"The first thing we must establish here is that this is not meant to be opera. This is three exceptionally talented tenors enjoying themselves and giving tremendous joy to those listening by singing mostly popular "evergreens" and also some operatic arias. The beauty in music lies in the diversity, in my opinion. One can better appreciate one type of music when one knows about the others. And why should we limit ourselves to listen to just one genre in music. It would be the same as having steak for dinner every day for the rest of your life, wouldn't it? So why should we limit three wonderful tenors to only sing operatic arias for the rest of their lives? If so we wouldn't have "Maria", "You'll never walk alone", "Singing in the rain" or any of the evergreens on this recording and that would be a shame.
There are no solos on the cd. I think I've read somewhere that they felt there had been enough "three tenors cd's" and if they were to release yet another one it would be one containing what the audience demands, the three of them joining forces and performing together in the songs.
The result, in my opinion is highly recommendable. The three voices blend perfectly together. I have to admit that I have a personal favourite among the tenors and that I would never buy an entire recording featuring only one of the two others, but I recognize their talents and -as stupid as it may sound- since they are performing together I can also appreciate the other two. (I like them too, but in smaller doses....)Some people have commented on their problems with mastering the english language. If anything, I think it just adds to their charm. By the way, who is perfect??
The songs on this cd is a mixture of beautiful songs, heartwrenching songs, toe-tapping songs and powerful songs. It's wonderful to just listen to the beauty in the three voices. It's fun hearing Pavarotti pushing his "high-note-button" in "O sole mio" and Carreras and Domingo copying his stunt. I have no idea what they're singing about in "Manha de Carnaval", but boy does it sound romantic...... And "Dicitencello vuie" brings tears to my eyes (even if I'm still left in the dark when it comes to understanding the meaning of the words...) In "Because" Carreras takes my breath away when singing "because God made thee mine, I'll cherish thee...through light and darkness, through all time to be, and pray his love may make our love divine...." (What woman wouldn't like to hear those words..??!?) Their rendition of "You'll never walk alone" should satisfy some of the soccer-fans since it's the anthem of a European football-club and "Nessun Dorma" will probably satisfy the rest of the soccer-fans, being the antheme of the 1998 world soccer championship. In short, there should be something for every taste on this cd.
It's a very "versatile" cd. You can play it almost everywhere. You can sing along to it in the car, you can dance around the house to it while doing your chores, you can put your feet up and unwind after a hectic week. Or you can write an Amazon review while listening to it.... (Feel free to add suggestions of your own here.....)
To make a long story short - a very enjoyable cd!"
Powerful and moving!
Collen Jamison | Dallas, TX | 10/21/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I got this CD as a gift and it changed my life! I was always a rocker and liked classical music, but never was much into this genre of music. This album changed all of that. Since getting the three tenors I've found a whole new world out there. Thank you guys!"
Just Like the Real Thing!
Monica | Virginia | 07/14/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A few years ago I was lucky enough to actually see a Three Tenors concert. The experience was amazing. Later I bought this CD. I was so happy when I listened to it because the CD captures the mood of being present at the concert. I like the variety and every time I play it, I am taken back to my personal experience at the concert. Hearing the audiences on the CD really gets you excited about hearing this amazing trio."
Great Compilation
Monica | 07/15/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Definitely worth purchasing. It is not an opera CD - it is a concert CD with 3 superb tenor voices that blend together so nicely. A wonderfully entertaining music CD with lots of variety and an opportunity for opera to grow on non-opera lovers. What else can you expect from the BEST. A DVD version would be wonderful."
The Ultimate in the Classical Voice Performance
Ken Miles | 05/18/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The Best of the Three Tenors is a celebration of our greatest legends in Classical Music. Very little is available for classical music lovers today, so this is a must for your music library. Unless children and teens hear the classically trained voice when they are young, they will not develop the concept of music appreciation at its best. They are bombarded with screamers and contemporary ear drum blasting contemporary music which majors on the assumption that "loud" means "great", not the quality of the trained voice or the symphonic sound of beautifully orchestrated strings. Parents, let's expose our children and teens to the best quality of music by taking them to concerts of classical music, and playing this great "music of the masters" in our homes and cars. The Best of the Three Tenors is a great place to start."