Captain Corelli's Mandolin / Stephen Warbeck (2001 film) [Enhanced] [Soundtrack]

captain corelli's mandolin / stephen warbeck (2001 film) [enhanced] [soundtrack]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
As told by John Madden (director of Shakespeare in Love, not the NFL guy), the screen adaptation of novelist Louis de Bernières's World War II love story Corelli's Mandolin has taken some dramatic licenses. But in coloring his recasting of the popular romantic drama, Madden once again turned to his Academy Award-winning Shakespeare collaborator, Stephen Warbeck. The composer displays his mastery of romantic drama (though here in a bit more somber setting), casting the main love theme of "Pelagia's Song" in a mood that's more emotional than geographic. Warbeck's music then subtly coaxes the Italian and Greek influences from the source material, interpolating some Verdi and other standard works with occasionally dryly humorous effect (Italian infantryman segue from "La Donna e Mobile" to crooning the hoary German standard "Lili Marlene"). "The Tango" and "The Mandolin" offer up some ethnically diverse, if warmly human dimensions to the proceedings, with "Agii Fanentes," "The Guitar," and "On the Jetty" adding to their spare instrumental charm. Warbeck's emotionally compelling final cues are seasoned with a pair of strong performances by young English tenor sensation Russell Watson, "Senzi di Te" and "Ricordo Ancor," a lovely vocal version of the main love theme. --Jerry McCulley

Captain Corelli's Mandolin / Stephen Warbeck (2001 film),Stephen Warbeck,Russell Watson,Decca,Classical Crossover,Film,Film Music,Pop,Soundtrack,Soundtracks,Soundtracks & Film Scores

Captain Corelli's Mandolin / Stephen Warbeck (2001 film) [Enhanced] [Soundtrack]

Average customer rating:

Unsure
A tenor for the masses
A wonderful voice
Opera for the Masses
There will be copycats but Russell Watson is an Original!

Russell Watson · The Voice
Russell Watson , Stephen Warbeck , Giuseppe Verdi , Lucio Dalla , Zucchero , Cesar Franck , Ernesto de Curtis , Umberto Giordano , Nigel Hess , Russell Gordon Alistair / Mahoney Gary / Watson , Paul Simon , William / Ure, James Allen Christopher / Cann Warren / Currie , Luigi Denza , Freddie Mercury , Giacomo Puccini , Ennio Morricone , John Themis , Richard Harvey , and Caroline Dale
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

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Encore
Amore Musica
Sometimes I Dream
Reprise
The Voice: The Ultimate Collection

ASIN: B00005B7JD
Release Date: 2001-04-17

Tracks:

Nella Fantasia
Amor Ti Vieta
Pelagia's Song (Captain Corelli's Mandolin)
Caruso
Miserere
Panis Angelicus
Non Ti Scordar Di Me
La Donna E Mobile
Saylon Dola
Someone Like You
Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Vienna
Funiculi
Barcelona (With Shaun Ryder)
Nessun Dorma!

Amazon.com

Russell Watson's story is a classic rags-to-riches fairy tale: The former welder, after years of singing in pubs and clubs, traveled from Salford, his hometown, to London. He turned up unannounced at the Decca offices and was promptly signed up by one of the most important classical labels in the world. Vocal coaching followed, as did a number of successful live appearances supporting Cliff Richard. Now, we have this recital CD, which explores a wide range of musical styles. Watson's Italian is a little ponderous in tracks such as "Amor Ti Vieta," but this is more than offset by his captivating and utterly natural-sounding tenor voice. The inevitable popular arias are here, namely "La Donna è Mobile" and "Nessun Dorma," sung with a refreshing and youthful vitality. Pop tracks, including Ultravox's classic 1980s hit "Vienna" and a witty cover version of "Barcelona" sung with former Happy Mondays frontman Shaun Ryder, sit comfortably on the disc. Watson performs them with integrity, not simply paying lip service to the music of his generation. Watson has the potential to do for classical music what Jamie Oliver has done for cookery, and there are few people who won't find this debut CD appealing. --Rebecca Agnew

Album Details

Full Length LP from the British Tenor that Shot Straight to the Top of the UK Classical Charts. Features Many Beautiful Renditions of Classical and E-z Listening Standards, plus a Version of 'nessun Dorma', which Watson Often Sings Before High-profile English Soccer Matches.

Customer Reviews:

Unsure.......2006-01-07

I'm glad that musical artists besides opera singers are encouraging the art of opera. I also like some of his more upbeat selections as well. In my opinion though, I couldn't listen to his CD for very long. A couple of his arias sounded a bit splatty at times, and back in the throat at others. I don't claim to know everything about opera, I'm only in highschool, but his sound seemed quite pushed in places.
When all is said and done,however, I hope more people will come to know and love opera through his music.

A tenor for the masses.......2005-11-07

I hesitate to add my two cents where others have commented in such number. Still, there are a couple of observations I'd like to pass along, hoping they provide further insight into the phenomenon of Russell Watson and his singing.

First of all, I bought this CD never having heard of Mr. Watson--I just liked the looks of it and thought I'd give it a try. So my perception was based solely on what the CD offered. And I liked it! Both the first time and the next several times. (If I want to get analytical, I can find flaws here and there, but somehow I always enjoy hearing it. Period.)

Why do I like it? For a starter, the performances are musical, interesting, exciting, and aesthetically appealing--and that's my first test of quality. (What good is the greatest, most refined, rendition if you find your attention wandering?) Next, I think Watson's musical instincts (and those of whoever else assisted in creating this CD) are pretty much dead-on. There isn't one track I don't like, though some are clearly my favorites.

OK, the operatic bits don't sound like Pavarotti or Domingo, whom I also love very much. So what? Who says there has to be only one way to do an aria? This music is good enough to support a variety of interpretations. (Now if I could only afford one CD, I'd have to be more demanding.)

This is music for regular people, not necessarily for the elite, and I'm enough of a musical democrat to welcome it. If Watson didn't emerge from a high-class musical background, but still found his way to this music, I say more power to him! He must have an inborn feeling for it, and enough of a voice to perform it convincingly.

We've known a few other tenors from humble musical settings who've risen to popular acclaim (e.g., Mario Lanza). They happen to hear some fine tenor singing and find they can imitate it, and not too badly. With a little encouragement they keep at it, take a few lessons, and soon they're on their way. Where they go from there depends on talent, luck, and choices. I don't know where Watson's career will go in the long run, but I like this initial CD (and the two or three following it).

One concern I felt in listening to "The Voice" was for the voice itself. It seemed to me that Watson might have been forcing it too much, in heroically belting out those high notes. From what I now read, that concern was well founded, for Mr. Watson has had to undergo throat surgery. I hope his recuperated voice will retain the excitement and charm we have grown accustomed to and will serve him (and us) for many years.

A wonderful voice.......2005-05-28

I'd just like to say that while most of the opera purist lot criticize his "untrained voice", they are completely neglecting to say that the beauty of his voice is completely NATURAl. He is a man with a naturally beautiful voice, not one worked on for dozens of years in a conservatorium. Personally, that in itself is commendable. Yes, his pronunciation is not exactly perfect, but I think that this adds to his charm - how his gift (and yes, it is a gift) to him from welding to living out his dream.

Opera purists are a dying race. Making opera accessible to other people is not a crime. I have been brought up in a house filled with music, quite a lot of opera. And I do not think that making opera more accessible is a bad thing. Bringing a more youthful image to opera is a very positive thing. We are seeing a whole generation of artists with wonderful voices, ridding opera of its middle aged image.

Bravo, Russell! You're doing a great job.

PS: Opera purist, I can assure you Russell does not spend a sleepless night on account of your whining. So I suggest you learn to deal with the new youth of opera.

Opera for the Masses.......2005-04-25

Talented Watson brings a youthful, casual elegance to opera which will appeal to opera lovers and novices alike.

Some critics are hard on him for pandering to the pop aspects of modern operatics, but I wouldn't call him a sell out at all, as he certainly has the vocal skills to back up his commercial appeal.

There will be copycats but Russell Watson is an Original!.......2005-03-04

One listen to the voice and it will offer you a true appreciation for this hybrid singer. I call him a hybrid singer because he is one of the new generation singers that have the range to sing beatiful, classical pieces as well as pop songs. Russell has the looks of a boy band star but he chose, instead, to follow his heart and bring beautiful, european music to the world's attention. While I have heard comparisons to Josh Groban let me just set the record straight. Russell Watson is the original while Josh Groban, who needs a good barber, is the copy. Russell's first album, the voice, was released in April 2001. Josh Groban's cd was released in May 2002. Both singers have worked with some of the same producers but there is no true comparison when you hear the range and beauty of Russell's voice. He truly could have been an opera singer and has performed in a few operas in europe. I wont bother to get technical about this cd. It truly is one of my favorites in an extensive mixed cd catalog that I own. What I will say is to listen to a few sample tracks and understand what so many of us in the U.S. and abroad already know: Russell Watson is King!

Captain Corelli's Mandolin / Stephen Warbeck (2001 film)

Average customer rating:

Takes you to that island near the Agean Sea
Sad mistake`
Beautiful Music
Brings back memories
An album to touch your heart

Captain Corelli's Mandolin / Stephen Warbeck (2001 film)
Stephen Warbeck , and Russell Watson
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Captain Corelli's Mandolin
Mandolins from Italy: 24 Most Popular Melodies
Corelli's Mandolin: A Novel
Russell Watson · The Voice
Shakespeare in Love

ASIN: B000059QAR
Release Date: 2001-08-07

Tracks:

Pelagia's Song
The Recruiting Officer
The Albania
Horgota Beach
Albania
The Arrival Of The Italians
La Scala Songs: La Donna E Mobile/Lilli Marlene
The Tango
Santa Lucia
The Mandolin
After The Dance
Agii Fanentes
Lemoni
The Guitar
Surrender
On The Jetty
The Battle
Senza Di Te - Russell Watson
Escape From The Island
The Aftermath
Iannis' Letter
Ricordo Ancor (Pelagia's Song) - Russell Watson
Reunion

Amazon.com

As told by John Madden (director of Shakespeare in Love, not the NFL guy), the screen adaptation of novelist Louis de Bernières's World War II love story Corelli's Mandolin has taken some dramatic licenses. But in coloring his recasting of the popular romantic drama, Madden once again turned to his Academy Award-winning Shakespeare collaborator, Stephen Warbeck. The composer displays his mastery of romantic drama (though here in a bit more somber setting), casting the main love theme of "Pelagia's Song" in a mood that's more emotional than geographic. Warbeck's music then subtly coaxes the Italian and Greek influences from the source material, interpolating some Verdi and other standard works with occasionally dryly humorous effect (Italian infantryman segue from "La Donna e Mobile" to crooning the hoary German standard "Lili Marlene"). "The Tango" and "The Mandolin" offer up some ethnically diverse, if warmly human dimensions to the proceedings, with "Agii Fanentes," "The Guitar," and "On the Jetty" adding to their spare instrumental charm. Warbeck's emotionally compelling final cues are seasoned with a pair of strong performances by young English tenor sensation Russell Watson, "Senzi di Te" and "Ricordo Ancor," a lovely vocal version of the main love theme. --Jerry McCulley

Customer Reviews:

Takes you to that island near the Agean Sea.......2006-10-05

It's more evocative of the book instead of film but the music helps one recall those moments illuminated under the Mediterranean sun.

Sad mistake`.......2005-09-04

It's only fair that I take responsibility for buying what is simply a Sound Track Only of the movie. I'm deaf and need a sound track like I need a hole in the head.

Beautiful Music.......2003-01-27

I grew up with Greek and Italian music and that is one of the reasons I bought this CD in addition to absolutely loving the movie. The music is original and traditional. "The Mandolin" is perfection. If you want to take a romantic journey through another time and place this music will give you that chance.

Brings back memories.......2002-04-21

Awsome music; lyrics, as well as instrumentals. Takes you away to a land of beauty. If you also grew up with Italian music in your home, you may especially enjoy this version of standard favorites such as Santa Lucia and La Donna E Mobile. I consider this movie as the Italian Americans' "Pearl Harbor". Lots of heroism in the movie and the music elaborates on that with spendor.

An album to touch your heart.......2002-04-01

Although the war scenes in the film are quite successful, the film is mostly a love story and 'music' is in the very heart of it. The main theme 'Pelagia's Song' is a very sentimental melody and the album contains different versions of it. The two romantic songs 'Senza di te' and 'Ricordo Ancor' performed by Russel Watson are simply wonderful. The songs are recorded in the order of events that take place in the film, so careful and imaginative listeners can re-live the film as they listen to the CD. Some songs really make one wish to be able to play the mandolin or to be somewhere on the Mediterranean, listening to such melodies. It is the right choice for those who need some peace of mind. A wonderful album for a wonderful romance...listen to it and dream of love...

Average customer rating:

Outstanding Tenor
The Voice Does It Again
Superb Second CD
Awesome! Really different.
More of the same please

Encore
Russell Watson , Leonard Bernstein , Eduardo di Capua , Esposito / Beath / Gordon / Watson / Pigott , Carole Bayer Foster David / Sager , Charles Gounod , Ruggero Leoncavallo , Domenico Modugno , Bruce Preston Billy / Fisher , Giacomo Puccini , Lionel Richie , Scott / Stewart / Kaihau , Paraire Tomoana , Giuseppe Verdi , Stephen Warbeck , Diane Warren , John Lubbock , Nicholas Dodd , William Hayward , and Jay Berliner
Manufacturer: Universal International
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Easy Listening | Pop | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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Russell Watson · The Voice
Awake

ASIN: B00005OM5G
Release Date: 2001-11-05

Tracks:

Va, Pensiero
Volare
Prayer - Lulu, Russell Watson
O Sole Mio
Ave Maria
Mattinata
Pelagia's Song (Captain Corelli's Mandolin)
You Are So Beautiful
Somewhere
Che Gelida Manina
Lucevan le Stelle
Magic of Love - Lionel Richie, Russell Watson
Catch the Tears
Lost in the Snow
Celeste Aida
Where My Heart Will Take Me (Theme from Enterprise)

Album Description

Follow-up to his hugely successful debut album, The Voice. Watson is a young man with an intensely powerful, operatic voice. The album features classics like 'Volare', ' The Prayer' (with Lulu) & 'Ave Maria'. 2001.

Album Details

He's Blue Eyed, Handsome and Not from Italy Or Spain...but From the Good Ole UK He's Has Ascended to that Elite Circle of Popular Tenors that is Known by the Masses. Watson Breaks Out on this Disc with a Mix of Popular Favorites and Classical Standards. Includes his Take on 'the Prayer' with Lulu and a Duet with Lionel Richie (The Magic of Love), as Well as the Theme to the Film 'captain Corelli's Mandolin'.

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding Tenor.......2004-02-08

This is an outstanding album and an outstanding tenor voice. I have listened to a lot of tenors over time and this voice is unique in its natural beauty and power. I can listen to the selections on this (and the previous ) album over and over and never tire of them. It may be a "crossover" voice in the sense that Watson successfully sings both pop and classical songs, but it has an electric quality that sets it apart from virtually any other tenor I have heard whether purely "operatic" or not. I cannot fathom what CD the authors of previous critical comments have been listening to but it must not be the same one I hear.

The Voice Does It Again.......2003-12-24

If anyone thought Watson's first album, The Voice, was a fluke, I recommend that they llisten to this one. Again there is the intriguing mix of popular and operatic/classical numbers and again there is the amazing tenor voice, which shifts from soft and intimate to soaring and powerful. All the selections are appealing but my favorites are Che Gelida Manina, Celeste Aida,The Magic of Love (with Lionel Richie), The Prayer (with Lulu), Mattinata, and Ave Maria. There is not a bad one on the whole CD, though, and the two added ones are beautiful..Highly recommended--do not miss this voice!

Superb Second CD.......2003-01-12

Watson here proves every bit as fascinating as on his first CD, "The Voice". Again he gives us a mix of classical/operatic and pop and it is quite irresistible. The first offering, Va Pensiero, is really stunning, beginning with the soft "pop" voice and then suddenly soaring into the beautiful, powerful tenor that is so unusual. I particularly like the operatic arias such as Che Gelida Manina but the duets with Lulu and Lionel Ritchie are also beautiful. Every number is lovely in its own way and this CD can be played over and over without becoming tiring.

Awesome! Really different........2002-11-06

I first heard Russell Watson a few weeks ago when he was featured as the closing artist for the Larry King Live show one evening on CNN (Oct 02). The song was "Va, pensiero" from his album Encore. As the song began my first impressions were "hmmm, pretty good tenor voice." But then, mid-song, Russell's switch to his operatic tenor voice literally made me hold my breath and made the hair stand up on the back of my neck (not to mention the tear in my eye). It wasn't just the tenor voice (I've heard other powerful tenors) but Russell's ability to switch back and forth from a pop vocalist to an operatic tenor is what struck me as absolutely incredible.

I had never before heard anyone do that, so I made a note of the name of his album "Encore" and a few days later got online to see what he was all about. I found a great many reviewers who raved on about how good Russell Watson is, but I was also intrigued by the vicious remarks made by some online reviewers (though I noted that those negative reviews were largely unsubstantiated with specifics).

I decided to buy it anyway, together with his first album "The Voice." I'm not disappointed in the least. If anything, hearing "Va Pensiero" again rekindled my appreciation of his voice. Now, I am not a great "traditional" opera expert in the least and have never heard an "original" operatic rendition of Va Pensiero, so I can't compare Russell to a traditional "pure" operatic voice. Do I care? NO! I wasn't looking for a traditional operatic tenor when I stumbled across Russell.

I have heard what I consider the beauty and diversity in Russell's voice and I like it. Period. If I like the combination of classical and contemporary voice that Russell brings, so be it. That combination may be heresy to a classical purist, but hey it's what I like, so frankly, I don't give a damn about what the true classical operatic voice should sound like... it's NOT what I'm looking for.

More of the same please.......2002-10-28

I had never heard of Russell Watson until the show Enterprise. His voice is superb. I have now heard all of his albums and enjoy each one but believe this is, by far, his greatest. His voice becomes part of the music, joining with his fellow artists' in the duets, and leads to a true appreciation for the new classical music. At the end of the day I want nothing more than to relax, to find peace in a crazy world, thank you Russell Watson for giving that to me.

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