Viva Villazón (incl. bonus DVD)

Georges Bizet (Composer), Francesco Cilea (Composer), Gaetano Donizetti (Composer), Charles Gounod (Composer), Jules Massenet (Composer), Claudio Monteverdi (Composer), Giacomo Puccini (Composer), Pablo Sorozabal (Composer), Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky (Composer), Giuseppe Verdi (Composer), Emmanuelle Haïm (Conductor), Evelino Pidò (Conductor), Marcello Viotti (Conductor), Michel Plasson (Conductor), Plácido Domingo (Conductor), Comunidad de Madrid Orchestra (Orchestra), Le Concert D'Astrée (Orchestra), Munich Radio Orchestra (Orchestra), München Rundfunkorchester (Orchestra), Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Comunidad de Madrid Orchestra, Le Concert D'Astrée, Munich Radio Orchestra, München Rundfunkorchester, Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Emmanuelle Haïm, Evelino Pidò, Marcello Viotti, Michel Plasson, Plácido Domingo
• Composer: Georges Bizet, Francesco Cilea, Gaetano Donizetti, Charles Gounod, Jules Massenet, et al.
• Audio CD (September 18, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Angel Records
• ASIN: B000UZ4F1A
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #131,925 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #66 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Songs & Lieder > Madrigals

Track Listings

1. La bohème, opera: Che gelida manina

2. Faust, opera: Quel trouble inconnu... Salut, demeure chaste et pure

3. L'elisir d'amore, opera: Una furtiva lagrima

4. Rigoletto, opera: La donna èmobile

5. Manon Lescaut, opera: Donna non vidi mai

6. Werther, lyric drama in 4 acts: Traduíre! Ah! Bien souvent mon rêve s'envole... Pourquoi me réveiller

7. Eugene Onegin, opera, Op. 24: Kuda... kuda

8. No puede ser

9. Tosca, opera: Recondita armonia

10. L'Arlesiana, opera: E la solita storia (Lamento)

11. Carmen, opera: La fleur que tu m'avais jetée

12. Eri già tutta mia, madrigal for soprano (from Scherzi musicali), SV 248

13. La Traviata, opera: Lunge da lei... De' miei bollenti spiriti

14. Le Cid, opera: Ah! Tout est bien fini... Ô souverain

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Viva Villazon, October 18, 2007

By 

Howard B. Haimes "Opera Lover" (Natick, MA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Viva Villazón (incl. bonus DVD) (Audio CD)

Viva Villazón (incl. bonus DVD)

Although this is a collection of the "Best of Villazon" it highlights the quality of this young and very passionate singer. His ability to sing various styles only contributes to the sensation. The CD is packaged with a DVD of a live concert from Prague. This DVD alone is worth the price of the CD. It is clear that audiences love his style and his stage presence. Villazon's artistry encompasses passion, style and humility. His sharing of flowers with members of orchestra is a sign of his debt of gratitude in delivering a quality performance.

Of course much has been written about the combination of Villazon & Netrebko leading many to call this today's operatic dream team. His duets with the Russian DIVA are breathtaking in their musicality and passion. Only can only hope that Rolando will soon return to the stage.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction to a fine tenor, July 31, 2008

By 

Steven A. Peterson (Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL)) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Viva Villazón (incl. bonus DVD) (Audio CD)

Rolando Villazon is a contemporary tenor. This CD (with an accompanying DVD of a live Prague concert) provides a sense of his craft. As such, listeners will find this a representative introduction to his work. In short, he compares favorably with his contemporaries.

A few examples from the CD. . . .

"Che Gelida Manina" from "La Boheme" is one of my favorite tenor pieces. Once upon a time, when I remembered the words, I'd sing this while driving along (a terrifying thought, I concede). Villazon shows us a smooth and attractive voice. He tends to steer clear of mannerisms (those catches and cries that distress me so much) for the most part (with some exceptions). It does seem that he "scooped" a note early on (if I properly understand the meaning of that term), but not a major problem. He hits the high note at "la speranza" well. Overall, a fine job--although not at the top of the class of tenors historically.
From Donizetti's "L'Elisir d'Amore," "Una Furtiva Lagrima." This is smoothly sung, a solid version of a well known aria. He shows the ability to sing at full volume without ugly sounds creeping into his voice.
"La Donna e Mobile," from Verdi's "Rigoletto." How does he play the rakish Duke of Mantua? He sings this aria well, showing a nice smooth vocal line. His final "pensier" is pretty well sung (but do I note some scooping?). He takes this piece at a quick pace and throws off his lines well.

Then, the classic "Recondita Armonia" from Verdi's "Tosca." What an aria! A voice of steel is handy here (think Corelli, Tucker, and so on). While Villazon does not quite have that type of voice, he acquits himself well, although some annoying mannerisms creep in. He shows enough power at the close to satisfy.

What of the DVD? This product gives a nice sense of his persona while singing. And it is an attractive presentation that he makes. . . . One of the songs that he sings is Rossini's "La Danza." This is a delightful song. It has some treacherous elements to it. Indeed, in the recording by the great Enrico Caruso that I once listened to, Caruso lost his breath at one point. However, Villazon does not fail! This version is great fun, and the tenor really seems to be enjoying himself. He is sure footed (or voiced?) in his singing.

From "La Traviata," "De Miei Bollenti Spiriti." He has a nice voice for this aria and sings it well, seeming to catch the character in the context of this aria. An occasional mannerism, but no problem. He has an attractive stage presentation. Overall, smoothly sung indeed.
So, how does Villazon perform? He is clearly one of the fine tenors of the current era. He does not have the dramatic voice of a Franco Corelli or Richard Tucker. But he handles the repertoire, in my humble view, better than such contemporaries as Licitra and Alvarez. At any rate, a solid CD and an enjoyable DVD.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The world's greatest tenor, November 7, 2007

By 

Music Lover (New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Viva Villazón (incl. bonus DVD) (Audio CD)

Villazon is my favorite tenor, past or present. This CD is a great compilation of tracks from his previous recordings. However, the version being released in Europe next week (11/12/07) includes 2 CDs plus DVD for just a few dollars more, so you're better off ordering from amazon.co.uk or another UK retailer.