Wagner: Arias

Track Listings

1. Der Fliegende Holldnder Overture

2. "Die Frist ist um" (Der Fliegende Holldnder)

3. "Wahn! Wahn! Uberall Wahn! (Die Meistersinger)

4. "Was duftet doch der Flieder" (Die Meistersinger)

5. "Wie Todesahnung Ddmmrung deckt die Lande--O du mein holder Abendstern" (Tannhduser)

6. Nein! Lasst ihn unenth|llt! (Parsifal)

7. Ja, Wehe! Wehe! Weh' |ber mich! (Parsifal)

8. "Leb wohl, du k|hnes, herrliches Kind!" (Wotan's Farewell from Die Walk|re)

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Bryn Terfel brings a resonant voice and wide emotional range to Wagner's bass-baritone roles. He's a touching Flying Dutchman, a grief-laden Amfortas in two scenes from Parsifal, a wise, sympathetic Hans Sachs in the two monologues from Die Meistersinger, and at his best in a smoothly sung rendition of Wolfram's Evening Star aria from Tannhäuser. The only quibble is a degree of overemoting that can sectionalize scenes through an excess of passion where understatement often works better. The first part of "Leb' wohl," for example, is delivered with a surplus of anger where sad resignation would be more appropriate, since Wotan's fury has been spent by the time we reach this point. Such vocal heavy lifting sometimes reminds one of the old "Bayreuth bark" school of Wagnerian singing, but those moments pass quickly. It's doubtful you'll find anything amiss if you're not familiar with past masters like Hans Hotter and Friederich Schorr. Wagnerians and Terfel fans will snap this up. --Dan Davis

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From the vocal and musical point of view, Terfel sings every piece beautifully. His words are crystal-clear even without following the texts (though this clarity also conveys the 'u' of Amfortas's 'unenthullt' as 'unenthalt'). Interpretatively, however, it sounds as if he has tried to imagine the missing environment of each excerpt and succeeded almost too well. Even for listeners familiar with those musical surroundings, the experience of hearing such passages separately requires a different... read more

Wagner: Arias

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!

Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias / Myung-Whun Chung

Average customer rating:

Beautiful music
Andrea Bocelli-Sacred Arias
An "experience" of sacred arias more than "listening" of sacred arias
amazing talent
Perfect arias for the perfect voice

Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias / Myung-Whun Chung
George Frideric Handel , Giulio Caccini , Charles Gounod , Franz Schubert , Cesar Franck , Gioachino Rossini , Giuseppe Verdi , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Richard Wagner , Pietro Mascagni , Louis Niedermeyer , Franz Xaver Gruber , John Francis Wade , Jean-Paul Lecot , Myung-Whun Chung , and Andrea Bocelli
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Romanza
Andrea Bocelli - Amore
Sogno
Cieli di Toscana
Andrea Bocelli - The Opera Album ~ Aria

ASIN: B00002ND9N
Release Date: 1999-11-09

Tracks:

Caccini/Mercurio: Ave Maria
Mascagni: Sancta Maria
Gounod: Ave Maria
Schubert: Ave Maria
Franck: Panis Angelicus
Rossini: Cuius animam
Verdi: Ingemisco
Mozart: Ave verum
Wagner: Der Engel
Handel: Ombra mai fu
Niedermeyer: Pieta signore
Rossini: Dominus Deus
Schubert/Mercurio: Mille Cherubini in coro
Gruber/Mercurio: Silent Night
Wade: Adeste Fideles
Gloria a te, Cristo Ges

Amazon.com

When he was growing up, Andrea Bocelli recalls finding inspiration in a favorite recording of sacred music performed by tenor legend Franco Corelli. Bocelli--who in the meantime has come to inspire millions of fiercely loyal fans himself--returns to the genre as the guiding theme of Sacred Arias, the release of which coincides with the first English-language biography of the singer. These performances are filled with the singer's phenomenally well-known vocal signature: his flair for long, sweetly floating high notes and the gentle sense of cadence he brings to a melody. It's a mistake to compartmentalize Bocelli into a singer of "operatic" versus "popular" styles: in truth his approach is at heart the same. Lack of color and control in his phrasing remains a drawback, but the emotional empathy Bocelli evokes is never in doubt. The arias collected here sample some of the most famous devotional pieces: Schubert's "Ave Maria" and Mozart's transporting "Ave Verum," as well as an arrangement of "Silent Night" in which Bocelli tries out his English. There's also a decidedly odd choice of bedfellows for a program of "sacred" music, such as a song from Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder (whose "angel" is the object of an overpoweringly erotic attraction) and Handel's figurative ode to a tree, "Ombra mai fu." Still, Bocelli sings with an unfeigned directness that is sure to expand his already enormous following even further. --Thomas May

Customer Reviews:

Beautiful music.......2007-01-12

This is my second copy of this CD, I burned the first one out!!
Andrea Bocelli has a very gorgeous voice that is a gift from above. His voice is not affected or braggadoccio but naturally magnificent. I could and do start my day listening to this spiritually uplifting CD almost everyday. It is a wonderful way to get off to a pleasant peaceful start, but also a nice way to come home in the evening if you have a CD player in your car. I highly recommend it to all.

Andrea Bocelli-Sacred Arias.......2006-08-25

Excellent listening. Voice quality and tone is superb. Brings tears to my eyes when I envision listening to this in a church setting.

An "experience" of sacred arias more than "listening" of sacred arias.......2006-04-28

I bought this CD's special edition with DVD, and I am impressed by bocelli's singing in this album. I have heard many voices singing sacred songs, and christmas songs, but very few singers can achieve the "sacred atmosphere" that bocelli devotes when he sings. He may not have a "strong" voice as opera singers, but I think singing these sacred songs, devoting the "sacred atmosphere" to the audience is much more important, the voice actually is just a tool that helps a singer to achieve the result. For real, I have heard some CD by some chorus that perform sacred arias, but they did not move me as much as this CD does, mostly not even close. Personally I like "O come all ye faithful", "silent night", all "ave maria"'s, "domine deus", "cujus animam" the most. When I listen Bocelli's singing I focus on what he tries to devote in singing more than his voice color, because in terms of voice color he surely cant be compared with pavarotti or domingo, so why compares? The way of listening him and listening real opera singers is different man. But the reason I gave only this CD four stars is that I have heard several sacred arias from this album performed by his voice teacher, the legendary tenor Franco Corelli. I tried not to compare both...but I cant, not because Bocelli sings bad, he is already excellent, just Corelli is TOO excellent that cant be described by human language (well I think even Pavarotti is not even close to Franco Corelli, but this is just my opinion). Anyway if you want to "experience" the true beauty of sacred arias, this CD is highly recommended. And this is also a very good sacred aria album for beginning listeners who want to broaden their musical taste to sacred arias.

amazing talent.......2006-03-25

worth the price the songs are breathtaking and talent is indescribable

Perfect arias for the perfect voice.......2006-03-04

These are just terrific. How does Andrea acheive the range he does, and the power he has, without sounding too heavy or too light? His voice sounds like the perfect voice for these perfect arias.

I have noticed one concern with the CD. I have heard several clicks scattered here and there in the songs -- but the CD is clean and I feel confident it is not the machine. Has anyone else noticed this?

Sacred Arias [Special Edition with Bonus DVD]

Average customer rating:

A spiritual experience

Sacred Arias [Special Edition with Bonus DVD]
Andrea Bocelli , Giulio Caccini , Cesar Franck , Charles Gounod , Franz Xaver Gruber , George Frideric Handel , Jean-Paul Lecot , Eric Levi , Steven Mercurio , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Louis Niedermeyer , Gioachino Rossini , Franz Schubert , Giuseppe Verdi , John Francis Wade , Richard Wagner , Myung-Whun Chung , and Santa Cecilia National Academy Orchestra Rome
Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

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

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

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Andrea Bocelli - Amore
Romanza
Sentimento: Andrea Bocelli with Lorin Maazel and the London Symphony Orchestra [Limited Edition w/ Bonus Track]
Andrea Bocelli - The Opera Album ~ Aria
Cieli di Toscana

ASIN: B0000CE9VO
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Tracks:

Ave Maria
Sancta Maria
Ave Maria
Ave Maria
Panis Angelicus - Norbert Balatsch
Cujus Animam
Ingemisco
Ave Verum Corpus
Der Engel
Frondi Tenere... Ombra Mai Fu
Pieta, Signore - Norbert Balatsch
Domine Deus
Mille Cherubini In Coro - Norbert Balatsch
Silent Night
Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful) - Norbert Balatsch
Gloria A Te, Cristo Gesu (The Hymn Of The Great Jubilee)
Agnus Dei
I Believe

Amazon.com

When he was growing up, Andrea Bocelli recalls finding inspiration in a favorite recording of sacred music performed by tenor legend Franco Corelli. Bocelli--who in the meantime has come to inspire millions of fiercely loyal fans himself--returns to the genre as the guiding theme of Sacred Arias. These performances are filled with the singer's phenomenally well-known vocal signature: his flair for long, sweetly floating high notes and the gentle sense of cadence he brings to a melody. It's a mistake to compartmentalize Bocelli into a singer of "operatic" versus "popular" styles: in truth his approach is at heart the same. Lack of color and control in his phrasing remains a drawback, but the emotional empathy Bocelli evokes is never in doubt. The arias collected here sample some of the most famous devotional pieces: Schubert's "Ave Maria" and Mozart's transporting "Ave Verum," as well as an arrangement of "Silent Night" in which Bocelli tries out his English. There's also a decidedly odd choice of bedfellows for a program of "sacred" music, such as a song from Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder (whose "angel" is the object of an overpoweringly erotic attraction) and Handel's figurative ode to a tree, "Ombra mai fu." Still, Bocelli sings with an unfeigned directness that is sure to expand his already enormous following even further. This new special edition includes two bonus tracks on a CD enhanced with a picture gallery as well as a full-length DVD of Bocelli in concert filmed at the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome. --Thomas May

Album Description

Special Edition includes enhanced CD with bonus tracks and concert DVD.

Customer Reviews:

A spiritual experience.......2003-11-27

The DVD is the full 77 minute concert with two featurettes previously released alone. The CD is the full 72 minute concert previously released alone, except that two bonus tracks have been added. The audio quality of each one is quite good. (If you have a Dolby Digital stereo, then you must go into the setup menu on the DVD to select Dolby Digital sound. The default music track is the stereo 2.0 sound.) The video quality of the DVD is astonishing.

Tracks:

Le nozze di Figaro: Non pirai, farfallone amoroso
Don Giovanni: Deh, vieni alla finestra
Don Giovanni: Madamina, il catalogo uesto
Cosi fan tutte: Rivolgete a lui lo sguardo
Die Zauberfl Der Vogelfer bin ich ja
Tannher: Wie Todesahnung Drung deckt die Lande...O du mein holder Abendstern
Der Fliegende Holler: Die Frist ist um
Les Contes d'Hoffmann: Allez!...Pour te livrer combat...Seintille, diamant
Faust: Vous qui faites l'endormie
Prince Igor: Ni sna ni otdycha izmucennoj duse
Don Pasquale: Bella siccome un angelo
La Cenerentola: Miei rampolli femminini
Macbeth: Perfidi! All'anglo contra me v'unite!
Falstaff: Ehi! paggio!...L'Onore!

Customer Reviews:

Look out world.......2006-01-20

Maestro Terfel throws down the vocal gauntlet in this tour de force offering of selected opera arias and dares any male singer, future or current, to pick it up. From the elegance and humor of Mozart, to the giddy delights of Rossini, and the vocal power of Verdi, Bryn Terfel diplays clearly why he is the preeeminent bass-baritone of our age. Short of some misguided forays into American Musical Theater, there seems to be nothing that this proetean singer cannot do. James Levine leads the bravura Met Orchestra with equal parts style and substance. A must have for a fan of great singing and artful music making.

What fun!.......2005-11-22

This is definitely the best recording of the selections chosen from "le Nozze de Figaro" I have ever heard. Terfel has a wonderful sense of musical humour, and is able to make his voice do seemingly, whatever he likes. In fact I think one could liken his voice to a big red bouncy ball, it's so round and fun to play with, you can tell that he himself has fun using it. However this is the only one of his albums I have really fallen in love with, in spite of listening to quite a few. Some of the same pieces are on his other cds, but not as well-sung as in this one.

I LOVE YOU, BRYN!.......2005-06-03

Terfel is amazing. The voice is warm, wide and sensous, and the acting is top-notch. This recital is the best recording I have heard of him outside full operas, where he is (of course) at his best. Every peice on it is a gem, but especially the first five Mozart arias. You will never hear a better Catologue Aria. I make it a point to listen to his at least once a week.
If you are an opera lover and (God forbid!) have not yet stumbled upon Terfel, this is an excellent introduction. And by the way, you needn't be a singer to appreciate his voice - I know very little of the technicalities of singing (about as much as a year in the church choir can give you), but I play the violin and we violinists are very keen on singers who know what they are doing. In the words of my violin teacher, Terfel is "charming!"

awesome.........2004-03-10

this is an awesome cd. if you're a fan of Bryn Terfel, you should buy this. you'll enjoy every song in this cd. I also recommend his recital dvd.

ps) don't listen to what the guy under my review said. i don't think this person knows how to sing.

Why do people think this guy can SING???.......2004-02-09

It baffles me that people think that Bryn Terfel is a great singer. It sounds like he is SINGING HOLDING HIS NOSE CLOSED. Absolutely AWFUL. Just because you can sing LOUD and POWERFUL does NOT mean you are GOOD. I would rather listen to my dishwasher running than this stuff!! The TONE of the voice is what matters to MOST people, and this guy doesn't have it. If you want to hear a beautiful voice, do yourself a favor and go buy Josh Groban's new CD, Closer. You won't regret it!!

Jewel Song ~ 20 Great Soprano Arias / Crespin, Freni, Te Kanawa, Sutherland, Jo, Tebaldi, Cotrubas, Caballé, Cerquetti...

Average customer rating:

Jewel Song 20 Great Soprano Arias
Sutherland, Battle, Te Kanawa.....Need I say More?
A good selection
A few real jewels with a couple of paste ones mixed in...
Very Nice

Jewel Song ~ 20 Great Soprano Arias / Crespin, Freni, Te Kanawa, Sutherland, Jo, Tebaldi, Cotrubas, Caballé, Cerquetti...

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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The Most Famous Opera Duets
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ASIN: B000024581
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

Dove Sono: Le Nozze di Figaro
Un Bel Di: Madama Butterfly
Merce, Dilette Amiche (Bolero): I Vespri Siciliani
Deh Vieni, Non Tardar: Le Nozze di Figaro
Ebben? ... Ne Andro Lontana: La Wally
Suicidio! La Gioconda
Signore, Ascolta! Turandot
Convien Partir! La Figlia del Reggimento
Chi il Sogno di Doretta (Doretta's Dream): La Rondine
Morro, Ma Prima In Grazia: Un Ballo in Maschera
O Dieu! Que de Bijoux! (Jewel Song) Faust
Vissi d'Arte: Tosca
O Mio Babbino Caro: Gianni Schicchi
Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi: La Boheme
Mesicku na Nebi Hlubokem (O Silver Moon): Rusalka
Quando m'en Vo (Musetta's Waltz Song): La Boheme
Tu Che di Gel Sei Cinta: Turandot
Welch Wonne, Welche Lust: Die Entfuhrung Aus Dem Serail
Du Bist der Lenz: Die Walkure
Der Holle Rache: Die Zauberflote

Customer Reviews:

Jewel Song 20 Great Soprano Arias.......2006-06-26

Recording quality excellent
A must for the soprano voice lover

Sutherland, Battle, Te Kanawa.....Need I say More?.......2005-12-30

This truly is a marvellous recording of the top Soprano's of our time in their prime. The Album starts with Kiri Te Kanawa singing Mozart's "Dove Sono", in which she captures the true essence of a wife questioning her marriage that has disintegrated over the years. And her phrasing in this song is heavenly. Battle's version of "Welche Wonne" is the best I've heard to date. I've listened to numerous other recordings of this aria and still havent found one that measures up to this one. Sutherland pulls off gounod's "O dieu, que di bijoux" excellently, with the greatest of ease. I could go on and on, but I'll end my review with this: These are excellent recordings of excellent singers at their very best, singing music by the masters. It would be worth your money.

A good selection.......2004-11-04

I rate this as a very valuable sampler. It gives the listener not only a reasonable introduction to various operatic works and styles (though there is a prominent Puccini verissimo presence) but a good introduction to the different artists. I like the fact that some operas feature more than one work on the CD because there's less of a chance you'll fall in love with one aria and go buy the entire opera, only to discover that the aria is nearly all that you enjoy.

As for the sopranos... I adored nearly all of them. I have listened to many of their recordings and I can vouch for these arias as good indicators of their outstanding talent....the few exceptions will follow, however.

I make special mention of some sopranos. Leontyne Price's Tosca, is the first. Her Aida has been her crown jewel but I would place her Tosca as a very strong rival. Also, the Turandot recording with Monsterrat Caballe is perhaps the finest on CD, and her Liu here shows why: she is blessed with a heart-melting upper register. Pilar Lorengar's Russalka was a very pleasant surprise...I wish I could find a complete recording of her singing the title role. I believe we will just have to contend with this however. I'd never heard of Virginia Zeani prior to this CD but I loved the secure purchase and `sanguine tinge' of her voice...I'll be on the look out for her in the future. Of course, we get a reliable performance from Mirella Freni: touching and delicate as usual, but never weak. Kathleen Battle proves why she can get away with her notoriously despicable attitude: she really was the golden voice of the Met! Sumi Jo's technically perfect and stunning aria (again a good indicator of what you can generally expect from her) is the perfect, exciting end to this compilation.

The exceptions? I found Graziella Sciutti's tone to be too `heady'... if you'll forgive the crude term. I imagined the sound to come from an old woman. This will be a matter of preference. Renata Tebaldi is a touchy subject for some people because of some petty bashing that sometimes takes place. While I'm no `basher,' I never found her voice aesthetically appealing. I find her tone metallic and hard. Here, however, is the best I've heard her (I've heard her Cavaleria Rusticana, her La Wally and her Turandot). While her La Rondine here is not bad, Angela Georghiu's interpretation is one example of a soprano who is vastly superior in my opinion. Finally, the `immortal' Kirsten Flagstad performs "Du bist der Lenz" from Die Walkure in Wagner's Ring cycle. The old sound quality aside, I would not have enjoyed her Sieglinde, `full-throated' as it was. I wrote this off immediately as an idiosyncrasy for Flagstad fans. Apologies if anyone is offended (and this is sincere) but the whole musical effect is that of some lumbering leviathan...this is the stereotypical tedium that people ascribe to Wagner. All-in-all, however, I found the experience invaluable. I certainly am more aware of recordings that I'm not likely to enjoy and so have avoided making mistakes. When saying so, however, these sopranos are truly legendary. But as in all things, preferences will vary and so I have stated mine.

A few real jewels with a couple of paste ones mixed in..........2004-11-04

Most aria/song compilations suck. That's just the nature of compilations in general - It's hard to get a good mix of singers, arias and performances that will appeal to a broad audience.

This one mostly succeeds with a few exceptions. The singers are, over-all, excellently selected. Most of the performers are excellent singers, and their respective selections show them at the highest level of their careers. This was a treat to realize, because quite often, compilations fall back on using poorer quality artists.

There are a few, however, that don't match up to the performances of some of the other soprani on the album. That's not to say that they don't have their own talent and value, but it's hard to appreciate their lesser stars when faced with the brilliance of Caballe, L. Price & other similar talents.

The selection of arias was also not to my taste. I personally could live in peace the rest of my days without hearing another "O Mio Babbino Caro," but personal taste aside, it would have been nice to hear some of the greater, but less frequently performed arias, as well as some of the commonly done but more appealing arias, too.

Out of all the music written by Mozart and Wagner, the best they could do was Welche Wonne, welche Lust & Du bist der Lenz?

This probably isn't a great album to introduce newbies to opera in general, but there is some good listening on it - particularly Caballe's Signore, Ascolte & Tebaldi's Che il bel sogno di Doretta.

Very Nice.......2002-09-01

As a big fan of the many "Top such and such sopranos" type CDs, I found this to be one of the best yet. It exemplifies the highlights of each sopranos career...and leaves you with a great impression of them all.

Tracks:

Star Of the Evening
O My Beloved
Fierce Flames Are Raging
Love Like Mine Is the Light Of Creation
That Ungrateful Man Betrayed Me
Where Was I?
My Beloved
Hence, Iris Hence Away!
Tell Me, My Beating Heart
See, O Norma
O Hated Gift
Juliet's Waltz Song

Customer Reviews:

The Art of Serious Fun.......2007-07-01

While most opera stars are submitting to record label hype and narrow artistic freedom, Jennifer Larmore seems to be flourishing in the recording studio. With Opera Rara and now Chandos behind her, she continues to offer sumptuous recordings that are both entertaining and of great artistic caliber. Certainly Larmore does not have to prove herself as she has been performing for nearly 25 years. Anyone who has seen her live knows she is the real deal and she is in top form on this arias disc. Now, mind you, she is singing both mezzo and soprano roles here. And in English. I was skeptical. Being a huge Larmore fan, I though "uh, oh"...My last Chandos purchase was Elizabeth Futral's arias disc and I was not impressed. But here the translations (sung in delicious theatrical English), top-notch singing by Je La and perfect conducting by David Parry with the Philharmonia Orchestra combine to make a highly addictive disc that will go down in history with Larmore's classics Where Shall I Fly and Call Me Mister. She really sets the bar high for other singers.

Thankfully, Larmore goes out of her comfort zone and sings some arias that one would not normally associate with this fearless singer. The Don Carlos and Trovatore arias will certainly give her naysayers something to chew on, but she does it! Note the last few bars of "O Hated Gift". I was on the edge of my seat.

The opening number ("Star of the Evening" from Adriana Lecouvreur) alone is worth the price of the disc. Orchestra and singer match brilliantly and Larmore's final bars brought tears to my eyes. It's good stuff.

The weak spots are minor. Poor Colin Lee is left on the floor in the Favorita duet. A more experienced tenor would have made this duet electrifying. On the other hand, Larmore alone (track 2) singing "O My Beloved" from Favorita proves (as she did in 2001 with OONY) that she should be singing this role on the stage and in a full recording while we're at it. She is Leonora and the tension she creates is heartbreaking.

I could have done without Hence, Iris Hence Away, heard on her In Performance DVD and Where Shall I Fly cd (surely there are other Handel arias, but perhaps that's another Chandos disc in the works???!!!), but it displays how she can still sing Handel like no other. The Tancredi aria is a nice surprise.

The Gioconda track is a blood and guts duet thanks to Susan Patterson and Larmore's singing. I love how Opera Rara and Chandos recital cds always include duets and more. Larmore is a generous singer and part of her genius is how she works off other artists.

As with every Larmore recital disc, she closes with a treat. Juliet's Waltz Song from Gounod's Romeo and Juliet???? Is she kidding??? Nope. I've heard many a soprano struggle though this aria and merely pull it off with a pinched high note. Should Larmore be singing this aria? Hell, no...Can she? Hell, yes!!! But what's so special is she sings it with pure pleasure; as if she'd sung this song her whole career. Not as a mezzo slumming it in soprano territory. And I think that's what she's trying to tell us here. Have fun, be true to your art form and never pander to your audience.

Larmore at her best again!.......2007-06-01

Jennifer Larmore is my favorite mezzosoprano since the very first time. Such an extraordinary artist! To enjoy!

Jennifer Larmore es mi mezzosoprano favorita desde la primera vez que la escuché. Es una artista extraordinaria y este nuevo cd, a pesar de estar grabado en inglés, muestra, una vez más, la calidad interpretativa de esta maravillosa cantante. Incluso se permite el lujo de cantar el vals de Juliette con más seguridad que muchas sopranos que la tienen en repertorio.

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A captivating stage performer doesn't register as dramatically on disc
Goerne Excellent in Familiar and Unusual Repertory

Matthias Goerne - Arias
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Richard Wagner , Robert Schumann , Engelbert Humperdinck , Richard Strauss , Erich Wolfgang Korngold , Alban Berg , Matthias Görne , Dorothea Röschmann , Manfred Honeck , and Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Matthias Goerne - Bach Cantatas / Albrecht Mayer · Camerata Academia Salzburg · Sir Roger Norrington
Schumann Lieder
Matthias Goerne · Vladimir Ashkenazy ~ Schumann - Dichterliebe · Liederkreis op. 24

ASIN: B000055X2Q
Release Date: 2000-12-12

Tracks:

Die Zauberflote: Der Vogelfanger bin ich ja
Die Zauberflote: Bei Mannern, welche Liebe fuhlen
Die Zauberflote: Ein Madchen oder Weibchen
Le nozze di Figaro: Hai gia vinta la causa !
Le nozze di Figaro: Crudel ! perche finora
Don Giovanni: Deh, vieni alla finestra
Tannhauser: Blick ich umher in diesem edlen Kreise
Tannhauser: Wie Todesahnung...O du mein holder Abendstern
Szenen aus Goethes Faust: Ein Sumpf zieht am Gebirge hin
Konigskinder: Verdorben! Gestorben!... Ihr Kindlein, sie sind gefunden
Ariadne auf Naxos: Harlekinlied
Die tote Stadt: Mein Sehnen, mein Wahnen
Wozzeck: Wir arme Leut!
Wozzeck: Dort links geht's in die Stadt...Du sollst da bleiben, Marie

Amazon.com

Possessor of one of today's most beautiful baritone voices, Matthias Goerne has been associated, on stage and disc, more with lieder than with opera. Listeners who were spellbound by the emotional impact of his performances of Schubert's great song cycles were amazed at the comic perfection of his Papageno in his Metropolitan Opera debut. This recording, on which he creates and impersonates nine vastly different characters from operas spanning three centuries, is an even bigger surprise. Using--but never abusing--an extraordinary range of vocal and expressive color and inflection, he captures Papageno's humor, Count Almaviva's malicious cunning, Don Giovanni's seductiveness, Wolfram von Eschenbach's inward, chaste devoutness, and Wozzek's yearning desperation and madness, with equally total involvement and conviction. Along the way there are also rarities: the Minstrel's heartbreaking lament from Humperdinck's Die Königskinder--unjustly neglected if the rest of the opera is indeed as beautiful as this aria--Harlekin's ironic ditty from Strauss's Ariadne; the Pierrot's sensuous dream-song from Korngold's Die tote Stadt; and the final, heroically dramatic section of Schumann's Scenes from Faust. Soprano Dorothea Röschmann, his partner in four duets, also takes on several greatly varied roles with admirable flexibility. A children's chorus and a women's chorus participate in one aria to lovely effect, and the orchestra is excellent. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

A captivating stage performer doesn't register as dramatically on disc.......2005-09-24

Georne's picture on the cover of this CD implies an edgy, even angst-ridden interpreter, but the singing one finds inside is good average baritone work. I hear no musical revelations here, and although Goern'es voice is instantly recognizable, his characterization is rather faceless. If you think Hermann Prey or Theo Adam is a great baritone, I guess you'll think Goerne is one, too. Compared to a similar baritone recital on Sony with Bo Skovhus, I'd give the edge to Skovhus. Thomas Hampson, Thomas Quasthoff, and Dmitri Hvorostovsky have nothing to fear; maybe even Nathan Gunn has nothing to fear. All in all, I expected more from a singer who reputation is flying high.

Goerne Excellent in Familiar and Unusual Repertory.......2003-10-10

Many baritones record Papegano's first aria ("Die Vogelfanger bin ich, ja"), Don Giovanni's serenade, and Wolfram's Evening Star Song. But when was the last time you saw Count Almaviva's aria ("Vedro, mentr'io sospiro") from LE NOZZE DI FIGARO, Wolfram's "Blick, ich umher," or the murder scene from WOZZECK excerpted on a recital disc? Matthias Goerne's "Arias" CD includes all of these items and more, all sung with beauty, feeling, and musicality by one of the most intelligent and charismatic male singers of today. Goerne is joined in three duets ("Bei Mannern" from DIE ZAUBERFLOTE, "Crudel, perche finora" from FIGARO, and the WOZZECK scene) by soprano Dorothea Roschmann, whose sound isn't quite to my taste (it's a bit lacking in warmth) but who is as musical and as sensitive as her partner. The conductor, Manfred Honeck, is also an ideal match both for Goerne and for the music. Matthias Goerne's "Arias" is an indispensable disc for admirers of German music, the baritone voice, or Goerne himself -- or for those who would just like to hear an interestingly programmed aria recital.

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Oh my gawd....
Bo Knows Opera
ANOTHER WONDERFUL BARITONE
Bo Skovhus at his best
Light years beyond Hampson

Bo Skovhus Sings Opera Arias
Erich Wolfgang Korngold , Ambroise Thomas , Charles Gounod , Jules Massenet , Giuseppe Verdi , Benjamin Britten , Richard Wagner , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , English National Opera Orchestra , James Conlon , and Bo Skovhus
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Bo Skovhus - Schwanengesang & Schubert's Last Songs
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Lehar - Merry Widow / Kenny, Skovhus, Kirchschlager, Turay, Kunzel, San Francisco Opera

ASIN: B00000AG7L
Release Date: 1998-09-15

Tracks:

Die tote Stadt: 'Da Ihr befehlet, Konigin...Mein Schnen, mein Wahnen'
Hamlet: 'Spectre infernal!'
Hamlet: 'C'est en croyant revoir...O vin, dissipe la tristesse!'
Hamlet: 'J'ai pu frapper le miserable...Etre ou ne pas etre'
Hamlet: 'La fatigue alourdit mes pas...Comme une pale fleur'
Faust: 'Avant de quitter ces lieux'
Werther: 'Pourquoi me reveiller, o souffle du printemps?'
Don Carlos: 'C'est moi Carlos...Oui, Carlos! Oui, c'est mon jour supreme...Carlos, ecoute'
Billy Budd: Look! Through The Port... And Farewell To Ye, Old Rights O' Man!'
Tannhauser: 'Blick' ich umher in diesem edlen Kreise'
Tannhauser: 'Wie Todesahnung Dammrung deckt die Lande...O du, mein holder Abendstern'
Eugene Onegin: 'Vy mne pisali'
Eugene Onegin: 'Uzel ta samaja Tat'jana'
Pique Dame: 'Vy tak pecal'ny, dorogaja...Ja vas ljublju'

Customer Reviews:

Oh my gawd...........2004-06-24

What a wondrous singer...I absolutely agree with all the other reviews here but add:

1) he sounds as though he's singing in his First Language, whether it be French, English, German or Russian.

2) he lets his soul come out (simce Mme Callas this remains a rare event).

3) Sidebar: the San Francisco Merry Widow, whilst a delight and a wonder, is NOT fair to this man's voice.

A magnificent recital album. Every prominent opera singer out there should be jealous.

Bo Knows Opera.......2002-08-28

In the forward to this cd, John Bell Young, makes the argument that the darker, mellow baritone is an often underated part of the opera repetoire. I don't fully agree with him - there are fantastic, exciting lead roles for these men: Hamlet, Nabucco, Rigoletto, and The Barber of Seville - all glittering showcases of virtuoso. And even the supporting roles they often play, are thrilling - Scarpia can easily steal the show away from Tosca and her hero with his magnicent, albeit short, scenes; and Escamillo often wins not only the affection of Carmen, but that of an entire opera house... Still, all said and done, this is an interesting introduction to a man who is every bit as dashing, musical, and talented as any tenor to grace the stage.
Bo Skovhus showcases such extreme range in vocal talents and emotion. His tone is beautiful. His breath control and phrasing are astounding. Diction is clear and defined - especially the German arias. This is an extremely talented man.
The Korngold aria is mesmerizing in it's romantic beauty. But my favorite selections on this album are the pieces from "Hamlet"; this is french lyricism at its most marvelous, glorious, heart-sweeping grandeur. I can not imagine a better man to play this most famous anti-hero.
I cannot recommend this cd highly enough. While some Italian arias would have been a nice addition, I won't hold it against my recommendation. Skovhus's interpretation of the tenor's aria from "Werther" makes up for this.
Next time you are out purchasing yet another famous tenor's album, to hear the one hundreth version of "Celeste Aida", buy this cd instead. Give this baritone a chance, and soon you'll be humming songs a minor third lower.

ANOTHER WONDERFUL BARITONE.......2002-08-23

I first heard Bo Skovhus on a Laser Disc recording of the War Requem. I was very impressed. However until this opera recital I had not heard him again. This is truly an impressive recording. I place him up there with my other favorite baritones! He's still young so, hopefully, he has many more good years left in him!

Bo Skovhus at his best.......2002-05-17

Bo Skovhus' lovers undoubtedly awaited this comprehensive choice of arias, which almost concludes his (still young) operaic work. Well known alongside less known operas constitutes a perfect choice. From Verdi through Thomas, from Korngold to Britten and the Russian arias, mastering the variety of languages, and dealing with every single role in a very sensitive way. This unique choice and the qualities of his full, beautiful and warm voice makes one regret, that the entire opera was not recorded with him in the relevant roles, like Thomas's Hamlet for example, or Britten's Billy Budd. It leaves a taste of wanting to hear more of this young and talented Baritone, whose repertoire is much larger than could be presented in one - indeed excellent - CD.

Light years beyond Hampson.......2001-12-09

I just can't heap enough praise on Skovhus. I saw him for the first time at the Houston Grand Opera in a production of Billy Budd and was sold. This CD demonstrates very well what an immensely expressive and flexible voice Skovhus possesses. He has incredible core to his voice which allows him to attack bravado sections with zeal, but also has the musical expressivity to pull back and caress piano lines with ease and artistry while still maintaining his core sound. Hampson, who is notorious for becoming breathy and pop-like in pianissimo passages, can't touch Skovhus with a 10, 100, or 1000 foot pole.

Tracks:

Tristan Und Isolde: Mild Und Leise
Lohengrin: Euch Luften, Die Mein Klagen
Parsifal: Ich Sah' Das Kind (Kundry-Parsifal Duet) - Kirsten Flagstag/Lauritz Melchior
Die Walkure: Du Bist Der Lenz
Die Walkure: Ho-Jo-To-Ho!
Gotterdammerung: Vorspiel/Prologue/Prld/Preludio: Zu Neuen Thaten - Kirsten Flagstag/Lauritz Melchior
Gotterdammerung: Starke Scheite Schichtet Mir Dort (Brunnhilde's Immolation)

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German Opera Arias

Manufacturer: Capitol
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000002RUN
Release Date: 1995-06-13

Tracks:

Die tote Stadt: Mein Sehnen, mein Wahnen
Zar und Zimmermann: Verraten!...
Der Wildschultz: Wie freundlich strahlt...
Hans Heiling: An jenem Tag
Der Vampyr: Ha! Noch einen ganzen Tag
Euryanthe: Wo berg' ich mich?...
Faust: Der Holle selbst will ich...
Das Nachtlager in Granada: Die Nacht ist schon
Der ferne Klang: In einem Lande ein bleicher Konig
Konigskinder: Verdorben! Gestorben! - Thomas Hampson/Kinderchor des Pestalozzi-Gymnasiums
Tannhauser: Wie Todesahnung...
Die Walkure: Wintersturme wichen dem Wonnemond

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5. "Wie Todesahnung Ddmmrung deckt die Lande--O du mein holder Abendstern" (Tannhduser)
6. Nein! Lasst ihn unenth\|llt! (Parsifal)
7. Ja, Wehe! Wehe! Weh' \|ber mich! (Parsifal)
8. "Leb wohl, du k\|hnes, herrliches Kind!" (Wotan's Farewell from Die Walk\|re)