CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

More Mozart for Mothers-to-Be

from: Philips

Release Date June 27, 2000
The review by the previous listener who was, dissapointed that this recording, received as a gift, is opera was apparently looking for "soothing" music (possibly elevator music)to put her and possibly her child-to-be to sleep. I agree - if jello is what you seek, do not purchase this disc. If, on the other hand, you seek passion, beauty, and possibly a widening of your musical horizons, do, by all means, purchase this disc. Soaring arias, heavenly voices and the most lovely music imaginable await you. Still, Richard Clayderman and Britney Spears are available to you and your unfortunate child.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

For Evening Passions (Dig)

by: Various Artists

Release Date January 14, 2003
The review by the previous listener who was, dissapointed that this recording, received as a gift, is opera was apparently looking for "soothing" music (possibly elevator music)to put her and possibly her child-to-be to sleep. I agree - if jello is what you seek, do not purchase this disc. If, on the other hand, you seek passion, beauty, and possibly a widening of your musical horizons, do, by all means, purchase this disc. Soaring arias, heavenly voices and the most lovely music imaginable await you. Still, Richard Clayderman and Britney Spears are available to you and your unfortunate child.

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Rossini - Il viaggio a Reims / Studer, Valentini-Terrani, Serra, McNair, Matteuzzi, R. Giménez, Gallo, Raimondi, Ramey, Dara; Abbado

by: Gioachino Rossini, Claudio Abbado, Samuel Ramey, William Matteuzzi, Berliner Philharmoniker, Luciana Serra, Sylvia McNair, Lucia Valentini-Terrani, Raúl Giménez, Lucio Gallo, Ruggero Raimondi, Cheryl Studer, Enzo Dara, Nicoletta Curiel, Barbara Frittoli, Claudio Otelli

Release Date August 24, 1993
This is Abbado's remake of his premiere recording, on DG, of a reconstructed Rossini score that came out of the vaults as sparkling and delightful as anything the comopser ever wrote. It's a box of bon bons, with one spectacular aria and charming tune after another. I prefer this version form Berlin for the incomparable virtuosity of the Berlin Phil. and the wonderful sonics. by comparison, the chamber Orch. of Europe, which plays on the DG set, is fine but lacks the ultimate polish of the Berliners, and the earlier set's sound is rather coarse and distant. But it's a choice between two great party records, and I could happily live with either.

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

DIVA ~ 30 Great Prima Donnas

from: Teldec

Release Date March 20, 2001
I will talk about the arias because choosing a singer depends on the personal taste. So, lets start from the very beginning - Callas and her fanous "Suicidio" - there is nothing to compare with her performance even the Caballe recording. I would gladly die after her final note. As for the "Addio del passato", for God's sake why Tebaldi - even Angela Gheorghiu is better, personally I would vote for Victoria de Los Angeles here.I agree that Caballe is a superb Mimi and somehow Hendricks isn't so captivating. As for Tosca's aria Malfitano is a goodlooking lady but then why not even Anna Moffo - if we have Price and Ricciarelli for Vissi d'arte or Kabaivanska. Terrani's Rosina is one of the best, as for the I Puritani polonaise here definitely Sutherland ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Mozart: The Greatest Hits

from: Decca

Release Date July 16, 2002
I will talk about the arias because choosing a singer depends on the personal taste. So, lets start from the very beginning - Callas and her fanous "Suicidio" - there is nothing to compare with her performance even the Caballe recording. I would gladly die after her final note. As for the "Addio del passato", for God's sake why Tebaldi - even Angela Gheorghiu is better, personally I would vote for Victoria de Los Angeles here.I agree that Caballe is a superb Mimi and somehow Hendricks isn't so captivating. As for Tosca's aria Malfitano is a goodlooking lady but then why not even Anna Moffo - if we have Price and Ricciarelli for Vissi d'arte or Kabaivanska. Terrani's Rosina is one of the best, as for the I Puritani polonaise here definitely Sutherland ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

Mozart - Complete Sacred Works / Harnoncourt

by: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Concentus musicus Wien, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Uwe Heilmann, Gilles Cachemaille, Elisabeth von Magnus, Charlotte Margiono, Barbara Bonney, Vienna Imperial Chapel Choral School, Laszlo Polgar, Robert Holl, Franz Beyer, Kurt Equiluz, Krisztina Laki, Jurt Azesberger, Ingeborg Danz, Wolfgang Mohr, Angela Maria Blasi, Hakan Hagegard, Herbert Lippert, Alastair Miles, Sylvia McNair, Thomas Hampson, Eva Mei, Vienna State Opera Choir Concert Association, Dorothea Röschmann

Release Date May 04, 1999
I was just wondering why if this is called "Mozart Complete Sacred Works" why is it missing K. 20 Motet "God is our Refuge" (Psalm 46:1) am I missing it somewhere in the table of context or is it just me

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

Divine Sopranos

from: Telarc

Release Date July 22, 2003
This is a very good CD, but a better value for only $10. The weakest singers are definitely mezzo Frederica von Stade (showtune) and Barbara Hendricks (beyond light lyric). Battle's aria from Mahler's 2nd is exceptionally out of place. The CD opens brightly with Dawn Upshaw's version of "On mighty wings" from Haydn's 'The Creation.' It's a strong, colorful piece that takes a bit of a beating from her nasality. Sylvia McNair is stupendous, possibly even surpassing Anna Moffo (the authoritative Rachmaninof Vocalise). Elly Ameling is in her usual good form with this Faure art song. McNair shines even more on "Rejoice Greatly" from Haendel's "Messiah." This may be the best version I've ever heard and possibly surpass Kathleen Battle's, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Mozart: Grabmusik, Regina Coeli, Ave Verum Corpus / Hampson, McNair, Bonney, Margiono, Prégardien, von Magnus; Harnoncourt

by: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Concentus Musicus Wien, Arnold Schoenberg Chor, Nikolaus Harnoncourt, Erwin Ortner, Chrstoph Prégardien, Elisabeth von Magnus, Barbara Bonney, Thomas Hampson, Sylvia McNair, Charlotte Margiono

Release Date April 04, 1995
This is a wonderful CD, especially for the curious. Barbara Bonney always sings Mozart wonderfully and truly soars as a lovely angel in his piece The Schoenberg choir does a terrific job bringing out the feeling of each work with proper emphasis and wonderfully blended unity. Each work is a joy, especially the choral pieces, the best among them the Miserere and the unfinished Hosanna. This collection includes movements from unfinished masses found in his wife's possesion after Mozart's untimely death.

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

I Enjoy Being a Girl

by: Barbara McNair

Release Date February 28, 2006
I am so glad they finally issued this wonderful album on CD. A while back, a guy named Michael Barrett issued illegal vinyl-rip copies on CD, and sold them on ebay; which, of course ...I bought. However, it is so good to finally have this refreshing album in crystal-clear quality. Particular highlights include a tear-wrenching take on 'Hi-Li, Hi-Lo," a confidant making-dreams-come-true "I'll Build a Stairway to Paradise," and an enthusiastic big band version of "If I Had a Hammer." It is McNair at her finest.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Livin' End

by: Barbara McNair

Release Date February 28, 2006
The 60's were blessed by the great voice of this artist ! So sorry to hear of her demise due to cancer. Heaven gained yet another great person !!