In C Major, K551 'Jupiter': IV Finale: Molto allegro

Amazon.com

Discover why Mozart is the world's most popular composer in this glorious selection of highlights on two discs, performed by some of the foremost interpreters of his music. Almost every genre is represented, so if you are only familiar with one area of the great Wolfgang's output, this is an ideal way to explore others. Highlights from the operas include sopranos Renée Fleming and Anne Sofie von Otter poignantly sighing through the farewell trio from Cosí fan tutte, Bryn Terfel singing Don Giovanni's charming, chilling serenade, and Sumi Jo shattering glass in the Queen of the Night's aria from The Magic Flute. Other great moments include legendary horn player Barry Tuckwell in the finale from the fourth horn concerto, King's College Choir singing a ghostly Ave Verum, and revered Mozartian Radu Lupu playing the slow movement of Piano Concerto No. 21 ("Elvira Madigan"). Obviously, with recordings from so many different times and places, the acoustics and recording levels vary between tracks, so a little ear adjustment is necessary, but quibbles aside, this is a generous compilation of some great playing and singing. --Warwick Thompson

Customer Reviews:

Great Mozart selections.......2002-11-14

This CD has a great selection of Mozart for fans, or people who have heard the melodies but haven't placed the composer with them. It includes Piano Concerto 21 II andante, Jupiter Symphony Finale, the famous Clarinet Concerto, wich is incredibly brilliant, and Rondo Alla Turca, a very smartly written sonata. It also has probably the most famous classical piece ever, Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, The most famous Opera, Le Nozzie Di Figaro, and the very famous Piano Sonata 15 in C Major, "Sonata Facile".
Not only does this CD set have a good selection it is all crisp and cleanly played. I particualry enjoy the Jupiter Finale, which is so cleanly played I felt I was watching it live. I suggest buying this wonderful set for your Mozart collection.

A Great Summary of Mozart.......2000-06-08

Although the perfect summary to Mozart needs many more than 2 CDs, this set is like a summary of a summary of one of the greatest composers to ever live (probably the best). Within these two CDs are all the Mozart melodies that you know along with melodies you know you knew, but didn't know Mozart had written. It's a great introduction to the music of Mozart as well as a great addition to a collector's collection. This set offers some snippets from works that have been out of the catalog for a number of years. The playing and sound on the two CDs is consistently high and excellent. The performers are great. In effect, the CD is a great compilation. Decca really sets out to make these "Greatest Show" albums live up to their names (i.e. The Greatest Mozart Show on Earth).

Average customer rating:

Greatest Tenor Show on Earth

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
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 | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Rigoletto: La donna e mobile
Manon Lescaut: Donna non vidi mai
Carmen: Flower Song: La fleur que tu m'avais jetee
L'Elisir d'Amore: Una furtiva lagrima
La Boheme: Che gelida manina
Aida: Celeste Aida
Martha: M'appari
La Gioconda: Cielo e mar
Pagliacci: Vesti la giubba
Die Zauberflote: Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schon
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: O Dieu! De quelle ivresse
TOSCA: E lucevan le stelle
Manon Lescaut: Tra voi, belle, brune e bionde
Rigoletto: Questa o quella
Luisa Miller: Quando le sere al placido
Werther: Pourquoi me reveiller
La Fanciulla del West: Ch'ella mi creda
Il Trovatore: Di quella pira
Andrea Chenier: Un dll'azzurro spazio
Turandot: Non piangere, Liu
La Traviata: De' miei bollenti spiriti
Fedora: Amor ti vieta
L'Africaine: O paradis
L'arlesiana: Il lamento di Federico
Madama Butterfly: Addio fiorito asil

Tracks:

La Traviata: Brindisi: Libiamo ne'lieti calici
Tosca: Recondita armonia
Il Trovatore: Ah, sben mio
La Favorita: Spirito gentil
Faust: Salut! Demeure chaste et pure
Die Walkure: Winterstichen dem Wonnemond
Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Prize Song: Morgenlich leuchtend im rosigen Schein
Adriana Lecouvreur: La dolcissima effigie
Turandot: Nessun dorma
'O sole mio
La mia canzone al vento
Torna a Surriento
Parlami d'amore Mariu
'O surdato 'nnammurato
Caro mio ben
La danza
Chitarra romana
Era di maggio matenata
Yes Giorgio: Santa Lucia
Mattinata
Funiculi, funicula
Granada
Core 'ngrato
No puede ser
Dein ist mein ganzes Herz

Average customer rating:

The greatest voices on Earth

Greatest Christmas Show on Earth

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Wedding Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Holiday Music | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music

Opera & Vocal | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
ASIN: B00000A1I7
Release Date: 1998-10-20

Tracks:

Adeste fideles (O come all ye faithful)
Stille Nacht (Silent night)
Ave Maria
Once in royal David's city
Ding doing! Merrily on high
Joy to the world
Food King Wenceslas
Wiegenlied (Lullaby)
In dulci jubelo
Pastoral sinfonia
For unto us a child is born
Ave Maria
Shepherds' farewell
Mille cherubini in coro
See amid the winter's snow
What child is this?
The first nowell
O Tannenbaum
While shepherds watched
Away in a manger
Hark! the herald angels sing

Tracks:

Deck the hall
The holly and the ivy
Franck - Panis angelicus
In the bleak midwinter
God rest ye merry gentlemen
Mozart - Sleigh ride
The twelve days of Christmas
Shepherds in the fields abiding
Tu scendi dalle stelle
I saw three ships
Adam - O holly night
O little town of Bethlehem
Gesu bambino
Rocking
Reger - The virgin's slumber song
Child in a manger
Lloyd Webber - Hosanna (Requiem)
Tchaikovsky - Waltz of the snowflakes (Nutcracker)
White Christmas
Waldteufel - The skaters' waltz
Mary's boy child

Customer Reviews:

The greatest voices on Earth.......2004-12-27

What better way to open "The Greatest Christmas Show on Earth" than with Luciano Pavarotti ringing in "Adeste Fideles" with Kurt Adler and the National Philharmonic Orchestra. No expense has been spared on what has become Pavarotti's signature Christmas carol. He also performs "Mille cherubini in coro," "Panis Angelicus," and "Gesù, Bambino."

The second great tenor of our age, Placido Domingo has to make do with the "Hosanna in excelcis" from Lloyd Webber's "Requiem."

Among the many fine sopranos featured on this two-disk set are Renata Tebaldi (whose recent death saddened all of us who loved her angelic voice), Leontyne Price and Joan Sutherland in their prime, and the always beautiful Kiri Te Kanawa.

You can decide for yourself which 'Ave Maria' is your favorite--the Schubert with Leontyne Price or the Bach with Kiri Te Kanawa.

Altogether there are 42 selections on these London Classical CDs, a few orchestral and many with very good groups, both boy and adult choirs. They sing traditional religious carols for the most part. Te Kanawa's "White Christmas" is about as secular as this recording gets, although Joan Sutherland gets to show off her perky side in "The Twelve Days of Christmas" and "Deck the Hall."

Special praise goes to boy treble Anthony Way and his haunting rendition of the traditional English carol, "What Child is This?"

In spite of its clunky title, this recording is highly recommended for Christmas traditionalists.

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