The Very Best of Alfredo Kraus

Frederic Vassar (Performer), Sherrill Milnes (Performer), Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber (Composer), Vincenzo Bellini (Composer), Gaetano Donizetti (Composer), Charles Gounod (Composer), Jules Massenet (Composer), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Composer), Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Bruno Campanella (Conductor), James Levine (Conductor), Julius Rudel (Conductor), Karl Böhm (Conductor), Michel Plasson (Conductor), Michelangelo Veltri (Conductor), Nicola Rescigno (Conductor), Riccardo Muti (Conductor), Sarah Caldwell (Conductor), Thomas Fulton (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Frederic Vassar, Sherrill Milnes
• Conductor: Bruno Campanella, James Levine, Julius Rudel, Karl Böhm, Michel Plasson, et al.
• Composer: Daniel-Francois-Esprit Auber, Vincenzo Bellini, Gaetano Donizetti, Charles Gounod, Jules Massenet, et al.
• Audio CD (April 26, 2005)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B0006VYEJ6
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #170,156 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #95 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Classical (c.1770-1830) > Vocal & Song > General AAS

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Un'Aura Amorosa - Philharmonia Orchestra

2. In Qual Fiero Contrasto... Tradito, Schernito - Philharmonia Orchestra

3. A Te, O Cara - Montserrat Caballe

4. Son Gia Lontani

5. Vieni Fra Queste Braccia - Montserrat Caballe

6. Una Furtiva Lagrima

7. Povero Ernesto!...Cerchero Lontana Terra...E Se Fia Che Ad Altro Oggetto

8. Com' E Gentil

9. Tornami A Dir

10. Qui Di Sposa...Verranno A Te - Edita Gruberova

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Questa O Quella

2. E Il Sol Dell'anima

3. Ella Mi Fu Rapita!...Parmi Veder Le Lagrime

4. La Donna E Mobile

5. Un Di, Se Ben Rammentomi...Bella Figlia Dell'amore - Sherrill Milnes

6. Che Gelida Manina

7. O Soave Fanciulla - Sherrill Milnes

8. In Un Coupe?...O Mimi, Tu Piu Non Torni - Sherrill Milnes

9. Amis, La Matinee Est Belle (Barcarolle)

10. En Fermant Les Yeux

See all 16 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

hardly used. No scarcthes on cd. Has booklet. May have slight handling wear on cd case. Made In Holland

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good survey of Alfred Kraus' work, August 4, 2007

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Very Best of Alfredo Kraus (Audio CD)

Alfredo Kraus was one of the finer tenors of the latter part of the 20th Century. He was born in 1927. His formal debut was in 1956 and he actually sang into the 1990s, before his death in 1999. This double CD set shows him in a repertoire that runs from Mozart, Bellini, Donizetti to Verdi, Puccini, and Massenet.

A few examples of his singing:

"Verrano a te" (Lucia di Lammermoor): A well rendered duet with the soprano Edita Gruberova. The voices work well off of one another. He sings smoothly, with a distinctive voice. This is a wonderful duet, well sung.

"Un di felice" (La Traviata): His stylish voice works well with this piece. This is an affecting version, as he couples with Renata Scotto (as Violetta). She contributes mightily to the success of this duet--but Kraus also shines.

"Questa o quella" (Rigoletto): Well sung. There are a few unwelcome affectations in this aria (and these recur here and there elsewhere), but it is not so much as to detract from his obvious talents. He captures, vocally, the attitude of the wretched Duke.

"La donna e mobile" (Rigoletto): Another testament to the Duke's wretchedness--and testimony to Kraus' art. This is well done, sung stylishly. The piece ends well with the high note.

"Bella figlia dell'amore" (Rigoletto): One of the great ensemble pieces in opera (along with the sextet from "Lucia," the Bohemians from "La Boheme," the Norns in "Gotterdammerung," etc.). The participants: Kraus, Beverly Sills, Mignon Dunn, and Sherrill Milnes. An exciting performance, well sung by the four.

"Che gelida manina" (La Boheme): A very nice version. Kraus sings this sensitively. His culminating high note is done well.

"O soave fanciulla" (La Boheme): Once more, Kraus partners with Scotto. And the result is splendid indeed. Their voices intertwine nicely. This is a very well done version.

So, where does one end up with this CD? Kraus obviously qualifies as one of the better tenors of his era. This is a terrific introduction to his artistry.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a beautiful voice, April 12, 2008

By 

Film watcher (Dallas, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Very Best of Alfredo Kraus (Audio CD)

I do not have formal schooling in music but I do know a great voice when I hear it..what a wonderful voice. Great recording.

1 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT TENOR!, December 22, 2006

By 

dhlchung (califronia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Very Best of Alfredo Kraus (Audio CD)

I really enjoy this tenor and the CD!