13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The best reproduction of Lanza's finest album., February 23, 2006
This review is from: Mario! - Lanza at His Best [Hybrid SACD] (Audio CD)
This "hybrid" Super Audio CD (SACD) can be played on both conventional CD players and SACD systems. I've only heard it on the former, and was simply blown away by the beautiful reproduction of Lanza's singing on the 12 tracks that constitute the tenor's 1958 "Mario!" album of Neapolitan songs. For once, the balance between singer and orchestra is perfect, and with the exception of one track (the slightly muted Comme Facette Mammeta), I have never heard this album in better sound. Unlike the 1995 conventional CD version of this release, Lanza is no longer overly forward at the expense of Franco Ferrara's superbly conducted orchestra, and the sandy quality that marred many of the tracks on that earlier disc has all but disappeared. The sound is simultaneously richer and brighter.
(For a detailed review of Lanza's singing here, see my review of the conventional CD of the same name elsewhere on Amazon.)
As with the 1995 CD, the great Mario! album is coupled here with The Vagabond King, recorded in July, 1959 - seven months after the earlier album. Although not in the same class as the Mario! album - either vocally or soundwise - this is also the best I've ever heard this recording. The highlights (Drinking Song, Love Me Tonight, Nocturne, etc) belie Lanza's failing health, and offer overwhelming proof that just three months before his death, the old romantic magic was still intact. This CD also includes a previously unreleased reprise of the lovely Nocturne.
All in all, then, this is a magnificent release, and one that whets the appetite for further SACD Lanza couplings. Top on the list of deserving recordings would be a "twofer" of the 1958 For the First Time soundtrack coupled with the 1959 Mario Lanza Sings Caruso Favorites, both of which are Living Stereo releases sorely in need of decent sound reproduction. How about it, BMG/Sony?
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12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Major improvement over the 1995 cd release. A must-have for every Lanza fan!, March 7, 2006
This review is from: Mario! - Lanza at His Best [Hybrid SACD] (Audio CD)
The difference in sound quality between this and the 1995 cd (which sounded good before I got this one) is astounding. I have only listened to the cd layer of the new hybrid SACD. Both the low and high frequencies have improved, as is the reproduction of Lanza's voice. This one sounds rich and full, the former cd weak and fragile compared to it. Also the hiss that was apparent in the 1995 cd is gone. You will not need a high end hi-fi system to hear the difference.
This is also Lanza's best album ever, I think. Every Lanza fan should get this cd. It is well worth the price, even if you own the older cd. Many thanks to BMG for this amazing release!
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent sound, July 28, 2007
This review is from: Mario! - Lanza at His Best [Hybrid SACD] (Audio CD)
I agree with previous posters that the audio quality on this CD is far better than I expected given the age of the recordings. I've heard other Lanza CDs that sounded terrible. This one is excellent.
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