The greatest tenor of all times - Domingo!
353126
I will first preface with saying that I am not a major opera fan but I am a MAJOR Placido Domingo fan.  These scenes are well chosen to show him at his most dramatic and most photogenic.  All of them made me wish more had been included in the chosen scenes.  The costumes are wonderful and when Domingo sings, he reveals an intimacy in his face that adds to the perfect sound of his voice.  For any Domingo fan this is something you will really enjoy.
2621701
No matter how many times these songs have been reinterpreted before or how the original versions sounded, Domingo's versions show his warm, educated and elegant voice all over. The arrangments are top notch too. Overall an excellent album giving these unforgettable songs a royal and magnificent value. These is not just another compilation of songs covers, these is how these songs should sound if the originals didn't existed and wanted to remain forever as the classics they already are. Highly recommended. Bravo Domingo!
1671768
I saw Florez in December at Covent Garden in La Cenerentola and he was amazing.  This CD absolutely lives up to his abilities and his potential. He is one of the greatest Rossini tenors that I have ever heard, and I eagerly await his next release.
If you are looking for a fantastic Rossini tenor, you have to get this CD!
1500641
This recording of Elisir is simply the best in many years. The opera moves at a wonderful pace, and The singing is simply superb.
Angela Gheorghiu(who is Romanian NOT GREEK!!) delivers another brillian performance. Her voice is clear and powerful as well as sweet when needed. She has yet again demonstrated that she is the foremost soprano of her generation. Roberto Alagna(her husband for those who do not already know) is a wonderful Nemorino. His voice is melodic and strong, which combined with his perfect intonation truly make him the fourth tenor. The one flaw in his performace however is his rendition of Una Furtiva Lagrima which lacks  the passion delivered by Pavarotti or Domingo.
As for the rest of the cast: Simone Alaimo as Dulcamara is fantastic. He captures the comedy of the Doctore as few before him have. His mastery of Dulcamara's difficult opening solo, leaves the listnener breathless.
Roberto Scaltriti as Belcore is a nice compliment to the rest of the cast. He more then holds his own. For the definitive Belcore however, listen to the Great Leo Nucci in the Pavarotti-Battle version.
Eva Dan's Gianneta shows glimpses of her wonderful voice and leaves one wondering what might have been.
In Summary this this is a wonderful recordin of this captivating opera. A must have!
2603550
I'll admit -- I bought this AIDA because I had seen Martina Arroyo on THE ODD COUPLE as a child. That memory stayed with me. What I DIDN'T expect, was to have one of the finest AIDA's that there is!  Arroyo is FANTASTIC in the  title role, her voice having no problems, except the occasional dropout  which is the fault of a live recording, not her. Domingo is devastating,  and their duets send chills. The recording is STEREO, which only adds to  the forces of La Scala. Cossotto is perfectly suited to Arroyo's voice, and  sings with passion. Abbado might just have conducted the BEST version of  this that we have now. I find myself listening to it constantly, and am  going to purchase more operas with Arroyo.
1663823
Domingo sings beautifully although the part is  high for his voice. Cotrubas sings with passion. I have always enjoyed her voice but others may prefer a coloratura in this role. It is nice to a have document of MacNeil's Rigoletto. I saw him multiple times at the Met from 72-76 when I was in college. Although his voice is not beautiful at this point in his career, there is still plenty of power and emotion. The singers and production brought back many memories of the Met and these artists.
1762013
Track 12 on Tenore  and what a way to end one of the most amazing albums!<a data-hook="product-link-linked" class="a-link-normal" href="/Tenore/dp/B00K3CF9GA/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_rvw_txt?ie=UTF8">Tenore</a>&nbsp;This is a MUST HAVE album.
I have always loved this Lloyd Webber classic,  and hearing Jonathan Antoine singing it ... I have to say this is the best version of this I have heard.  A L Webber must be delighted to hear his composition sung in such an amazingly competent manner with the lyrics given such sensitivity and such passion.  I've always loved the key change at the last verse and Jonathan's voice soars to such crescendo ... and that last note ....wow ..... held so easily and effortlessly (for 16 bars I'm told)  Absolutely astoundingly good, all I can say is Bravo Jonathan!
200794
I can't say enough good things about this CD.  It is "Magnificent!".  I have enjoyed it from the beginning to the end.  As you listen to Arias nos. 2, 10 and 11, the warm, velvety, sweet voice of Jose Carreras will take you on a journey soaring to new heights.  It will truly be a heart to heart experience.  What a wonderful gift for a treasured friend who loves opera.
Strongly recommend!
3082360
THIS IS FAR THE BEST VERSION OF THIS OPERA AVAILABLE ON DVD! CHERYL BARKER HAS SUCCEDED HERSELF COMPARED TO HER OTHER VERSION OF THIS SAME OPERA ON DVD, HER VOICE IS EVEN MORE GORGEOUS HERE. WOMEN ARE GOING TO FAINT WHEN THEY SEE THE TENOR WHO PLAYS PINKERTON, HE IS INDEED A VERY HANDSOME MAN - THE MOST BLONDE TENOR I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE, AND HOW HE SINGS! HE HAS ALMOST A KIND OF WAGNERIAN VOICE, ALTHOUGH IT'S STILL SUITABLE TO THE ROLE. HE'S REALLY A SEDUCING MAN, CAPTIVATING AND CONVINCING -THE WAY HE PLAYS, A WOMAN COULD HARDLY RESIST HIM! IN MY OPINION, THE LOVE DUET'S SCENE IS THE HIGHER POINT OF THIS OPERA AND PARTICULARLY OF THIS SETTING- GRADUALLY THE SKY GOES FILLING WITH HUNDRED OF STARS AND FINALLY WITH A BIG FULL MOON - IT'S VERY VERY WONDERFUL! FOR ME, THE OPERA SHOULD FINISH AT THAT MOMENT. BUY IT! YOU WON'T REGRET...TRUST ME!
2149944
Fantastic collection by this great tenor.  Love the album.  Great packaging, too.
2597738
I so love Placido Domingo and am thrilled with this choice. The recording is beautiful and Placido is at his best.
61109
A very nice album indeed. I like how in the song "el hombre llego paro" insiniuates how people are really like in Santo Domingo. I mean if you ever travel to Santo Domingo, people really act that way. And there's a lot of good versitality as well. In the merengues he kind of took the beats back to his old song "la flaca" the style that made him very popular in the early part of his career. Yes this is a very good album and it's one of the best he ever made!!!!!!!!!!! PapyDavid #1(el punal)
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4001279
The costuming of this opera, presumably set in 1414, reminds me more of the early 1930s than the turn of the last century.  It is chillingly real, especially by acts IV and V.  The DVD is, I believe, a record of a 1999 performance in Vienna.  I saw Shicoff perform in this same production in New York in 2003--and he was devastating.  I don't know if a different tenor would have had the same effect.  There were rumors that Domingo was contracted by Vienna long ago to do this, but somehow never got to it.  I have no doubt he would have been superb: this is not a case of "you have to be Jewish."  After all, Caruso wrapped Eleazar around himself and is still the shadow against whom all tenors measure themselves.  For whatever reason, Domingo withdrew and I can guess that Shicoff took up the cause to get this thing mounted.  He is a natural.  As he explains his working methods on the supplemental "Finding Eleazar," he is a high-strung nervous person (no kidding) who has to use those qualities to deliver his dramatic impact.  Use it he does.  "Rachel quand du Seigneur" knocks the wind out of you; he is caressing and snarling and vindictive; there is no point when he's onstage that you can't sense his total commitment to the role and the story.  Nobody else is bad...Stoyanova is excellent...but I miss the incomparable Ferruccio Furlanetto, who was a tremendous Cardinal Brogni in New Yori
3653274
THIS CD WAS THE BEST OPERA CD ISSUED LAST YEAR, AND HAS CAUGHT THE WORLD'S EAR IN NO TIME. I WAS BUSY WRITING IN SO PAULO, BRAZIL, WHILE THE STATEOWNED FM RADIOSTATION, DEDICATED TO CULTURE, WAS SOFTLY PLAYING OPERA ARIAS IN THE BACKGROUND. SUDDENLY I HEARD THE MOST FANTASTIC RENDERING OF "SEMPRE LIBERA" FROM "LA TRAVIATA". I GOT UP, SAT BY THE RADIO AND WAITED TO KNOW WHO WAS SINGING... THEN GOT BACK TO THE COMPUTER TO ORDER THIS CD FROM AMAZON! INCREDIBLE: ONLY 17 BUCKS FOR THIS, WHILE QUITE A BIT OF TRASH IS SOLD FOR 30.40 AND MORE...

A LADY FRIEND ONCE TOLD ME SHE COULD NOT LISTEN TO THE DUET IN "MADAMA BUTTERFLY" WITH MIRELLA FRENI AND LUCIANO PAVAROTTI (RECORDED IN 1974, BY VON KARAJAN) WITHOUT CRYING. WELL, YOU CANNOT LISTEN TO SILLS IN "LA TRAVIATA" DRY-EYED, NO MATTER WHO THE TENOR IS. SHE PROJECTS THE SAME DRAMATIC FEELING OF "LA DIVINA" CALLAS WITHOUT THOSE SHRIEKED HIGHNOTES; SHE OFFERS THE SAME COLORATURA VOCAL GYMNASTICS AS "LA STUPENDA" SUTHERLAND BUT WITH WARMTH... WHEN BEVERLY SANG, AS IN EVERYTHING ELSE SHE DID, SHE ALWAYS GAVE HER UTMOST. SHE WAS "LA GENEROSA" TO BE SURE.

DON'T JUST SIT THERE READING WHAT OTHERS THINK.

ORDER THIS CD NOW AND MARVEL AT HOW THIS GREAT AMERICAN LADY, IN SO MANY OTHER WAYS, ALSO COULD SING!
2024130
This is a re-release of "Grandes Exitos a la Manera", which was Alejandro's 3rd CD, from 1994, when he was 23.
The beauty of his voice, and the expressiveness of his interpretations, make this collection of classic songs a moving, enriching, and uplifting experience.
If you like mariachi music, this one is a treasure. All 14 tracks are wonderful, with the very best saved for last, the passionate end-of-love-now-hate "Voy".
On songs that have been recorded by numerous artists, like "Noche de Ronda", one can hear and appreciate just how incredibly good Alejandro is...and in my opinion, you'd have to go back many years, to another era, to find an equal.
Produced and directed by the always terrific Pedro Ramirez, the musicianship and sound are excellent. This CD is also available as part of a boxed set, "Mis Primeros Exitos", which I highly recommend. Each CD is individually wrapped, making it a lovely package, and every song (38 in all) is a winner, from this great artist with a voice of pure gold.
1051890
I didn't think these boys could get any better, but WOW! The orchestra arrangements always customized the strengths in each of their voices but then THEY bring out the best in the orchestrations too!!! When I listen to the "other" tenor groups, I can tell that Il Volo is the best at what they do - "operatic pop". They make every song a classic. BRAVO again Il Volo! [btw: the seller was good enough to even let me know that the package was damaged en-route & rapidly shipped another without missing a beat!]
984451
Tristan probably is the most difficult and the longest tenor role in opera literature. Many tenors got burned out after performing this role and there have been very few tenors who have performed Tristan role on stage more than once. Therefore it is understandable why Placido Domingo never wanted to sing this role on stage. I doubt that he could have been more successful on stage than he is in this studio recording; especially considering the passion, and intensity he has put into this performance.

Domingo fans have been hoping for this recording for a long time.  No doubt that this will be a historical recording, for many generations to enjoy.

Timur Sumer