CD-Charts Position 201
Average Rating:

Puccini: La Rondine

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
starring: Fiorenza Cedolins, Fernando Portari, Sandra Pastrana, Carlo Rizzi, Emanuele Giannino
directed by: Graham Vick

Release Date August 26, 2008
This production of Puccini's La Rondine comes from the Fenice in Venice. The director, Graham Vick, made the decision to move the story to the 1950s, with women dressed in what look like Balenciaga knock-offs. The updating in itself doesn't do much harm to the story except for the fact that the plot itself -- a woman who can't marry her lover because her past will bring disgrace to his family -- doesn't translate particularly well to 1950s mores, particularly in Paris where the opera is set. That alone, however, would not create that much of a problem if it weren't for the musical and theatrical values of the production. The singers are average at best. The only reasonable well-known singer is Fiorenza Cedolins as Magda, the female lead. She ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 202
Average Rating:

Voce D'Italia: Arias For Rubini

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

Release Date January 22, 2008
I have been thrilled seeing Florez in operas, his voice is powerful and pure; his acting ability is unmatchable. But his CD's are produced very purely. He sings too loud, it is not pleasing to the ear. I have seen audiences move Florez to tears with ovations; he is amazing. But the people who produced this CD apparently did not listen to it before selling it to the public. I found it offensive.

CD-Charts Position 203
Average Rating:

The Story Of Handel

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
from: Vox (Classical)

Release Date April 16, 1995
The content is terrific. This CD is one of a series of classical music masters. The only problem is that tracks 38 and later have a lot of distortion/static. I returned thinking it was a problem with the disc, but the replacement disc had the same problem. If not for that, I would have rated 5 stars.

CD-Charts Position 204
Average Rating:

Andrea

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
by: David Arch, Frank Martin, Claire Worrall, Holly Stell

Release Date November 09, 2004
After hearing Bocelli on the Today Show one morning I wondered why I had never purchased any of his CDs. I went out immediately and randomly purchased a CD and fell in love with his voice and songs. I listen to this in my car constantly and never tire of hearing the great passion in his singing.

CD-Charts Position 205
Average Rating:

Surrender

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

Release Date October 30, 1995
I'm not a big ALW fan but his x-wife's singing turns his pompous, melodramatic works into sincere and romantic love songs.

CD-Charts Position 206
Average Rating:

American River

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
by: Jonathan Elias

Release Date August 24, 2004
Bought this after I saw a Valspar commercial and tracked down the composer. Always loved Thomas Newman and just had to have this. Sounds alot like Newman's works and its very laid back for any occasion.

CD-Charts Position 207
Average Rating:

Massenet - Thaïs / Fleming, Hampson, Sabbatini, Shkosa, Vidal, Devellereau, Cals, Yves Abel

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
by: Jules Massenet, Orchestre National Bordeaux Aquitaine, Renée Fleming, Thomas Hampson, Yves Abel, Giuseppe Sabbatini, Elisabeth Vidal, Marie Devellereau, Enkelejda Shkosa, Stefano Palatchi

Release Date August 22, 2000
I bought the CDs on Thais after hearing it in Paris in April 2007.
I think Renee Fleming is incomparable.

CD-Charts Position 208
Average Rating:

Lauridsen: Lux Aeterna, etc. / Salamunovich, Los Angeles Master Chorale

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
by: M. Lauridsen

Release Date May 19, 1998
The Masterchoral is in top form on this recording. The recording was up for a Grammy a few years back, and it deserved the nomination.

This music is magical and these performances are wonderful.

CD-Charts Position 209
Average Rating:

Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle [DVD Video]

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

Release Date May 13, 2008
I believe this is the first DVD of this 20th century masterpiece. The two singers are excellent vocally, but the bass is no actor. The orchestra, which is really the main story teller, is outstanding. The scenery is o.k.

CD-Charts Position 210
Average Rating:

Music from a Farther Room

CD-Charts > Music > Opera and Vocal
by: Astor Piazzolla, Maurice Ravel, Richard Rodgers, Paul Schwartz, Jean Sibelius, Traditional, Paul Schwartz, Craig Macintyre, Tariqh Akoni, Tim Curle, Lang Lang, Lee Musiker, Zachary Provost, Lucia Micarelli, Leigh Nash, Lisbeth Scott

Release Date July 27, 2004
I ordered the CD based on recommendation from a friend. The music is somewhat softer than expected. Good easy listening CD though. It is my first CD from this artist.