The Great Luciano Pavarotti

On this CD:

1. La Traviata, opera Brindisi
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Richard Bonynge

2. La Traviata, opera Parigi O Cara
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Richard Bonynge

3. Un ballo in maschera, opera Amilia a dessa ancor
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras

4. La bohème, opera Dunque è proprio finita
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Manno Wolf Ferrari

5. La bohème, opera Che gelida manina
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Nino Bonavolonta

6. L'elisir d'amore, opera Una furtiva lacrima
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Nino Bonavolonta

7. Manon, opera excerpt
Composed by Jules Massenet
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Peter Magg

8. Turandot, opera Nessun Dorma
Composed by Giacomo Puccini
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Gianfranco Masini

9. Stabat mater for 2 sopranos, tenor, bass, chorus, & orchestra Cajus Animam
Composed by Gioachino Rossini
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini

10. I Puritani, opera Vieni fra le mie braccia... credeasi, miseria
Composed by Vincenzo Bellini
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Carlo Maria Giulini

11. Un ballo in maschera, opera Ma se me forza perderti... la rivedro nell'estasi
Composed by Giuseppe Verdi
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Sir Charles Mackerras

12. Don Giovanni, opera, K. 527 Dalla sua pace...
Composed by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Francesco Molinari Pradelli

13. L'elisir d'amore, opera Una parola o adina
Composed by Gaetano Donizetti
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Giuseppe Patane

14. Manon, opera Chiudo gli occhi e nel pansier
Composed by Jules Massenet
Performed by Luciano Pavarotti
Conducted by Peter Magg

Tracks:

O Mio Babbino Caro (From Gianni Schicchi) - Kiri Te Kanawa
Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta (From La Rondine) - Kiri Te Kanawa
Quando M'en Vo' Soletta (From La Boheme) - Kiri Te Kanawa
Che Gelida Manina (From La Boheme) - Luciano Pavarotii
Mi Chiamano Mimi (From La Boheme) - Eva Marton
Donde Lieta Usci (From La Boheme) - Eva Marton
Recondita Armonia (From Tosca) - Richard Tucker
Vissi D'arte (From Tosca) - Kiri Te Kanawa
E Lucevan Le Stelle (From Tosca) - Richard Tucker
Un Bel Di Vedremo (From Madama Butterfly) - Kiri Te Kanawa
Addio, Fiorito Asil (From Madama Butterfly) - Richard Tucker
Tu, Tu, Piccolo Iddio (From Madama Butterfly) - Eva Marton
Tu, Che Di Gel Sei Cinta (From Turandot) - Eva Marton
Ch'ella Mi Creda Libero (From La Fanciulla Del West) - Richard Tucker
Il Lamento Di Federico (From L'Arlesiana) - Richard Tucker
La Donna E Mobile (From Rigoletto) - Luciano Pavarotti
Vesti La Giubba (From Pagliacci) - Luciano Pavarotti
Caro Nome Che Il Mio Cor (From Rigoletto) - Ileana Cotrubas
Amor Ti Vieta (From Fedora) - Luciano Pavarotti
Celeste Aida (From Aida) - Richard Tucker
Una Furtiva Lagrime (From L'Elisir D'amore) (Mono) - Richard Tucker
Ah! Si Ben Mio (From Il Trovatore) (Mono) - Richard Tucker
M'appari (From Martha) - Richard Tucker

Customer Reviews:

The CD in my collection most loved by friends.........2000-01-03

This remarkable collection of arias, with consistently high sound quality sound, was my introduction to opera, an addiction that turned feverish. Most singular, however, is the reaction of anyone who hears it. I have had it for 8-9 years and all those friends who wrote down the title have been unable to find it. On a whim, I tried a search on Amazon, and now have a long list of people to call. It is rich, lustrous music, that always leaves me with my arm hairs raised. The ultimate test. Get it and addict your friends, minus the frustration of not having a source for them to find it.

Wonderful selection of great singing........1999-10-12

Even if you don't like "Opera Highlights", you probably will love this. Some great artists recorded at their best. Everyone I play it for, goes out and buys the CD.

Great Duets & Trios / Sutherland, Horne, Pavarotti

Average customer rating:

all past their primes but still a thrill
Hello! Anybody in there????
The Amazing Trio
Fantastic drama heard here
Bravi, Sutherland, Pavorotti, Horne

Great Duets & Trios / Sutherland, Horne, Pavarotti

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Horne, Marilyn | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Just for the Record: The Golden Voice
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Verdi - La Traviata / Sutherland · Pavarotti · Bonynge [highlights]
Opera's Greatest Duets

ASIN: B000006P4Q
Release Date: 1998-05-12

Tracks:

Ernani: Solingo, errante e misero
Norma: Adalgisa! ... Oh! rimembranza!
Norma: Ma di' ... Oh non tremare
La Gioconda: Ecco la barca ... addio
La Gioconda: Deh! non turbare
Otello: Gia nella notte densa
Il Trovatore: Madre, non dormi?

Customer Reviews:

all past their primes but still a thrill.......2003-06-30

All of the singers are past their prime here. Dame Joan must have lost at least half her formidable voice. And her coloratura has slowed down to a slow stroll. You have to hear her when she was the greatest singer the world had ever seen.
Pavarotti and Horne are slightly better. But they are also disappointing to my discriminating ears. But if you never heard them when they were supreme, you may still be extremely impressed. They are that good that even when they're past their prime, they still have valid voices.
If you never heard Dame Joan when she ruled the operatic world, don't buy this, she will be discredited.
However, even if Dame Joan is way past her prime here, if you know how she sounded when she was the Queen of opera, it's still a must buy. Because even though her voice is half gone, she's still Prima Donna Assoluta. But only buy this if you know how she's supposed to sound.

Hello! Anybody in there????.......2001-05-21

Hey, publishers, this is too much excellent performance not to be available on video. Any genuine opera lover will buy the video tape/DVD of this live recording.

The Amazing Trio.......2000-12-14

I like this recording very much, but I must say that the tape, which I bought in 1981, had a "warmer" sound to it. I also remeber watching the live performanc on television, and even the best recording can not capture the excitment of that evening. I disagree with the reviewer who said that all three were past their prime. I thought they were all in good if not excellent voice. I agree with the reviewer who said Sutherland is not in top form, but who cares.Even at less than her best she is better than anyone else! I would not miss having this recoring in my collection!

Fantastic drama heard here.......2000-01-05

This is a wonderful recording of arias with an excellent set of performers. The drama and emotion felt in this CD is extremely moving. Horne does a fantastic job of playing her alto roles, and Pavarotti is in his usual good singing voice. My problem here lies with Dame Joan. As I am an almost diehard fan of her work, I found it dissapointing listening to her in this recording. It is obvious that she was past her prime at this point and we no longer hear her infamous coloratura singing. The acrobatics are no longer there, and the high notes are forced and not that high at all. However, this recording is very good, if only for its star power and fantastic theatrics.

Bravi, Sutherland, Pavorotti, Horne.......1999-07-04

All three singers past their amazing primes in this LIVE recording, but I still must have it because of it's historical status. We have three of the greatest singers of this or any other century on the stage at the same time! Just thrilling in the ensembles. Buy this CD!!!

Opera: Great Love Duets of the 20th Century

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Opera: Great Love Duets of the 20th Century

Manufacturer: Fine Tune
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005AQ2E
Release Date: 2000-01-01

Great Moments from Verdi's 'La Traviata"

Average customer rating:

A solid recording

Great Moments from Verdi's 'La Traviata"

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B000001GIN
Release Date: 1993-02-16

Tracks:

La Traviata: Preludio
La Traviata: Act I: 'Dell'invito trascorsa e gia l'ora' (Violetta, Alfredo)
La Traviata: Act I: 'Libiamo ne' lieti calici' (Brindisi) (Alfredo, Violetta)
La Traviata: Act I: 'Un di felice, eterea' (Alfredo, Violetta)
La Traviata: Act I: 'E strano... Ah, fors'e lui' - 'Follie Delirio vano e questo...Sempre libera' (Violetta, Alfredo)
La Traviata: Act II - Scene I: 'Lunge da lei...De' miei bollenti spiriti' (Alfredo)
La Traviata: Act II - Scene I: 'Annina, donde vieni... Oh mio rimorso' (Alfredo)
La Traviata: Act II - Scene I: 'Ah Dite alla giovine' (Violetta, Germont)
La Traviata: Act II - Scene I: 'Imponete' - 'Non amarlo ditegli' (Violetta, Germont)
La Traviata: Act II - Scene I: 'Di Provenza il mar, il suol' (Germont)
La Traviata: Act II - Scene II: 'Invitato a qui seguirmi' - 'Ogni suo aver tal femmina' (Violetta, Alfredo)
La Traviata: Act III: 'Teneste la promessa... Attendo, ne a me guingon mai... Addio del passato' (Violetta)
La Traviata: Act III: Baccanale: 'Largo al quadrupede'
La Traviata: Act III: 'Signora' - 'Che t'accadde' - 'Parigi, o cara, noi lasceremo' (Violetta, Alfredo)
La Traviata: Act III: 'Ah, Violetta' - 'Voi Signor' - 'Prendi quest'e l'immagine' (Germont, Violetta, Alfredo)

Customer Reviews:

A solid recording.......2006-10-27

Overall, this recording of La Traviata is surely one the most consistent quality-wise. Pavarotti's legendary ability to sing Alfredo is perfectly shown here with the powerful resonance of his singing in "Libiamo ne'lieti calici", his dramatism in "Un di felice, eterea" and his soft purity in "Parigi, o cara mia". Alongside Pavarotti, Juan Pons (perhaps amongst the best baritones) displays the full strength of his voice in the famous "Di provenza il mar, il suol" and in the duets with Studer. Levine's conducting, characterized by its vivaciousness also has its display with the Preludio and evidently in the Brindisi. As for Studer's Violetta, whilst she sings at a very good quality, the inevitable comparison with opera greats such as Callas, Netrebko or Gheorghiu doesn't leave her in such a wonderful standing.

The only downside of the record is that for some reason two of the most memorable arias of this opera were not included: neither "Pura si comme un angelo", nor "Un di quando le veneri" is displayed.

Great Arias: The Best of Luciano Pavarotti

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Great Arias: The Best of Luciano Pavarotti

Manufacturer: Goldcrest Entertainment
ProductGroup: Classical
Binding: Audio CD

General | Arias | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000H935W4

Product Description

This is a rare collection of live recordings featuring Luciano Pavarotti recorded from 1965-1975. There are no liner notes, nor indication from where these recordings eminated. Information is extremely limited, as a seller we can find no record of this CD on Google. We will list all information on the CD on this page. The CD notes that it is digitally remastered from analog recordings. Track listing: 1. Nessun Dorma - Puccini- Turandot 3:04 2. La Donna E Mobile - Verdi - Rigoletto 2:29 Conductor: Argeo Quadri 3. Della Mia Bella...Questa O Quella - Verdi- Rigoletto 6:12 Conductor: Carlo Maria Guilini 4. A Dispar Vision - Massenet - Manon 4:45 5. Oh Meschina! Oh Fato Orrendo! Giusto Cielo...Ah! Rispondete! - Donizetti - Lucia Di Lamermoor 4:28 6. Una Furtiva Lacrima - Donizetti - L'Elisir D'Amore 4:58 Conductor: Giuseppe Patane 7. Padre, Mio Caro Padre...Ceda Natura Al Suo Autor - Mozart - Idomeneo 6:09 8. Oh! Fede Negar Potessi Agli Occhi Miei! Quando Le Sere Al Placido... - Verdi - Luisa Miller 5:26 Conductor: E. Guarnieri 9. O Di Capiellio, Generosi Amici...E Serbata A Questo Acciaro...L'Amo, Ah! - Bellini - I Capuleti E I Montecchi 2:05 Conductor: Claudio Abbado 10. Annina! Donde Vieni?... - Verdi - La Traviata 1:54 Conductor: Carlo Felice Cillario

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The Three Great Tenors

Manufacturer: EMI Special Products
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Release Date: 1995-06-16

Tracks:

Aida: Celeste Aida
Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai
L'amico Fritz: O Amore, O Bella Luce Del Core
A Masked Ball: Di Tu Se Fedele
Pagliacci: Vesti La Guibba
Don Carlo: Lo L'ho Perduta
TOSCA: E Lucevan Le Stelle
Le Roi d'Ys: Puisqu On Ne Peut Flechir...
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Mefistofele: Dai Campi, Dai Prati

The Opera: Great Tenors of the 20th Century

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The Opera: Great Tenors of the 20th Century

Manufacturer: Fine Tune
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005AMK7
Release Date: 2000-01-01

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The decca tribute to Montserrat Caballe
SEPULCHRAL SUBLIMNITY
CORRECTION!
Wide-ranging selection of great singing

The Great Voice of Montserrat Caballé

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B000026BVD
Release Date: 2000-09-12

Tracks:

Luisa Miller: Tu puniscimi, o Signore
Luisa Miller: Padre, ricevi l' estremo addio
Norma: Sgombra e la sacra selva
Norma: Deh! proteggimi, o Dio!
Norma: Eccola! va, mi lascia, ragion non odo
Norma: Va, crudele, al Dio spietato
Mefistofele: Notte cupa, truce
Mefistofele: O incantesimo! parla! parla!
Turandot: Signore, ascolta!
Turandot: Tu che di gel sei cinta
Andrea Chenier: La mamma morta
Andrea Chenier: Vicino a te
Andrea Chenier: La nostra morte e il trionfo dell'amor!
La Gioconda: E un anatema!
La Gioconda: Il mio braccio t'afferra!
La Gioconda: Suicidio!
La Gioconda: La barca s'avvicina

Customer Reviews:

The decca tribute to Montserrat Caballe.......2001-08-05

This is one of Caballeýs great collections. She is one of the three vocal wonders in the world of opera, the other two being Renata Tebaldi and Victoria De Los Angeles (Caballe herself regarded Tebaldiýs as the most perfect voice ever to be heard and Tebaldi considered Caballe the last true diva).

Most of Caballeýs decca recordings were made later in her carreer (late 70s-80s). Even if the voice had lost some of its freshness and flexibility, she still managed to give great performances. Such examples are her Margherita in Mefistofele, her Maddalena in Andrea Chenier and her Gioconda. To me, Tebaldiýs vocal caliber, pathos and beauty are unsurpassed in her recordings of the same roles but Caballe gives these roles her own touch, so different but not less memorable. Her Adalgisa, a role rarely performed by a soprano, is among the finest on records. Having heard Horne, Cossotto and other sublime mezzos in this role, I realise now that itýs Caballeýs phrasing, gentle singing that I like the most. Let me not forget her lovely Luisa Miller. Her best moment on this set is her Liu. Recorded in 1972, displays Caballeýs famous pianissimo, amazing breath control at their finest. One believes that this woman needs no air at all! If only, we could hear such singing by the new operatic generation today!

Concluding, this may not be Caballeýs best collection (her best are available on amazon) but this one is certainly worth listening.

SEPULCHRAL SUBLIMNITY.......2001-05-31

Representative of Montserrat Caballe's recordings for the Decca catalogue, this album features arias, duets and scenes from many staples of the repertoire. While not exactly familiar favourites or starter-kits, these operas none the less have great music that we would be the worse off, without.

Caballe's legendary breath control and floated pianissimi are more or less expected and we are justly rewarded in this present selection. In many of the set pieces, she astounds us with the above qualities and justly shows her mettle and that her fame and celebrity was not without reason.

I simply love the scene from Norma which is featured here. As Adalgisa this time round (she recorded the role of Norma earlier in her career for RCA), she agreed to the role as a mark of respect for and friendship with Sutherland. While many were sceptical of the results initially, due to the advanced stage of her career when she was recording it, the results are top-notch.

She spins her notes with a delicacy and intrigue unlike no other as she is soon joined by the bright clarion voice of Pavarotti as Pollione. Caballe is one of the few soprano Adalgisas recorded and she excels in the scene, matching and even stealing the show from Pavarotti.

In the arias from Turandot, Signore, ascolta and Tu che di gel sei cinta, she displays her breath control and pianissimi when she seemingly sings the arias in just a matter of a few breaths. The melody goes on and on and is hardly interrupted by intakes of breaths. She holds on to the dying last note Signore, ascolta for almost an eternity. The result may be less than perfect but is still remarkable.

In Andrea Chenier and La Gioconda, Caballe lets rip and shows us how powerful her voice can be. La mamma morta is touching and well sung, with an intensity that is unmatched. Perhaps she even betters Callas. In her voice, we can picture the fire that is burning in the narrative she is giving. Suicidio is no less captivating. From the start, she throws down the gauntlet with a benchmark reading that is both dramtically and musically correct.

In a nutshell, this is an album to get for any lover of the soprano repertoire and especially for lovers of great singing and of Caballe.

CORRECTION!.......2000-12-13

I made an error in the review found (hopefully) above. Caballe does not hit an e-flat in the selections from "Mefistofele" as mentioned above. Oops!

Wide-ranging selection of great singing.......2000-12-13

This admirable disc brings together snip-its from Caballe's full-length recordings made for Decca from the early 70's and the early/mid 1980's. This is important because we get a taste of the singer's output during her vocal prime and her mature years, between which time her voice obviously (and naturally) changed. The disk is also a fabulous sampler of Italian opera from the "biggies" of Bellini and Puccini to the rarer Verdi opera and rarer still work by Boito.

The selections from "Luisa Miller" and "Turandot" show off the vocal lushness of the younger Caballe, and expose her wonderful attention to musical detail. The final moments of the "Luisa" trio are magnificent with Caballe floating a beautiful, silvery high note over the wonderful Pavarotti and Milnes. The selections from "Turandot", while oddly enough not my favorite (the vibrato is a little wobbly for my taste), are still musically sound.

What is the most interesting facet of this disk is that her mature voice is captured, a voice that became heavier with age, more dramatic (during this period she went on the record a disc of Wagner arias that included Isolde and Brunnhilde with Zubin Mehta with CBS Records). I would not have thought that assuming the role of Adalgisa would work, but it does. Her mature voice is luxurious and spot-on in terms of hitting notes. The same goes for the selections from "Andrea Chenier"; while the solo aria ("La mamma morta") is not her best recording, there is something quite stirring about it and is probably the best interpretation I have heard (though I have yet to hear Scotto's). The duet with Pavarotti is golden. The selections from "Mefistofele", though not always flattering to the voice, are still fascinating. Also we get to hear her hit a rare E-flat.

The best singing from this mature period comes in the selections from "La Giaconda", where the voice is at its best and clearest. (the minor exception is a little wobbliness in the "Suicidio!"). Otherwise the singing is radiant, sure-footed, and characterful, with a silvery edge to the instrument that is exciting. The scene with Pavarotti ("Il mio braccio") is stunning, with the power of Caballe's voice proving to be a marvel.

Other contributions are also quite good. All of the operas in the collection were recorded with Pavarotti (though he does not appear in the selections from "Turandot") and he is a mellifluous if a bit characterless addition to the line-up. His turn in Luisa Miller is particularly beautiful. Agnes Baltsa is simply terrific in the Giaconda/Laura duet from "La Giaconda". In all instances the conducting is expert.