Tracy M. from ARLINGTON, MA Reviewed on 3/11/2010...
This is one of the most beautiful and haunting movie soundtracks I have ever heard - and the film itself is quite excellent. I got the cd after watching the movie because I loved the music so much - and then I was compelled to purchase the film itself. The combination of opera and gypsy music - much of it sad but beautiful - really is exceptional.
CD Reviews
A sweeping global musical landscape of love and passion...
Veggiechiliqueen | 04/01/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
""The Man Who Cried" is one of the best soundtracks of the last few years. It is a flawless, spellbinding compilation of classical opera (Bizet, Verdi, Puccini, Purcell), Roma (Gypsy) music (Taraf de Haidouks), and original score ("Cesar's Song," "Close Your Eyes," "Without a Word." The Kronos Quartet performs the original score). Tenor Salvatore Licitra in particular was a gem, this being his debut recording. His voice is tragically gorgeous on "E Lucevan le stelle," heroic and lighthearted on "Di quella pira," haunting on "Je crois entendre encore" (especially on the Yiddish version) and "Close Your Eyes," an achingly tender Yiddish lullaby that Suzie/Fegele's (Christina Ricci) father sings to her as a child in Russia.Christina Ricci's singing voice is provided by Czech chanteuse Iva Bittova, whose sultry jazz stylings on "Gloomy Sunday" and childlike innocence on "Dido's Lament" combine to form a musical portrait that matches Suzie's (Christina Ricci's) screen image of a teenager teetering on the edge of adulthood, exploring her musical talent and blossoming sexuality. A pity that the final version of "Close Your Eyes" sung by Bittova wasn't included, but "The Man Who Cried" is a fantastic soundtrack that captures the tumultuous musical world of WWII Paris."
The Man Who Cried
Christina Holloway | Cocoa, FL United States | 05/02/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Moving, versatile, deep and rich. Salvatore Licitra, will you marry me? The Kronos Quartet, Iva, every artist named and unmentioned on this soundtrack will pull at your heart.It's not necessary to have seen the movie to appreciate the soundtrack - it is as operatic as cinematic, as large as it is personal, as complex as it is simple.This is one of the best recorded works I have heard in years, and my musical taste is broad. Spend the few dollars, add it to your collection, enrich your life, for it is short.Christina"
Beautiful movie, beautiful music
Ann | Vancouver, British Columbia Canada | 01/06/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD features the debut recording for Salvatore Licitra who proves to be a tenor to look out for in the future. Combined with the powerful voice of Licitra, this CD contains tracks of traditional roma (gypsy) music. Rent/buy the DVD/Video, watch the movie and then buy the CD - you won't regret it."
The Man Who Cried
Evelyn S. Gowans | Bountiful, UT United States | 12/01/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The music in this movie is so beautiful, it's almost haunting. I have watched the movie 4 times in the past 3 days and can hardly get enough of it. I was not a fan of Johnny Depp's until now. Salvatore Licitra's voice is incredibly beautiful. I can't say enough."
Iva Bittova is sensational
Evelyn S. Gowans | 02/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Excellent CD overall. Iva Bittova is the real discovery - she is sensational, and should perform more songs similar to the two she did in the movie. Salvatore Licitra is also great"