Customer Reviews

The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994 / William Cosel

5 star:		(64)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Without all the glitz and sparkle, before the hype! This is the greatest classical concert ever! As a tenor myself I couldn't be more thrilled to hear this gem. The three voices were marvelous.
Domingo here is in top voice. Some of his singing in this concert is the finest you will ever hear from him. He is in a dark and excitingly dramatic voice! Her give perhaps the best Pue De Ser Ever! At 50 his voice is as glorious as ever. he is in a great mood all night giving all of his sound and heart unconditionally to each song, to me he lead this concert along with his emotion packed performances that never seemed to diminish.
i have mixed feelings about Carreras. He is my favorite tenor of all time, but this is not the time to see him. It almost makes you cry to see what has happened to his glorious voice in this concert. His singing is fine, but hardly under control. His vibrato can get warbly and his eyebrow doubly so. This doesn't keep his from being number one in my heart. he gives passionalte renditoins of songs pouring everything his diminsihed voice had in it into each aria. This is one of the last times you can hear him sing some of his classics like Improviso. E la Solita storia and Improviso are both the highlights of his night, he will bring you to tears with these long Aria's. He loses control of his voice at the end of Improviso but te fact that he even sang it is impressive, it is my favorite. Carreras will please the listeners ear here but promise if you hear this concert that you will also invest in some of his earlier material before his voice grew dark and overweight. I suggest The golden Years Cd which recently came out which shows him in his prime doing all of his classics.
Pavarotti is in good voice all night. Vocally he dominates concert with his amazing bush button high notes despite being, by far, the oldest. Recondita armonia is not my favorite aria in his voice, but it is okay, too lyric in my opinion. Torna sorriento is a highlight of thee dvd! Sure to please! As always, he brings a fabulous interpretation of Nessun Dorma to the table. To me he gives a less empassioned performance than domingo, but you cant argue with his voice and charm.
The medley was a real treat! The highlight for me was Amapola where the trio gives carreras the drivers seat for a change and he thrills with a dramatic B flat that you wont hear from the other two.
the encores were delightfully spontaneous with the famous trill from Pav in O sole mio.
This is the opera lovers version of the three tenors. For someone who is new to classical music i always suggest the 94 concert as it is more flashy and pop oriented. This concert, however,showcases the tenors in their best voices giving the most operatically driven and spontaneaous performance.

I love this DVD!

Performed in Los Angeles in 1994 and of course features Jose Carreras, Placido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti. Zubin Metha conducts the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The camera angles are well placed, the switching is done appropriately and the editing has resulted in a beautiful production.

What I liked about the overall performance was the obvious magical chemistry that seemed to bind the performers, orchestra and audience from the very beginning. Early on, the singers must have gotten the unmistakable feeling of having the audience in the palm of their hands.

On an individual basis the whole night featured one great performance after the other: each tenor got to show off his unique voice and talent. One got the distinct feeling that a competitive atmosphere started to develop as the tenors seemed to try to outdo one another with each successive piece of music. The result was nothing short of a spectacular evening of entertainment. Who won "the battle of the Tenors" is a purely subjective matter: but I have my own winner (which I'll keep to myself)

It appeared that the best time was had by the conductor Zubin Mehta: how could you not be enjoying yourself conducting a world renown orchestra and three of the worlds greatest opera singers before an enthusiastic and receptive audience. What more would it take to make one happy? Precious little I think!

All and all, a must have DVD for any opera fan. This concert will be remembered for a long time to come and deservedly so.

Most people, opera lovers and opera discoverers alike, enjoy this concert immensely. However, it has also suffered some criticism, which I can't help but feel is somewhat unjustified and does not represent an accurate portrayal of this mesmerising performance. It is clear, from the selection of songs, that this concert is designed for popular consumption rather than a highbrow, purist audience. It is thought by some that Jose Carreras is perhaps not as powerful or captivating as Domingo or Pavarotti in performance, but his choice of songs and arias here show him 'sticking to what he is good at'. `With A Song In My Heart', for instance, is similar to songs he sung in his role in West Side Story - a lighter, more musical theatre choice. His final solo aria however, 'E Lucevan Le Stelle', is bold, technically demanding, and he sings it with skill and feeling. As for the other two tenors, their selections perfectly show off their range and skills as performers as well as singers. The first three solos are reflective and beautifully conducted by Mehta, but new fans to opera should not be put off by the fact that they may not have heard of these, because the second set of solos seem designed to capture and entertain the audience. Domingo's 'Granada' is fabulous - he really pours everything into it, he glows with passion and vigour. Pavarotti singing Ave Maria is an emotional highlight, demonstrating his talent for singing more gentle arias, as well as his more famous power and range in 'Nessun Dorma'. The final solo's are the three at their very best and most impressive. Domingo portrays a definite character and personality in 'Vesti la Giubba', breaking down the language barrier for viewers who are unfamiliar with the opera it is taken from. Pavarotti does not disappoint, concluding the solos with his famous rendition of Nessun Dorma, which can't fail to blow you away. The medleys and songs they sing together provide an extra level of enjoyment in that the three distinctly different personalities come across so effectively. They are playful and hugely entertaining, without an ego in sight.
And so, if the idea of sitting through 2 hours or so of opera is your idea of hell, or you have every three tenors album ever released, this will not disappoint you. For fans, this is a fabulous selection of old classics and more obscure arias, which showcase beautifully whoever your favourite might be. For those who are curious or have watched everything else in the video cupboard, you won't be able to help sensing the atmosphere in the venue. A few famous faces are there to be spotted in the crowd, and you might be surprised at how many songs you actually know and like, from classic musicals and around the world (e.g. All I ask of You, Brazil, America, Those Were the Days, Singing in the Rain).
The power and passion in the performances of all three will stir your memories and emotions, and the mind-blowing potential of the human voice is clear for experienced and amateur viewers alike.

This remains my favourite of the three big concerts done in conjunction with the World Cup. The participation of 2 full orchestras instead of one is appropriate for such a major event, and they were rehearsed until they sounded as one large orchestra instead of two, which apparently was quite a difficult task. This was a welcoming of Jose Carreras into the music community after his terrible ordeal with leukemia. My favourite parts are when the tenors sing together, and since Domingo's voice is quite baritonal - he has done The Barber of Seville recently - whereas Pavarotti's tenor is at the highest range, and Carrera's is in the middle, they can all be heard quite clearly without overpowering each other. The programming is interesting too, and the fioratura duel between them in 'o sole mio adds an original touch to the production. I believe Mehta conducted as well in this concert as he did in Los Angeles 4 years later. The audio quality is very fine too and better, based on my experience at a show in Vancouver BC a few years ago, than what one is likely to hear at a Three Tenors live concert. The picture does have some vertical oscillations, probably due to the use of hand-held cameras, which does detract from the concert's overall quality - hence 4 stars instead of 5.

This can be warmly recommended in either VHS or DVD, although the latter format has slightly better sound and video quality.

Not only did they have Mehta, but the LA Phil and LA Opera chorus which makes this outshine the first performance in 1990. Of course, both performances are certainly worth collecting and you may get someone into an opera house with these top tenors. I was in the audience that night and must say they all sounded in top voice to me live and recorded. After repeated viewings I never tire of the arias. They changed the program right up to performance time and the printed programs didn't match what was sung that night. Who cares! This is just plain fun for everyone involved as well as the viewer! My only complaint is that the subtitles are "English" but just the librettos are subtitled, not the English translation so I hestiate to show it to a newbie. No translation is provided with the DVD but the Laser version did as did the VHS. Would be nice if the manufacturers would look at a DVD before releasing it with such glaring errors. This is a must have whether you are an opera fan or not! Bocelli could take a few lessons from watching this disc! Hopefully, people who think he is an opera singer will compare and see that there is a difference even with voices amplified. This is A MUST BUY! Watch it when you are depressed and it will surely change your mood for the better! Such singing! Such Fun!

This is the big one, the greatest and most commercialized three tenors concert. For someone not farmiliar to opera, this is the one too get. it has all the brodway punch mixed with old-style opera in a fun manner which will entertain you to the core. This is one of the last times to hear the three while they were still singing standard opera reperitoire in their increasing Age.
Domingo is in fabulous voice again. To me, he is the clear best in this concert. He gets all the best reperitore and he is in good vocal condition. It is a dark silky voice, darker even then the '90 concert. At 54 he is still able to deliver a knokout version of Vesti la Giubba, which is acted and sung in a most thrilling and convincing manner. His Granada is the best it gets. He sings this song like no other, you will be thrilled as the audience goes crazy throuought the song. Once in a while you will be mystyfied at how he is able too sing so gloriously with his tounge lodged in the back of his throat, but that only adds to his mystique.
Carreras is no longer the tenor he once was, but he makes up for it in passion. His first two songs are both duds as he yells through the prayer from Le Cid and mispronounces his way through "With a Song in My heart." After the first medley, however, he seems ready for buisiness as he gives a knockout tu ca nun chiangne, (despite it being sung at fortissimo). E Lucevan Le Stelle is interesting, but not impressive. He gives a tear-jerking interpretation but his pianissimo at "Discolea dai veli" sounds like a head voice or falsetto whereas if you heard this Aria 10 years ago he would blast away at it. For carreras this concert is of interest as one of the last times he ever sings italian Opera before lightening his reperitoire. I would refer people stunned by this diminished, wobbly carreras to his new Golden years Cd which perserves his career in much better voice.
Pavorotti is in excellent voice. His reperitoire selection is a bit boring though. his Porqouoi Me Revellier is the highlight. Why he sang Ave Maria I will never understand, but whatever. His performance in the medleys in extremely lively and funny showing his full talents. Domingo picks more exciting reperitoire.
The medley is, i think, the highlight in the history of the three tenors. Every song is fresh and exilarating. Domingo in "Those were the Days" was the highlight along with Carreras's characature's in Marchiare.
The encores were amazing, with domingo once again a highlight with his hyjinx.
overall this is the concert for newcomers to the three tenors and opera, as it is a glitzy rout through opera and broadway.

Of course you've seen the Three Tenors before, but this is their best. The conductor Zubin Mehta is the catalyst that make this one particular performance stand out over the others. Music fans will cheer, and non-music fans will become fans of this genre after seeing this magnificent performance, thankfully captured on film for us to see for years to come. Bravo!

Well i just saw the three tenors in concert last wedensday and the performace was wonderful. I have had this DVD since it came out and it rivals the live performance i just experienced. From Nessun Dorma to La Donna e Mobile to My Way, this is an exciting piece of pageantry. I found watching each of the tenors try to outperform each other one of the great aspects of this event. I recommend it to all opera fans and even people who just like good music and good concerts

After watching the concert for the first time I'm actually speechless. I have the cd from this concert and I love it, but the dvd is a hundred times better. No wonder it's the world no. 1 classical bestseller. All the tenors are in resplendent voice, but to me José Carreras is the star of this night. Hearing (and seeing) his rendition of "Il lamento di Federico" and "L'improvviso" will leave you gobsmacked. His stage presence is like always both humble and charming. Adding to his charm is the way he behaves in "Lamento di Federico" after having produced some notes of pure delight. He instantly lifts his eyes to heaven, smiling, looking around as if he expects to see someone up there who helped him getting through the difficult parts of the aria. Then he blows a kiss of thank you to heaven, obviously grateful, before he continues singing.

Although I'm not the biggest fan of Pavarotti or Domingo I have to admit that Pav's "Torna a Surriento" and "Rondine al nido" and Domingo's "No puede ser" was absolutely beautiful.The reason for not being their biggest fan is that they're not able to stir my emotions like Carreras, but when performing together the three voices blend perfectly and it sounds just wonderful.

I loved the way the three of them enjoyed themselves when performing together. It's real fun to watch the encore "O sole mio" where Pavarotti gives his famous trill. He just shakes his head and the high notes pops out. I've been listening to this on the cd for a long time, but never before seen what really happened. Pavarotti starts singing and then Domingo surprises him by cutting in, taking over the singing. When it's Pavarotti's turn to sing again it seems he's thinking (humorously) "I'll teach him not to interfere with my singing again" and then he push his "high-note-button" and he's holding the note "forever". When he's busy doing this, you can see the two other "conspiring", looking like two young boys who are really "up to something". And when Pavarotti allows them to take over again they leave him flabbergasted by throwing themselves into the song, copying his stunt perfectly, making it sound all the way as impressive as his.The look on Pavarotti's face is priceless. He's laughing out loud in astonishment. It's obvious he wasn't expecting any competition....

I also have to comment on the conductor, Zubin Mehta. He really impressed me with his conducting, being so attentive to the singers. He's watching them closely all the time and making the orchestra follow them just perfectly. He's giving a hundred percent throughout the concert. And you can also see him being impressed by the tenors performances, acknowledging this by putting down his baton and applauding. At one point he also gets down and hugs Carreras after his wonderful rendition of "Granada". So he's definitely not a stiff and unapproachable conductor.

This dvd is a real treat.If possible I would have given it more than 5 stars. Buy it, and I promise you'll spend many hours in the company of the three tenors..... Enjoy!

As a long time Tenor fan, from the days of Enrico, this is a MAster work. It does not get any better. Luciano Pavarotti showed himself as the Master of all, with some great perfomances by each, Placido Domingo performs a master work with his rendition of No Puede Ser. The encore of the the three is awesome! The double of O sole mio at the end is a fantastic blend of audible and interactive talent. If there is one you must buy, this is it. Will