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Reviews (8)
Jul 01, 2019
"Learn while you listen to the familiar and the unusual"
These six 'best" opera selection cds supply six hours and more of good listening. Opera buffs can play "name that tune" while newbies just listen.
The operas vary from the most popular to a few more unusual titles not heard as frequently. In addition you'll hear more than the most popular singers, maybe discover a new favorite.
As you may expect there is Puccini, Verdi, and Rossini along with Mozart and some Russians. Wagner is there, but he's really outnumbered by the French.
I suspect people with EMI France had strong input. One strength of this album is the diversity of French opera you may not hear very often.
On the negative side for easy listening expect some volume jumps from selection to selection.
This has been out nearly 20 years so don't expect new singers.
May 19, 2019
Compact box with ten individually packaged operas.
Ten operas boxed, individual holders sealed. All have English subtitles, most have other subtitles. Filmed between 2002 and 2007. Production and performance values vary, but have decent to excellent reviews. Good assortment.
Individual packaging lets you pull single operas as you need for your collection, or keep intact as basic Italian, French, German survey of major operas from L'Orfeo to Verdi and Wagner.
Well presented with attractive packaging and good features.
Jul 12, 2019
Historical performances, preserved for our time
Don't let sour critics stop you. From nearly forty years ago, this is classic cinema, not staged opera. Like recordings of Caruso we are lucky to have these two works preserved, even in technically flawed form.
For example, Cavalleria is filmed on location in rural and small village settings. Zeffirelli provides countryside and crowd scenes which bring orchestral and choral works to life. Unfairly labeled a "one hit wonder," Mascagni is a master of melody in aria, chorus, and choral works. His Amico Fritz and Iris are also melodic and deserve more audience.
The principle cast members of both Cavalleria and Pagliacci act and sing well, each providing notable moments. The great paradox of opera is sordid doings sounding beautiful. These stories contain violence, infidelity, revenge and unspeakable loss.
Look past the grainy texture of the video and listen to the sublime singing and orchestral presentation. Young Domingo is a marvel worth seeing and hearing.