CD-Charts Position 1
Average Rating:

The Most Relaxing Classical Album in the World...Ever!

CD-Charts > Music > C to G
by: Johann Sebastian Bach, Léo Delibes, Gabriel Fauré, Erik Satie, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Edvard Grieg, Johann Pachelbel, Claude Debussy, Felix Mendelssohn, Camille Saint-Saens, Henryk Gorecki, Antonio Vivaldi, Edward Elgar, Jocelyn Pook, Sergey Rachmaninov, Tomaso Giovanni Albinoni, Luigi Boccherini, Jules Massenet, Ludwig van Beethoven, Jacques Offenbach, Pietro Mascagni, Antonin Dvorak, Giacomo Puccini, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Alexander Borodin, Joaquin Rodrigo, Samuel Barber

Release Date March 30, 1999
The music on this cd is excellent. I would listen to it on my commute home from work, and it keeps me from getting annoyed with traffic. I would just focus on the rhythms and soothing sounds.

CD-Charts Position 2
Average Rating:

Puccini - Turandot / Sutherland · Pavarotti · Caballé · Ghiaurov · Krause · Pears · LPO · Mehta

CD-Charts > Music > C to G
from: Decca

Release Date October 25, 1990
What incredibly beautiful music this is! Puccini's "Turandot" is my all time favorite and this cast gives a stellar performance on his final, unfinished work. I bought this CD only because I wanted Pavarotti's version of "Nessun Dorma," but I was pleasantly surprised by how wonderful the full performance was.

It is impossible not to be moved to tears when listening to Caballe's "Signore, Ascolta" - this is a scene stealer especially with her held note at the end of the aria that is sure to induce a total "Oh my God" moment. With that said however, Sutherland and Pavarotti are the stars and both effortlessly break the vocal stratosphere in their performances. All under the masterful baton of Zubin Mehta, you are sure to be pleased ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
Average Rating:

Puccini - La Rondine / Gheorghiu · Alagna · Matteuzzi · Mula · Rinaldi · Ciofi · Bacelli · LSO · Pappano

CD-Charts > Music > C to G
from: EMI Classics

Release Date May 13, 1997
This rarely-performed Puccini gem has been beautifully captured on this recording. Ms. Gheorghiu's voice is amazing. She was born to sing this role. The supporting cast is equally outstanding. Supported by the London Symphony Orchestra, it doesn't get any better than this. The engineering is outstanding. If you're a fan of Puccini, this recording is a must have for your collection. Superb!

CD-Charts Position 4
Average Rating:

Stefano Landi - Il Sant'Alessio / Jaroussky, Cencic, Guillon, Bertin, Les Arts Florissants, Christie, Lazar (Théâtre de Caen 2007)

CD-Charts > Music > C to G
starring: Philippe Jaroussky, Max Emanuel Cencic, Damien Guillon, Pascal Bertin, William Christie
directed by: Benjamin Lazar

Release Date June 24, 2008
This is a very good way to get into this masterwork from Landi. Unfortunately, the DVD is reducing the impact of the production. I attended one of the performances at The Theatre Des Champs Elysees, and part of the magic is lost.
But Jarouski and Cencic are fantastic! And what a beautiful music!

CD-Charts Position 5
Average Rating:

Verdi - Rigoletto / Sutherland, Pavarotti, Milnes, LSO, Bonynge

CD-Charts > Music > C to G
by: Giuseppe Verdi, Richard Bonynge, Luciano Pavarotti, Joan Sutherland, London Symphony Orchestra, Sherrill Milnes, Joseph Clement, John Gibbs, Clifford Grant, Kiri Te Kanawa, Gillian Knight, Ricardo Cassinelli, Ambrosian Opera Chorus

Release Date October 25, 1990
Cabe mencionar que hace poco mas de 11 años que tengo este disco que tuvo a bien regalarme un amigo muy querido; de nuevo la fórmula muy efectiva en los años 70's; Pavarotti se muestra como "el mejor duque de la historia" (según críticos conocedores) y que vocalmente está en su punto, basta escuchar el aria "possente amor mi chiama" coronado con un trino para tenor que calidad insuperable; como dijera el propio Verdi "Rigoletto esta concebido como una interminable ristra de dúos", todos ellos memorables; Joanine se luce con la interpretación de una adolescente, imprimiendo una sutil Gilda, conmovedora hasta los huesos (vg en los hermosísimos dúos con Rigoletto) y con un dramatismo excepcional como en el terzetone del tercer acto previo a la muerte de Gilda ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 6
Average Rating:

The Ultimate Puccini Collection

CD-Charts > Music > C to G
by: Giacomo Puccini, Herbert von Karajan, Riccardo Chailly, Stephen Barlow, Tullio Serafin, Lorin Maazel, Sir Edward Downes, Giuseppe Patane, Zubin Mehta, Alberto Erede, John Mauceri, Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Kiri Te Kanawa, John Alldis Choir, Luciano Pavarotti, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bologna Community Theater Orchestra, Ettore Bastianini, Carlo Bergonzi, Renato Cesari, Fernando Corena, Cesare Siepi, Renata Tebaldi, Gianna D'Angelo, Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra, Franco Corelli, Alfredo Mariotti, Regine Crespin, Royal Opera House Orchestra Covent Garden, London Symphony Orchestra, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra, Rome Opera House Orchestra, Pilar Lorengar, Berlin Philharmonic Brass Ensemble, Mirella Freni, Rolando Panerai, Jussi Bjorling, Leontyne Price, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Release Date June 09, 1998
"Quando m'en vo" is not omitted from this CD; it is just called "Musetta's waltz song." It is the same aria.

CD-Charts Position 7
Average Rating:

The Very Best of Franco Corelli

CD-Charts > Music > C to G
from: EMI Classics

Release Date April 22, 2003
I bought this CD as a birthday present for my father and haven't actually heard the content myself. But because I ordered it, Amazon have prompted me to write a review. Certainly the feedback I'm getting is excellent and my Dad has derived hours of listening pleasure from it.

CD-Charts Position 8
Average Rating:

Voice of an Angel

CD-Charts > Music > C to G
from: Sony

Release Date March 16, 1999
She is a natural talent that we will not likely hear from again. Unfortunately, Church was discovered too young, and rather than protecting the precious, amazing talent, it was used to make a quick buck. I'm sure that's what she thought she wanted, but now, several years later, her voice is showing evidence of the damage caused by the unrealistic strain put on her developing larynx and vocal folds.

I hope that she is able to come back. I hope that with rest and decent training, we find an artist that comes into her own and brings a whole new generation of vocalists and music lovers into an appreciation for classical singing.

The song selection was excellent for what it was... an album introducing the young diva to the public. A great selection of well ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 9
Average Rating:

The Legendary Enrico Caruso: 21 Favorite Arias

CD-Charts > Music > C to G
from: RCA

Release Date October 25, 1990
Beautiful sound considering the condition of the source recordings. One of the best digitally "cleaned up" releases I've heard. Even with the sonic limitations of the age of the original recordings you can hear why the world remains in awe of his voice. Remember that he sang these into a horn that mechanically used a needle to scratch a wax recording blank. Just like the RCA Red Seal dog (His Master's Voice) in reverse. The value is incomparable.

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

Prelude: The Best of Charlotte Church

CD-Charts > Music > C to G
by: Charlotte Church

Release Date November 26, 2002
Let's forget for the moment the unfortunate repertoire and lifestyle choices, and just listen to this recording.
"Pie Jesu, "Amazing Grace," and "The Prayer" with Josh Groban remind us of the sweet little girl with the "voice of an angel." That she was, in spite of the reviewers who say "too much, too soon."
Other tracks here--"Bridge Over Troubled Waters," "Ave Maria," "She Walked Through the Fair"--continue the style, with a bit of added maturity.
The problems come in when she moves to selections that are too heavy for her voice at this time. The "Habanera" is most unfortunate, with a stylized accompaniment that forces her to strain to be heard above it.
Perhaps "Issues and Tissues" was a learning experience for her. She has recently indicated her intentions ... Read More: