Customer Reviews

Puccini Without Words

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I love Puccini's music and this is a wonderful way to experience it. I love the operas, both with vocals and without. This music is absolutely beautiful and is a wonderful way to wake up in the mornings, and to experience opera without such intense emotions as come through with the words, but it's still there. If you love Puccini, you should own this album.

If you enjoy Puccini, you will especially savor the music without words edition. If you know the words, you can sing along to the music, or just picture your favorite opera diva or tenor singing. There isn't anything wanting in this cd. Any lover of beautiful music can enjoy the selections featured here, even without knowing the operas. The beauty of "O Mio Babbino Caro", highlights from "La Boheme", and "Tosca", and, of course, "Madama Butterfly" are all feelingly rendered by Andre Kostelanetz and his orchestra. If you enjoy this cd, I would also highly recommend not only "Opera Without Words", but "Carmen Without Words", "Verdi Without Words" and "Rossini's Greatest Hits".

Opera fans will find this a delight for relaxation, the drive to work, or those romantic dinners. Even people who don't like opera can enjoy this CD, as it gives an excellent introduction to the composer's work. Highly recommend!

This CD is a wonderful collection of some of Puccini's best loved opera arias. You will find familiar and lovely selections from Madame Butterfly, La Boheme, Tosca and others. The music is wonderful and beautifully played. The CD has excellent sound and is a great value. It even has O Mia Bobino Caro (O My Beloved Father). This CD has become one of my family's favourites!

THIS IS A GREAT CD. I DON'T CARE FOR THE VOCAL PART OF OPERAS,
BUT I LOVE THE MUSIC. THIS ALONG WITH THE OTHER OPERA WITHOUT
WORDS CDS ARE WONDERFUL. THIS IS A GREAT BUY FOR ONE SUCH AS MYSELF. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND THIS CD.....

Kostelanetz gives excellent, felt interpretations. The orchestral playing is great. Most of the time you can hear the singer. These are NOT banal elevator music renditions.

The Boheme selections almost constitute a highlights album, missing only Colline's coat aria, but including some of the 2nd act opening music, and the 4th act death scene.

My only criticisms: those few instances I couldn't hear the singer. And, of course, I wanted more, more, more!

Absolutely heart-rending music. Great for artists who need something dramatic playing in the background while they work - or for the weary housecleaner who needs a terrific boost of music while working. You can't go wrong.

As a newcomer to opera, this disc of Puccini without words is an ideal introduction, to listen to as I paint. The music can go directly to my heart without worrying about words or voices to interrupt the creativity. Now I'm becoming interested in buying some Puccini with words and other operas as well. Now I'd like to hear an entire opera instead of exerpts.

It's a pleasure to listen to the music of the familiar arias. But what was shocking for me is to find out that "Bring Him Home" tune from Le Misserable is based on Madama Butterfly: Act II: Humming Chorus.
Wow, so it's not only A.L.Webber is using classical tunes for his musicals. Well, Puccini would be very proud to find out that these people made millions of $$$ with their help.

This is a fantastic album. I love classical music, but have never enjoyed opera. Some choir or chorus with classical is good, but the opera in general has never been entertaining for me. But the music is so good, so what to do?

Here you go. Get the music without the vocals.

Puccini's musical prowess was amazing. Madama Butterfuly is some of the most intricately composed classical I have ever heard. The vocals don't let you hear the true genius of the composition. La Boheme is equally enjoyable; delicately intertwined harmonies that relax and arrest you at the same time. Tosca is strong; again, truly enjoyable.

But, for me, the best piece on the album is the opener; "O Mio Babbino" from Gianni Schicchi. I must admit that I have never heard of this opera or this composition, but when I played this CD, this song came alive for me.

The entire album is mixed well, with very little background noise and very good sound editing. Considering the price, you really can't go wrong with this album.

A definite positive addition to my classical library.