CD-Charts Position 21
Average Rating:

Eugene Onegin

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
starring: Renee Fleming, Dmitri Hvorostovsky, Ramon Vargas, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Valery Gergiev

Release Date February 12, 2008
I saw the HD presentation in 2007 and was so impressed that I went back for the encore two weeks later. Never in my wildest dreams did I think that the Met would get a dvd of the production out so fast. I pre-ordered 2 copies the minute it was advertised. I am a devoted fan of Renee Fleming and she didn't disappoint; nor did Dmitri Hvorostovsky. Ramon Vargas was in excellent voice. The setting(for me) emphacized the isolation of the Russian steppe-vast landscape with few people. The ballroom scenes, with chairs hemming everyone in, seemed to symbolize the constrictions of conventional society. I know some people objected to the minimalist nature of the sets, but they worked for me and underlined some important facets of the opera. Aside from ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 22
Average Rating:

Time To Say Goodbye

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
by: Sarah Brightman

Release Date September 16, 1997
I have looked in vain for Time To Say Goodbye with Bocelli
and for an email address for Amazon.ca so I could get an answer.
Just do NOT have any luck in my search.
Brightman is OK but I want it by BOCELLI.
I will have to do with it on tape from my radio and TV. I want it on CD. I don't think it exists. If it does they are keeping it a secret. I buy a lot rom Amazon but no more until they figure out a way that I as a customer an get an answer to a fair question.

CD-Charts Position 23
Average Rating:

Josh Groban

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
by: Josh Groban

Release Date November 20, 2001
For those of you who have suffered loss in your life, Josh's music will help you through. I heard him for the first time just after I lost my fiance to possible suicide on May 3rd (my birthday) in 2003. I found the love of my life after he had suffered a fatal gun shot wound to his head. I was devistated. I thought my life was over. I considered suicide myself. But then, I heard Josh singing "To Where You Are" and it was as though it had been written just for me. His beautiful voice calmed me. His lyrics soothed my soul and made me feel close to my love once again. Josh is an inspiration to me and I find his music to be the sweetest sound on earth. "Alejate" is one of my favorites too, yet I have no idea what it says as it ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 24
Average Rating:

Salve Regina Gregorian Chant

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
from: Universal Music Group

Release Date January 01, 1990
Amazing recording. If you go the abbey in Clervaux, Luxemburg (as I did) you can to this day hear live and spontaneous the music of these very monks. Everything about this recording is genuine. If you listen very carefully, you can hear a bird join in the chant at around the 4:45 mark of the Te Deum...

CD-Charts Position 25
Average Rating:

Italia

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
by: Chris Botti

Release Date October 02, 2007
The ninth abum by the handsome trumpeter has an Italian theme and has been recorded in in London, Los Angeles, and Italy.
"Italia" is an object lesson in how to expand the range of small-group jazz.
Botti's knowledge of the jazz tradition is absolute, but the interest here lies in his integration of other forms like pop, classical, soundtracks of Ennio Morricone and opera.
Usually that type of experimentation can be a messy, muddled business.
Moulded with controlled eloquence and subtle dissonances, the tracks have a peculiar, surprising beauty, each one affecting the next, and creating a meditative yet majestic symphony : "Italia".
Generous spirited and open, with impeccable ensemble blowing and superb singing by Paula Cole and ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 26
Average Rating:

Live in Vienna- Deluxe Edition

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
by: Andre Rieu

Release Date October 14, 2008

As always, Andre Rieu outdid himself again with this beautiful DVD and CD!
Add this masterpiece to your Andre Rieu collection; you will not be disappointed. World-famous waltzes and melodies in LIVE IN VIENNA include Strauss' "The Beautiful Blue Danube" and "Gold and Silver," Lehár's "Lips Are Sealed" and "Song of the Volga," Stolz' "Trees Are Blooming in Vienna," Mozart's "A Little Night Music" and many other sparkling selections. Viewers -- and listeners -- may imagine themselves in the romantic 19th-century Vienna! We hope he may be given many more years to make people happy with his music!
DVD Tracklist, 26 in total:
Wiener Bürger
Tritsch Tratsch Polka
Fächer Polonaise
Fledermaus Quadrille
Komm Zigany
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CD-Charts Position 27
Average Rating:

La Bohème

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
starring: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Richard Pearson, Paul Plishka, Renée Fleming, Angela Gheorghiu
directed by: Gary Halvorson

Release Date September 16, 2008

As always, Andre Rieu outdid himself again with this beautiful DVD and CD!
Add this masterpiece to your Andre Rieu collection; you will not be disappointed. World-famous waltzes and melodies in LIVE IN VIENNA include Strauss' "The Beautiful Blue Danube" and "Gold and Silver," Lehár's "Lips Are Sealed" and "Song of the Volga," Stolz' "Trees Are Blooming in Vienna," Mozart's "A Little Night Music" and many other sparkling selections. Viewers -- and listeners -- may imagine themselves in the romantic 19th-century Vienna! We hope he may be given many more years to make people happy with his music!
DVD Tracklist, 26 in total:
Wiener Bürger
Tritsch Tratsch Polka
Fächer Polonaise
Fledermaus Quadrille
Komm Zigany
Read More:

CD-Charts Position 28
Average Rating:

Sing We Christmas

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
from: Teldec

Release Date September 19, 1995
I simply don't have the words to describe the sublimity of this CD. Breathtaking? Sublime? I'm not sure words have been invented for it.

It was my first Chanticleer CD, recommended by a music club, and it certainly hasn't been my last, but it's still my favorite. I love it so much that I listen to it year-round--even in the heat of summer, when I put on this CD, it's Christmastime to me by the end of "Es ist ein Ros".

The voices are simply amazing. It sounds like angels singing. I think part of the haunting, resounding sound that sets this CD apart from other choral CDs (and even from other Chanticleer ones) is that it was recorded in a cathedral, so there are some amazing acoustics. I don't know all that much about music theory, so ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 29
Average Rating:

Best (W/3 Bonus Tracks)

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
by: Luciano Pavarotti

Release Date September 13, 2005
Luciano Pavarotti will live on forever.
His powerful voice is so uplifting and soothing.
I love this music, because it sparked my interest in learning the Italian language.
My favorite track is the lively "La Donna E' Mobile" composed by Verdi.
I also love Pavarotti's rendition of Verdi's "Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici"(Let's make a toast). This song is a celebration of life.
"La Danza" (The Dance) is an up tempo track from Rossini.
"O Sole Mio" is such a pretty romantic song, a hymn to the Sun.
This track is a pure gem.
His voice sounds so elegant on the track "Nessun Dorma" (Let nobody be asleep}.
"M'appari" (She appeared to me) is another standout track.
Pavarotti sounds so peaceful here singing about a place where sound ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 30
Average Rating:

Angel Voices

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
by: Libera

Release Date November 14, 2006
Libera - Angel Voices review

For me, this is Libera's most disappointing album by a handsome margin...and yet I give it five stars! How so? Allow me to explain. I consider myself to be probably Libera's number one fan (see my reviews of their earlier albums!) and after listening to their latest offering, I find myself in two minds to the point of schizophrenia. On the one hand, this album is exactly what you would expect it to be: perfection in both technical and artistic quality. The standard of the vocals is exceptional as always and the production is as faultless as ever. So why the doubts? As I indicated, I am a fanatical admirer of Libera. I have met Robert and the boys on a number of occasions and I have all their albums, even going back to their St Philips Choir ... Read More: