The Legendary Enrico Caruso: 21 Favorite Arias

Ruggero Leoncavallo (Composer), Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Giacomo Meyerbeer (Composer), Fromental Halevy (Composer), Umberto Giordano (Composer), Gaetano Donizetti (Composer), Georges Bizet (Composer), Amilcare Ponchielli (Composer), Charles Gounod (Composer), Friedrich von Flotow (Composer), George Frederick Handel (Composer), Josef A. Pasternack (Conductor), Enrico Caruso (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Enrico Caruso
• Conductor: Josef A. Pasternack
• Composer: Ruggero Leoncavallo, Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, Giacomo Meyerbeer, Fromental Halevy, et al.
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003EOH
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,519 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #36 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Featured Performers, A-Z > C to G
  • #46 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Historical Periods > Baroque (c.1600-1750)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

There's a plethora of single-disc Caruso collections, but this one's the preferred choice for opera fans who treasure this golden- voiced epitome of Golden Age singing. It's a Greatest Hits collection to beat all Greatest Hits collections. Selections span Caruso's career, from the lyric effusions of 1906-7 to the darker-voiced later recordings, including one of his last records, the 1920 La Juive aria, "Rachel, quand du Seigneur," which he invests with a heartbreaking poignancy that hasn't been bettered. Caruso shines brightest in the Italian repertory, capturing the pathos of Vesti la Giubba, the insouciance of the Duke's Rigoletto arias, and the hero's dilemma in Celeste Aida, among much else. But everything here is wonderful--great music, great singing. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A childhood memory, May 28, 2006

By 

Shalom Freedman "Shalom Freedman" (Jerusalem,Israel) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Legendary Enrico Caruso: 21 Favorite Arias (Audio CD)

I do not really know Opera. I am writing this review because I remember hearing Caruso's voice coming from a seventy- eight on an old Victor gramophone in my paternal grandparents house. The power and lyric quality of the voice struck me so strongly especially in 'Pagliacci'. The phrase has been with me, and comes back occasionally through all the years.
Caruso was then, and I believe still is considered at the very top of operatic singers. And it is a remarkable experience to hear so many years later , and in a stronger and clearer way sounds which one heard long ago in childhood, and have for years only lived in the mind.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Great to hear the Great Tenor, April 10, 2007

By 

H. Rendleman (Anacortes, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Legendary Enrico Caruso: 21 Favorite Arias (Audio CD)

I am impressed how well these almost 100 year old recordings have been transfered to CD. Of course they aren't perfect but considering their age it is still a miracle. It is nice to hear Caruso in his prime and not on a scratchy vinyl. I would recommend this to any lover of Caruso's singing.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars True Italian, October 13, 2008

By 

Book Addict (Midwest) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Legendary Enrico Caruso: 21 Favorite Arias (Audio CD)

I love this CD. Caruso is powerful and compelling. I listen to this CD on my computer, in my car, even in my backyard. It's very uplifting. I find Caruso to have a flavor of old Italian opera, pure and simple. I believe that anyone who wants to get back to the roots of opera would enjoy this CD and the selections on it.