The Legendary Enrico Caruso: 21 Favorite Arias

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

Product Details

• Performer: Francis J. Lapitino, Enrico Caruso
• Conductor: Josef A. Pasternack
• Composer: Georges Bizet, Gaetano Donizetti, Friedrich von Flotow, Umberto Giordano, Charles Gounod, et al.
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B000003EOH
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #34,352 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #1 in	Music > Classical > Featured Performers, A-Z > ( C ) > Caruso, Enrico
  #12 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( F ) > Flotow, Friedrich von
  #15 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( P ) > Ponchielli, Amilcare

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

14 of 16 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 50 REVIEWER)

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.

7 of 7 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)

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.

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great collection., November 3, 2000

By	JEFF (Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews

This CD is an older RCA release, but still one of the best! A great introduction to Caruso.