Customer Reviews

Greatest Opera Show on Earth

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This recording is incredible - from Troyanos' wonderful Habenera, to Te Kanawa's beautiful, world class renditions of Dove sono and vissi d'arte....from Pavarotti to Bjoirling, Sutherland to Caballe, this recording is magnificent. There was only one thing that disappointed me - the balance is a bit off - there is, for example, only one Cecilia aria (a not too good attempt at voi che sapete from Le Nozze - it was good, but I've heard her do better) and there was a bit of a Pavarotti overdose. Though everyone loves Pavarotti's voice, me included, there could have been more scope for other singers. That isn't me moaning of course, Pavarotti is brilliant and so is everyone else - the choice of arias for each singer and for the recording is excellent (thought I would have like to have heard Te Kanawa's O Mio in place of Tebaldi's...) Thoroughly enjoyable.

From the start, this CD has music that captures the listener's attention! For example, the "Brindisi" piece from La Traviata with Pavarotti and Sutherland forwards the motif of vitality and the perfomer's voice ensure that of a quality collection of recordings. Although, some of the more current, younger artists such as Bartoli, Terfel, Fleming, Alagna and Bocelli are not featured as much as the seasoned veterans such as Pavarotti, Domingo and Sutherland. I would have preferred a better mixture of the more current performers rather than that of the older ones, which may have more prestige, and are more well-known. But frankly, all of these singers are all talented and a monopoly of a handful of singers is not fair. Fleming's celestial, intensily supported tone, and Alagna's "tenor" forward tones are worth more attention on the CD. Yet overall, the recording is well mastered and worth buying. Despite the fact the most of the songs are the more popular ones leaving out the rather uniquely obscure pieces, one never gets tired of hearing every "Recitar!...Vesti la giubba" by any and all tenors. A Definate treasure to own!

This is the most exciting opera record. You'll have on this CDs the greatest sopranos including the marvelous Gheorghiu, the excellent voice of Te Kanawa, the beautiful voices of Freni, Sutherland, Tebaldi, Bartoli(mezzo) and the power of Flemming. Not to mention the greatest voices ever from tenors like Pavarotti, Domingo, Carreras, Bocelli, Alagna, Björling, Terfel(baritone). With the most intelligent selection of the arias, duos, choruses and I sincerely recommend it to those who love this music and to those who are beginning to enjoy it. Please listen this records and you always be greatful with these kinds of artists.

For novices, and beginners who are having their first sample of the fine art of opera, this collection is a must have. In what are the most beloved and well-known operatic pieces, "celebrity" opera stars Placido Domingo, Kiri Te Kenawa, Cecilia Bartoli, Andrea Bocelli, Joan Sutherland and Luciano Pavoratti, provide a rich and colorful collection. Among the beautiful soprano arias you will find "Un Bel Di" from Madama Butterfly, "Voi Che Sapete" from Nozze Di Figaro and "Habenera" from Carmen great tenor arias such as the Flower Song from Carmen, Figaro's Aria from Barber of Seville. You will be enchanted with the fine ensembles from La Traviata (the waltz-like Brindisi) the Flower Duet from Lakme,the Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore and the very rarely heard O Silver Moon from Dvorak's Rusalka, sung beautifully by Renee Fleming. This cd is a must have for opera and non-opera fans alike. Five star buy. Highlights include the Anvil Chorus from Il Trovatore with its powerful chorus, Va Pensiero from Nabucco with its message of hope and sung beautifully by the John Aldis Choir, and the lovely "Barcarolle" from the Tales of Hoffman. A beautiful tenor aria rarely performed also is "Mattinata" sung gorgeously by Bocelli. A five star buy. Opera has never sounded more attractive than it does in this high-quality cd.

No question - this is an execellent collection of recordings! Rarely does one see this degree of variety and balance in the selection of composers, operas, conductors, and performers in a 2 CD set. If forced to be overly critical, though, I would make 3 points based on my personal preferences: First, I agree with those who feel Pavarotti is featured too often. Personally, I would rather have more Carreras (he appears only once - Donna non vidi mai from Manon Lescaut). Second, while there are some outstanding duets (like the pavarotti/sutherland brindisi from Traviata) and choruses (e.g., soldier's chorus from faust), there are too few ensembles. The Bella Figlia quartet from Rigoletto or the Mia Madre quintet from Figaro would have been excellent additions. Finally, there just ain't enough Wagner (is there ever?). We get only the bridal chorus from Lohengrin and the Ride of the Valkyries. The Meistersinger prize song or the pilgrim's chorus from Tannhauser would both have helped round out the set.

However, to make these additions without adding another CD, some of what's already there would have to go. And what's there now is so glorious, so representative of the great operatic works and (relatively recent) interpretations, I'd hate to see something else get left out.

An absolute "must" in your CD collection if you are an Opera lover. Sometimes we just want to listen to those wonderful melodies and great moments of opera without having to listen to the whole 2-hr opera itself. This CD will do this for you and more. It travels across great singers, composers and styles in the art of opera. I could not recommend it enough. Enjoy.

These CDs contain the best opera music performed by the greatest opera singers today. If you like opera music but not necessarily an entire opera, this CD is for you. The music is absolutely beautiful and a joy to listen to. It is by far the best selections from the greatest operas.

I enjoy opera and classical music quite a bit, without being a big opera buff. The selections for this CD are great -- some of my all-time favorites, and some pieces from operasI'd never heard before. I've been enjoying this from the moment I got it. This would make a great gift for someonoe like me.

The singers are wonderful singers and the arias are wonderful arias. Although it was not all one concert and not all of it was live, the title speaks the truth.

this is a great CD. I got it as a birthday present from someone who knows how much I love opera. Lots of great selections here, sung by great singers. i want to be an opera singer! i lost it in Mexico and now I am buying another one online!