The Three Tenors Christmas

Adolphe Adam (Composer), John Francis Wade (Composer), Vittoriano Benvenuti (Composer), Johannes Brahms (Composer), Christmas Traditional (Composer), John Newton (Composer), Irving Berlin (Composer), Franz Xaver Gruber (Composer), Fermin Maria Alvarez (Composer), John / Ono, Yoko Lennon (Composer), Richard [1] Strauss (Composer), Katherine K. Davis (Composer), Walter Kent (Composer), Leroy Anderson (Composer), Felix Bernard (Composer), Placido Jr. [son] Domingo (Composer), Jose Feliciano (Composer), Steven Mercurio (Conductor), Vienna Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Plácido Domingo (Performer), Pavarotti (Artist), Domingo (Artist), Carreras (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Plácido Domingo
• Orchestra: Vienna Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Steven Mercurio
• Composer: Adolphe Adam, John Francis Wade, Vittoriano Benvenuti, Johannes Brahms, Christmas Traditional, et al.
• Audio CD (October 31, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00004YB9Y
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (35 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,711 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #33 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Romantic (c.1820-1910) > Vocal & Song
  • #75 in Music > Classical > Sacred & Religious > General

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Resplendent in voice and manner, José Carreras, Placido Domingo, and Luciano Pavarotti deliver 21 songs of traditional sacred music and secular numbers in a remarkable 1999 live recording from the opulent Viennese concert hall (Konzerthaus), with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and a renowned choir. The Three Tenors are practically as famous as the faces of Mount Rushmore and inspire perhaps even more awe and adulation around the world than the four presidents. The performances--whether alone, in tandem, or simply as the threesome that has made them collectively famous--are generally impeccable for their passion, nuance, and sheer tour de force vocal artistry. Reaching often into the classical realm for such works as the traditional German carol "Susani," Strauss's and Brahms's "Wiegenlied," plus traditional Polish and Spanish pieces, the trio also visits Pavarotti's "Ave Maria, dolce Maria" (cowritten with Vittoriano Benvenuti), and "Un nuevo siglo," written by Domingo's son. Only John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Happy Christmas/War Is Over" doesn't quite work in this grand setting. --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars great gift, November 4, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Three Tenors Christmas (Audio CD)

I had already purchased the VHS and received the CD as a gift. This CD is a great addition to add to your collection if you are a Three Tenor's fan. The selections are mixed with pieces from various countries. However, the English selections I would have prefered Carreras and Domingo. I find Pavarotti not to be his best in this language.

All three gave 100 % however, I would have enjoyed more individual performances than the program that was chosen.

My favorite selections were Dormi O Bambino, Carol of the Drum, and Adeste Fideles. The John Lennon selection Happy Christmas/War is Over I have to get use to.

Overall it is great holiday music to listen to when you cannot watch them on the VHS or DVD.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderfully Different & Addicting! And All Your Friends Will Be Calling HOO-HOO!, August 22, 2005

By 

Sunday "SundayAtDusk" (PlanetEarth) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Three Tenors Christmas (Audio CD)

First, let me state I don't listen to opera singers that much; thus, don't expect a hypercritical review here. (Really, is there ANY field of music that has more hypercritics than opera?) I got this CD simply because Columbia House had it on sale for $2.99, and I wanted some new Christmas CDs.

I found the CD delightful beyond words. It has some beautiful versions of well-known Christmas songs, as well as songs I've never heard before. "Carol of the Drum" and "War Is Over" are my two favorites, with "Sleigh Ride" a close third.

Sure, there is some tripping over of words by these three great opera stars...but that makes it even more enhancing in my opinion. Pavarotti was particularly amusing when he was singing: "And all our friends are calling 'HOO-HOO'!" (Watch the DVD for Carreras' reaction to that one!) And let's not forget Pavarotti singing: "I'll be home for Christmas. You can PLAY on me."

The children's chorus is great, the Vienna Symphony is great...and, once again, buy or rent the DVD so you can get the full affect of this astounding Christmas concert...the music, the lights, the colors, and the marvelous Steven Mercurio conducting it all.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars it's good but perhaps not great, December 6, 2000

By 

Ray Barnes (Surrey, British Columbia Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Three Tenors Christmas (Audio CD)

Anyone who is a fan of The Three Tenors will find this CD indispensable. I share other reviewers' concerns about the inaccuracy of Pavarotti's English, and I would add his German is not that much better. The recording is quite rich and well detailed, although as mentioned elsewhere the singing has too much forte and not enough mezzo voce. The orchestral playing of the Vienna Symphony is respectable as is the conducting of Steven Mercurio. The contributions of the Gumpoldskirchner Spatzen Children's Choir are very distinguished indeed and quite a pleasant surprise.

I was somewhat dissapointed with the very minimal documentation in this recording, which has little more than several photos of the Tenors in various parts of the Vienna Konzerthaus. Considering the price of this issue there should have been some translations of the songs which were not rendered in English. I also feel the performance of John Lennon's Happy Christmas, done in an arioso style with a rather questionable orchestral arrangement, did not add to the progamme but rather detracted from it. It was regrettable that track was not performed solely by the excellent choir.

Taken as a whole, it remains an enjoyable issue.