Customer Reviews

Aria

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I bought this album at the marked down aisle of the used bookstore. Usually, I don't buy CDs unless I have at least a vague idea of who's behind it, but the cover spoke to me. By the looks of it I could tell it was in the style of music I very much enjoy like E.S. Posthumus, Era (yes Era, not Aria) or even Enigma or Delerium. Boy was I NOT disappointed!
This CD is a gem that cost me just $1.99! What a diamond in the rough. Take it, lie down, close your eyes and enjoy the escape. 5 out of 5 stars in my book.

If I could give this CD 10 stars, I would certainly do so. Five stars is not sufficient to describe this wonderful work of art. I am an opera fan but I am certainly not offended by these contemporary arrangements which brings these wonderful works to a modern audience.

The selection "Willow" from Verdi's Otello is haunting and mystical. "Un Bel Di" from Puccini's Madama Butterfly soars. Other works from Purcell's Dido and Aeneas; or Mozart's The Magic Flute; or Bizet's Carmen are arranged to be unique and evoke the context of the original opera.

Rebecca Luker's voice is superb. The electonic approach to these classics updates them, but never replaces the originals. They were not meant to replace only to offer a unique approach to classics.

the formula for paul schwartz' aria: classical + synthetic = ethereally grounded. all tracks are beautifully textured, moving, melancholic, at times haunting. the way he blended orchestra and electronic in aria produced music that is so unbelievably lush and inspiring. a must-have for eclectics.

Also recommended: State of Grace (Paul Schwartz) Journey (Various Artists) Golden Key (Isgaard)

I listen to this CD over and over again. Traditional opera voices backed by modern instruments makes for distinct music that appeals to sophisticated adult ears. You don't need to be an opera fan to enjoy this beautiful, unique style of music. A true opera fan below was disappointed, but after buying Aria, I became interested in opera and added a couple of authentic aria CDs to my collection.

Good soft classical music with a slight touch of modern electronic rithms. Perhaps not an outstanding piece of work, but for sure you'll enjoy a nice and peaceful piece of music.

A doctor buddy of mine and I were working the ER one weekend and he put this CD on. Now, I love just about any kind of music EXCEPT Opera and Country music depresses me after a few songs. Now, this CD sure smacked of opera but I was not offended. In fact, the longer I listened, the more I liked it. I didn't much care for the treatment of Bizet's "Carmen" but that was the only song I didn't care for just because I loved the original classical and just didn't like this arrangement. I guess I was primed for this sound through Yanni's "Aria" from his Dare to Dream CD. Thus the blending of contemporary instrumental music with an operatic voice or voices was born.

As for the disappointed opera fan/reviewer, this IS NOT opera and it was never intended to replace or even imitate true opera. Paul Schwartz was exposed to the opera, orchestral symphonies, rock music and dance clubs that were all within walking distance from his home as a young man. He simply took the sounds that appealed to him and put them together. Thus this, his first effort, leans heavily on traditional classical music that is familiar to a great number of people. I personally found his second release, "Aria, Vol. 2: New Horizon", to be much more enjoyable. "Aria 3: Metamorphosis" was released five years after "New Horrizon" and shows a more matured sound and is highly enjoyable. Paul embarked on another venture through the "State of Grace" series during those five years which I haven't heard, yet. I love listening to all three Cd's with #2 and #3 being my favorites of the three. So if you are an opera purest, Paul Schwartz's "Aria" compositions are NOT what you are looking for. But, if you're a New Age enthusiast with even a little appreciation for classical music, then you'll probably enjoy this CD along with his other works.

I've owned this CD for years. And rate it 5 stars. It knocked my out when I first heard it years ago, and still does today. The question I have is why are there two versions of the same CD, at different prices? Anyones help would be greatly appreciated.

the music was operatic but not overly so. there was enough "electronic" to overshadow several pieces that soared operatically, (my word!) which i greatly appreciated. the sound was unique enough not to be boring, in my opinion. Paul Schwartz is a genius!

I picked this album up very much on a whim over six years ago, but as soon as I had heard it once through I knew the purchase must have been more like divine will. The multilayered opera is blended, but in no way overshadowed, by the sophisticated electronica, combining to form something completely new and seemingly inseparable. Of particular note to me at first, as a complete opera novice at the time, was track 4, Dido, hauntingly beautiful and difficult to ever escape from. This album was my stepping stone into pure opera, a genera I never imagined I would love so at age 24. This album, therefore, is to thank for many of my current tastes in music, and an added maturity to what my ears can appreciate that I may never have gained without it.

This is a Dr. Jeckal and Mr. Hyde CD. The singing is so incredibly beautiful but it's totally ruined with synthetic background "music". The drum machine parts are so bad it's like listening to a joke from Saturday Night Live.