CD-Charts Position 1
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The #1 Opera Album

by: Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, Léo Delibes, Georges Bizet, Umberto Giordano, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Richard Wagner, Gioachino Rossini, Alfredo Catalani, Jacques Offenbach, Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Charles Gounod, Gaetano Donizetti, Pietro Mascagni, Antonin Dvorak, Richard Bonynge, Herbert von Karajan, Alberto Erede, Lamberto Gardelli, Giuseppe Patane, John Mauceri, Zubin Mehta, Charles Dutoit, Gyorgy Fischer, Riccardo Chailly, Istvan Kertesz, Leone Magiera, Evelino Pido, Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Renée Fleming, Cecilia Bartoli, Luciano Pavarotti, Jussi Bjorling, Renata Tebaldi

Release Date February 27, 2001
I heard this CD on a PBS pledge drive (it was a premium) and found myself loving every cut on it! I was in my car and just wanted to keep on driving and listening. This is by far my most-played CD - I've had to make it a weekend only listen to prevent getting burned out on it. HIGHLY recommend it. Even if you are unfamiliar with some of the pieces, you will quickly learn to love them. . . . I must end this review - I'm off to listen to the "flower duet" for the 100th time. . .

CD-Charts Position 2
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Sentimento: Andrea Bocelli with Lorin Maazel and the London Symphony Orchestra [Limited Edition w/ Bonus Track]

by: Andrea Bocelli, Joaquin Rodrigo, Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Jacques Offenbach, Francesco Paolo Tosti, Gioachino Rossini, Johann Paul Aegidius Martini, Stanislao Gastaldon, Luigi Denza, Stefano Donaudy, Lorin Maazel

Release Date November 05, 2002
"What I crave most, what I hope to achieve is to communicate with the listeners, to touch them in the same way that I was touched as a child by my favorite singers who made me cry and made me dream." ~ Andrea Bocelli ~

"May the pleasure we all have had in embarking on this new venture be shared by those who listen." ~ Lorin Maazel, Conductor ~

I classify the CDs from my collection into three major categories:
1. Closest to my heart
2. Closer to my heart
3. Close to my heart

This CD, "Sentimento," definitely falls into the number one category for its many musical qualities. I'm particularly drawn to it because of three of my all-time classical favorites: Franz Liszt's "Liebestraum" (Sogno ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Mascagni - Cavalleria rusticana / de Los Angeles · Corelli · Santini ~ Leoncavallo - Pagliacci / Corelli · Gobbi · Amara · von Matacic

by: Angelo Mercuriali, Franco Piva, Mario Spina, Mario Zanasi, Rome Opera Orchestra, La Scala Theater Orchestra

Release Date November 05, 2002
This set of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci has been assembled for Franco Corelli, as he stars in both. The set is recommended to listen to Corelli in controlled studio conditions, without background noise or the like, in two of his major roles. As it is well known by everyone who knows his singing, where other tenors struggle to solve the technical problems, he has taken a huge leap forward, using his technique for nuanced, meaningful interpretation. These recordings are very typical of his masterful art.

The conducting, choruses, orchestras, and the other singers are excellent: much care has obviously been taken to create two exquisite big pictures.

Victoria de Los Angeles is a very light lyric soprano, but the great ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 4
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Carlo Bergonzi - The Sublime Voice ~ 40 Tracks from the Legendary Tenor

by: Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Puccini, Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Pietro Mascagni, Amilcare Ponchielli, Tullio Serafin, Herbert von Karajan, Georg Solti, Rafael Kubelik, Nello Santi, Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Lamberto Gardelli, Sir John Pritchard, Carlo Bergonzi, Renata Tebaldi, Ettore Bastianini, Fiorenza Cossotto, Enzo Sordello, Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Tugomir Franc, Renata Scotto, Libero Arbace, Fernando Corena, Birgit Nilsson, Giulietta Simionato, Sylvia Stahlman, Joan Sutherland, Dora Carral, Piero de Palma

Release Date June 12, 2001
Wow! What a voice! This 2 CD set features 40 of Carlo Bergonzi's works. It represents a remarkable portrait of his body of work. The "liner notes" observe that he had a reputation "as a singer of rare refinement, exemplary style, and impeccable taste. . . ."

Some examples of his work:

"Che gelida manina": This exquisite work from Puccini's "La Boheme" is superbly sung. There is, to be sure, an occasional affectation, but his rich, smooth voice renders this a trifling concern. Listen to the power and richness of his voice on such words as "millionaria," "forziere," and "la speranza" (hope I came close to spelling the words right!). What a lustrous voice. . . .

"O soave fanciulla": This duet with Renata Tebaldi ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti ~ Favorite Arias by the World's Favorite Tenors

by: Giacomo Puccini, Gaetano Donizetti, Giuseppe Verdi, Umberto Giordano, Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Jules Massenet, Richard Strauss, Pietro Mascagni, Francesco Cilea, Eve Queler, Lorin Maazel, Emerson Buckley, Michael Tilson Thomas, Sir John Pritchard, Giuseppe Patane, Zubin Mehta, Leonard Bernstein, James Levine, Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Jose Carreras, Ingvar Wixell

Release Date July 02, 1991
This album has got to be one of the best compilations in its genre. If you are into male opera singers, specifically tenors, then you should definitely buy this CD. Imagine their hearty expressive voices coming out of your home stereo system. It might make you cry! (in a good way)

CD-Charts Position 6
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Popular Songs - Beniamino Gigli (2 CDs) (EMI)

from: EMI

Release Date November 05, 2002
Beniamino Gigli (1890 - 1957) was one of the greatest all times tenors. He can be compared with Enrico Caruso, Tito Schipa or more recent late Luciano Pavarotti.
My grandmother told me of the commotion this tenor produced in Buenos Aires when performing in 1919. For her he was the greatest of all the tenors that sang at the Colon Opera Theater.

He was a major opera singer, but what Italian tenor could resist singing Neapolitan popular songs? No one. Least of all Mr. Gigli (even if he was born in a different province).
Here we are able to hear a complete selection of "canzzonetas", 46 of them nothing less!
Beniamino's open heart is here, in each song we can feel his soul flowing from his extraordinary voice.

I ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Maria Callas: La Divina 3

by: Tito Gobbi, Giuseppe di Stefano, Nicolai Gedda, London Philharmonic Orchestra, La Scala Theatre Orchestra, Conservatory Concert Society Orchestra, Paris National Opera Theatre Orchestra

Release Date January 17, 1995
Maria Callas is an important singer in opera at mid-20th century. She helped fuel a renewed interest in bel canto, through her efforts in the works of Donizetti and Bellini--even thought she really had little of the classic coloratura soprano skills. But her personality, ability to create characters, and sheer will power made these operas work. Callas was not a great vocal technician; her singing, especially later on, had some ugly sounds. But her distinct voice was important in operatic history. Want a beautiful voice? Go for Mirella Freni or Anna Moffo. Want grit, character, and magic? Callas does nicely there. And until the latter part of her career, her voice was quite good.

Some illustrative cuts. The "Seguidilla" from "Carmen." She did ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Mischa Elman (violin) - The Victor Recordings with Frances Alda, Enrico Caruso and the Elman String Quartet

from: Biddulph Records

Release Date August 17, 1994
I don't have any comments about this particular recording - I just want to give information on this listing. Biddulph releases, particularly from this era are of generally of somewhat poor audio quality, but of overwhelming historical significance. You can expect perhaps some scratchiness from the transfers, though the musical expression is intact.

I believe these short works were originally recorded on 78 r.p.m. discs, and it explains the brevity of works here. In the early 78 era, it would take something like 4 sides to record a complete 4-movement symphony.

Track listing for this CD:
1. Kahn: Ave Maria
2. Massenet: Elegie
3. Denza: Si Vous l'aviez Compris (If you would understand)
4. Leoncavallo: Les Deux Serenades
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CD-Charts Position 9
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Leoncavallo - Ragliacci / Domingo · Stratas · Pons · Prêtre (1983 film)

by: Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Georges Prêtre, Placido Domingo, Teresa Stratas, Juan Pons, Alberto Rinaldi, Florindo Andreoli

Release Date October 25, 1990
Though not as popular as some former tenors, Placido Domingo is the best in the world. He has the best vocal control of any tenor and best quality too. This is an excellent version of Pagliacci especially considering that Franco Zeffirelli was involved in its creation. Placido Domingo has just the right amount of drama mixed with energy and vocal quality to bring about one of the great performances of Canio. The weakest of the players is Teresa Stratas who seems to have trouble voicing the part of Nedda. This is the best performance of Juan Pons I have heard. Many snobs will find that any music outside of the theater is beastly and ghastly, but what else can you expect from snobs. For a movie rendition it is fantastic. The performances are mostly solid and enjoyable ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
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Leoncavallo - La Bohème / Mazzaria, Malagnini, Summers, Spagnoli, Senn, Latham-Koenig

by: Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Jan Latham Koenig, Lucia Mazzaria, Mario Malagnini, Romano Emili, Silviano Pagliuca, Jonathan Summers, Cinzia De Mola, Giampaolo Grazioli

Release Date October 12, 1999
Source: Recorded during live performances at Teatro La Fenice in Venice, January 23-30, 1990.

Sound: Adequate digital stereo for a live performance. The audience is unusually quiet except for occasional bursts of applause at appropriate places. Mercifully, hardly any booming footsteps are to be heard, but there are numerous clanks, rattles and bangs from the use of stage props.

Cast: Musette - Martha Senn; Marcello - Mario Malagnini; Mimi - Lucia Mazzaria; Rodolfo - Jonathan Summers; Schaunard - Bruno Pratice; Colline/Visconte Paulo - Pietro Spagnoli; Barbemuche - Silvano Pagliuca; Durand/Gaudencio - Romano Emili; Signore Primo Piano/Un Becero - Giampaolo Grazioli; Eufemia - Cinzia de Mola. Conductor - Jan Latham Koenig.

Format: Two disks, ... Read More: