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The #1 Opera Album

by: Giacomo Puccini, Giuseppe Verdi, Léo Delibes, Georges Bizet, Umberto Giordano, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Richard Wagner, Gioachino Rossini, Alfredo Catalani, Jacques Offenbach, Ruggiero Leoncavallo, Charles Gounod, Gaetano Donizetti, Pietro Mascagni, Antonin Dvorak, Richard Bonynge, Herbert von Karajan, Alberto Erede, Lamberto Gardelli, Giuseppe Patane, John Mauceri, Zubin Mehta, Charles Dutoit, Gyorgy Fischer, Riccardo Chailly, Istvan Kertesz, Leone Magiera, Evelino Pido, Gianandrea Gavazzeni, Renée Fleming, Cecilia Bartoli, Luciano Pavarotti, Jussi Bjorling, Renata Tebaldi

February 27, 2001
I heard this CD on a PBS pledge drive (it was a premium) and found myself loving every cut on it! I was in my car and just wanted to keep on driving and listening. This is by far my most-played CD - I've had to make it a weekend only listen to prevent getting burned out on it. HIGHLY recommend it. Even if you are unfamiliar with some of the pieces, you will quickly learn to love them. . . . I must end this review - I'm off to listen to the "flower duet" for the 100th time. . .

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Christmas Adagios

from: Decca

October 09, 2001
This is the BEST Christmas collection that I have ever heard. I would like
to purchase 15 more to give as gifts this year; however, it appears that
Decca is out of stock or no longer releasing it. HELP!!

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The Ultimate Puccini Collection

by: Giacomo Puccini, Herbert von Karajan, Riccardo Chailly, Stephen Barlow, Tullio Serafin, Lorin Maazel, Sir Edward Downes, Giuseppe Patane, Zubin Mehta, Alberto Erede, John Mauceri, Plácido Domingo, José Carreras, Kiri Te Kanawa, John Alldis Choir, Luciano Pavarotti, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bologna Community Theater Orchestra, Ettore Bastianini, Carlo Bergonzi, Renato Cesari, Fernando Corena, Cesare Siepi, Renata Tebaldi, Gianna D'Angelo, Saint Cecilia Academy Orchestra, Franco Corelli, Alfredo Mariotti, Regine Crespin, Royal Opera House Orchestra Covent Garden, London Symphony Orchestra, Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra, Rome Opera House Orchestra, Pilar Lorengar, Berlin Philharmonic Brass Ensemble, Mirella Freni, Rolando Panerai, Jussi Bjorling, Leontyne Price, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

June 09, 1998
"Quando m'en vo" is not omitted from this CD; it is just called "Musetta's waltz song." It is the same aria.

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Moonstruck (1987 Film)

from: Capitol

October 25, 1990
All the men are stupid jerks who screw up their own lives and the lives of those around them. Fortunately for the safety of New York City, all of the women are wise, patient and nurturing, and manage to get the bozos back on track. No wonder my wife thinks this is the best movie of all time!

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#1 Christmas Album

by: Placido Domingo, Luciano Pavarotti, Kiri te Kanawa, Franz Gruber, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Joan Sutherland

October 09, 2001
I am the proud owner of at least thirty Christmas CD's. This compilation is the best collection of quality music performed superbly that I have ever heard. I had to drive 1400 miles by myself before Christmas and I never tired of listening to this wonderful music. I also ordered several more copies of "#1 Christmas Album" to gift to family and friends who enjoy quality music.

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Puccini: Madama Butterfly

from: Polygram Records

March 09, 1999
My mother, who never saw an opera in her life, had the London LP "Highlights" version of this performance. Each time she played it, she cried unashamedly. I have seen 4 Butterfly's performed live. None matches this recording for its sheer power. Brava, Renata, brava.

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Movie Adagios

from: Decca

October 09, 2001
This CD was all that I hoped for. Beautiful, evocative music just made for a relaxing evening at home.

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The "Pearl Fishers" Duet

from: RCA

October 25, 1990
To enjoy the artistry of great tenors, I really prefer collections of arias only. If I want scenes, I want the entire opera, to which I listen while following a libretto, since my exposure to opera has been primarily audio rather than visual. So, I would not have purchased this cd for myself. But I received it as a gift for becoming a member of the local PBS station.
I am glad I have it; and I give it a 5 star rating.
Bjoerling's is, of course, the voice that stands out (or is that my favoritism showing?). The duets with Robert Merrill, especially "The Pearl Fishers" and "La Boheme," marvelously portray the compatibility of the two voices. The remaining selections illustrate Bjoerling's ability to project himself into the character he is portraying.
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Puccini: Turandot [Hybrid SACD]

from: RCA

September 05, 2006
One can hardly believe there is still a debate! - "Nussun Dorma" may have become Pavarotti's singature tune (and he does sing it magnificently), but Sutherland is all wrong in the title role, and with Leinsdorf achieving near Wagnerian power and passion delivered in great SACD stereo, this recording takes the cake.

Let there be no doubt: this is the recording to buy. - Go get it!

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Puccini: La Bohème (Tebaldi, Prandelli, Erede)

by: Giacomo Puccini, Alberto Erede, Fernando Corena, Giacinto Prandelli, Giovanni Inghilleri, Hilde Gueden, Hilde Güden, Ildebrando Santafe, Melchiorre Luise, Piero de Palma, Raffaele Arie, Renata Tebaldi, Rome Chorus and Orchestra of the Academy of St. Cecilia

April 12, 1994
Bohème de absoluta referencia. Sonido magnífico. Estupendos cantantes: Quizá los haya más dotados (con excepción, claro está, de la Tebaldi) pero no más convincentes. La batuta, soberbia, excelente acompañante de las voces. Una versión arquetípica, sin afectación, de las que no cansan.