CD-Charts Position 61
Average Rating:

Massenet: Cendrillon

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
from: Sbme Import

Release Date February 20, 2006
One should not judge a book by its cover. Here, the book cover is 'trashy' as one reviewer put it, quite right, and inappropriate and ridiculous really. And inside there is no libretto, only numbered queues to the first sung lines. Not helpful if you are not familiar with the opera. However, the Cinderella fable is known by most.

For about a third of the price of the original package (1979), you have the identical recording, with Julius Rudel conducting the Philharmonia Orchestra, of Massenet's Cendrillion, with the magical interpretation of Frederica von Stade. She is supported by a superb cast of some of the modern greats of the French repertory, as Nicolai Gedda, Ruth Welting, Jules Bastin and Jane Berbie. Other notable ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 62
Average Rating:

Jussi Björling Rediscovered

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
by: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Umberto Giordano, Georges Bizet, Jules Massenet, Edvard Grieg, Jean Sibelius, Carl Leopold Sjoberg, Pietro Mascagni, Francesco Paolo Tosti, Giacomo Puccini, Stephen Foster, Jussi Bjorling, Frederick Schauwecker

Release Date September 09, 2003
I discovered Jussi about 15 years ago and have never tired of his voice. I already had a CD with a Carnegie Hall recital. I'd hope to hear it in its entirety.

I am always amazed at the nuanced emotions in his voice. His "Flower Song" from Carmen is tender and masculine and absolutely melting. Who would want Escamillo after hearing Don Jose sing THAT!??!! And I love the heartiness he projects as a storyteller in "The Trout." His "L'Alba separa dalla luce l'ombra" is a delightful tribute to Caruso.

The biggest surprise was a song that I normally can't stand; "Jeannie with the Light Brown Hair". After hearing many Irish tenors slaughter it, I was ready to just skip over it. Instead, I found myself with tears runnig ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 63
Average Rating:

Donizetti - Three Queens (Anna Bolena ~ Maria Stuarda ~ Roberto Devereux) Please advise if these operas come with English/Italian libretti.

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
by: London Symphony

Release Date November 07, 2000
Each of the three operas is in its own double jewel case.
Each contains a full Italian/English libretto with background
articles and photos.
The three jewel cases are in a slipcase, and there is
an additional 18-page booklet mostly of rehearsal photos.
The set is nicely done.

CD-Charts Position 64
Average Rating:

Mozart: Mass in C Minor, K 427; Exultate, jubilate, K 165; Ave Verum Corpus, K 618

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
by: Bavarian Radio Choir and Orchestra

Release Date May 12, 1992
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1N1V2EFB4IQVZ This soloists in this performance are out of this world. The Soprano 1 has the perfect tone. No excessive vibrato, dead center of the pitch and color up and down the scale (the low A flat in the Kyrie is awesome.) Frederica von Stade does the Soprano 2 and is awesome (as usual) with very nice high b naturals. I Buy this CD again just to hear Arleen Auger's gorgeous singing!

CD-Charts Position 65
Average Rating:

Poulenc: Gloria; Stabat Mater

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date July 20, 1989
This is the simply a slpendid recording- well paced, energetic and in excellent sound. I have a suspicion that many people drawn to these works pay undo emphasis on the choir [or they are choir singers] and understandably get frustrating when the choir is not front and center in the musical proceedings. But what Poulenc wrote here does not emphasize the choir [he was a master instrumentalist after all!] so the orchestra should be more prominent at times. Ragardless, this is a great performance!

CD-Charts Position 66
Average Rating:

Puttin' on the Ritz: The Great Hollywood Musicals

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
by: The Singing Hoosiers

Release Date September 26, 1995
Eric Kunzel and the Cincinnati Pops have done it again. This is a spectacular collection. It makes you feel like getting dressed up with a lot of glitz and glam and going dancing. Though I must admit that Fredrica Von Stade's rendition of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" will definitely touch your heart.

CD-Charts Position 67
Average Rating:

Kathleen Battle - Bel Canto Arias

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
from: Deutsche Grammophon

Release Date October 12, 1993
A review of the CD Kathleen Battle - Bel Canto Arias offers the music viewer a glimpse into the miraculous voice of a truly gifted American Diva. In this CD, the listener is treated to some of Bellini's most cherished selections from the Bel Canto repetoire including: Capuleti Ed I Montecchi, Don Pasquale and La Sonambula. The CD is well produced with extended versions of arias placing the more familar arias in their musical context. Vocal acrobatics and piercing high notes are a gift to behold. Although the top register is clear it at time sounds pushed and somewhat shrill compared to the most colorful lower range. She brings drama and emotion to the arias and this diva should be remembered as one of the great coloratura's along with Sutherland, Freni, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 68
Average Rating:

Cecilia Bartoli ~ Opera Proibita (Handel · Scarlatti · Caldara) / Les Musiciens du Louvre · Minkowski

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
from: Decca

Release Date September 13, 2005
One can't help but be impressed with the agility in Bartoli's voice. Vocal fireworks! And yet the "Mentre io godo...", "Caldo sangue" and "Lascia la spina..." are so sweet and calming. I consider this CD a must have!

CD-Charts Position 69
Average Rating:

Aria: A Passion for Opera

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
from: EMI Classics

Release Date February 15, 1994
This is a limited number of arias of the possible repetoir of opera. It is, however, a magnificent collection. It is worth all the time to listen.

CD-Charts Position 70
Average Rating:

Pavarotti & Friends - For The Children Of Liberia

CD-Charts > Music > Featured Composers- A-Z
from: Sunset Strategic Marketing (SSM) Decca

Release Date October 20, 1998
As a musician, I first ran into this disk as a PBS broadcast. What caught my ear was that every song in the concert has "the groove." Other than a children's choral cut, not a single song in the entire collection has a flaw. You'd think the Spice Girls would be a silly addition to the concert, but they do a tremendous job. Each artist appears twice, usually with Pavaotti in one of their songs, sometimes twice. Vanessa Williams is Hot! and does an incredible dance number. The engineering is excellent, with solid side-to-side separation for a really "big" sound. All in all, this is one of the favorite CDs in my music library.