Slaves & Masters [Import]

slaves & masters [import]

Track Listings
1. King of Dreams
2. Cut Runs Deep
3. Fire in the Basement
4. Truth Hurts
5. Breakfast in Bed
6. Love Conquers All
7. Fortuneteller
8. Too Much Is Not Enough
9. Wicked Ways

Slaves and Masters,Deep Purple,Arena Rock,British Invasion,British Metal,England,Hard Rock,Heavy Metal,Rock & Roll,Rock/Pop

Slaves & Masters [Import]
The #1 Opera Album
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Pretty darn good
  • The Opera #1 Opera Album
  • Excellent assortment
  • Great Selections
  • Terrific !
 The #1 Opera Album
Giacomo Puccini , Giuseppe Verdi , Léo Delibes , Georges Bizet , Umberto Giordano , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Richard Wagner , Gioachino Rossini , Alfredo Catalani , Jacques Offenbach , Ruggiero Leoncavallo , Charles Gounod , Gaetano Donizetti , Pietro Mascagni , Antonin Dvorak , Richard Bonynge , Herbert von Karajan , Alberto Erede , Lamberto Gardelli , Giuseppe Patane , John Mauceri , Zubin Mehta , Charles Dutoit , Gyorgy Fischer , Riccardo Chailly , Istvan Kertesz , Leone Magiera , Evelino Pido , Gianandrea Gavazzeni , Renée Fleming , Cecilia Bartoli , Luciano Pavarotti , Jussi Bjorling , and Renata Tebaldi
Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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All Works by LeoncavalloAll Works by Leoncavallo | Leoncavallo, Ruggiero | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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  1. The Most Famous Opera Duets
  2. The Most Famous Opera Arias
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  5. Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco...

ASIN: B000059RXO
Release Date: 2001-02-27

Tracks:

  1. Carmen: Act 1: Prld - LPO/Sir Georg Solti
  2. La Traviata: Brindisi: Libiamo, Ne'lieti Calici - Luciano Pavarotti/Joan Sutherland/London Opr Chor/Terry Edwards
  3. La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina - Luciano Pavarotti
  4. Lakme: Flower Duet: Dome Epais Le Jasmin - Joan Sutherland/Jane Berbie
  5. Fedora: Amor Ti Vieta - Jussi Bjorling
  6. Carmen: Habanera: L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle - Tatiana Troyanos/John Alldis Chor/John Alldis
  7. Nabucco: Chor Of The Hebrew Slaves: Va Pensiero - Chicago Sym Chor/Margaret Hills
  8. Le Nozze Di Figaro: Dove Sono - Kiri Te Kanawa
  9. Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile - Luciano Pavarotti
  10. Lohengrin: Bridal Chor: Treulich Gefuhrt Ziehet Dahin - Konzertvereinigung Wiener Staatsopernchor/Walter Hagen-Groll
  11. Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro - Renata Tebaldi
  12. Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum - Leo Nucci
  13. La Wally: Ebben?... Ne Andro Lontana - Angela Gheorghiu
  14. Madama Butterfly: Humming Chor - Wiener Staatsopernchor/Norbert Balatsch
  15. Carmen: Flower Song: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee - Placido Domingo
  16. Les Contes D'Hoffmann: Barcarolle: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'Amour - Joan Sutherland/Huguette Tourangeau/Chor De La Radio Suisse Romande, Pro Arte De Lausanne Et Du...
  17. Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle - Placido Domingo
  18. Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di - Mirella Freni
  19. Les Pecheurs De Perles: C'est Toi... Au Fond Du Temple Saint - Gregory Cross/Gino Quilico

Tracks:

  1. Die Walkure: The Ride Of The Valkyries - Wiener Phil/Solti
  2. Le Nozze Di Figaro: Voi Che Sapete - Cecilia Bartoli
  3. Pagliacci: Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba - Luciano Pavarotti
  4. La Boheme: O Soave Fanciulla - Mirella Freni/Luciano Pavarotti/Roland Panerai
  5. Il Trovatore: Anvil Chor: Vedi! Le Fosche - Chicago Sym Chor/Margaret Hillis
  6. Manon Lescaut: Donna Non Vidi Mai - Jose Carreras
  7. Don Giovanni: La Ci Darem La Mano - Lucia Popp/Tom Krause
  8. Mattinata - Andrea Bocelli
  9. Faust: Soldiers' Chor - Ambrosian Opr Chor/John McCarthy
  10. L'elisir D'amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima - Roberto Alagna
  11. Turandot: Signore, Ascolta! - Montserrat Caballe
  12. Don Giovanni: Champagne Aria: Finch'han Dal Vino - Bryn Terfel
  13. Cosi Fan Tutte: Trio: Soave Sia Il Vento - Renee Fleming/Anne Sofie Von Otter/Michele Pertusi
  14. Il Trovatore: Di Quella Pira - Luciano Pavarotti/Joan Sutherland/London Opr Chor/Terry Edwards
  15. Tosca: Vissi D'arte - Kiri Te Kanawa
  16. Carmen: Toreador Song - Jose Van Dam/Tatiana Troyanos/Norma Burrowes/Jane Berbie/Thomas Allen/Pierre Thau/John Alldis...
  17. Madama Butterfly: Love Duet: Vogliatemi Bene - Mirella Freni/Luciano Pavarotti
  18. Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo - Nat PO/Gianandrea Gavazzeni
  19. Rusalka: O Silver Moon - Renee Fleming
  20. La Boheme: Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi - Angela Gheorghiu
  21. Turandot: Nessun Dorma - Luciano Pavarotti/John Alldis Chor/John Alldis

Amazon.com

The labels that are now gathered under the Universal Classics umbrella have a pretty impressive scorecard in the area of classical compilations. We've seen The Greatest Opera Show on Earth, The Yellow Guide: Classical Music, Best of the Millennium, and now there's The No. 1 Opera Album. But that's no surprise, since Universal has some of the finest interpreters in its catalogue to draw from. This two-CD set (at the price of one), for example, brings together the likes of Cecilia Bartoli, Renée Fleming, Luciano Pavarotti, Kiri Te Kanawa, Sir Georg Solti, Herbert von Karajan, and many more. Yet the other key to a successful compilation is canny anthologizing, and here again, you have a nice selection to give you a smattering of opera's heavyweights from the Italian, German, and French repertory (there's even a step outside the standard framework with an aria from Dvorák's lovely Rusalka). Ranging from 1959 to 1997, the choices from back catalogue will doubtless be the entry ticket for many into this grandest of the arts. --Sarah Chin

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Pretty darn good.......2007-07-04

This CD set has a lot of familiar music on it, so if you're a newbie, you might want to try starting with this. There are some great pieces on the first CD. I usually don't even make it to the second.

2 out of 5 stars The Opera #1 Opera Album.......2007-06-07

The music is wonderful. The production is terrible!! The sound fades in and out and is very scratchy in some places.

4 out of 5 stars Excellent assortment.......2007-05-12

I'm not a big opera fan but I wanted to expose an assorted selection for my kids. This was perfect since it included several recognizable selections.

5 out of 5 stars Great Selections.......2007-03-31

This Cd, has the very best of Opera
covering mainly from the classcal
to the to the romantic periods, a most
memorable selection here is Leo Nucci
in a lagendary performance of Rossini's
"Largo al Factotum" from "Il Barbiere di Seviglia"
also Andrea Bocelli in his performance of Leoncavallo's
memorable "Matinatta" here in an orchestrated version.
Indeed some of opera's most loved arias are in this recording
various conductors, orchestras, and soloists. All in their
very best. Indeed a five-star recording...

5 out of 5 stars Terrific !.......2007-01-10

A diverse album to give you a sprinkle of the various types of 'opera'. Every note is pure and lovely, I listen to it all the time ! Highly recommended for anyone just getting into opera. :}
Passion - Most Famous Orchestral Spectaculars [20 CD Set]
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • A good gift for novice
 Passion - Most Famous Orchestral Spectaculars [20 CD Set]

Manufacturer: Delta
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00012QLTQ
Release Date: 2003-12-09

Album Description

Music can be both calming and relaxing, or invigorating and passionate...this phenomenal 20-CD set is definitely the latter. This amazing collection brings together for the first time the most passionate music of all time, from Ravel's Bolero, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Wagner's Magic Fire Music to Ravel's La Valse, Orff 's Carmina Burana and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. This is a must have collection for every passionate music lover.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars A good gift for novice.......2007-05-12

This was a good gift for somebody learning about Classical music in Japan.
The Power & The Majesty: Essential Choral Classics
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Wonderful choir music CD
  • Best of American Choral Singing!
  • A good album, but--
  • Awesome
 The Power & The Majesty: Essential Choral Classics
Robert Shaw Festival Singers , and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra & Choruses
Manufacturer: Telarc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000003D10
Release Date: 1995-01-24

Tracks:

  1. Dies Irae
  2. Tuba Mirum
  3. Pie Jesu
  4. O Fortuna
  5. Dies Irae
  6. Rex Tremendae
  7. Confutatis
  8. Lacrimosa
  9. Polovtsian Dances
  10. Missa: Kyrie Eleison
  11. Hallelujah Chorus
  12. The Shepherd's Farewell
  13. Sanctus
  14. The Heavens Are Telling
  15. 'Va, pensiero' (Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves)
  16. Nyne Otpushchayeshi (Now Let Thy Servant Depart)
  17. Dies Irae

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful choir music CD.......2007-07-12

I just enjoy in it very much. The best of the choir music in very good performance.

5 out of 5 stars Best of American Choral Singing!.......2003-02-08

This CD could be the cornerstone of your choral music library! Wonderful performances of all of the essential choral pieces give a wonderful introduction to choral music for someone new to it, and also give a nice sampler of the best pieces for someone already familiar with the music. Listening to each excerpt may inspire you to purchase the entire work!

As you would expect of performances by Robert Shaw's groups, these performances are really extraordinary and show the best of American choral singing.

3 out of 5 stars A good album, but--.......2001-12-28

The three stars I have given this album are not for the performances, which are all tremendous and deserve five stars or more, but for the idea of releasing this sort of compilation. Every single one of these selections is part of a larger Shaw-recorded work already released by Telarc, and you are far better off seeking the complete recordings that all these pieces are from, than just buying a mere "sampler". (Shaw, however, never did get around to recording the complete " L' Enfance du Christ".) Of course, that can be very expensive for some people, and if one cannot afford all those recordings, I suppose this is the next best thing. One can't shake off the feeling, however, that because Shaw is no longer with us, Telarc is desperately trying to give the impression that "new" Shaw recordings are constantly being released by them, when the truth is that nearly all the new ones are mere recyclings. (The last complete Robert Shaw album released by Telarc was Dvorak's "Stabat Mater", a CD well worth buying.)

5 out of 5 stars Awesome.......2000-04-04

This album is so up-lifting. As the music soars, so do your spirits.
A - Z of Opera (includes 762 page booklet)
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • AN OPERA OPUS THAT'S A MUST!
  • The Best
  • Superb Modestly Priced Favorite Arias Collection!!!
  • Wonderful introduction to opera
 A - Z of Opera (includes 762 page booklet)
Puccini , Thomas Harper , Ingrid Kertesi , Scholars Baroque Ensemble , and Hungarian State Opera Orchestra
Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B00004YYRR
Release Date: 2000-10-17

Tracks:

  1. L'Orfeo: Sinf/Ecco Pur Ch'a Voi - Cappella Musicale Di S. Petronio Di Bologna/Sergio Vartolo
  2. Dido And Aeneas: When I Am Laid In Earth - Kym Amps
  3. Rinaldo: Lascia Ch'io Pianga - Ingrid Kertesi
  4. Serse: Ombra Mai Fu (Largo) - Ingrid Kertesi
  5. Orfeo Ed Euridice: Dance Of The Blessed Spirits - Slovak State PO/Johannes Wildner
  6. Alceste: Ombre Larve - Theresa Ringhoz/Drottningholm Theatre Chor
  7. Don Giovanni: Madamina! (Catalogue Aria) - Andrea Martin
  8. Cosi Fan Tutte: Soave Sia Il Vento (Terzetto) - Joanna Borowska/Rohangiz Yachmi/Peter Mikulas
  9. The Marriage Of Figaro: Non Piu Andrai - Natale De Carolis
  10. Die Zauberflote: Der Holle Rache (Aria Of The Queen Of The Night) - Helen Kwon/Hungarian Festival Chor
  11. Fidelio: Abscheulicher! - Inga Nielsen/Hungarian Radio Chor
  12. Der Freischutz: Huntsmen's Chor - Slovak Phil Chor
  13. The Barber Of Seville: Largo Al Factotum - Roberto Servile
  14. L'Elisir D'Amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima - Vincenzo La Scola
  15. I Puritani: Qui La Voce Sua Soave - Luba Orgonasova
  16. La Traviata: Un Di Felice (Love Duet) - Monika Krause/Yordy Ramiro
  17. Nabucco: Va Pensiero (Chor Of The Hebrew Slaves) - Slovak Phil Chor (Bratislava)
  18. Aida: Grand March - Nat SO Of Ireland/Rico Saccani
  19. Falstaff: E Sogno? O Realita - Roberto Servile

Tracks:

  1. Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile - Yordy Ramiro/Slovak Phil Chor
  2. Die Walkure: Ride Of The Valkyries - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Uwe Mund
  3. Tannhauser: Begluckt Darf Nun Dich (Pilgrims' Chor) - Slovak Phil Chor
  4. La Wally: Ebben, Ne Andro Lontana - Miriam Gauci
  5. Rusalka: O, Silver Moon (Song To The Moon) - Jana Valaskova
  6. Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro - Luba Orgonasova
  7. La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina - Jonathan Welch
  8. Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo - Miriam Gauci
  9. Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle - Giorgio Lamberti
  10. Turandot: Nessun Dorma - Thomas Harper/Slovak Phil Chor
  11. Lakme: Dome Epais (Flower Duet) - Adriana Kohutkova/Denisa Slepkovska
  12. Thais: Meditation - Janos Selmeczi
  13. Carmen: L'Amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle (Habanera) - Graciela Alperyn/Slovak Phil Chor/Bratislava Children's Chor
  14. The Pearl Fishers: Au Fond Du Temple Saint (Duet) - Janez Lotric/Igor Morozov
  15. Pagliacci: Recitar!... Vesti La Giubba - Nicola Matinucci/Slovak Phil Chor
  16. Cavalleria Rusticana: Intermezzo - Czecho-Slovak RSO/Alexander Rahbari
  17. Andrea Chenier: Come Un Bel Di Di Maggio - Thomas Harper
  18. King Roger: Roxana's Aria - Barbara Zagorzanka
  19. Die Tote Stadt: Gluck, Das Mir Verblieb (Marietta's Lied) - Katarina Dalayman/Thomas Sunnegardh/Tomtberga School Children's Chor/Royal Swedish Opr Chor

Album Description

A-Z of Opera is a 762-page, illustrated book, accompanied by two-and-a-half hours of opera's most glorious and moving moments on two CDs, and reflects the ever-growing Naxos catalog of recordings ranging from Monteverdi to the contemporary. A-Z of Opera provides a wide range of information on operas and their composers, from Handel's Rinaldo to Mozart's Die Zauberflote, and beyond. It features plot synopses, background details and cast lists for hundreds of operas including well-known standards as well as opera rarities. In addition, there is a wealth of information about all the great composers and a glossary of key musical and operatic terms.

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars AN OPERA OPUS THAT'S A MUST!.......2003-01-19

Oh, such letter-perfect perfection! This marvel features a two-hour-plus showcase of well-known arias from "Cosi Fan Tuti," "Aida," "Carmen," "Madame Butterfly" and "The Barber of Seville." It also comes with a book --- 762 pages of remarkable facts, figures and illustrations.Encore!

5 out of 5 stars The Best.......2002-06-09

This is, by far, the best introduction to opera on the market. It also contains some gem performances for anyone who already has a serious opera collection. Several tracks on this collection of mostly Eastern European singers rival those of their Western counterparts. This is a collection for EVERYONE - from the opera novice to the person who has long collected all the major Western stars. At this price, it's the best opera bargain in the world. GET IT NOW!!! Thank you, Naxos! I hope that some of these Eastern European singers at last get the attention they deserve.

5 out of 5 stars Superb Modestly Priced Favorite Arias Collection!!!.......2001-02-12

I received this as my 20th birthday gift from my bestfriend and I was amazed at the quality and the content of this CD. Some of the arias which I am immensely fond of are included, i.e. "Habanera" from Bizet's "Carmen." And who would have guessed that the soprano on track 10 performing Queen of the Night's Aria from Mozart's "Die Zauberflote" was none other than Hellen Kwon? Amazing!

I really love this gift from my bestfriend for it was thoughtful and well, what can I say that this makes an excellant gift for opera neophytes (though I am not an opera neophyte).

The highlight of this CD is track 13, Rossini's "Largo al Factotum" from "The Barber of Seville." When I first heard this, I was contemplating to myself as to where have I heard this before. Then it hit me: Michigan J. Frog's signature tune! (In case people are wondering who on earth is Michigan J. Frog is, he is the Warner Brother's frog; the frog can be seen on WB network channel). I love this track! Buy this for yourself if not this makes a perfect gift for your opera neophyte friend(s)! This track brings joy and smiles on my face everytime I hear this piece!

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful introduction to opera.......2000-12-16

More than just a promotional sampler, the Naxos (8.555037-38) contains not only 2 CDs crammed with 39 excerpts from that company's seemingly bottomless catalogue, but also a 762 page book. The text offers plot summaries of almost every important opera and many of far lesser renown (Delius' "The Magic Fountain," Mascagni's "Iris," for example), a brief biography of the composers, a glossary, and finally a discography. The recorded examples are in chronological order from Monteverdi to Korngold. The entries in the book, however, are in alphabetical order--so be careful to look for "Zauberflote," not "Magic Flute," and so on.

Of course, Big Names do not appear on many Naxos opera sets; but this set is an introduction to that vast area of culture and is meant to be an educational (and of course a promotional ) device. Nevertheless, many of the selections on the CDs are beautifully sung, a very few lack characterization (the arias from"Don Giovanni" and "Nozze di Figaro" for two). But at this incredibly low budget price, who can complain?

As soon as I saw what this set had to offer, I immediately ordered a copy as a seasonal gift for a friend who wants to "get into" opera. I could think of no better gift.

There is a sister set titled (8.555319-20) that uses the same format. There are 2 CDs with 36 selections from Gregorian Chant to Glass. The 562-page book gives us the major facts about "the Great Composers and Their Greatest Works, " a glossary, and a 45-page list of classical music heard in films. The discography is included in the composers section. Again, the value of this set as an educational tool is enormous and well worth the extremely low price Naxos is asking.
Essential Verdi
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • OKAY, TAKE ME AWAY.
  • Great music...stunning recording quality
  • Incredible
  • Just Stunning!
 Essential Verdi

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000056JSW
Release Date: 2001-02-13

Tracks:

  1. Rigoletto: La donna e mobile - Luciano Pavarotti
  2. Nabucco: Va pesiero - Chicago Symphony Orchestra
  3. La forza del destino: Overture - Kirov Orchestra
  4. La Traviata: Un di felice - Joan Sutherland
  5. I Vespri Siciliani: Merce dilette amiche - Maria Chiara
  6. La Traviata: Libiamo ne' lieti calici - Joan Sutherland
  7. Il Trovatore: Di quella pira - Jose Carreras
  8. Il Trovatore: Vedi! le fosche notturne spoglie - Chicago Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
  9. Il Trovatore: Stride la vampa! - Stefania Toczyska
  10. Aida: Ritorna vincitor! - Leontyne Price
  11. Don Carlo: Dio che nell'alma infondere - Carlo Bergonzi
  12. La Traviata: Prelude - Orchestra E Coro Del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
  13. Rigoletto: Caro nome - Joan Sutherland
  14. Don Carlo: O don fatale - Olga Borodina
  15. Aida: Se quel guerrier io fossi! Celeste Aida - Carlo Bergonzi
  16. Emani: Ernani! Ernani involami - Joan Sutherland
  17. Un Ballo in Maschera: Di tu se fedele - Jussi Bjorling
  18. Un Ballo in Maschera: Morro ma prima in grazia - Margaret Price
  19. Luisa Miller: Quando le sere al placido - Luciano Pavarotti
  20. Aida: Gloria all'Egitto - Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Tracks:

  1. Requiem: Dies irae - Wiener Philharmoniker
  2. La forza del destino: Pace pace mio Dio - Angela Gheorghiu
  3. Rigoletto: Questa o quella - Carlo Bergonzi
  4. Rigoletto: Bella figlia dell'amore - Luciano Pavarotti
  5. Otello: Ave Maria - Renee Fleming
  6. La Traviata: Parigi o cara - Frank Lopardo
  7. Macbeth: Ah la paterna mano - Luciano Pavarotti
  8. Il Trovatore: Squilli echeggi la tromba guerriera - Chicago Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
  9. Don Carlo: O Carlo ascolta - Dmitri Hvorostovsky
  10. Requiem: Ingemisco - Luciano Pavarotti
  11. Simon Baccanegra: Come in quest'ora bruna - Kiri Te Kanawa
  12. Macbeth: Salve o Re! Si colmi il calice - Lucia Aliberti
  13. Aida: O patria mia - Leontyne Price
  14. I lombardi: La mia letizia infondere - Placido Domingo
  15. Aida: Lo sguardo avea degli angeli - Montserrat Caballe
  16. La forza del destino: Solenne in quest'ora - Nikolai Putilin
  17. Macbeth: Patria opressa - Chicago Symphony Orchestra And Chorus
  18. Il Trovatore: Tacea la notte - Katia Ricciarelli
  19. I due Foscari: Dal piu remoto esilio - Odio solo ed odio atroce - Jose Carreras
  20. Don Carlo: Spuntato ecco il di esultanza - Orchestra E Coro Del Teatro Alla Scala Di Milano

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars OKAY, TAKE ME AWAY........2006-01-20

I don't know opera.

Last summer we had an incredible 20th anniversary trip to Italy. As a side trip from Venice, we planned a night in Verona. Neither my wife or I had been to an opera.

Is this how its supposed to be...

...an incredible star filled night with a three quarter moon, the largest stage and outdoor theatrical production on the planet, all taking place in a roman colleseum (arena) built in 180 a.d., an incredible colorful set and production with a full symphony orchestra and voices that don't come easy. Aida.

Now I know what all the hpye is as you opera fans sure are lucky to have such a beautiful setting for all your productions.

Okay, we got spoiled. But I also found myself getting spoiled on the Italian composer Verdi.

For me, this set is not only a "take me back to Verona" trip, but a great introduction to Verdi's other works. With some of the biggest names in the opera world in starring roles, I listened to both discs twice the first night they arrived.

And, of course, we are planning a return trip to Verona in the very near future to see some more Verdi...perhaps Nabucco or Otello or Macbeth...I'll even settle for Aida again. It was such a magical experience and a superb introduction to opera and Verdi.

This set continues that magical moment for us and provides a great introduction to a master of the opera...Verdi.

5 out of 5 stars Great music...stunning recording quality.......2002-11-01

This is a marvelous compendium of Verdi's opera works that even the serious opera fan wouldn't turn his nose up at. These are the top contemporary soloists singing with first tier orchestras. When I saw the Decca label, I expected reasonable quality, but this disk is stunningly well engineered. Most of the vocals match the best jazz cds for immediacy and intimacy, and the orchestras are equally well done.

5 out of 5 stars Incredible.......2002-06-05

I don't say incredible about too many things, but Verdi was the zenith of Italian Opera and Solti and the Chicago Symphony and the Vienna Philharmonic are the quintessential ensembles for modern classical performance. Not to mention that most of the voices showcased have their own lines of CDs (Pavarotti, etc.) This CD is the best Verdi album available, and it has EVERYTHING. BUY THIS CD!

5 out of 5 stars Just Stunning!.......2002-01-26

In my opinion this recording is stunning. I am not usually a fan of compilations in classical music, as they're usually watered down representations made under the presumption that the listener would find the full-blown version intimidating or boring. This one, however, is not only an exception in my view, but a recording that deserves a high place of honor in every serious listener's collection. The representation of artists, both vocal and orchestral, is breathtaking and impressive for the span of years. A great big thank you to the people at Decca responsible for putting this collection together, as it is obvious to this listener that a great deal of thought and care went into looking for the most beautiful version of every piece on here. I have purchased two copies, one for home and one for the office, and have gotten two friends similarly hooked. I am also feverishly searching for more pairings of Joan Sutherland and Carlo Bergonzi. In the meantime, I'm on to Essential Puccini!!
Aria: A Passion for Opera
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Always on my CD changer
  • Wonderful compilation - Great intro!
  • loved it
  • NEW LOVER OF OPERA
  • Music to Wed By
 Aria: A Passion for Opera

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bellini, VincenzoBellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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CompilationsCompilations | Classical | Styles | Music
RomancesRomances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Modern & 20th CenturyModern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Romantic (c.1820-1910)Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Bellini, VincenzoBellini, Vincenzo | A to B | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Charpentier, GustaveCharpentier, Gustave | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Delibes, LeoDelibes, Leo | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Donizetti, GaetanoDonizetti, Gaetano | C to G | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Puccini, GiacomoPuccini, Giacomo | M to P | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Rossini, GioacchinoRossini, Gioacchino | Q to T | Featured Composers, A-Z | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Caballe, MontserratCaballe, Montserrat | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Callas, MariaCallas, Maria | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Freni, MirellaFreni, Mirella | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000002S5M
Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

  1. Carmen: Quand Je Vous Aimerai?...L'Amour
  2. I Pagliacci: Recitar!...Vesti La Giubba
  3. Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo
  4. L'Elisir D'Amore: Una Furtiva Lagrima
  5. Nabucco: Va Pensiero From Nabucco
  6. Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro
  7. Rigoletto: La Dona E Mobile
  8. Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum
  9. Louise: Depuis Le Jour
  10. Lakme: Flower Duet
  11. Turandot: Nessun Dorma
  12. Norma: Casta Diva
  13. Gianni Schicchi: A Vete Torto!
  14. Tosca: Vissi D'Arte
  15. Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle
  16. La rondine: Chi Il Bel Sogno
  17. Il Trovatore: Di Quella Pira

Amazon.com

If you've ever heard an opera excerpt in a film or TV commercial and wondered from whence it came, this compilation will probably provide your answer. The disk is an extensive superstar sampling of opera's greatest arias, featuring beloved stars from 1958-1987. Newbies will delight in hearing the young Freni's developing, but not yet perfected, artistry; Corelli's soaring tenor emoting in "Vesti la guibba" and "Nessun Dorma"; and Callas being Callas in "Habanera" and "Casta Diva." Megatalents Caballé, Gobbi, Di Stefano, and Domingo round out the mix. It even includes the Lakme duet and the chorus from Nabucco, in case arias aren't enough. An enjoyable variety. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Always on my CD changer.......2005-08-31

I bought this CD long ago as a neophyte in opera appreciation. I had just seen Turandot and wanted the recording primarily for "Nessun Dorma", which I also love because of its use in the film, "The Killing Fields". But I have also appreciated the exquisite renderings of the other songs on the album. Callas. Caballe. Freni. Often, when a compilation like this comes out, one senses that the interpretations are second rate. In this case, it is just the opposite, or at least it seems that way to me.

The CD contains well known songs like "Vesti la Giubba" from Pagliacci, and "Un bel Di" from Madame Butterfly, but there are lesser known, and beautiful songs as well, such as "Viens, Malilika...sous Dome Epais" from Lakme', an absolutely gorgeous duet for two sopranos. I would highly reccomend this CD if you want to learn more about opera, or if you simply want some beautiful vocal music to listen to.

5 out of 5 stars Wonderful compilation - Great intro!.......2004-11-09

This compilation features operatic legends like Domingo, Caballe, Freni, Corelli, Callas etc. at their very best. Wonderful for those who want to start to get aquainted with the magic that is opera. TOP NOTCH!!!! A+++++++++++

5 out of 5 stars loved it.......2002-05-08

Callas singing Harbanera backed by the chorus is majestic and sublime. Heard it one day at work on public radio and had to have it.

5 out of 5 stars NEW LOVER OF OPERA.......1999-12-10

I WOULD RECOMMEND THIS CD TO ALL TYPES OF MUSIC LOVERS.

I FELL IN LOVE WITH SOME BACKGROUND MUSIC FROM THE AMERICAN PRESIDENT AND SEARCHED FOR THE SONG - FLOWER DUET - AND PURCHASED THIS CD.

I WAS VERY IMPRESSED BY ALL THE SONGS. ANYONE WHO DOESN'T LIKE OPERA , HAS PROBABLY HEARD MANY OF THESE SONGS AS BACKGROUND MUSIC FROM THEIR FAVORITE MOVIES. IT'S A BEAUTIFUL COLLECTION.

5 out of 5 stars Music to Wed By.......1999-08-11

Corelli's "Nessun Dorma" makes the overplayed Pavarotti version pale by comparison. We (a pair of newlyweds) heard it while sampling this album for wedding reception music and were so blown away that we used this piece for our recessional, earning the following wisecrack from our Cantor, "Oy! You followed me with Corelli? Thanks for nuthin'." We dare you to listen to this track without getting a shiver.
Simply the Best Classical Anthems
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • perfect selection for commencement/ graduation
  • Great Starting Point for Classical Music Novices
  • **An Exquisite Album**
  • Samples
  • Great Sampler!
 Simply the Best Classical Anthems

Manufacturer: Erato
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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All Works by TchaikovskyAll Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
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VariationsVariations | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General ModernGeneral Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
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London Philharmonic OrchestraLondon Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Paris Symphony OrchestraParis Symphony Orchestra | ( P ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
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Baroque (c.1600-1750)Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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AnthemsAnthems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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RequiemsRequiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00004SUVI
Release Date: 2000-04-25

Tracks:

  1. Requiem: Dies Irae
  2. Carmina Burana: O Fortuna
  3. The Planets: Mars
  4. The Ride Of The Valkyries
  5. Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves
  6. Fanfare For The Common Man
  7. Pomp And Circumstance March No. 1
  8. Aida: Grand March
  9. Summer - Four Seasons: Presto
  10. Te Deum: Prelude
  11. The Young Person's Guide To The Orchestra
  12. Toccata And Fugue In D Minor
  13. Symphony No. 5: First Movement
  14. Spartacus: Adagio
  15. Sabre Dance
  16. Symphony No. 40: First Movement
  17. Zadok The Priest
  18. Turandot: Nessun Dorma

Tracks:

  1. Also Sprach Zarathoustra
  2. Romeo And Juliet: Dance Of The Knights
  3. Requiem: Dies Irae
  4. 1812 Overture
  5. Piano Concerto
  6. Spring - Four Seasons: Allegro
  7. Messiah: Hallelujah Chorus
  8. The Royal Fireworks: La Ruissance From Music
  9. Flight Of The Bumble Bee
  10. Symphonie Fantastique: March To The Scaffold
  11. Carmen: Overture
  12. Eine Kleine Nachtmusik
  13. Jerusalem
  14. The Planets: Jupiter
  15. Symphony No 9, 'Ode To Joy'
  16. Swan Lake: Scene
  17. Enigma Variations: Nimrod
  18. Rhapsody On A Theme Of Paganini [Variation 18]
  19. Pictures At An Exibitions: Promenade
  20. Symphony For Organ No 3: Finale, Symphony For Organ No 3

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars perfect selection for commencement/ graduation.......2007-06-11

We were concerned after reading some other reviews that this version of Pomp and Circumstance wouldn't be the correct movement or the full length version. This selection has the song for graduation AND the extended length, so it gives plenty of time for processionals. If this is what you need, this is the CD to get.

4 out of 5 stars Great Starting Point for Classical Music Novices.......2004-08-13

"Simply the Best Classicial Anthems" is exactly what the title indicates. This is a collection of what the CD says are "36 of the most powerful classics on Earth". My review of this CD comes from someone who is a Classical Music Novice. I'm familiar with some of the composers, musical styles, musical periods, and some of the terminology that is key to understanding Classical Music. By no means am I an expert. I have basically popped in this two CD collection into my player and have enjoyed the sounds it produces. If you are in the same category as I am or maybe just wanting to be introduced to Classical Music - this is going to be a very good CD to have in your collection. For the more seasoned Classical Music fan, this could be either enjoyable or overkill.

The CD contains 36 songs composed by the legends of Classical Music Composers from the past. The bulk of the works come from Composers in the the 19th and 20th century, but there are works from the Romantic and Classical eras of the late 18th and early 19th century (such as Beethoven and Mozart). In general you will find most of the major names of Composers you would expect to find - names such as Tchiakovsky, Handel, Verdi, Strauss, Elgar, and Bach are all there. The only major composer who I would have expected to see on this CD that I don't see is Frederic Chopin. The composers of the late 20th century are not included on this collection - so you won't see Leonard Bernstein or John Williams on this set. While these Composers are excellent, I do think style of the tracks on this collection pre-date their style.

The recordings themselves are done by the great Orchestras around the world. For the most part, European Orchestras were used to deliver the tracks. There are a few exceptions: The Chicago Symphony Orchestra delivers "The Ride of the Valkyries"; The Toronto Symphony Orchestra delivers "Dance of the Knights"; and the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra delivers Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture". Some of the European Orchestras that are well known include: BBC Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic, Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra, Choeur Philhamonique de Strasbourg, and more. Also included are performances by well known names in the Classical space such as Marie-Claire Alain (Bach's "Toccate and Fogue in D Minor" and Saint-Saens' "Symphony for Organ No 3"), Piero Toso (Vivaldi's "Allegro From Spring - Four Seasons"), and Placido Domingo appears on Puccini's "Nessun Dorma".

The 2 Disc collection contains a total of over 2 hours and 6 minutes of music. The selections that are included in the set will sound very familiar to you when you play them. You probably have both heard and seen the names of tracks such as: Oref's "O Fortuna"; Copland's "Fanfare for the Common Man"; Beethoven's "First Movement from Symphony Number 5" and "Ode To Joy"; Elgar's "Pomp and Circumstance", and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture". Many of the other tracks will also sound familiar, but maybe not so much by name - such as Wagner's "The Ride of the Valkyries", Strauss' Also Sprach Zarathoustra"; Grieg's "Piano Concerto", and "Dies Irae" (versions included by Mozart and Verdi - you can compare the two and judge for yourself). As for the Discs themselves, I think most of the casual fans will like the selections on Disc Two better, but Disc One is still very good. On a sidebar, the Israel Philharmonic's version of "1812 Overture" is by far the best you will hear - particularly at the end, the booming drums create almost a 3 dimensional vision of fireworks being launched into the air.

There one big negative on this collection is some of the recording quality. The clarity of the recording is there, but some of the recording levels leave a lot to be desired. On some of the softer parts, it is barely audible without significantly turning up your volume. This is very evident on "O Fortuna" where you will hear almost dead silence during from the 30 second to 1:30 mark of the track unless you crank your volume up. Same with the first few seconds of Strauss' "Also Sprach Zarathoustra" and Tchiakovsky's "1812 Overture". When the volume is cranked up you will hear them - but then the other sections will be way too loud. I'm surprised with modern technology that this couldn't be addressed better.

The liner notes are pretty thin. You do get the Composers, Performers/Orchestras, and recording dates. There isn't any more details than that and you won't learn anymore insight on the tracks than this information. Despite some of the shortcomings of the liner notes and recording volume, I still think this is an excellent place to start and do recommend this CD if you are a novice to Classical Music and are looking for a great place to start listening to what the Classics have to offer.

5 out of 5 stars **An Exquisite Album**.......2004-02-21

Simply The Best Classical Anthems

Simply The Best Classical Anthems is a compilation album of `36 of the most powerful Anthems on Earth'. But, it is also said to be something else. It is said to be a gateway. A gateway to another world. A world where our imagination can run free without being shackled down by any borders or boundaries or rules or limits. A world that we have all seen or perhaps more accurately have all heard of but for many of us a world that we have never dared to enter. Never dared to enter because of fear. The fear of being ostracised and shunned by our community.

THE MYTH
`Classical Music!', I can hear some of you cry. `That isn't another world. That's just music for the upperclass, the high-brow, and the pompous.' Surprisingly, I too felt this way for a long time until I accepted the invitation made to me by Simply The Best Classical Anthems. I always felt that Classical Music was nice to listen to as background music for a Levis ad or a Car ad but I would consider people strange if they chose to hear it on its own. However, after having listened to this album I realised how wrong I was in my assumptions.

THE TRUTH
Music as with all forms of amusement helps to take you away from where you are now. It helps to relax you when you are stressed with anger; it helps to give you strength when you are vulnerable; it helps to keep your spirits up when you have faced tragedy or loss. It helps. And, for me the type of music that best conjures up the most passionate emotions (love, hate, courage and anger) at our most testing times is Classical Music.
How? I don't know.
Why? I don't know.
I can only promise you that in my experience it does.

THE CHEST
The album, in visual terms, is very difficult to overlook amongst the plethora of records that may surround it. This is because the album has a very distinct purple sleeve cover. Not any kind of purple mind you but the Cadbury's kind of purple. The kind of purple that carries with it an invitation. An invitation that if accepted promises you a treasure inside.
And since, I have always enjoyed the treasure within the purple Cadbury's Dairy Milk wrapper, I asked myself why would an album carrying the same invitation promise to be anything different? Thus, I parted with my tuppence worth and went back home to open this purple chest of promised treasures.

THE PROMISED TREASURE
As you may have guessed, the contents of the album are somewhat different to the contents of a Cadbury's bar. When I opened the album, I was presented with two compact discs. At first glance, there did not seem to be anything special about them. They were just your average, everyday, run of the mill compact discs. To tell you the truth, I was a bit disappointed because I suppose I had hoped for something more.
However, looks can be deceptive. (Afterall, a Cadbury's Dairy Milk does not seem very appetising until you taste it!) And, also come November each year, I am always bemused and surprised at how the shabby contents of a cardboard box can both light up the sky and light up the faces of the neighbourhood. Thus, I pushed aside my assumptions and I ignited the discs (not literally of course, I just pressed the play button on the CD player). And, I let the fireworks begin.

THE KEY
From the very beginning, you will feel like you have unlocked the doorway to something special. And, after a full two hours of listening to both discs, you will feel like you have been taken out of this world and transported to another. Welcome to the world of Classical Music.

GUIDANCE
In the beginning, continue to listen to both discs in one go (i.e. one after the other). After a while, you will know which tracks you enjoy listening to the most. For those tracks you enjoyed the most make a promise to yourself that you will listen to the whole of the piece from which that track came from.
Good Luck on your quest if you choose to accept it.
Ride amongst the Valkyries, listen to the Flight of the Bumblebees, and use The Planets to keep you on the path.

I am not a good reviewer because as with all of my reviews I refuse to comment too much about what is inside the product but rather more about what effect the product has had on me. (Me, me, me. Vain & Egotistic, I know, so my friends and family keep telling me). But, I just want to cause a raucous about the product, enough not to spoil but enough of a raucous to let you experience it for yourself.

So my final words are:
Simply The Best Classical Anthems is an invitation. An invitation to the world of classical music. A world where you can begin a never-ending quest of curiosity. A curiosity that will always be rewarded with fulfilment.

Do you accept such an invitation?

Hope you found this review helpful.

3 out of 5 stars Samples.......2003-11-23

The samples are too short and the quality leaves a lot to be desired. Having said that the choices are wonderful and the price is great. If you're looking for a overview of the best of classical music then this is for you. However if it's quality you're looking for then spent the extra money and look at other choices.

5 out of 5 stars Great Sampler!.......2002-03-20

This is a good sampler, since it covers what you would want in a classical music CD. Looking at the tracks, it has the classic hits, such as "Ride of the Valkyries," "Toccata and Fugue," "Fanfare for the Common Man," "'Jupiter' from `The Planets,'" "Eine Klein Nachtmusik," and "Hallelujah Chorus."

There are also some new pieces that I have fallen in love with, such as "The Young Person's Guide to the Orchestra," "'Promenade' from Pictures at an Exhibition." The compilers did an interesting double take by including both Verdi's and Mozart's "Dies Ire." I'm not sure which is better.

This music is good for the brain and good for the soul. There is a power and passion that the blaring and glaring music that makes up most of the FM band. I'm reminded of the religious man who said that there is no music in hell. Probably because they wouldn't appreciate it there.

These CDs has a good transfer from the analogue tapes; there is no hiss or fuzziness. The packaging hearkens back to 2001: A Space Odyssey, with the black monolith. And appropriately, "Also Sprach Zarathustra" is the opening track on Disk 2.
The Opera Album
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Heavenly...
  • Nice collection of major figures
  • Gran recopilatorio
  • blend of great opera for novice or opera buff!
  • Nessun dorma!
 The Opera Album
Luciano Pavarotti , Angela Gheorghiu , Mirella Freni , Guiseppe Verdi , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Giacomo Puccini , Richard Strauss , Richard Wagner , Georges Bizet , Riccardo Muti , Tullio Serafin , Michel Plasson , Georges Pretre , Philharmonic Orchesta , Chorus & Orchestra of La Scala Milan , London Philharmonic , and London Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Bellini, VincenzoBellini, Vincenzo | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music