CD-Charts Position 111
Average Rating:

William Tell & Other Favorite Overtures

CD-Charts > Music > Operettas
from: Telarc

Release Date October 25, 1990
The pieces on this disc represent some of the more intersting and dynamc overtures, very suitable for music appreciation classes to point out use of classics and neo-classical music in contemporary culture

CD-Charts Position 112
Average Rating:

The Vienna I Love, Waltzes From My Heart

CD-Charts > Music > Operettas
by: Johann Strauss Orchestra

Release Date January 14, 1997
I was going to review this on New Year's Eve, since it has the right kind of brio for the occasion. But sloth overcame me. Now, I need a shot of brio, so here we go.

The CD begins with a potpourri, including The Radetzky March (by Strauss pere), William Tell Overture, Light Cavalry Overture, and other chestnuts that still excite). The pace is up tempo. In short, a lot of fun. If you want cerebral works and conducting, this isn't it. If you just want to enjoy, good stuff!

Another cut is "The Skaters," by Waldteufel. Animated and enjoyable. This is, to be honest, a trifle, but a very pleasant trifle. The Johann Strauss Orchestra, led by Andre Rieu, provides an enjoyable version.

Offenbach's "Barcarole" ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 113
Average Rating:

Puccini - Madama Butterfly / Freni, Pavarotti, Ludwig, Wiener Phil., Karajan

CD-Charts > Music > Operettas
by: Giacomo Puccini, Herbert von Karajan, Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti, Wiener Philharmoniker, Christa Ludwig, Robert Kerns, Michel Sénéchal, Marius Rintzler, Giorgio Stendoro, Chor der Wiener Philharmoniker

Release Date October 25, 1990
While this is not my favorite Butterfly (Leinsdorf/Moffo), it is certainly one of the best ever recorded. Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Pavarotti, but Freni is the best tragic lyric soprano I've ever had the pleasure of experiencing. She always moves me to tears, without fail. She is not my favorite Butterfly, though, because I prefer Moffo's young and innocent take, whereas Freni's voice is a bit heavier and more mature sounding.

Madama Butterfly has, for whatever reason, the most varied and rich recording catalogue. There are easily half a dozen recordings that are all "perfect" in their own right. You just can't go wrong with buying any of them, and you might even feel compelled to buy all of them, because they're all so good! ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 114
Average Rating:

Johann Strauss: Die Fledermaus

CD-Charts > Music > Operettas
starring: Eberhard Wächter, Erich Kunz, Renate Holm, Gundula Janowitz, Wolfgang Windgassen
directed by: Otto Schenk

Release Date January 08, 2008
This is a good Fledermaus but is 35 years old! Come on, fellows, you ought to be able to come up with something newer (and perhaps better) than that. True, it does have Surround Sound, but the characters were not too convincing. The orchestra and ballet are excellent as were the settings. Not a bad choice but I will continue to look for another production

CD-Charts Position 115
Average Rating:

Very Best of

CD-Charts > Music > Operettas
by: Placido Domingo

Release Date April 22, 2003
I'm an opera neophyte but even I can tell that this inexpensive 2-disk set is a low quality production. This is a collection of late-career live performances, late-career studio performances and a few studio tracks from the 1970s. Maestro Domingo's voice is not in top form on many of the tracks, in others the orchestra drowns out the voice, and the sound is unbalanced and muddy throughout. If there's any saving grace it is that this is a diverse and unusual collection (no 'Nessun Dorma' to be found here). In my opinion these two disks are not a good introduction to the great operatic tenor Placido Domingo.

CD-Charts Position 116
Average Rating:

Puccini: Madama Butterfly

CD-Charts > Music > Operettas
from: Polygram Records

Release Date March 09, 1999
I had not listened to this CD for a while. I recently heard snippets of the love duet (Callas version...) and decided to listen to it again.
I think I'd forgotten just how beautiful Puccini's music in this opera is. Tebaldi is about as close to perfection in this as one can humanly get. I'd recommend this strongly to those who have not listened to the whole opera yet. I've always found Butterfly more moving than Boheme...I must be in the minority. To me, this opera and Tosca (for very different reasons) are his best.

CD-Charts Position 117
Average Rating:

Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro / Furlanetto, Upshaw, Te Kanwa, Hampson, von Otter, Troyanos; Levine

CD-Charts > Music > Operettas
by: Michael Forest, Renato Capecchi, Heidi Grant Murphy, Anne Sofie von Otter, Tatiana Troyanos, Anthony Laciura

Release Date February 11, 1992
I don't want to waste anybody's time by writing a long review. If you like Figaro, this is the recording you want.

I have to agree with the other reviewers that this is by far the most enjoyable production of Mozart's opera. I am especially partial to Te Kanawa, but all the other participants did a great job. As far as I know, this is the only recording that features a young-sounding Barbarina. In most others she sounds like a mature woman, which I find annoying.

Get it and emoy!

CD-Charts Position 118
Average Rating:

Puccini: La Boheme (complete opera) with Maria Callas, Giuseppe di Stefano, Anna Moffo, Antonino Votto, Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala, Milan

CD-Charts > Music > Operettas
by: Giacomo Puccini

Release Date August 19, 1997
Although I grew up with many of M.Callas recordings, it wasn't until very recently that I listened in full to her Mimi, a role she never sang onstage, unfortunately, and only learned for this recording. There are many really wonderful recordings and performances of this popular opera and of this sweet and touching character, the tragic seamstress who falls in love with the poet Rodolpho, one of Puccini's most endearing characters, Mimi.
In the last act, as Mimi is fading and her voice lovingly speaks to her friends gathered around her, I found myself weeping just by the sheer sweetness and love Callas had found to express this endearing character.
She got me! Who would have known that this great singing actress who had sung Wagner, Bellini, Verdi, great dramatic roles ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 119
Average Rating:

Puccini - La Bohème / Freni, Pavarotti, Harwood, Berlin Phil., Karajan [Highlights]

CD-Charts > Music > Operettas
by: Giacomo Puccini, Elizabeth Harwood, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Rolando Panerai

Release Date October 25, 1990
I not only purchased this as a gift, but picked up one for myself. It's one of the best operas around.

CD-Charts Position 120
Average Rating:

Fiesta

CD-Charts > Music > Operettas
by: André Rieu, Johann Strauss Orchestra, Georges Bizet, Gioachino Rossini, Mikis Theodorakis, Pascual Marquina, Vincent Youmans, Leo Ferré, E. Ramirez, Filippo Marchetti, Emmerich Kalman, Jacob Gade, P. Shott, Gerhard Winkler, Louis Louiguy, Glanzberg, Vincent Scotto, Luigi Denza, Scottish Traditional, Friedrich Schroder, Anonymous

Release Date January 01, 2000
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