Customer Reviews

Pavarotti's Greatest Hits

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Luciano Pavarotti, who has died aged 71, attained a pinnacle of fame among opera singers matched in the last century only by Caruso and Gigli; and given the enormous increase in media coverage since the days of his great predecessors, he can safely be called the best-known tenor of all time, acclaimed by a public far beyond the select circle of operagoers.
Indeed those who promoted Pavarotti realised very quickly that, with his appealing voice and larger-than-life personality, he could become the darling of millions.
Already widely known and admired by 1990, the selection of his disc of Nessun dorma, from Luciano Pavarotti - Nessun dorma (Arias & Duets), as the theme song of that year's football World Cup brought him new legions of fans. People who had never thought to hear a note of opera were suddenly humming the tune and adoring Pavarotti.
The "Three Tenors" concerts he performed with Carreras and Domingo, the last of which took place beside the Eiffel Tower in 1998, reinforced Pavarotti's appeal, as did his appearances with artists from the world of pop Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti: The Three Tenors in Concert / Mehta, The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994.
To most, he will forever be known as the man who brought classical music to the masses with his performance of Nessun Dorma from Puccini's Turandot, the anthem of the 1990 World Cup in Italy.
To serious fans, he was known for the unforced beauty and thrilling urgency of his voice. His vibrant high Cs and ebullient showmanship made him one the world's most beloved tenors.
If you like great music and admire a truly unique vocal talent then this 2CD set (with some extra tracks compare to the 1985 version) is for you.
By the normal standard of Italian tenors, Pavarotti's voice was not particularly large; but the tone was ideally focussed and easily produced, so that there was hardly ever the sense of strain or excessive vibrato heard in many of the breed. In the bigger venues it needed, of course, to be amplified; but in the opera house his voice carried easily to the furthermost seats without electronic assistance.
Covering many standard opera arias and his native neopolitan songs, hard to imagine how this album could be bettered.
The 'VOICE' is in thrilling form , some of the performances are breathtakingly awesome in their power.
Add to that the warmth and brilliance he brings to all the tracks and you get to hear every aspect of the voice which has probably done more than any other to bring opera to the masses
Rock on Big Luciano ! You really are the man!

Decca Records presents "PAVAROTTI''S GREATEST HITS" --- Pavarotti was an Italian tenor in opera music, who crossed into popular music and became one of the most beloved vocal performers --- Known for his televised concerts, media appearances and as one of The Three Tenors --- This album features the cream of the crop with one of the greatest tenors ever inclusively with operatic performances --- A nice tribute to a brilliant interpreter of the classics who helped introduce opera to the masses.

Luciano Pavarotti, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI -- (October 12, 1935 - September 6, 2007) --- Pavarotti made his American début with the Greater Miami Opera in February 1965 singing in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor opposite Joan Sutherland on the stage of the Miami-Dade County Auditorium in Miami --- The tenor scheduled to perform that night was ill and had no understudy --- As Sutherland was traveling with him on tour, she recommended the young Pavarotti as he was well acquainted with the role --- His major breakthrough in the United States came on February 17, 1972, in a production of La fille du régiment at New York's Metropolitan Opera, in which he drove the crowd into a frenzy with his nine effortless high Cs in the signature aria --- He achieved a record 17 curtain calls --- He began to give frequent television performances, starting with his performances in the of role as Rodolfo (La bohème) in the first Live From The Met telecast in March 1977, which attracted one of the largest audiences ever for a televised opera --- He won many Grammy awards and platinum and gold discs for his performances. In addition to the previously listed titles, his La favorita with Fiorenza Cossotto and his I puritani (1975) with Sutherland stand out.

In 1978 Pavarotti was initiated as an honorary member of the University of Miami's Beta Tau Chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, a fraternity dedicated to the advancement of music in America. Other honors he received include the "Freedom of London Award" and The Red Cross "Award for Services to Humanity", for his work in raising money for that organization, and the 1998 "MusiCares Person Of The Year", given to humanitarian heroes by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.

In 2001, Pavarotti received the Nansen Medal from the UN High Commission for Refugees for his efforts raising money on behalf of refugees worldwide. Through benefit concerts and volunteer work, he has raised more than any other individual --- (From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)

GREATEST HITS - Featuring Luciano Pavarotti - (Track Listings)
Turandot, opera: Nessun dorma! [3:04]
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by London Philharmonic Orchestra and
Conducted by Zubin Mehta

2. La fille du régiment, opera: Ah! mes amis... Pour mon âme [6:55]
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Conducted by Richard Bonynge Performed by Eric Garrett, Royal Opera
House Chorus and Orchestra Covent Garden and Royal Opera
House Chorus Covent Garden

3. Tosca, opera: Recondita armonia [3:03]
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by National Philharmonic Orchestra and
Conducted by Nicola Rescigno

4. La bohème, opera: Che gelida manina [4:39]
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and
Conducted by Herbert von Karajan

5. Der Rosenkavalier, opera, Op. 59 (TrV 227): Di rigori armato [2:24]
Composed by Richard Strauss
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and
Conducted by Georg Solti

6. Mattinata, song for voice & piano (or orchestra) [2:01]
Composed by Ruggero Leoncavallo
Performed by New Philharmonia Orchestra of London
Conducted by Piero Gamba

7. La danza. Tarantella Napolitana ("Già la luna è in mezzo al mare"),
for voice & piano (Soirées musicales) [3:11]
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Conducted by Richard Bonynge
Performed by Bologna Teatro Comunale Orchestra

8. Torna a Surriento, for voice & piano (or orchestra) [4:26]
Composed by Ernesto de Curtis
Conducted by Giancarlo Chiaramello
Performed by National Philharmonic Orchestra

9. La favorita, opera: Spirito gentil. Favorita del re! [4:45]
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Conducted by Richard Bonynge
Performed by Bologna Teatro Comunale Orchestra

10. Carmen, opéra-comique in 4 acts: Flower Song [4:30]
Composed by Georges Bizet
Performed by Vienna Volksoper Choir and Orchestra
Conducted by Leone Magiera

11. I Puritani, opera: A te, o cara [6:33]
Composed by Vincenzo Bellini
Performed by Dame Joan Sutherland, Nicolai Ghiaurov, London Symphony Orchestra,
Royal Opera House Chorus Covent Garden and Gian Carlo Laccardi
Conducted by Richard Bonynge

12. Il Trovatore, opera: Di qual tetra luce... Ah sì, ben mio [4:19]
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Dame Joan Sutherland, National Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Richard Bonynge

13. Il Trovatore, opera: Di quella pira [3:22]
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Conducted by Richard Bonynge
Performed by National Philharmonic Orchestra

14. Rigoletto, opera: La donna è mobile [2:26]
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Conducted by Richard Bonynge
Performed by London Symphony Orchestra

15. Panis angelicus for tenor, organ, harp, cello & bass [4:04]
Composed by César Franck
Conducted by Kurt Adler
Performed by National Philharmonic Orchestra

16. Vanne, o rosa fortunata, for voice & piano (6 ariette da camera) [2:28]
Composed by Vincenzo Bellini
Conducted by Richard Bonynge
Performed by Bologna Teatro Comunale Orchestra

17. Faust, opera: Quel trouble inconnu... Salut! demeure chaste et p [5:29]
Composed by Charles Gounod
Performed by Vienna Volksoper Choir and Orchestra
Conducted by Leone Magiera

18. Requiem Mass, for soloists, chorus & orchestra (Manzoni Requiem): Ingemisco [3:39]
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducted by Georg Solti

19. Rigoletto, opera: Questa o quella [1:51]
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Conducted by Richard Bonynge with the London Symphony Orchestra

20. Aida, opera: Se quel guerrier io fossi... Celeste Aida [4:31]
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Vienna Volksoper Choir and Orchestra and
Conducted by Leone Magiera

21. Ellens Gesang III ("Ave Maria"), song for voice & piano, D. 839 (Op. 52/6) [4:51]
Composed by Franz Schubert
Conducted by Kurt Adler and National Philharmonic Orchestra

22. Pagliacci, opera: Recitar!... Vesti la giubba [4:08]
Composed by Ruggero Leoncavallo
Performed by National Philharmonic Orchestra and Conducted by Giuseppe Patanè

23. La Gioconda, opera in 4 acts: Cielo e mar! [5:09]
Composed by Amilcare Ponchielli
Conducted by Leone Magiera with the New Philharmonia Orchestra of London

24. L'elisir d'amore, opera: Una furtiva lagrima [4:51]
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Conducted by Richard Bonynge with the English Chamber Orchestra

25. Tosca, opera: E lucevan le stelle [3:04]
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by National Philharmonic Orchestra and Conducted by Nicola Rescigno

26. Funiculì Funiculà, for voice & orchestra (& chorus ad lib) [2:43]
Composed by Luigi Denza
Conducted by Anton Guadagno and Bologna Teatro Comunale Orchestra

Hats off to Decca Records --- strongly recommend this CD to all music lovers and all others who need to hear some great classical music --- Luciano Pavarotti and all the composers, conductors and orchestras please stand up and take a bow for this well deserved rare gem you've given us --- this is a keeper!

Total Time: 2 CD Set ~ Decca Records ~ (9/18/2007)

I can't say much more than the first reviewer, who did an excellent job. All I can can add is that this is a wonderful collection of the great tenor's special arias. The music breaks your heart and brings tears to your eyes. His great voice will live forever.

If you love Pavarotti, you will love this CD. It is the cream of the crop of his operatic performances. I truly don't believe there is a better representation of his talents anywhere, short of a live performance, which, unfortunately, are no longer available.

For someone who is already a student of opera, this dual set will probably be somewhat redundant. However, if you are curious about opera in general or are unfamiliar with Pavarotti's recordings, this is an excellent anthology. I bought it as two cassettes some 20 years ago and wore it out, beginning a life-long love affair with opera. Use it to familiarize yourself with the songs and arias represented here, then explore the complete operas and/or song albums that these came from.

I would especially recommend:

RIGOLETTO (Verdi), Milnes, Pavarotti, Sutherland, Bonynge
La BOHEME (Puccini), Freni, Pavarotti, Karajan
TURANDOT (Puccini), Sutherland, Pavarotti, Mehta
O SOLE MIO/Neapolitan Songs (Various)

And to the two trolls who gave this set a review of ONE STAR (FP Wright LF Barker), because a CD skipped or a CD was missing, good grief. The review is supposed to be of the recording in question! Use your head! Is the fact that you received damaged goods--which very occasionally happens to everyone, and I'm sure Amazon cheerfully fixed the problem--a reason for someone to not buy the recording? If a recording is lousy because the performer had an off day, or the recording process was sub-par (and therefore ALL discs are effected), or whatever, then by all means, give it a "1" or "2" and STATE YOUR REASONS LOGICALLY. Your "reviews" are of NO help to anyone.

From his earliest recordings to his last, Pavarotti's angelic voice continues to sound like the finest crystal. It is easy to imagine the young Luciano singing alongside his father at Sunday mass. Thank you, Luciano, for sharing your glorious and passionate instrument.

We will miss the late Pavarotti, but his voice will live on. This CD is one of the best of him. It takes you into his world of wonderful music and thrilling songs of his greatest hits. I never get tired of listening to him and do so often. Even if your not into Opera, you will enjoy his singing.

This music is just plain wonderful. Exhilarating. What a blessing we can use an electrical gadget to hear this voice.

I am a new listener to opera and I can't think of any CD that could be more relevatory for people like me that have no idea where to start. I find myself listening with tears in my eyes at the sheer power and emotion in Pavarotti's beautiful voice. I especially liked the booklet that came with the CDs. The performances and individual operas were discussed with the song from the opera given context within the story. Additionally, the lyrics are given with English translations, which I found really helpful.

I love his music and this CD was just the sample of his work that I wanted.