Customer Reviews

The Opera Album

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This set of two CDs is a great way to listen to some highlights from many different operas when you aren't in the mood to listen to a full opera. Many of your favorite arias are here, such as Nessun Dorma, Habanera, Non piu andrai etc. But what I liked most about it is that it features many different artists. While I love my Pavarotti and Domingo albums, it is nice to hear other singers.

Also, hearing some pieces that sounded familiar have gotten me interested in operas I haven't heard or seen before, such as the Flower Duet from Lakme. I've heard that before--but where? Probably in some car commercial...

This music will haunt you, and is wonderful for listening to while driving or just sitting. Try it with headphones on so the rest of the world goes away.

I am not particularly a fan of opera but do realize it's merit. I also appreciate the talent of it's artists. This 2 disc set offers a wide, wisely chosen selection from most of the popular operas, performed by most of the world's greatest singers, present and yesteryear. Yes, you will find legends such as Maria Callas to Pavarotti to the up and coming Roberto Alagna and Angela Gheorghiu; sharing space on these discs. Economically, I was able to obtain this set for under ten bucks. My research could not find a more varied set with such a stellar roster at any price. It will impress any novice to seasoned collecter. I wish that EMI annotated the set better, a brief synopsis of each track would have tutorial value. The sound reproduction flows seemlessly from track to track.

I love opera but I do not like to watch it. I love the opera music but not all of it. So what do I like? I like the specific pieces of the music and I love the voices. I like the dream like state the opera music takes you in. This is magical. This album does it to me every time I put it on. And, I do it quite often.

When I first bought this album, I was familiar with - maybe - one quarter of the selections, and really didn't play it much. Over time, I've come to appreciate opera more and began to notice it "incidentally" - most of the time through movies. I can't believe the number of times I've fallen in love with a piece, and later discovered it to be on this album.
I don't know opera, but this collection just keeps giving me wonderful surprises over time. I really love it.
This purchase was for a backup copy!

We were looking for a collection to open our enjoyment of opera, we read the reviews and purchased several compendiums and this is the most loved, most played.This one has proved the most listened to. Purchased used from a reseller on this site.Excellent service and quality - a ready made backup with all the notes and artwork

Beautiful music for anyone. Even those I know who generally dislike opera have taken an interest! These are truly highlights of some of the greatest peices...breathtaking voices...relaxing and yet movingingly passionate. I reccomend this for anyone wanting a varied and yet stunning collection.

I purchased this in 2002 an d I cant get enough. Just listen to Jose Carreras in Turandot and be blown away.... every artist is wonderful just take a listen and buy this cd.

This is billed as "the greatest opera stars on one double album for the first time ever."

Many major voices of the first part of the past half century are presented on this CD (e.g., Shwartzkopf, Moffo, Freni, de los Angelos, Sutherland, Callas, Gedda, Merrill, Bjoerling, Pavarotti, Sutherland, Domingo, et al.). Also represented are some more contemporary singers, among whom are Kanawa, Gheorgiu, Alagna, Dessay, and so on).

So, a nice album. But we are also reminded of the absence of some major figures on CDs (such as Richard Tucker, who is little represented on CDs). . . . Hopefully, in future years, more of those glorious voices will become accessible on CD.

Este recopilatorio ofrece variedad de estilos, versiones siempre de alto nivel y precio medio muy interesante. Muy recomendable para iniciarse en el mundo de la opera de la mano de los mejores artistas de hoy y de ayer, aunque algunos de los grandes cantantes se echan quiza en falta.

I am not an expert at opera but have come to appreciate it in recent years. This is a 2-disc album that you fully get your money's worth, as it is filled with some of the very best favorites from the world of opera, performed by the best opera singers of our time. I recently did a cross country trip, and transformed some very boring stretches with a wonderful night at the opera thanks to having enough time to listen to it all the way through! I live less than 2 hours from NYC, so thanks to this album, I have a much better idea of which opera(s) I will now go see at the Met!