Cesare Siepi: Classic Recitals - Operatic Arias for Bass

Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Carlos Gomes (Composer), Giacomo Meyerbeer (Composer), Fromental Halevy (Composer), Alberto Erede (Conductor), Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra (Orchestra), Santa Cecilia National Academy Orchestra Rome (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra, Santa Cecilia National Academy Orchestra Rome
• Conductor: Alberto Erede
• Composer: Giuseppe Verdi, Carlos Gomes, Giacomo Meyerbeer, Fromental Halevy
• Audio CD (August 9, 2005)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B0009ND41A
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #334,504 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating Bass., February 12, 2007

By 

Abel "AMY" (Hong Kong) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cesare Siepi: Classic Recitals - Operatic Arias for Bass (Audio CD)

Cesare Siepi's recordings aren't many these days. I've got Kleiber's Figaro and Krip's Don Giovanni. Glorious singing by Siepi in those two great recordings.
But the songs in this album none the less present Siepi's bass cantante to great effect.
The role of Philip II in Verdi's Don Carlos is well-presented here, very moving. It is a big shame that Cesare did not otherwise leave many recordings for this role that fits him so well! If you like "Don Carlos", and want to have a superb version of Philip II's famous aria, this CD is the answer.
The arias from Meyerbeer's Les Hugenots are also great, the latter one 'Piff-paff' sung to a great rhythmic lilt by Siepi following the greaat Lutheran hymn from the same opera.
I could not imagine a bass could be so melodious. The album is a great joy to listen, and a true gem to own. In fact, of all my solo recital albums, Siepi's album has always remained on the top as being one of the most listened to at whatever time of the year, whatever hour of the day.

13 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Profundo!, October 23, 2005

By 

Susan Dunn "The EQ Coach" (Dallas,, Tx United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cesare Siepi: Classic Recitals - Operatic Arias for Bass (Audio CD)

You have to love bass ... the unsung heroes of the operatic aria world ... and I do, perhaps because my father had a bass voice and sang in paid choirs on Sundays (for joy), while earning his living as a lawyer. Somehow you descend to the depths with the bass, and Cesare's voice is beautiful. I coach, teach and train emotional intelligence, and there's a theory in psychology about the bass voice and depression. Whatever it is true or not, that males with higher voices have more emotional resilience, the bass voice takes you to the profound depths of things. You can't help going there. I find it soothing, like an anchor. If you're a bass fan, buy this and listen, you'll love it. If you're not, buy it and learn! I think it's an acquired taste. The tenors get the big roles, but the bass bears the weight.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Viva Siepi!! Glorious voice - a must-have recording., May 9, 2008

By 

Top Hat (Kansas City, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Cesare Siepi: Classic Recitals - Operatic Arias for Bass (Audio CD)

Cesare Siepi remains one of my favorite post WWII basses, and this recording confirms why. Though recorded in 1954, the audio quality is surprisingly good, and every selection so well performed. The aria from Meyerbeer's Les Huguenots has a nice strong low C - quite a pleasant surprise; also has arias by Verdi, Gomes, Meyerbeer and Halevy.

There is absolutely nothing to disappoint - a fabulous recital from one of the greatest voices of all time. If we can get Sony to release "Operatic Saints and Sinners" recorded by Jerome Hines to commemorate his 20th anniversary at the MET, I'll have my other favorite bass recital on CD.