[ EMI Classics / 2 CD ]
Release Date: Thursday 13 October 2016
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This CD set presents an extensive opera sampler of mostly arias, with some famous choruses as well, such as Va, Pensiero from Verdi's Nabucco. Not only does the listener get to listen to these arias from the French, Italian, and German standards, he or she is able to compare certain classes of voices. As for tenors, the "three" are certainly represented, and one is able to compare Carreras' palpable excitement and exquisite diction with Domingo's power, and the early Pavarotti's silvery, exquisite timbre with Alfredo Kraus' lyricism and Roberto Alagna's tight sound. One can explore the differences between the Italian sound of Pavarotti and the darker, red-winey Spanish sound of Domingo and Carreras. As for the women, how does La Callas compare to one of her heirs in bel canto singing, Montserrat Caballé, with her famous pianissimi, heard here in Chi il Bel Sogno de Doretta from La Rondine by Puccini? The liner notes provide blurbs on the arias, and inform the listener which recent films one can hear them in. This collection is an excellent entrée into the world of opera, adding great breadth to an opera education.
Disc: 1
1. La Traviata: Libiamo Ne'lieti Calici (Brindisi) (Atto I) - Alfredo Kraus
2. Il Barbiere Di Siviglia: Largo Al Factotum (Atto I) - Thomas Hampton
3. La Boheme: Che Gelida Manina (Atto I) - Roberto Alagna
4. La Boheme: Si. Mi Chiamano Mimi (Atto I) - Mirella Freni
5. L'amico Fritz: Suzel, Bon Di (Cherry Duet) (First Part) (Atto II) - Bernard Haitink
6. Nabucco: Va, Pensiero (Chorus Of Hebrew Slaves) (Atto III) - Bernard Haitink
7. Rigoletto: La Donna E Mobile (Atto III) - Roberto Alagna
8. Lakme: Viens, Mallika (Flower Duet) (Acte I) - Mady Mesple
9. Gianni Schicchi: O Mio Babbino Caro - Victoria De Los Angeles
10. Tosca: Recondita Armonia (Atto I) - Placido Domingo
11. Tosca: Vissi D'arte (Atto II) - Maria Callas
12. Tosca: E Lucevan Le Stelle (Atto III) - Placido Domingo
13. Adriana Lecouvreur: Ecco: Respiro Appena ... Lo Son L'umile Ancella (Atto I) - Dame Kiri Te Kanawa
14. Les Pecheurs De Perles: Au Fond Du Temple Saint (Acte I) - Nicolai Gedda
15. Le Nozze Di Figaro: Non Piu Andrai (Atto I) - Thomas Allen
16. Le Nozze Di Figaro: Voi Che Sapete (Atto II) - Ann Murray
17. Le Nozze Di Figaro: E Susanna Non Vien!...Dove Sono (Atto III) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
18. Martha: M'appari (Ach So Fromm) (Akt III) - Roberto Alagna
19. Tristan Und Isolde: Mild Und Leise (Liebestod) (Akt III) - Helga Dernesch
Disc: 2
1. Aida: Se Quel Guerrier Io Fossi!...Celeste Aida (Atto I) - Placido Domingo
2. Il Trovatore: Vedi! Le Fosche Notturne Spoglie (Anvil Chorus) (Atto II) - Bernard Haitink
3. Samson Et Dalila: Mon Coeur S'ouvre A Ta Voix (Acte II) - Maria Callas
4. Carmen: L'amour Est Un Oiseau Rebelle (Habanera) - Victoria De Los Angeles
5. Carmen: Votre Toast (Toreador's Song) (Acte II) - Maria Callas
6. Carmen: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee (Acte III) - Roberto Alagna
7. Les Contes D'Hoffman: Belle Nuit, O Nuit D'amour (Barcarolle) (Acte II) - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf
8. Andrea Chenier: La Mamma Morta (Atto III) - Maria Callas
9. Pagliacci: Recitar!...Vesti La Giubba (Atto I) - Jose Carreras
10. Madama Butterfly: Un Bel Di Vedremo (Atto II) - Renata Scotto
11. Cosi Fan Tutte: Soave Sia Il Vento (Atto I) - Margaret Marshall
12. La Rondine: Chi Il Bel Sogno Di Doretta (Atto I) - Montserrat Caballe
13. Die Zauberflote: Der Vogelfanger Bin Ich Ja (Akt I) - Walter Berry
14. Die Zauberflote: Der Holle Rache (Akt II) - Edita Gruberova
15. Rusalka: Song To The Moon (Act I) - Lucia Popp
16. La Wally: Ebben? Ne Andro Iontana (Atto I) - Maria Callas
17. Werther: Toute Mon Ame Est La!...Pourquoi Me Reveiller? (Acte III) - Roberto Alagna
18. Turandot: Signore, Ascolta! (Atto I) - Montserrat Caballe
19. Turandot: Nessun Dorma (Atto III) - Jose Carreras