Amore: Romantic Italian Love Songs

Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Eduardo di Capua (Composer), Gioachino Rossini (Composer), Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Friedrich von Flotow (Composer), Gaetano Donizetti (Composer), Umberto Giordano (Composer), Salvatore Cardillo (Composer), Luigi Denza (Composer), Ruggero Leoncavallo (Composer), Ernesto de Curtis (Composer), John Alldis (Conductor), Zubin Mehta (Conductor), John Allids (Conductor), Giancarlo Chiaramello (Conductor), Richard Bonynge (Conductor), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), Anton Guadagno (Conductor), Nicola Rescigno (Conductor), Leone Magiera (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Conductor: John Alldis, Zubin Mehta, John Allids, Giancarlo Chiaramello, Richard Bonynge, et al.
• Composer: Giacomo Puccini, Eduardo di Capua, Gioachino Rossini, Giuseppe Verdi, Friedrich von Flotow, et al.
• Audio CD (September 15, 1992)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000004218
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #32,083 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #16 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Featured Performers, A-Z > M to P
  • #23 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Songs & Lieder > General

Track Listings

1. Turandot, opera: Nessu Dorma!

2. O sole mio, for voice & piano (or orchestra)

3. La danza. Tarantella Napolitana ('Già la luna è in mezzo al mare'), for voice & piano (Soirées musicales)

4. Rigoletto, opera: La donna è mobile

5. Martha, opera: M'appari tutt'amore

6. La bohème, opera: Che gelida manina

7. Ah! Maria, Marí, song for voice & piano (or orchestra)

8. L'elisir d'amore, opera: Una furtiva lagrima

9. Tosca, opera: Recondita armonia

10. Fedora, opera: Amor ti vieta

11. Core 'ngrato (Catari), for voice & orchestra

12. Funiculì Funiculà, for voice & orchestra (& chorus ad lib)

13. Tosca, opera: E lucevan le stelle

14. Aida, opera: Celeste Aida

15. Pagliacci, opera: Vesti la giubba

16. La fanciulla del West (The Girl of the Golden West), opera: Ch' ella mi creda

17. Torna a Surriento, for voice & piano (or orchestra)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

From Calaf's "Nessun dorma" from Turandot, in which the singer exclaims his love for the ice princess and the victory he will have over her, through Lionel's realization that he will have a new life and be happy with Lady Harriet in Martha ("M'appari"), and on to Rodolfo's falling in love with Mimi in La Bohème when he touches her hand ("Che gelida manina"): here we have some of opera's most beautiful love songs, sung by Pavarotti when he was in his golden-voiced prime. His "Una furtiva lagrima" is touching and gentle, while his rendition of the Neapolitan song "Core 'ngrato"--a diatribe against his lover's rejection of him--is heartbreaking. Radames's hymn to Aida ("Celeste Aida") in which he sees Aida as "the splendor of [his] life," is glorious, and all of the other selections are equally fine. For lovers and others, this is a handsome collection. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Luciano's greatest compilation CD, April 27, 2000

By 

"tenor_in_training" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amore: Romantic Italian Love Songs (Audio CD)

For over three decades Maestro Luciano Pavarotti has brought joy to human ears all around the world. Sure, the critics may scoff at the big arena concerts and at the later years' natural darkening of his voice. But we the fans just know that listening to him lifts our spirits and opens our hearts to the glory of human voice.

And that's exactly what this collection is all about. To compile it, the Decca producers used material from three albums: "Arias" (his earliest), "Favorite Neapolitan Songs" and "Passione," as well as some complete opera recordings such as "La Boheme" and "Rigoletto." The song "La Danza," Rossini's engaging tarantella is from a rare album "Pavarotti in Concert in Bologna" with Richard Bonynge. Most of these selections, therefore, are from 60s and 70s, in other words, Pavarotti's prime years. As he was establishing himself as one of the all-time greatest tenors on stage, he gave an all-out effort on recordings. And it shows. Listen to the vocal line in "Che gelida manina"; the breath control on "la speranza" is truly unbelievable. There is his signature aria "Nessun Dorma" and, of course, a song often mistaken for Italian National Anthem - Di Capua's "O Sole Mio!"

In addition to magnificent vocal pyrotechnics, Pavarotti's considerable acting-with-voice skills are represented on such demanding arias as "Celeste Aida" and "Vesti la Giubba". And it's a real treat to hear his Duca singing sparkling "La donna e mobile."

This is an excellent introduction to opera as well as a delightful morsel for seasoned fans. I found that it also makes a great gift idea; after all, no one can resist Pavarotti after the final "Vincero!"

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Pavarotti's best CDs, November 20, 2003

By 

green_bamboo (Huntsville, AL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Amore: Romantic Italian Love Songs (Audio CD)

This is one of the best Pavarotti CDs I have listened to. It contains a great selection of 17 arias and Italian lyric songs. However, if you can afford it, "Pavarotti Greatest Hits: The Ultimate Collection" will offer more in a 2-CD set (a total of 41 arias and Italian lyric songs).

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Pavarotti sampler collection, January 25, 2008

By 

Laurie B. Calhoun (Orlando, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Amore: Romantic Italian Love Songs (Audio CD)

I got this CD for my teenaged son, who asked for a Pavarotti CD for Christmas. I chose this one among the plethora of recordings because it is a good sampler of the great man's best pieces. My son isn't much into operatic singing, but he loves Pavarotti. I wanted a recording that would "hit the high points" without being too exhaustive for someone who's not deeply interested. This recording has a mix of some of my favorite arias and Neapolitan songs that I wanted my son to hear. It's really a nice set of pieces for beginners, and those who just want a little Pavarotti collection. My son loves it.