Verdi Songs: Ave Maria / Il Mistero / Brindisi

Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Ingrid Surgenor (Performer), Dennis O'Neill (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Ingrid Surgenor, Dennis O'Neill
• Composer: Giuseppe Verdi
• Audio CD (November 15, 2005)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B000BK53FG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #510,729 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For Something Different By Verdi, January 27, 2006

By 

Timothy Kearney (Haverhill, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Verdi Songs: Ave Maria / Il Mistero / Brindisi (Audio CD)

Giuseppe Verdi once said to a critic who panned the "Anvil Chorus" from IL TROVATORE that he was glad he didn't like it, saw his disdain as an endorsement of the music's validity, and knew that if he gave it to an organ grinder; everyone in Italy would be singing it before long. Verdi was correct. Verdi's genius seems to come not just from knowing how to write music, but how to write music that is both sophisticated and entertaining. For those who love Verdi, this recording will be a gem. It contains a variety of pieces from sacred music, romances, drinking songs and ballads. Each has a charm that allows it to stand alone. Yet listeners will also find chords and tunes that are varied in later Verdi operas.

The songs are written for piano and voice. Tenor Dennis O'Neill performs the songs with a certain gusto that demonstrates not just his vocal ability, but also his familiarity with Verdi's music. He is accompanied by pianist Ingrid Surgenor. While O'Neill's singing is what listeners notice, it's difficult not to impressed by Surgenor's accompaniment as well.

This disc is a must for anyone who loves Verdi's music. Since the song cycles of many of the composers are no longer familiar with a general audience, this disc from Naxos will be greatly appreciated by many listeners. It may also be of interest to people who enjoy German lieder of Schubert and Schumann.