L'elisir d'amore, opera: Act 2: Una Furtiva Lagrima
Nabucco, opera (Nabucodonosor): Va Pensiero (Chorus Of The Hebrew Slaves)
Gianni Schicchi, opera: O Mio Babbino Caro
Rigoletto, opera: La Donna E Mobile
Il barbiere di Siviglia (The Barber of Seville), opera: Largo Al Factotum
Louise, opera: Depuis Le Jour
Lakmé, opera: Act 1: Viens, Mallika...Sous Dome Epais (flower duet)
Turandot, opera: Act 3: Nessun dorma!
Norma, opera: Casta Diva
Gianni Schicchi, opera: A Vete Torto!
Tosca, opera: Act 2: Vissi d'arte, vissi d'amore
Tosca, opera: Act 3: E lucevan le stelle
La Rondine (The Swallow), opera: Act 1: Che Il Bel Sogno di Doretta
Il Trovatore, opera: Di Quella Pira
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, ... more »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« less
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
Carol S. from PARADISE, CA Reviewed on 5/17/2007...
Beautiful arias sung by the "masters" - Callas, Corelli, Freni, Caballe and more.
1 of 1 member(s) found this review helpful.
CD Reviews
Music to Wed By
08/11/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Always on my CD changer
Kelly L. Norman | Plymouth, MI United States | 08/31/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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."
Wonderful compilation - Great intro!
Emma de Soleil | On a holiday In Ibiza, then back to the UK for stu | 11/08/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"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+++++++++++"
The greatest hits
J. Ruggirello | Long Beach, CA United States | 08/02/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"There are not too many duds in this collection. These are pretty much all of opera's greatest hits you could ever wish for, in performances that are never less than excellent and are often the best available. Since this is an EMI production there is no Pavarotti, but if that's the only tenor voice you know listen to tenors like Corelli, Kraus and Gedda, who are all terrific. If you don't know the voice of Mirella Freni she steals the show in arias from Gianni Schicchi, Louise and La Rondine. Nothing spectacular, just perfect singing. My only quibble is I wish they had used di Stefano's recording of the aria from Tosca, one of the greatest things ever, instead of Domingo's (which is fine, just not as special). Di Stefano is here, but in an inconsequential aria from Gianni Schicchi.
Oh, well. Everything else is wonderful, and this is the collection of opera excerpts I would recommend for someone who wants an introduction to great music and great singing."
Wonderful Intro to Opera
missvitamin | Northern California | 12/04/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Highly recommended even for those who may think they don't like opera. I would not characterize myself as an opera-lover, and don't really have the tenacity to sit through entire operas, though I have not been exposed to very many. You may consider this a "Best of Opera" in the best sense. Terrific car music--played at high volume, singing very loudly along (notwithstanding not knowing the lyrics)...though of course, probably only when alone!!"