Essential Verdi - 40 of His Greatest Masterpieces (2 CD Set)

Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Alberto Erede (Conductor), Bernard Haitink (Conductor), Colin Davis (Conductor), Edward Downes (Conductor), Gabriele Santini (Conductor), Georg Solti (Conductor), Giuseppe Sinopoli (Conductor), Herbert von Karajan (Conductor), John Pritchard (Conductor), Lamberto Gardelli (Conductor), Nello Santi (Conductor), Riccardo Chailly (Conductor), Richard Bonynge (Conductor), Valery Gergiev (Conductor), Berlin State Opera Orchestra (Orchestra), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Milan Giuseppe Verdi Orchestra (Orchestra), Giuseppe Verdi Symphony Orchestra of Milan (Orchestra), St. Petersburg Kirov Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Berlin State Opera Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Milan Giuseppe Verdi Orchestra, Giuseppe Verdi Symphony Orchestra of Milan, St. Petersburg Kirov Orchestra
• Conductor: Alberto Erede, Bernard Haitink, Colin Davis, Edward Downes, Gabriele Santini, et al.
• Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
• Audio CD (February 13, 2001)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000056JSW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #146,998 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

VARIOS INTERPRETES VERDI ESSENTIAL (2CD) 40 OF HIS HITS

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Just Stunning!, January 25, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Essential Verdi - 40 of His Greatest Masterpieces (2 CD Set) (Audio CD)

In my opinion this recording is stunning. I am not usually a fan of compilations in classical music, as they're usually watered down representations made under the presumption that the listener would find the full-blown version intimidating or boring. This one, however, is not only an exception in my view, but a recording that deserves a high place of honor in every serious listener's collection. The representation of artists, both vocal and orchestral, is breathtaking and impressive for the span of years. A great big thank you to the people at Decca responsible for putting this collection together, as it is obvious to this listener that a great deal of thought and care went into looking for the most beautiful version of every piece on here. I have purchased two copies, one for home and one for the office, and have gotten two friends similarly hooked. I am also feverishly searching for more pairings of Joan Sutherland and Carlo Bergonzi. In the meantime, I'm on to Essential Puccini!!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Incredible, June 4, 2002

By 

A. Tohline "Tambora" (Athens, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Essential Verdi - 40 of His Greatest Masterpieces (2 CD Set) (Audio CD)

I don't say incredible about too many things, but Verdi was the zenith of Italian Opera and Solti and the Chicago Symphony and the Vienna Philharmonic are the quintessential ensembles for modern classical performance. Not to mention that most of the voices showcased have their own lines of CDs (Pavarotti, etc.) This CD is the best Verdi album available, and it has EVERYTHING. BUY THIS CD!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great music...stunning recording quality, October 31, 2002

By 

DWPC (Ventura, CA United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Essential Verdi - 40 of His Greatest Masterpieces (2 CD Set) (Audio CD)

This is a marvelous compendium of Verdi's opera works that even the serious opera fan wouldn't turn his nose up at. These are the top contemporary soloists singing with first tier orchestras. When I saw the Decca label, I expected reasonable quality, but this disk is stunningly well engineered. Most of the vocals match the best jazz cds for immediacy and intimacy, and the orchestras are equally well done.