Vienna, City of My Dreams

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Placido Domingo can do no wrong. He sheds the glory of his voice over whatever he undertakes, whether it's grand opera or more popular fare, and makes its style and idiom his own with total dedication. Here we find him in a London studio in 1985, with an English orchestra and chorus under a Viennese conductor, bringing back the Golden Age of the Vienna operetta, covering composers from Johann Strauss II, b. 1825, to Oscar Straus, d. 1954. Anyone with memories of that time and place, beware! Your heart will melt with nostalgia as this Spanish-born, Mexican-raised tenor sings of his love and longing for the "city of his dreams" and its beautiful girls. Only in the famous title song (which is not part of an operetta) does this combination seem a bit incongruous, especially since Domingo's German, not to mention his Viennese, hardly sounds native. However, you don't have to be Viennese to succumb to the music and the singing. The program includes several familiar favorites, notably three arias by Lehár (much the best composer after Strauss), two by Emmerich Kálmán, a Hungarian adept at writing in gypsy style, a lovely one each by Oscar Straus and Johann Strauss, and two by the lesser-known Leo Fall. Most of the songs are about love, genuine, frivolous, yearning or frustrated, and it is testimony to Domingo's artistry that he does not condescend even to the most banal; indeed he sings the more serious ones with all the passion of a Radames. Only when the irony is inherent in the song itself does he allow a smile to steal into his voice. The anonymous orchestrations seem more at home in Hollywood than in Vienna, but the orchestra plays beautifully. --Edith Eisler

Vienna, City of My Dreams, Music, Leo Fall, Imre (Emmerich) Kalman, Franz Lehar, Rudolf Sieczynski, Oscar Straus, Johann II Strauss, Carl Zeller, Julius Rudel, English Chamber Orchestra, Plácido Domingo, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Crossover, German/Austrian Operetta, Miscellaneous Vocal Music, Opera, Opera / Operetta / Oratorio, Vocal
Wien, du Stadt meiner Träume (Vienna, City of My Dreams)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Wien, du Stadt meiner Träume (Vienna, City of My Dreams)

    Manufacturer: Angel Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Strauss Jr., JohannStrauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Domingo, PlacidoDomingo, Placido | ( D ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    Strauss Jr., JohannStrauss Jr., Johann | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Lehar, FranzLehar, Franz | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    OperettasOperettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Vienna: City of My Dreams

    ASIN: B000002RO8
    Release Date: 1990-10-25

    Tracks:

    1. Act II: Girls Were Made To Love And Kiss
    2. Act I: When You Give Roses In The Tyrol
    3. Act I: Come, Gipsy
    4. Act II: Sweet, Silent Ladies
    5. Vienna, City Of My Dreams
    6. Act I: Softly, So Softly
    7. Act I: Come Into The Gondola
    8. Act I: Then I Go To Maxim's
    9. Act II: You Are My Heart's Delight
    10. Act II: Do Not Ask Me
    11. Act I: Greet For Me My Vienna
    Vienna: City of My Dreams
    Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    • Wiener Schlag, perhaps a little too sweet?
    		 Vienna: City of My Dreams
    Placido Domingo
    Manufacturer: EMI Classics
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    Similar Items:
    1. Wien, du Stadt meiner Träume (Vienna, City of My Dreams)

    ASIN: B000067DNZ
    Release Date: 2004-05-04

    Tracks:

    1. Paganini: Girls Were Made To Love And Kiss
    2. Der Vogelhandler: When You Give Roses In The Tirol
    3. Grafin Maritza: Come, Gipsy
    4. Die Rose Von Stambul: Sweet, Silent Ladies
    5. Wien, Du Stadt Meiner Traume: Vienna, City Of My Dreams
    6. Ein Walzertraum: Softly, So Softly
    7. Eine Nacht In Venedig: Come Into The Gondola
    8. Eine Nacht In Venedig: I'm Off To Chez Maxim
    9. Das Land Des Lachelns: You Are My Heart's Delight
    10. Der Fidele Bauer: Oh, Do Not Ask Me
    11. Grafin Maritza: Greet Vienna For Me

    Amazon.com

    Placido Domingo can do no wrong. He sheds the glory of his voice over whatever he undertakes, whether it's grand opera or more popular fare, and makes its style and idiom his own with total dedication. Here we find him in a London studio in 1985, with an English orchestra and chorus under a Viennese conductor, bringing back the Golden Age of the Vienna operetta, covering composers from Johann Strauss II, b. 1825, to Oscar Straus, d. 1954. Anyone with memories of that time and place, beware! Your heart will melt with nostalgia as this Spanish-born, Mexican-raised tenor sings of his love and longing for the "city of his dreams" and its beautiful girls. Only in the famous title song (which is not part of an operetta) does this combination seem a bit incongruous, especially since Domingo's German, not to mention his Viennese, hardly sounds native. However, you don't have to be Viennese to succumb to the music and the singing. The program includes several familiar favorites, notably three arias by Lehár (much the best composer after Strauss), two by Emmerich Kálmán, a Hungarian adept at writing in gypsy style, a lovely one each by Oscar Straus and Johann Strauss, and two by the lesser-known Leo Fall. Most of the songs are about love, genuine, frivolous, yearning or frustrated, and it is testimony to Domingo's artistry that he does not condescend even to the most banal; indeed he sings the more serious ones with all the passion of a Radames. Only when the irony is inherent in the song itself does he allow a smile to steal into his voice. The anonymous orchestrations seem more at home in Hollywood than in Vienna, but the orchestra plays beautifully. --Edith Eisler

    Customer Reviews:

    4 out of 5 stars Wiener Schlag, perhaps a little too sweet?.......2006-07-08

    A much appreciated recording of the classic tenor "arias" of the operetta genre. Good solid recording, excellent orchestra under the baton of Julius Rudel. A must for the operetta fan, as it is not easy to find thoughful and carefully researched collections like this. Placido Domingo is of very good voice and sings these not so challenging material with conviction and commitment. The interpretation of the material is perhaps almost too romantic and over done. Long held phrasing, slurpy singing interferes with the pretty straight forward intent of this material. Perhaps zarzuela meets operetta? But the recording is very enjoyable and does bring back the days of Rudolf Schock and long enjoyable evenings at the Volksoper.
    Vienna, City Of My Dreams
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Vienna, City Of My Dreams

      Manufacturer: Happy Days/Conifer
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      WaltzesWaltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
      All Works by BeethovenAll Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      Grieg, EdvardGrieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Lehár, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      All Works by SchubertAll Works by Schubert | Schubert, Franz | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      All Works by Robert SchumannAll Works by Robert Schumann | Schumann, Robert | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      Strauss Jr., JohannStrauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      Tauber, RichardTauber, Richard | ( T ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
      Saint-Saens, CamilleSaint-Saens, Camille | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Schubert, FranzSchubert, Franz | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Schumann, RobertSchumann, Robert | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Strauss Jr., JohannStrauss Jr., Johann | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      AnonymousAnonymous | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Vocal Works by BeethovenVocal Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Cottrau, TeodoroCottrau, Teodoro | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Gruber, Franz XaverGruber, Franz Xaver | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Grieg, EdvardGrieg, Edvard | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Dvorak, AntoninDvorak, Antonin | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Lehar, FranzLehar, Franz | H to L | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Modern & 20th CenturyModern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      OperettasOperettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      NoelsNoels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Movie ScoresMovie Scores | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
      Movie SoundtracksMovie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
      General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music
      General ChristmasGeneral Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music
      ASIN: B00000610K
      Release Date: 1996-09-17
      Two Hearts in Three-quarter Time
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Two Hearts in Three-quarter Time

        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD
        ASIN: B000CEC7Q4

        Product Description

        1.vienna,city of my dreams.2.champagne polka,op.221.3.danube waves.4.vilia from"the merry window".5.die fledermaus overture.6.merry window waltzes from"the merry window.7.tales of the vienna woods.8.medley:caprice viennois stars in my eyes.9.blue danube.10.two hearts in three-quarter time

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