Luciano Pavarotti - Donizetti Arias ~ Una furtiva lagrima

Gaetano Donizetti (Artist), Richard Bonynge (Artist), Sir Edward Downes (Artist), Leone Magiera (Artist), Luciano Pavarotti (Artist), Nicolai Ghiaurov (Artist), Eric Garrett (Artist), Ambrosian Singers (Artist), Roger Soyer (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 11, 1998)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000009OUA
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #68,840 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com essential recording
This CD contains arias recorded by Pavarotti between 1967 and 1975, and it would not be an overstatement to say that it is probably the most beautiful CD by a tenor ever released. This was Pavarotti in his early prime--indeed, a couple of the arias are first bloom. It covers music from eight Donizetti operas, from the almost startlingly virtuosic "Ah! mes amis..." (La Fille du Régiment), with its nine perfectly placed high Cs, through the ever popular "Una furtiva lagrima" (L'Elisir d'Amore) and three stunners from La favorita to Edgardo's final scene from Lucia and more. But the two priceless pieces of music here are from the little-known Il Duca d'Alba and Don Sebastiano, two arias of such exquisite beauty that were they the only things Donizetti had ever composed--or the only extant singing by Pavarotti--both would still be considered great. This is a treasure trove. Grab it. --Robert Levine

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AMAZING!, December 12, 1999

By	Tracy L. Powell (Bangkok, Thailand) - See all my reviews

This recording of Donizetti opera arias, many of which were taken from his full length recordings,really show what the big deal about Pavarotti was/is. The voice is unbelievably beautiful, full, and ringing! Pavarotti himself once said that his voice was best suited to Donizetti. The arias from Il Duca d'Alba and Don Sebastiano are so gloriously sung that it makes one sad and mad that he didn't record some of the more rare Donizetti operas. If you want an introduction to opera or just want a recording of Pavarotti this is definitely the one to get.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Achingly, Heartwrenchingly, Beautiful, March 12, 2004

By	"adamski_169" (Boston, Massachusetts, US) - See all my reviews

Pavarotti is arguably the most gifted and accomplished operatic tenor of the twentieth century. While other contemporary tenors may be stylistically flawless and a joy to listen to, Pavarotti is in a class by himself. He drifts effortlessly from the low, lyrical passages to soaring high notes which have a tendency to sound strained when anyone but Pavarotti (and of course, the incredible Mario Lanza) attempts them.
As many of the reviews mention, this IS Pavarotti in his prime, and this is most apparant in his flawless command of the stratospheric high C's. He's not known as "The King of the High C's" for nothing! In addition, unlike many opera compilations that trundle out the most overplayed snipits from the most well known works, Una Furtiva Lagrima gives us some of the greatest arias from one of opera's most talented composers, Donizetti. This album is a celebration not only of Pavarotti's brilliance, but Donizetti's as well. For an introduction to opera, this album is great. For an introduction to Donizetti, this album is excellent. And for a showcase of the power and range of one of opera's greats, this album is fantastic!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Luciano at his best, January 22, 2003

By	Torsten Westh (Randers, Denmark) - See all my reviews

I can only repeat what has been said above. Pavarotti singing Donizetti in his prime years - outstanding. His voice is pure gold and suits perfectly for Donizetti. Especially the arias from Il Duca d'alba and Don Sebastiano are wonderful.