Ah! mes amis ... Pour mon ame: La Fille du regiment
Pour me rapprocher de Marie: La Fille du regiment
Quanto e bella: L'elisir d'amore Romani
Una Furtiva Lagrima: L'elisir d'amore
Una vergine, un'angel di Dio: La favorita Royer, Vaez
Si, che un solo accento: La favorita
Favorita del re! ... Spirto gentil: La favorita
Inosservato, penetrava ... Angelo casto e bel: Duca d'Alba Scribe
Deserto in terra: Don Sebastiano
Com'e gentil: Don Pasquale
Ah! rimiro il bel sembiante: Maria Stuarda
Tombe degli avi miei: Lucia di Lammermoor
Tu che a Dio spiegasti l'ali: Lucia di Lammermoor
This CD contains arias recorded by Pavarotti between 1967 and 1975, and it would not be an overstatement to say that it is probably the most beautiful CD by a tenor ever released. This was Pavarotti in his early prime--ind... more »eed, a couple of the arias are first bloom. It covers music from eight Donizetti operas, from the almost startlingly virtuosic "Ah! mes amis..." (La Fille du Régiment), with its nine perfectly placed high Cs, through the ever popular "Una furtiva lagrima" (L'Elisir d'Amore) and three stunners from La favorita to Edgardo's final scene from Lucia and more. But the two priceless pieces of music here are from the little-known Il Duca d'Alba and Don Sebastiano, two arias of such exquisite beauty that were they the only things Donizetti had ever composed--or the only extant singing by Pavarotti--both would still be considered great. This is a treasure trove. Grab it. --Robert Levine« less
This CD contains arias recorded by Pavarotti between 1967 and 1975, and it would not be an overstatement to say that it is probably the most beautiful CD by a tenor ever released. This was Pavarotti in his early prime--indeed, a couple of the arias are first bloom. It covers music from eight Donizetti operas, from the almost startlingly virtuosic "Ah! mes amis..." (La Fille du Régiment), with its nine perfectly placed high Cs, through the ever popular "Una furtiva lagrima" (L'Elisir d'Amore) and three stunners from La favorita to Edgardo's final scene from Lucia and more. But the two priceless pieces of music here are from the little-known Il Duca d'Alba and Don Sebastiano, two arias of such exquisite beauty that were they the only things Donizetti had ever composed--or the only extant singing by Pavarotti--both would still be considered great. This is a treasure trove. Grab it. --Robert Levine
CD Reviews
AMAZING!
Tracy L. Powell | Bangkok, Thailand | 12/12/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This recording of Donizetti opera arias, many of which were taken from his full length recordings,really show what the big deal about Pavarotti was/is. The voice is unbelievably beautiful, full, and ringing! Pavarotti himself once said that his voice was best suited to Donizetti. The arias from Il Duca d'Alba and Don Sebastiano are so gloriously sung that it makes one sad and mad that he didn't record some of the more rare Donizetti operas. If you want an introduction to opera or just want a recording of Pavarotti this is definitely the one to get."
Achingly, Heartwrenchingly, Beautiful
adamski_169 | Boston, Massachusetts, US | 03/12/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Pavarotti is arguably the most gifted and accomplished operatic tenor of the twentieth century. While other contemporary tenors may be stylistically flawless and a joy to listen to, Pavarotti is in a class by himself. He drifts effortlessly from the low, lyrical passages to soaring high notes which have a tendency to sound strained when anyone but Pavarotti (and of course, the incredible Mario Lanza) attempts them.
As many of the reviews mention, this IS Pavarotti in his prime, and this is most apparant in his flawless command of the stratospheric high C's. He's not known as "The King of the High C's" for nothing! In addition, unlike many opera compilations that trundle out the most overplayed snipits from the most well known works, Una Furtiva Lagrima gives us some of the greatest arias from one of opera's most talented composers, Donizetti. This album is a celebration not only of Pavarotti's brilliance, but Donizetti's as well. For an introduction to opera, this album is great. For an introduction to Donizetti, this album is excellent. And for a showcase of the power and range of one of opera's greats, this album is fantastic!"
Luciano at his best
Torsten Westh | Randers, Denmark | 01/22/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I can only repeat what has been said above. Pavarotti singing Donizetti in his prime years - outstanding. His voice is pure gold and suits perfectly for Donizetti. Especially the arias from Il Duca d'alba and Don Sebastiano are wonderful."
This is a wondeful recording
Torsten Westh | 05/09/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"all I can do is echo the Amazon reviewer. This is if not the most beautiful recording ever made by a tenor at least one of the most beautiful. Pavarotti's voice and musicianship are outstanding. This is just a wonderful CD for anyone interested in Donizetti, in Pavarotti, or in great singing. At the price, it's a bargain."
Track Listings (13) - Disc #1