Sacred Arias [Special Edition with Bonus DVD]

Andrea Bocelli (Artist), Giulio Caccini (Artist), Cesar Franck (Artist), Charles Gounod (Artist), Franz Xaver Gruber (Artist), George Frideric Handel (Artist), Jean-Paul Lecot (Artist), Eric Levi (Artist), Steven Mercurio (Artist), Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Artist), Louis Niedermeyer (Artist), Gioachino Rossini (Artist), Franz Schubert (Artist), Giuseppe Verdi (Artist), John Francis Wade (Artist), Richard Wagner (Artist), Myung-Whun Chung (Artist), Santa Cecilia National Academy Orchestra Rome (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 14, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B0000CE9VO
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #19,726 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #5 in	Music > Classical > Featured Performers, A-Z > ( B ) > Bocelli, Andrea
  #24 in	Music > Opera & Vocal > Historical Periods > Baroque (c.1600-1750)
  #34 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( F ) > Franck, César

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Ave Maria

2. Sancta Maria

3. Ave Maria

4. Ave Maria

5. Panis Angelicus

6. Cujus Animam [From Stabat Mater]

7. Ingemisco [From Requiem]

8. Ave Verum Corpus

9. Der Engel [From Wesendonck-Lieder]

10. Frondi Tenere... Ombra Mai Fu [From Serse]

See all 18 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Ave Maria [DVD Track][*]

2. Ave Maria [DVD Track][*]

3. Ombra Mai Fu [DVD Track][*]

4. Hallelujah [DVD Track][*]

5. Ave Maria [DVD Track][*]

6. Cujus Animam [DVD Track][*]

7. Amen [DVD Track][*]

8. Ingemisco [DVD Track][*]

9. Sanctus [DVD Track][*]

10. Domine Deus [DVD Track][*]

See all 17 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

When he was growing up, Andrea Bocelli recalls finding inspiration in a favorite recording of sacred music performed by tenor legend Franco Corelli. Bocelli--who in the meantime has come to inspire millions of fiercely loyal fans himself--returns to the genre as the guiding theme of Sacred Arias. These performances are filled with the singer's phenomenally well-known vocal signature: his flair for long, sweetly floating high notes and the gentle sense of cadence he brings to a melody. It's a mistake to compartmentalize Bocelli into a singer of "operatic" versus "popular" styles: in truth his approach is at heart the same. Lack of color and control in his phrasing remains a drawback, but the emotional empathy Bocelli evokes is never in doubt. The arias collected here sample some of the most famous devotional pieces: Schubert's "Ave Maria" and Mozart's transporting "Ave Verum," as well as an arrangement of "Silent Night" in which Bocelli tries out his English. There's also a decidedly odd choice of bedfellows for a program of "sacred" music, such as a song from Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder (whose "angel" is the object of an overpoweringly erotic attraction) and Handel's figurative ode to a tree, "Ombra mai fu." Still, Bocelli sings with an unfeigned directness that is sure to expand his already enormous following even further. This new special edition includes two bonus tracks on a CD enhanced with a picture gallery as well as a full-length DVD of Bocelli in concert filmed at the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome. --Thomas May

Product Description

Special Edition includes enhanced CD with bonus tracks and concert DVD.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A spiritual experience, November 26, 2003

By	cyclista (the Midwest) - See all my reviews

The DVD is the full 77 minute concert with two featurettes previously released alone. The CD is the full 72 minute concert previously released alone, except that two bonus tracks have been added. The audio quality of each one is quite good. (If you have a Dolby Digital stereo, then you must go into the setup menu on the DVD to select Dolby Digital sound. The default music track is the stereo 2.0 sound.) The video quality of the DVD is astonishing.

The DVD gives the feeling that you are in the church with the other worshippers. It literally sends chills up and down my spine. I highly recommend this CD/DVD combination Special Edition while it is still available.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Over an hour long! EXCELLENT Production! Great Gift!, October 12, 2007

By	Just A Mommy Too "always at home" (Arizona, USA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is an very high-quality gift for that traditional Roman Catholic person you can't seem to please. (ANYONE would be captivated by this DVD/CD combo, but especially an "old school" Catholic!) Some traditional Catholics feel abandoned by their Church these days, but this beautifully rendered production will thrill them. LISTEN to the tracts, and you'll think of someone who would love it - maybe even you!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Gift, February 25, 2008

By	Frankey "Frankey" (Chicago, IL USA) - See all my reviews

This CD/DVD is great. Timeless music and prayers invites the listener and viewer to appreciate the tradition, the humility, and the human desire to communicate with God. Listening to Ave Maria and Sancta Maria inspires reflection on the relationship of a devoted mother, an approachable intercessor, and her role in the plan of salvation. Panis Angelicus explains the Eucharist as the great equalizer among humans, which offers insight to the great sacrifice being offered in the Mass. The songs celebrating the sacrifice of God incarnate, demonstrates God's Grace and God's invitation into an intimate relationship. The CD/DVD allows the listener to reflect and meditate on the human desire to be in communion with God.