Customer Reviews

Arias & Favorite Ballads: Recorded 1959-62

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It is both astounding and embarrassing to have to admit that after many, many years of loving opera, that I had never heard of Charles Craig. I assure you that the music samples that Amazon so thoughtfully provides does not begin to do his voice justice.

The recording brought tears to my eyes as he sang songs that I have loved for many years. His voice is relaxed and natural and his singing of the ballads section is just as enjoyable as his singing of the Puccini section. One is free to simply enjoy the music.

Another benefit of his singing is his ability to make the words understandable for the most part. I had a little difficulty understanding all of the words in his singing of "Because". His voice, however, was glorious.

I would definitly encourage anyone who enjoys a world class tenor to add this CD to their collection.

Charles Craig was a superb British operatic tenor of the 1950s,60s and 70s with an authentic Italian style.
This recording is a brilliant tribute to a dedicated and fine artist. Any one who has not heard Charles Craig recordings before is in for a surprise. Forget todays modern tenors .This is the real thing.
The performance is indeed world class.His style is relaxed and unforced with some beautiful mezza voce singing and an excellent ringing vocal tone in all the right places. Buy and enjoy.

This is a fine example of a great tenor in the Italian school. These recordings were made in the early sixties just as he was about the embark on his Covent Garden and international. He probably sang Otello more than any tenor in the history of opera and unlike he with the Plastic Voice could sing all the notes of this opera.