Verdi: Nabucco

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Nabucco (the real name is Nabucodonosor, but no opera lover ever uses it) was Verdi's first big international success and got him back on the track composing operas after a series of family tragedies had made him decide to stop. It has one of his all-time hits, the great chorus "Va, pensiero," and a melodramatic story of a love triangle set against the background of the conquest of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar and the Hebrews' "Babylonian captivity." Tito Gobbi, one of the century's great singing actors, had aged vocally by the time this recording was made, but still powerfully portrays the Assyrian king who defies God, is driven mad, and recovers his sanity just in time to save the Jewish slaves and the young lovers from a mass execution. The cast and conducting are variable though generally good--with Elena Suliotis giving a burned-out, Callas-imitating performance--but this show is essentially Gobbi's. --Joe McLellan

Tracks:

Carmen: Act 1: Prld - LPO/Sir Georg Solti
La Traviata: Brindisi: Libiamo, Ne'lieti Calici - Luciano Pavarotti/Joan Sutherland/London Opr Chor/Terry Edwards
La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina - Luciano Pavarotti
Lakme: Flower Duet: Dome Epais Le Jasmin - Joan Sutherland/Jane Berbie
Fedora: Amor Ti Vieta - Jussi Bjorling
Carmen: Habanera: L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle - Tatiana Troyanos/John Alldis Chor/John Alldis
Nabucco: Chor Of The Hebrew Slaves: Va Pensiero - Chicago Sym Chor/Margaret Hills
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Dove Sono - Kiri Te Kanawa
Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile - Luciano Pavarotti
Lohengrin: Bridal Chor: Treulich Gefuhrt Ziehet Dahin - Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor/Walter Hagen-Groll
Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro - Renata Tebaldi
Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum - Leo Nucci
La Wally: Ebben?... Ne Andro Lontana - Angela Gheorghiu
Madama Butterfly: Humming Chor - Wiener Staatsopernchor/Norbert Balatsch
Carmen: Flower Song: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee - Placido Domingo
Les Contes D'Hoffmann: Barcarolle: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'Amour - Joan Sutherland/Huguette Tourangeau/Chor De La Radio Suisse Romande, Pro Arte De Lausanne Et Du...
Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle - Placido Domingo
Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di - Mirella Freni
Les Pecheurs De Perles: C'est Toi... Au Fond Du Temple Saint - Gregory Cross/Gino Quilico

Tracks:

Die Walkure: The Ride Of The Valkyries - Wiener Phil/Solti
Le Nozze Di Figaro: Voi Che Sapete - Cecilia Bartoli
Pagliacci: Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba - Luciano Pavarotti
La Boheme: O Soave Fanciulla - Mirella Freni/Luciano Pavarotti/Roland Panerai
Il Trovatore: Anvil Chor: Vedi! Le Fosche - Chicago Sym Chor/Margaret Hillis
Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai - Jose Carreras
Don Giovanni: La Ci Darem La Mano - Lucia Popp/Tom Krause
Mattinata - Andrea Bocelli
Faust: Soldiers' Chor - Ambrosian Opr Chor/John McCarthy
L'elisir D'amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima - Roberto Alagna
Turandot: Signore, Ascolta! - Montserrat Caballe
Don Giovanni: Champagne Aria: Finch'han Dal Vino - Bryn Terfel
Cosi Fan Tutte: Trio: Soave Sia Il Vento - Renee Fleming/Anne Sofie Von Otter/Michele Pertusi
Il Trovatore: Di Quella Pira - Luciano Pavarotti/Joan Sutherland/London Opr Chor/Terry Edwards
Tosca: Vissi D'arte - Kiri Te Kanawa
Carmen: Toreador Song - Jose Van Dam/Tatiana Troyanos/Norma Burrowes/Jane Berbie/Thomas Allen/Pierre Thau/John Alldis...
Madama Butterfly: Love Duet: Vogliatemi Bene - Mirella Freni/Luciano Pavarotti
Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo - Nat PO/Gianandrea Gavazzeni
Rusalka: O Silver Moon - Renee Fleming
La Boheme: Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi - Angela Gheorghiu
Turandot: Nessun Dorma - Luciano Pavarotti/John Alldis Chor/John Alldis

Amazon.com

The labels that are now gathered under the Universal Classics umbrella have a pretty impressive scorecard in the area of classical compilations. We've seen The Greatest Opera Show on Earth, The Yellow Guide: Classical Music, Best of the Millennium, and now there's The No. 1 Opera Album. But that's no surprise, since Universal has some of the finest interpreters in its catalogue to draw from. This two-CD set (at the price of one), for example, brings together the likes of Cecilia Bartoli, Renée Fleming, Luciano Pavarotti, Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Georg Solti, Herbert von Karajan, and many more. Yet the other key to a successful compilation is canny anthologizing, and here again, you have a nice selection to give you a smattering of opera's heavyweights from the Italian, German, and French repertory (there's even a step outside the standard framework with an aria from Dvorák's lovely Rusalka). Ranging from 1959 to 1997, the choices from back catalogue will doubtless be the entry ticket for many into this grandest of the arts. --Sarah Chin

Customer Reviews:

The beautiful gift of opera..........2007-07-17

This 2-CD set is absolutely wonderful! You can close your eyes and feel like you're actually at the opera, listening to those beautiful voices bringing tears to your eyes. Nessun Dorma still stirs up emotions in me, no matter how many times I hear it. Great examples of opera to give someone wanting to get interested in this style of music.

Pretty darn good.......2007-07-04

This CD set has a lot of familiar music on it, so if you're a newbie, you might want to try starting with this. There are some great pieces on the first CD. I usually don't even make it to the second.

The Opera #1 Opera Album.......2007-06-07

The music is wonderful. The production is terrible!! The sound fades in and out and is very scratchy in some places.

Excellent assortment.......2007-05-12

I'm not a big opera fan but I wanted to expose an assorted selection for my kids. This was perfect since it included several recognizable selections.

Great Selections.......2007-03-31

This Cd, has the very best of Opera
covering mainly from the classcal
to the to the romantic periods, a most
memorable selection here is Leo Nucci
in a lagendary performance of Rossini's
"Largo al Factotum" from "Il Barbiere di Seviglia"
also Andrea Bocelli in his performance of Leoncavallo's
memorable "Matinatta" here in an orchestrated version.
Indeed some of opera's most loved arias are in this recording
various conductors, orchestras, and soloists. All in their
very best. Indeed a five-star recording...

Average customer rating:

masters of classical music
A good basic collection
An excellent introduction to classical music
Very Beautiful!!!!!1
Still Stuck on Beethoven

Masters of Classical Music (Box Set)

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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Quintets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
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25 Classical Favorites
Classical Masterpieces of the Millennium [20 CD Set]
The Top 100 Masterpieces of Classical Music, Vol. 6-10
Best of the Millennium: Top 40 Classical Hits
Classical Music for People Who Hate Classical Music

ASIN: B000001VU5
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Eine kleine Nachtmusik: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Piano Concerto In A Major, K 488: Adagio - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Flute Concerto In D Major, K 314: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Symphony No. 40 in G minor: Molto allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Clarinet Concerto KV 622: Adagio - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Serenade, K 375: Menuetto - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Turkish March - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Violin Concerto, K 216: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Divertimento, K 334: Menuetto - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Horn Concerto, K 447: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus
Cassation, K 99: Allegro - Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus

Tracks:

Overture No. 4 In Major: Rejouissance - J.S.Bach
Overture No. 3 In D Major: Air - J.S.Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No. 2 In F Major: I. Allegro - J.S.Bach
Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring - J.S.Bach
Overture No. 2 In B Minor: Menuet & Badinerie - J.S.Bach
Prelude In C Major - J.S.Bach
Toccata And Fugue In D Minor - J.S.Bach
Prelude In C Minor - J.S.Bach
Overture No. 1 In C Major: Passepied - J.S.Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No. 1 In F Major: II. Adagio - J.S.Bach
Kommst du nun, Jesu vom Himmel herunter, Chorale - J.S.Bach
Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 In G Major: II. Allegro - J.S.Bach
Violin Concerto In E Major: I. Adagio - J.S.Bach
St. Matthew Passion: Finale Chorus: 'Wir setzen uns mit Tranen nieder' - J.S.Bach

Tracks:

Symphony No. 5: Allegro con brio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Fur Elise - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Violin Romance No. 2 - Ludwig Van Beethoven
'Moonlight' Sonata: Adagio sostenuto - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Minuet - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Symphony No. 8 In F Major: Allegretto scherzando - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Coriolan: Overture - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Piano Concerto No. 2: Adagio - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Symphony No. 5 In C Minor: Allegro - Ludwig Van Beethoven
Egmont: Overture - Ludwig Van Beethoven

Tracks:

Die Fledermaus: Die Fledermaus (Excerpts) - Johann Strauss
Wine, Woman And Song - Johann Strauss
Tritsch Tratsch Polka - Johann Strauss
The Blue Danube - Johann Strauss
The Gypsy Baron: Introduction - Johann Strauss
Annen Polka - Johann Strauss
Vienna Blood - Johann Strauss
The Gypsy Baron: Einzugsmarsch - Johann Strauss

Tracks:

Tannhauser: Overture - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Dance Of The Prentices - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Prelude Act 3 - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg: Aufzug der Meistersinger - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Der fliegende Hollander: Overture - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Lohengrin: Prelude - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Tristan und Isolde: Prelude And Liebestod - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC
Tannhauser: Arrival Of The Guests At Wartburg - MASTERS OF CLASSICAL MUSIC

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No. 1: Allegro non troppo - Peter Tchaikovsky
String Serenade: Waltz - Peter Tchaikovsky
Violin Concerto: Andante - Peter Tchaikovsky
The Sleeping Beauty: Introduction - Peter Tchaikovsky
The Sleeping Beauty: Pas d'action - Adagio - Peter Tchaikovsky
The Sleeping Beauty: Waltz - Peter Tchaikovsky
Capriccio italien Op. 45 - Peter Tchaikovsky
Swan Lake: Ballet Suite: Scene No. 10 - Peter Tchaikovsky
Swan Lake: Ballet Suite: Waltz - Peter Tchaikovsky
Eugene Onegin: Polonaise - Peter Tchaikovsky

Tracks:

The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 1 In E Major: Spring - VIVALDI, Antonio
Siciliano - VIVALDI, Antonio
Concerto In D Minor:: (Allegro Assai) Cologne Concerto - VIVALDI, Antonio
The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 2 In G Minor: Summer - VIVALDI, Antonio
Oboe Sonata In B Flat Major, RV 34: Adagio - Allegro - Largo - Allegro - VIVALDI, Antonio
The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 3 In F Major: Autumn - VIVALDI, Antonio
Oboe Concerto: Allegro non tasto - Largo - Allegro non molto - VIVALDI, Antonio
Concerto In D Minor: (Largo e spiccato) Cologne Concerto - VIVALDI, Antonio
The 4 Seasons: Concerto No. 4 In F Minor: Winter - VIVALDI, Antonio

Tracks:

Scherzo No 1 In B Minor, Op. 20 - Frederic Chopin_
Three Nocturnes, Op. 9: No 3 In B Major - Frederic Chopin_
Twelve Etudes, Op. 10: No 5 In G Flat Major - Frederic Chopin_
Twelve Etudes, Op. 25: No 10 In B Minor - Frederic Chopin_
24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 13 In F Sharp Major - Frederic Chopin_
24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 14 In E Flat Minor - Frederic Chopin_
24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 15 In D Flat Major 'Raindrops' - Frederic Chopin_
24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 16 In B Flat Minor - Frederic Chopin_
24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 17 In A Flat Major - Frederic Chopin_
24 Preludes, Op. 28: No. 18 In F Minor - Frederic Chopin_
Scherzo No. 2 In B Flat Minor, Op. 31 - Frederic Chopin_
Waltz In E Flat Major, Op. 18 - Frederic Chopin_
Nocturne In C Sharp Minor, Op. Posth. - Frederic Chopin_
Four Mazurkas, Op. 24: No. 3 In A Flat Major - Frederic Chopin_
Four Mazurkas, Op. 24: No. 4 In B Flat Minor - Frederic Chopin_

Tracks:

Ave Maria - Franz Schubert
Impromptu In E Flat Major - Franz Schubert
Standchen - Franz Schubert
Trout Quintet: Tema con variazioni - Franz Schubert
'Rosamunde': Entr'acte No. 1 - Franz Schubert
Moment Musical In A Flat Major - Franz Schubert
'Rosamunde': Entr'acte No. 2 - Franz Schubert
Moment Musical No. 3 In F Minor - Franz Schubert
'Rosamunde': Ballet Music No.2 - Franz Schubert
Symphony No. 8 In B Minor 'Unfinished': Allegro moderato - Franz Schubert

Tracks:

Nabucco: Overture - Verdi, Giuseppe
Nabucco: Va pensiero, sull'ali dorate - Verdi, Giuseppe
Aida: Prelude - Verdi, Giuseppe
II Trovatore: Verdi! le fosche notturne (Gypsies' Chorus) - Verdi, Giuseppe
II Trovatore: Or co' daddi, ma fra poco (Soldiers' Chorus) - Verdi, Giuseppe
Aroldo: Overture - Verdi, Giuseppe
La Traviata: Prelude - Verdi, Giuseppe
La Traviata: Noi siamo zingarelle - Verdi, Giuseppe
La Traviata:: Libiamo ne' lieti calici - Verdi, Giuseppe
La Traviata: Di Madride noi siam mattadori - Verdi, Giuseppe
La forza del destino: Overture - Verdi, Giuseppe

Customer Reviews:

masters of classical music.......2007-03-26

A nice collection for the classical listener. Great variety of composers and the music quality of the cds are very good.

A good basic collection.......2006-11-10

With selections from numerous composers, it is an easy way to familiarize oneself with some of the most popular classical works and excerpts. A pleasant listen for the initiated too.

An excellent introduction to classical music.......2006-10-18

This is an excellent introduction to classical music. Well performed and presented.

Very Beautiful!!!!!1.......2006-10-05

If you are a fan of classical music then you better get this set. Not only is it very cheap, 10 Discs for about 2$ per disk. Now where are you gonna find a deal like this. I actually found mine chaper, $20.00 even and the music is outstanding. If you had a very bad day and very stressed out, just put in one of these cds, lay down, dim down the lights and just relax. It really helped me out.

Still Stuck on Beethoven.......2006-08-22

I just recently started listening to classical music so I'm certainly not one to compare or critique the quality of this set. However, I do have a few comments...

My interest started in this genre of music because I'm researching my ancestry in Prussia and this is the music of those times. Never mind my ancestors were poor peasants who probably never got the chance to hear such wonderful music... when listening to these CDs, I'm taken back in time... to a royal court in Europe... to another place in time. The music is inspiring, relaxing, invigorating.

I have yet to listen to all the CD's in the set. I'm stuck on Beethoven! Wasn't he AWESOME!?!

I think this set is a wonderful introduction to classical music!!!!!

Average customer rating:

A memorable album by Robert Shaw
Great version
Superb
Brings back memories
Apologies to Puccini.

Verdi: Requiem & Operatic Choruses

Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Brahms - Ein Deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) / Auger, Stilwell, Atlanta SO, Robert Shaw
Fauré · Duruflé - Requiem / J. Blegen · J. Morris · Atlanta SO · Shaw
Bach: Mass in B minor / McNair, Ziegler, Simpson, Aler, Stone, Paul; Shaw
Mozart: Requiem / McNair, Watkinson, Araiza, Lloyd; Marriner
Mozart - Requiem / Augér, Bartoli, Cole, Pape, Wiener Phil., Solti

ASIN: B000003CUH
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Requiem: 1. Requiem & Kyrie
Requiem: 2. Dies Irae
Requiem: 3. Offertory
Requiem: 4. Sanctus

Tracks:

Requiem: 5. Agnus Dei
Requiem: 6. Lux Aeterna
Requiem: 7. Libera Me - 1. Libera Me - 2. Dies Irae - 3. Requiem Aeternam - 4. Libera Me
Requiem: Spuntato Ecco
Requiem: Patria Oppressa!
Requiem: Fuoco Di Gioia
Requiem: Va Pensiero
Requiem: Gloria All'Egitto

Amazon.com

Robert Shaw learned from Arturo Toscanini, and in his stupendous 1987 recording for Telarc he managed to surpass the master on some points. He is unerring in his pacing and staging of climaxes, and draws phrasing and dynamics from the chorus that other conductors can only dream of. Points are made with exhilarating effect throughout the account: never has the bass drum in the Dies irae been as splendidly hammered as here, and the whooping brass in the Tuba mirum is breathtaking. The all-American solo quartet sounds a bit driven, especially the light-voiced Susan Dunn and Jerry Hadley, but their contribution is a strong one nonetheless. --Ted Libbey

Customer Reviews:

A memorable album by Robert Shaw.......2007-04-16

I sometimes wonder why any top choral conductor would want to conduct, least of all record, a piece where the soloists invariably command center stage at the expense of the chorus.

Robert Shaw (1916 - 1999), of course, is practically a god in the choral world. And while he has done well as an orchestral conductor, his claim to fame to most will always be his work with choruses.

So here we have an operatic requiem written by one of history's greatest opera composers, conducted by one of history's greatest choral conductors. How does it turn out?

The Atlanta Symphony Chorus is very, very good. Their sumptuous sound becomes even more memorable thanks to the stunning reverberation of Atlanta Symphony Hall. Their Libera Me fugue was literally a wall of sound that seemed for a moment to encompass your entire world. The Dum Veneris passage following that was the best I'd ever heard: all four parts were distinct and incredibly powerful.

The four soloists, however, really stole the show for me. Susan Dunn and Diane Curry displayed a lot of passion in Recordare. They also created a wonderfully blended sound through their Agnus Dei duet, probably the best blend I'd ever heard so far.

Jerry Hadley is definitely one of my all-time favorite Verdi Requiem tenors. He reminded me of Richard Tucker in his commanding Kyrie entrance. His Ingemisco possessed a ringing power that left me breathless.

Paul Plishka was probably the "weakest" of the four. In Confutatis, it sounded like he was punching his voice. However, he sounded very good in the Offertorio.

And speaking of Offertorio, that was truly a soloist high point for me. The four singers literally turned into a mini-opera; it was quite dramatic hearing their voices trade back and forth.

The sound of the orchestra was truly a pleasure to hear. This music demands power and virtuosity, and the Atlantans provided both in spades. And drum lovers will be quite satisfied with the almost violent sound of the bass drum in Dies Irae.

The album also features five popular choruses from Verdi's operas. If, like me, you got carried away listening to the Requiem soloists, here's your chance to hear this remarkable chorus without any soloist distraction. The "Don Carlos" chorus (sung in Italian not French) was a rousing affair. "Patria oppressa" was appropriately subdued and melancholy. Fuoco di gioia proved the virtuosity of these choral masters. "Va pensiero" was smooth and rich. "Gloria all'Egitto" featured the chorus in all its mighty grandeur. The orchestra provides excellent accompaniment throughout. You will thoroughly enjoy listening to these choruses.

The recorded sound is absolutely fabulous. The four sections of the chorus are much more evenly miked than on most CDs. The great engineering makes the orchestra an audiophile's dream.

The liner notes contain texts and translations. However, a previous reviewer has found that the "Hostias" paragraph is missing the words "Fac eas, Domine, de morte transire ad vitam."

The tracks use an index system which I suspect is not available on most DVD players, the result being that the Dies Irae is put on a single 36 minute track.

This CD was recorded in April 1987 in Atlanta Symphony Hall, Atlanta, GA. The Requiem duration is 84'23", so the tempos are about average for this piece.

Great version.......2007-02-26

There are version of Verdi's Requiems in that market. I consider this to be onre the best ones I have heard. What adds to this perfomance is the quality of the manufacturer's transfer.

Superb.......2005-10-20

I don't have anything to add to the excellent reviews, I just want to chime in with my vote. This was rated as the top recording of this piece when I bought it on recomendation of a tenor friend back in 1990 or so and it is probably the best sustained operatic performace I have found thus far. The power and the majesty of this piece needs to be heard to be believed. So... Buy it, make sure the neighbors are out, turn the lights out, it in your best listening spot, turn up the volume and press play.

Don't miss the final track on the second disk!

Brings back memories.......2001-05-04

How could I possibly top the splendid review by Dominic Grant below? And his later graceful apology for a mere typo? Well, I just cannot. But I'd like to share my own thoughts, anyway.

With all the flap over the recently released Gergiev recording of the Verdi Requiem on Philips, with its unfortunate choice of Andrea Bocelli - a pop singer masquerading as an operatic singer - as tenor soloist, it is once again - and always - a pleasure to turn to a truly definitive recorded performance, that of Robert Shaw. As points of reference whenever I turn to this performance, I always have in mind earlier recordings by Giulini and Solti, among others. (I include a truly visceral one by Karel Ancerl and the Czech Philharmonic, featuring Galina Vishnevskaya with a "Libera me" to die for, and the type of Slavic excitement that Gergiev tries for but fails.)

Verdi's Requiem is, without doubt, the most operatic of such works as have become part of the liturgical canon. But it doesn't necessarily follow from this that the best recordings are the ones which utilize operatic superstars. Were that the case, Solti's recording, with Joan Sutherland, Marilyn Horne, Luciano Pavarotti and Martti Talvela, would be unchallenged (particularly when one throws in the Vienna Philharmonic, as well as the typically excellent mid-60's sound that Decca was so good at). But, true to form, Solti just couldn't find the proper sensitivity and balance to make his performance the definitive one.

Shaw does what Solti could not do. In a work that requires efforts of equal quality by orchestra, soloists and chorus, there simply is no better chorus than a Shaw chorus. Shaw's four soloists, while perhaps not of the marquee value of the ones on the Solti recording, are outstanding. A previous customer reviewer certainly got it right when he said that Susan Dunn was a Verdi soprano to be reckoned with. And Diane Curry, Jerry Hadley and Paul Plishka are equally excellent. (Plishka, as I mention later, is one of my "memories.") Moreover, in a work which demands that the cataclysms of the Dies Irae and the tenderly supplicant closing pages of the Libera me be captured in proper proportions, none are better than Telarc at this challenge.

The personal friendship between Robert Shaw and the Cleveland-based Telarc team of Bob Woods and Jack Renner goes back to the days when Shaw was George Szell's assistant at the Cleveland Orchestra. Thus it was, when Woods and Renner introduced the "all-digital" Telarc label in the late 70's, that they turned to Shaw and his Atlantans as an enduring source for the recording of choral masterpieces. With the passing of Shaw some two years ago, it is now time that someone sum up his recorded legacy, which, under the aegis of Telarc, exceeds three dozen recordings. In my humble opinion, he will be remembered for a long, long time for three works that Telarc recorded with his forces: The Bach B Minor Mass, the Brahms German Requiem, and this Verdi Requiem.

Oh! The memories! For several years, at a time when Shaw's Atlanta forces were as good as they were to get, in the early 80's, I was fortunate to live in the Atlanta area, and to attend many of his concerts. And, in the fall of 1965, when Paul Plishka had just won a "young artist" award that was to lead to his Metropolitan Opera career, I was fortunate to have been a member of an amateur chorus which performed this work with a semi-pro orchestra and four young soloists. The names of the other three soloists were long ago relegated to the dustbin of history. But the bass soloist at that 1965 performance was none other than Paul Plishka. He's still banging the boards at the Met. One durable dude!

Once again, kudos to Mr. Grant for his superb review, and for his reminding me that I had some "unfinished business" to attend to.

Bob Zeidler

Apologies to Puccini........2000-12-04

Further to my review of the 18th of June below,it's just been brought to my attention by a kind reader that I have inadvertently ascribed the composition of the famous aria,"Nessun Dorma" from Turandot to Verdi himself.First of all,my sincere apologies to Puccini (probably still revolving in his grave !),and my apologies to you for grossly offending your musical sensibilities as you pass this way.That will teach me to spend a little longer editing my reviews before submitting them !

Average customer rating:

Favorites of the past
Seventh heaven
Excellent CD
Monica
Tuscany: A Romantic Journey is beautiful!!

Tuscany: A Romantic Journey

Manufacturer: Somerset Entertainment
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | 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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Bella Tuscany: Music Inspired by Tuscany
Provence: A Romantic Journey
Under the Tuscan Sun
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ASIN: B0007R8FC6
Release Date: 2005-03-01

Tracks:

O Mio Babbino from Gianni Schicchi - Puccini (4:09)
Con Te Partiro - Sartori (4:05)
Intermezzo from Cavalleria Rusticana - Mascagni (4:22)
La Donna E Mobile from Rigoletto - Verdi (2:24)
Un Bel Di Vedremo from Madama Butterfly - Puccini (3:54)
Nessun Dorma from Turandot - Puccini (3:26)
Intermezzo from La Traviata - Verdi (3:55)
Musetta's Waltz from La Boheme - Puccini (2:57)
Caruso - Dalla (3:25)
Ebben? Ne Andro Lontana from La Wally - Catalani (3:49)
O Sole Mio - Di Capua (4:19)
Va'Pensiero from Nabucco - Verdi (4:17)
Vesti La Giubba from Pagliacci - Leoncavallo (3:38)
Una Furtiva Lagrima from L'Elisir D'Amore - Donizetti (4:24)
Vissi D'Arte from Tosca - Puccini (3:21)
Winter from The Four Seasons (Largo) - Vivaldi (4:22)

Product Description

Take a romantic journey across the fabled landscape of Tuscany with these beautiful, orchestral recordings of Italian classics. Instrumentation includes an orchestra.

Customer Reviews:

Favorites of the past.......2007-07-19

All the famous favorites are here and done exactly as you remember them. I was hoping for something that put a new feel to the oldies and this was not it. If you are looking for great European relaxing music check out Mediterranean Nights by various artist and Azucar by Luciani.

Seventh heaven.......2007-06-15

Lovely collection of music! Many pieces I already knew but would not have been able to play them all together; this CD has done that for me. I would have liked even more of the mandolin pieces playing some Italian favorites. This instrument is particularly beautiful (the mandolin) and is so Italian and mediterranean. Lovely vocalists for the arias of some of the nicest operas, too! It was all very beautiful and relaxing to listen to and I felt my self reminiscing the few times I spent in Tuscany and other parts of Italy. Thank you!

Excellent CD.......2007-05-13

Have heard the songs before , however, this CD presents them in a very beautiful way. Loved it.

Monica.......2007-01-25

We took a chance on this cd while in the Smoky Mountains. The best money ever spent. Each time we return to the Smoky's we make sure this cd travels with us. What beautiful music.

Tuscany: A Romantic Journey is beautiful!!.......2006-02-24

This selection is by far the best in my collection.

Average customer rating:

Horrible Techno Muzak with Beautiful Singing
Not for the Opera purest...
Opera meets contemporary music for sophisticated listeners
buy this cd!
Incredible music from opera's master composers

Aria

Manufacturer: Koch Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Aria, Vol. 2: New Horizon
Aria 3: Metamorphosis
State of Grace II: Turning to Peace
State of Grace
Earthbound

ASIN: B0002IQGF8
Release Date: 2004-08-10

Tracks:

Willow
Un Bel Di
Secret Tear
Dido
Pace Pace
Pamina Blue
Habanera
Home

Customer Reviews:

Horrible Techno Muzak with Beautiful Singing.......2007-06-21

This is a Dr. Jeckal and Mr. Hyde CD. The singing is so incredibly beautiful but it's totally ruined with synthetic background "music". The drum machine parts are so bad it's like listening to a joke from Saturday Night Live.

Not for the Opera purest..........2007-05-19

A doctor buddy of mine and I were working the ER one weekend and he put this CD on. Now, I love just about any kind of music EXCEPT Opera and Country music depresses me after a few songs. Now, this CD sure smacked of opera but I was not offended. In fact, the longer I listened, the more I liked it. I didn't much care for the treatment of Bizet's "Carmen" but that was the only song I didn't care for just because I loved the original classical and just didn't like this arrangement. I guess I was primed for this sound through Yanni's "Aria" from his Dare to Dream CD. Thus the blending of contemporary instrumental music with an operatic voice or voices was born.

As for the disappointed opera fan/reviewer, this IS NOT opera and it was never intended to replace or even imitate true opera. Paul Schwartz was exposed to the opera, orchestral symphonies, rock music and dance clubs that were all within walking distance from his home as a young man. He simply took the sounds that appealed to him and put them together. Thus this, his first effort, leans heavily on traditional classical music that is familiar to a great number of people. I personally found his second release, "Aria, Vol. 2: New Horizon", to be much more enjoyable. "Aria 3: Metamorphosis" was released five years after "New Horrizon" and shows a more matured sound and is highly enjoyable. Paul embarked on another venture through the "State of Grace" series during those five years which I haven't heard, yet. I love listening to all three Cd's with #2 and #3 being my favorites of the three. So if you are an opera purest, Paul Schwartz's "Aria" compositions are NOT what you are looking for. But, if you're a New Age enthusiast with even a little appreciation for classical music, then you'll probably enjoy this CD along with his other works.

Opera meets contemporary music for sophisticated listeners.......2006-11-12

I listen to this CD over and over again. Traditional opera voices backed by modern instruments makes for distinct music that appeals to sophisticated adult ears. You don't need to be an opera fan to enjoy this beautiful, unique style of music. A true opera fan below was disappointed, but after buying Aria, I became interested in opera and added a couple of authentic aria CDs to my collection.

buy this cd!.......2006-10-08

When i first heard this CD i hated it. i had heard about it from several people and decided to buy it. i actually bought the box set that has all three Aria cd's. As i checked this cd out, the woman ringing me up said this was the most beautiful thing she'd ever heard and told me i'd love it. i told her i was more of a metal fan. Here i was, a fan of Metallica and Danzig and Tool, buying opera!? i did like the programming on this cd. the drum beats are clean and accompany the music just right; not too loud and not too quiet. the vocals, which at first i didn't like, are really endearing and beautiful. Rebecca Luker sings many of the songs here. i enjoyed this cd more and more with each listen. I like the fact that the lyrics were translated in the booklet so i could understand the words. Bottom line: this is an excellent CD! i would recommend this to anyone. give it a few listens and let it take you. Ignore what you think you know about opera and let his music enter you and enchant you and speak to you. your heart and soul will thank you. let the vocals of Rebecca Luker wash over you and show you the true emotional range of the human voice.

Incredible music from opera's master composers.......2006-03-04

If I could give this CD 10 stars, I would certainly do so. Five stars is not sufficient to describe this wonderful work of art. I am an opera fan but I am certainly not offended by these contemporary arrangements which brings these wonderful works to a modern audience.

The selection "Willow" from Verdi's Otello is haunting and mystical. "Un Bel Di" from Puccini's Madama Butterfly soars. Other works from Purcell's Dido and Aeneas; or Mozart's The Magic Flute; or Bizet's Carmen are arranged to be unique and evoke the context of the original opera.

Rebecca Luker's voice is superb. The electonic approach to these classics updates them, but never replaces the originals. They were not meant to replace only to offer a unique approach to classics.

Verdi - Nabucco / Cappuccilli, Domingo, Dimitrova, Nesterenko, Valentini-Terrani, Deutschen Oper Berlin, Sinopoli

Average customer rating:

comment to (editorial) reviews
Brava Dimitrova!!
Bible Opera Packs A Punch
More than Exciting
Essential Verdi

Verdi - Nabucco / Cappuccilli, Domingo, Dimitrova, Nesterenko, Valentini-Terrani, Deutschen Oper Berlin, Sinopoli
Giuseppe Verdi , Giuseppe Sinopoli , Piero Cappuccilli , Placido Domingo , Ghena Dimitrova , Evgeny Nesterenko , Lucia Valentini-Terrani , and Berlin State Opera Chorus
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Verdi: Macbeth
Verdi - Simon Boccanegra / Freni, Cappuccilli, Carreras, Ghiaurov, van Dam, Foiani, Teatro alla Scala, Abbado
Verdi - Don Carlo / Domingo · Caballé · Raimondi · Milnes · Verrett · Estes · Giulini
Verdi - Aida / Caballé · Domingo · Cossotto · Ghiaurov · Cappuccilli · Roni · NPO · Muti
Donizetti: Lucia di Lammermoor (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Tito Gobbi, Giuseppe di Stefano, Tullio Serafin

ASIN: B000001G4N
Release Date: 1984-03-12

Tracks:

Nabucco: Sinfonia
Nabucco: Part One: Introduzione 'Gli arredi festivi giu cadano infranti'
Nabucco: Part One: Recitativo E Cavatina: 'Sperate, o figli!'
Nabucco: Part One: Recitativo E Cavatina: 'D'Egitto la sui lidi'
Nabucco: Part One: Recitativo E Cavatina: 'Qual rumore?'
Nabucco: Part One: Recitativo E Cavatina: 'Come notte a sol fulgente'
Nabucco: Part One: Recitativo E Terzettino: 'Fenene! O mia diletta'
Nabucco: Part One: Recitativo E Terzettino: 'Guerrieri, e preso il Tempio!...Prode guerrier'
Nabucco: Part One: Recitativo E Terzettino: 'Lo t'amava!'
Nabucco: Part One: Coro: 'Lo vedeste?'
Nabucco: Part One: Finale: 'Viva Nabucco!'
Nabucco: Part One: Finale: Si finga...Tremin gl'insani del mio furore!'
Nabucco: Part One: Finale: 'O vinit, il capo a terra!'
Nabucco: Part Two: Scene 1 - Scena Ed Aria: 'Ben io t'invenni'
Nabucco: Part Two: Scene 1 - Scena ed aria: 'Anch'io dischiuso un giorno'
Nabucco: Part Two: Scene 1 - Scena ed aria: 'Chi s'avanza?'
Nabucco: Part Two: Scene 1 - Scena ed aria: 'Salgo gia del trono aurato'
Nabucco: Part Two: Scene 2 - Recitativo e preghiera: (Introduzione)
Nabucco: Part Two: Scene 2 - Recitativo e preghiera: 'Vieni, o Levita!'
Nabucco: Part Two: Scene 2 - Recitativo E Preghiera: 'Tu sul labbro de' veggenti'

Tracks:

Nabucco: Part Two: Scene 2 - 'Che si vuol?...Il maledetto non ha fratelli'
Nabucco: Part Two: Scene 2 - Scena e finale: ' Deh, fratelli, perdonate!'
Nabucco: Part Two: Scene 2 - Scena e finale: 'S'appressan gl'instanti'
Nabucco: Part Two: Scene 2 - Scena e finale: ''S'oda or me!'
Nabucco: Part Two: Scene 2 - Scena e finale: 'Chi mi toglie il regio scettro?'
Nabucco: Part Three: Scene 1 - Introduzione: 'E l' Assiria una regina'
Nabucco: Part Three: Scene 1 - Scena e duetto: 'Eccelsa Donna'
Nabucco: Part Three: Scene 1 - Scena e duetto: 'Donna, chi sei?'
Nabucco: Part Three: Scene 1 - Scena e duetto: 'Oh, di qual' onta aggravasi'
Nabucco: Part Three: Scene 1 - Scena e duetto: 'Ah, qual suon!'
Nabucco: Part Three: Scene 1 - Scena e duetto: 'Deh, perdona'
Nabucco: Part Three: Scene 2 - Coro e profezia: (Introduzione)
Nabucco: Part Three: Scene 2 - 'Va, pensiero, sull' ali dorate'
Nabucco: Part Three: Scene 2 - 'Oh, chi piange?...Del futuro nel buio discerno'
Nabucco: Part Four: Scene 1 - Scena ed aria: (Introduzione)
Nabucco: Part Four: Scene 1 - Scena ed aria: 'Aon pur queste mie membra!'
Nabucco: Part Four: Scene 1 - Scena ed aria: 'Dio di Giuda!'
Nabucco: Part Four: Scene 1 - Scena ed aria: 'Cadran, cadranno i perfidi...O prodi miei, seguitemi'
Nabucco: Part Four: Scene 2 - Finale ultimo: (Introduzione) - 'Va, la palma del martirio'
Nabucco: Part Four: Scene 2 - Finale ultimo: 'Oh, dischiuso e il firmamento!'
Nabucco: Part Four: Scene 2 - Finale ultimo: 'Ah, torna Israello'
Nabucco: Part Four: Scene 2 - Finale ultimo: 'Immenso Jeovha'
Nabucco: Part Four: Scene 2 - Finale ultimo: 'Oh! chi vegg'io?'
Nabucco: Part Four: Scene 2 - Finale ultimo: 'Su me...morente...esanime'

Amazon.com

Nabucco was Verdi's third opera, and it's filled with one great, energy-filled melody after another; if the drama is a bit crude (the characters are one-dimensional at best), the emotions are sincere and the passions run high enough to make one forgive Verdi's youthful enthusiasm. The role of Abigaille, Nabucco's evil daughter, is a voice-wrecker, but the animal-like Ghena Dimitrova sounds as if she could sing it in her sleep. She hurls the high Bs and Cs at us as ferociously as the Bs and Cs two octaves lower--this is a stunner of a performance. As the title character, Piero Cappuccilli sings with his usual big, unsubtle tone; one wishes for more sensitivity. Placido Domingo, who will apparently sing anything written in the tenor clef, makes as much of the little part of Ismaele, and bass Evgeny Nesterenko fills out the High Priest's music superbly. Giuseppe Sinopoli's leadership is probing, nuanced, and, when needed, as big as all outdoors. This is a pip of a performance, highly recommended. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

comment to (editorial) reviews.......2006-05-25

In your editorial you call Nesterenko a superb High Priest. I believe he was playing the role of Zaccaria, while the High Priest was sung by Kurt Rydl.
In the the review below I read "the very young Domingo and Lucia Popp shining in the early stages of their careers". According to my information Domingo was 41 at the time (same age as Dimitrova, by the way), while Lucia Popp was even 2 years older. Are we talking about the same performance?

Brava Dimitrova!!.......2005-10-25

I've listened happily for many years to the Gardelli/Gobbi/Suliotis Nabucco. That version is so great, that I only listened to this one to hear Sinopoli. Well, this one is just a great. Neither is perfect, but they're both so damned good, you really can't go wrong with either.

Of special interest in this Nabucco are the very young Domingo and Lucia Popp shining in the early stages of their careers. But they are definitely not the main players in this opera (although Domingo does have the tenor lead). Comparing the two, I prefer Gobbi's Nabucco, but I find no real fault with Cappuccilli's voice or portrayal.

I thought that Abigaille belonged to the late Elena Suliotis (who did sound at times very much like Callas), but Ghena Dimitrova was a revelation. She is just superb as the mostly evil (till the very end when dying) role of the spurned Abigaille, the apparent daughter of the Nebuchadnezzar, but who is really the daughter of slaves! (Let me know if you find this twist in the Bible! Just possibly the story has been enhanced a bit for both dramatic and political reasons.)

Suliotis may have a slight edge dramatically, but I think the edge goes to Dimitrova vocally in this very demanding role. Powerful and dynamic and displaying great technique and vocal agility (as described by other reviewers), she is also softly touching and sings beautifully in such arias as "Anch'io dischiuso un giorno."

Why did I wait so long to listen to this Nabucco! It truly flies on golden wings.

Oh, yeah, and Sinopoli definitely didn't disappoint.

Bible Opera Packs A Punch.......2005-08-11

Verdi's first big hit was Nabucco, based on the biblical account of the Hebrew captivity in Babylon by the imperious and vainglorious King Nebuchenessar. Nabucco is the Italian form of that name. While this is HIS opera, the web of characters form a powerful theme of love and thirst for power and longing for freedom. Isrele is the tenor part, a young Hebrew slave, in love with Ferena, sung by a mezzo soprano. Abigaille is the wicked daughter of King Nabucco, and her role is regarded as the most fiendishly difficult soprano role Verdi ever wrote, full of thunderous declamations high above C, and fully lyric with strong chest register. The cast in this early 80's recording is a dream cast, making this the best studio recording of Nabucco available today. Placido Domingo is singing a part that is not really the star, but he sings with passionate intensity and all his usual radiant flair. His was a voice that Verdi wrote for tenors, and Domingo himself considered Verdi to be his strongest vehicle as a tenor. In this recording we dont get the masculine ardor of Aida's Radames, or the refinement and passion of Alfredo in Traviata or the intensity of Otello nor even the ingellect of a Don Carlo or Don Alvaro from Forza Del Destino, but we have a fine character with religiosity and romantic feelings. The arias are well-executed by Domingo. He keeps up with the faster portions of the music. It seems to me listening to all this - Verdi was really trying desperately to make a hit. He had not had any success prior to this opera. The music is very dramatic, with far too many fortissimos even. Every aria and ensemble ends in such a BANG that it would seem the opera ends earlier than it should. Of course, the Overture is lovely. The highlights of this opera include great choruses. The first one in Act 1 and the more famous Va Pensiero, the Hebrews cry for freedom which even rises to nationalistic Italian heights.

Other than the tremendous talents of Placido Domingo, this recording is blessed with the fine voice of bass-baritone Piero Cappuccili in the eponymous role. As Nabucco, the evil, arrogant king, he is majestic and sometimes paternal (Verdi baritones ALWAYS sound paternal and it doesnt help that the music written fo them are mellow). Cappucilli is another great Verdi singer that together with Domingo make this recording exceptional. Opposite the more dragon-lady-like Ghena Dimitrova, he seems to be weak though....as in the scene "Prisoner ? Si! Prisioner SI!!"
But Cappuccili holds his own and is in fine shape in this recording. He is also the best Macbeth, and his voice is prominently displayed in a DG recording he sang opposite Shirley Verret's imperious Lady Macbeth.

The ladies in this recording are electrifying. Ghena Dimitrova, a Bulgarian-born soprano, is the best Abigaille ever recorded or performed. Not even Callas reaches the technical bravura and character integrity she essays. Her voice is strong, full and powerful. It is even said that Dimitrova had the highest and strongest dramatic soprano voice. Her career was short-lived because of all the intense roles she sang (Turandot, Tosca, Norma, Lady Macbeth). Abigaille she sang numerous times and it was even her signature role. Mezzo soprano Lucia Valentini-Terrani is prolly the weakest in the bunch, but she masters the role of Ferena with aplomb. I cant complain. I love everything about this recording, including the somewhat wooden Terrani. This recording deserves more recognition. Opera lovers go out and get this recording. Pass it on.....

More than Exciting.......2002-04-26

I have listened to a few versions of this opera, even pirated scenes with Maria Callas. It is really an opera of vitality. Verdi may have still had many crudities in the way he wrote. He may have even been over the top at times. Yet, he is unmistakeably exciting. As he third attempt at opera, I would say, even if he did use the "required styles of the day" he produced a wonderfully vivid work. Of course, the characters are one dimensional (if even that deep), but they are exciting and enjoyable. The sound is excellent, and the singing is every bit on par with the excitement of the music. Of course, the person who makes the opera is Ghena Dimitrova, and not because anyone else is less good. They are all great! She just seems to make that voice-wrecker music seem easy, and even gentle on the voice. There is no strain at all! However, I read somewhere when this recording was first reviewed that she had been ill, and that making the recording was difficult. I have no clue if that is true, but I can assure anyone who buys this recording, if it is, they will not be able to tell. She blazes through the role and carries you away. Just for those who are not familiar with her in real life performances, she has a voice that would knock your socks off. It is HUGE! It isn't just loud, and seemingly could go on for ever getting louder and louder without difficulty or strain. It is EXCITING! She can also draw back the sound to a whisper, like Caballe, and send a tingle up your spine. This recording gets close to sharing those real life experiences with the listener. This is well worthy the money!

Essential Verdi.......2002-02-06

This is fantastic singing from beginning to end. Sinopoli conducts this Opera like Italys reuninion still depend on it and dont waste your time looking for another copy. This is a VERY good version and is hard yo beat. The sound is great.

Average customer rating:

OKAY, TAKE ME AWAY.
Great music...stunning recording quality
Incredible
Just Stunning!

Essential Verdi

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000056JSW
Release Date: 2001-02-13

Tracks:

Rigoletto: La donna e mobile - Luciano Pavarotti
Nabucco: Va pesiero - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
La forza del destino: Overture - Kirov Orchestra
La Traviata: Un di felice - Joan Sutherland
I Vespri Siciliani: Merce dilette amiche - Maria Chiara
La Traviata: Libiamo ne' lieti calici - Joan Sutherland
Il Trovatore: Di quella pira - Jose Carreras
Il Trovatore: Vedi! le fosche notturne spoglie - Chicago Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
Il Trovatore: Stride la vampa! - Stefania Toczyska
Aida: Ritorna vincitor! - Leontyne Price
Don Carlo: Dio che nell'alma infondere - Carlo Bergonzi
La Traviata: Prelude - Orchestra E Coro Del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
Rigoletto: Caro nome - Joan Sutherland
Don Carlo: O don fatale - Olga Borodina
Aida: Se quel guerrier io fossi! Celeste Aida - Carlo Bergonzi
Emani: Ernani! Ernani involami - Joan Sutherland
Un Ballo in Maschera: Di tu se fedele - Jussi Bjorling
Un Ballo in Maschera: Morro ma prima in grazia - Margaret Price
Luisa Miller: Quando le sere al placido - Luciano Pavarotti
Aida: Gloria all'Egitto - Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Tracks:

Requiem: Dies irae - Wiener Philharmoniker
La forza del destino: Pace pace mio Dio - Angela Gheorghiu
Rigoletto: Questa o quella - Carlo Bergonzi
Rigoletto: Bella figlia dell'amore - Luciano Pavarotti
Otello: Ave Maria - Renee Fleming
La Traviata: Parigi o cara - Frank Lopardo
Macbeth: Ah la paterna mano - Luciano Pavarotti
Il Trovatore: Squilli echeggi la tromba guerriera - Chicago Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
Don Carlo: O Carlo ascolta - Dmitri Hvorostovsky
Requiem: Ingemisco - Luciano Pavarotti
Simon Baccanegra: Come in quest'ora bruna - Kiri Te Kanawa
Macbeth: Salve o Re! Si colmi il calice - Lucia Aliberti
Aida: O patria mia - Leontyne Price
I lombardi: La mia letizia infondere - Placido Domingo
Aida: Lo sguardo avea degli angeli - Montserrat Caballe
La forza del destino: Solenne in quest'ora - Nikolai Putilin
Macbeth: Patria opressa - Chicago Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
Il Trovatore: Tacea la notte - Katia Ricciarelli
I due Foscari: Dal piu remoto esilio - Odio solo ed odio atroce - Jose Carreras
Don Carlo: Spuntato ecco il di esultanza - Orchestra E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala Di Milano

Customer Reviews:

OKAY, TAKE ME AWAY........2006-01-20

I don't know opera.

Last summer we had an incredible 20th anniversary trip to Italy. As a side trip from Venice, we planned a night in Verona. Neither my wife or I had been to an opera.

Is this how its supposed to be...

...an incredible star filled night with a three quarter moon, the largest stage and outdoor theatrical production on the planet, all taking place in a roman colleseum (arena) built in 180 a.d., an incredible colorful set and production with a full symphony orchestra and voices that don't come easy. Aida.

Now I know what all the hpye is as you opera fans sure are lucky to have such a beautiful setting for all your productions.

Okay, we got spoiled. But I also found myself getting spoiled on the Italian composer Verdi.

For me, this set is not only a "take me back to Verona" trip, but a great introduction to Verdi's other works. With some of the biggest names in the opera world in starring roles, I listened to both discs twice the first night they arrived.

And, of course, we are planning a return trip to Verona in the very near future to see some more Verdi...perhaps Nabucco or Otello or Macbeth...I'll even settle for Aida again. It was such a magical experience and a superb introduction to opera and Verdi.

This set continues that magical moment for us and provides a great introduction to a master of the opera...Verdi.

Great music...stunning recording quality.......2002-11-01

This is a marvelous compendium of Verdi's opera works that even the serious opera fan wouldn't turn his nose up at. These are the top contemporary soloists singing with first tier orchestras. When I saw the Decca label, I expected reasonable quality, but this disk is stunningly well engineered. Most of the vocals match the best jazz cds for immediacy and intimacy, and the orchestras are equally well done.

Incredible.......2002-06-05

I don't say incredible about too many things, but Verdi was the zenith of Italian Opera and Solti and the Chicago Symphony and the Vienna Philharmonic are the quintessential ensembles for modern classical performance. Not to mention that most of the voices showcased have their own lines of CDs (Pavarotti, etc.) This CD is the best Verdi album available, and it has EVERYTHING. BUY THIS CD!

Just Stunning!.......2002-01-26

In my opinion this recording is stunning. I am not usually a fan of compilations in classical music, as they're usually watered down representations made under the presumption that the listener would find the full-blown version intimidating or boring. This one, however, is not only an exception in my view, but a recording that deserves a high place of honor in every serious listener's collection. The representation of artists, both vocal and orchestral, is breathtaking and impressive for the span of years. A great big thank you to the people at Decca responsible for putting this collection together, as it is obvious to this listener that a great deal of thought and care went into looking for the most beautiful version of every piece on here. I have purchased two copies, one for home and one for the office, and have gotten two friends similarly hooked. I am also feverishly searching for more pairings of Joan Sutherland and Carlo Bergonzi. In the meantime, I'm on to Essential Puccini!!

Average customer rating:

Heavenly...
Nice collection of major figures
Gran recopilatorio
blend of great opera for novice or opera buff!
Nessun dorma!

The Opera Album
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Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00005YW4M
Release Date: 2002-08-13

Tracks:

Dis (Flower Duet from Lakm Nathalie Dessay and Delphine Haidan
E lucevan le stelle (Tosca): Placido Domingo
Ebben? ne andrntana (La Wally): Maria Callas
Suzel, bon di (Cherry Duet from L' amico Fritz): Luciano Pavarotti, Mirella Freni
Belle nuit, it d'amour (Barcarolle from Les Contes d'Hoffmann): Ann Murray, Jessye Norman
Song to the Moon (from Rusalka): Lucia Popp
Recitar!...Vesti la giubba (from I Pagliacci): Josarreras
Ecco! respiro appena. Io son l'umile ancell (from Adriana Lecouvreur): Kiri Te Kanawa
O soave fanciulla (from La boh): Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna
Un bel di vedremo (from Madama Butterfly): Montserrat Caballe
Ingemisco (from Verdi's Requiem): Luciano Pavarotti
Frondi tenere...Ombra mai fom Xerxes): David Daniels
Non pirai (from Le nozze di Figaro): Thomas Allen
Au fond du temple saint (Temple Duet from Les Peurs de perles): Ernest Blanc, Nicolai Gedda
O mio babbino caro (from Gianni Schicchi): Angela Gheorghiu
La donna obile (from Rigoletto): Roberto Alagna
Vedi! le fosche notturne spoglie (Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore): L'Orchestra et Coro del Teatro alla Scala
Der H Rache (from Die Zauberfl: Natalie Dessay
Libiamo ne'lieti calici (Brindisi) (from La Traviata): Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna

Tracks:

Casta Diva (from Norma): Maria Callas
Canzonetta sull'aria (from Le nozze di Figaro): Anna Moffo, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Se quel guerrier io fossi...Celeste Aida (from Aida): Placido Domingo
Vissi d'arte (from Tosca): Angela Gheorghiu
Che gelida manina (from La boh): Roberto Alagna
SMi chiamano Mimfrom La boh): Mirella Freni, Nicolai Gedda
L'amour est un oiseau rebelle (Habanera from Carmen): Victoria de los Angeles
Va, pensiero (Chorus of the Hebrew Slaves from Nabucco): L'Orchestra et Coro del Teatro alla Scala
Dove sono (from Le nozze di Figaro): Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
Un aura amorosa (from Cosan tutte): Placido Domingo
J'ai perdu mon Eurydice (from Orphet Eurydice): Anne-Sofie von Otter
Non mi dir (from Don Giovanni): oan Sutherland
O Mimtu pi torni (from La boh): Jussi Bjng, Robert Merrill
La mamma morta (from Andrea Cher): Maria Callas
Largo al factotum (from Il barbiere di Siviglia): Thomas Hampson
Summertime (from Porgy and Bess): Kiri Te Kanawa
Dich, teure Halle (from Tannher): Jessye Norman
Nessun dorma (from Turandot): Rhine Opera Chorus, Josarreras

Amazon.com

This is a remarkable collection: two and a half hours' worth of opera arias, duets, and a couple of choruses, and nary a dud among them. All the stars are here, from Alagna to Schwarzkopf, with stops at Gheorghiu, Callas, Bjoerling, Dessay, Gedda, Carreras, Popp, Domingo, Norman--and a bunch of others. And the repertoire is wisely chosen: the gorgeous Flower Duet from Lakme, de los Angeles singing Bizet's Habanera from Carmen, the famous Pearl Fishers duet (Gedda, Blanc), Wally's exit into the snow from La Wally (Callas), the Barcarolle from Tales of Hoffmann (Jessye Norman and Ann Murray), "Largo al factotum" with an energetic Thomas Hampson as The Barber of Seville, Domingo in "Celeste Aida," countertenor David Daniels in a Handel aria, the heavenly "Song to the Moon" from Rusalka, sung as in a dream by Lucia Popp, Caballe as Madama Butterfly, and many more--37 tracks in all. Even if you already own some of these, having them all in one place makes for breathless, glorious listening. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews:

Heavenly..........2007-04-03

I am not particularly a fan of opera but do realize it's merit. I also appreciate the talent of it's artists. This 2 disc set offers a wide, wisely chosen selection from most of the popular operas, performed by most of the world's greatest singers, present and yesteryear. Yes, you will find legends such as Maria Callas to Pavarotti to the up and coming Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu; sharing space on these discs. Economically, I was able to obtain this set for under ten bucks. My research could not find a more varied set with such a stellar roster at any price. It will impress any novice to seasoned collecter. I wish that EMI annotated the set better, a brief synopsis of each track would have tutorial value. The sound reproduction flows seemlessly from track to track.

Nice collection of major figures.......2007-01-04

This is billed as "the greatest opera stars on one double album for the first time ever."

Many major voices of the first part of the past half century are presented on this CD (e.g., Shwartzkopf, Moffo, Freni, de los Angelos, Sutherland, Callas, Gedda, Merrill, Bjoerling, Pavarotti, Sutherland, Domingo, et al.). Also represented are some more contemporary singers, among whom are Kanawa, Gheorgiu, Alagna, Dessay, and so on).

So, a nice album. But we are also reminded of the absence of some major figures on CDs (such as Richard Tucker, who is little represented on CDs). . . . Hopefully, in future years, more of those glorious voices will become accessible on CD.

Gran recopilatorio.......2004-02-29

Este recopilatorio ofrece variedad de estilos, versiones siempre de alto nivel y precio medio muy interesante. Muy recomendable para iniciarse en el mundo de la opera de la mano de los mejores artistas de hoy y de ayer, aunque algunos de los grandes cantantes se echan quiza en falta.

blend of great opera for novice or opera buff!.......2003-03-03

Beautiful music for anyone. Even those I know who generally dislike opera have taken an interest! These are truly highlights of some of the greatest peices...breathtaking voices...relaxing and yet movingingly passionate. I reccomend this for anyone wanting a varied and yet stunning collection.

Nessun dorma!.......2002-12-01

This set of two CDs is a great way to listen to some highlights from many different operas when you aren't in the mood to listen to a full opera. Many of your favorite arias are here, such as Nessun Dorma, Habanera, Non piu andrai etc. But what I liked most about it is that it features many different artists. While I love my Pavarotti and Domingo albums, it is nice to hear other singers.

Also, hearing some pieces that sounded familiar have gotten me interested in operas I haven't heard or seen before, such as the Flower Duet from Lakme. I've heard that before--but where? Probably in some car commercial...

Tracks:

Grand Entrance ...'Su! Del Nilo Al Sacro Lido'
'Celeste Aida'
Triumphal Scene 'Gloria All'Egitto'
'Ave Maria'
'Vedi! Le Fosche Notturne Spoglie'
'Di Quella Pira'
Prelude
Introduction To Act I
'Brindisi'
Waltz
'Un Di Felice'
La Traviata: 'Sempre Libera Degg'io'
'Di Provenza Il Mar, Il Suol'
'Questa O Quella'
'Caro Nome'
'La Donna E Mobile'
'Un Di, Se Ben Rammentomi'
'Tutto Net Mondo E Burla'
'Va, Pensiero' (Prisoners' Chorus)

Customer Reviews:

The Music Behind The Grand Opera: Verdi Spectacular.......2005-10-04

This recording is a delight for fans of classical music. In opera, the singing/words/text is married to the music, but it is the music above all that must create moods and evoke sentiment- whether it is pity, romance, jealousy, rage, pomp, melancholy, heartbreak, ecstasy, passion, mystery, etc. Eric Kunzel and his Pops Orchestra performs a wonderful array of Verdi music scores from his most famous grand operas. This album opens with Aida and there is much to admire here. The Triumphal March is a spectacle-scene which features parades of dancing girls and wild animals as Radames returns victorious. This music is famous for its prominent use of trumpet and chorus. Its orchestral version is equally bombastic. The Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore is another smash Verdi hit, a chorus piece but on orchestra, it is very catchy as well. Further to these fine works, the album features mu