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Luciano Pavarotti: The Best (Farewell Tour)

from: Decca

September 13, 2005
Listening to Pavarotti every day, particularly his "The Best" CD, is a MUST. Disc #2 was glorious, his interpretation of folk songs is so seamless that your swept along with his joy in performing these gorgeous pieces. Do you want to be uplifted? Buy Pavarotti's The Best.

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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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Nessun Dorma ~ 20 Great Tenor Arias / Pavarotti, Carreras, Domingo, Bergonzi, Aragall, Björling, Di Stefano, Kollo, Corelli, Del Monaco...

from: Decca

June 09, 1998
What beautiful music. I'm new to opera, but the tracks on this CD are awesome. My only complaint is that Nessun Dorma is the last tract...so I start out there first.

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Essential Vivaldi: 20 Greatest Masterpieces

from: Deutsche Grammophon

June 11, 2002
I am ever in search for music for canine freestyle and my choreographer suggested that I explore Vivaldi. My dog works great to Mozart so this was not a great departure musically. So I bought this album...It exceeded my expectations as the musicians play with emotion, with gusto, with great expression, and the choices are fabulous! And I also found two pieces that my dog really likes. You would be hard-pressed to find a better album. Great music performed masterfully.

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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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Rachmaninoff: Concerto No. 3 in D minor, Op. 30 / Tchaikovsky: Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23

by: Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly, Martha Argerich, Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Kirill Kondrashin

August 15, 1995
Martha Argerich is a magnificent pianist. She is a force of nature. Her physicality is commanding and brilliant. Her unique interpretations are bold and compelling. Unlike many CDs, the fact the recording is of a "live" performance, does not detract from its impact. I have been fortunate to attend a few of her concerts (happily, she DID appear each time!) and this CD recaptured, for me, the excitement of her magic.

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Essential Verdi - 40 of His Greatest Masterpieces (2 CD Set)

from: Decca

February 13, 2001
I don't know opera.

Last summer we had an incredible 20th anniversary trip to Italy. As a side trip from Venice, we planned a night in Verona. Neither my wife or I had been to an opera.

Is this how its supposed to be...

...an incredible star filled night with a three quarter moon, the largest stage and outdoor theatrical production on the planet, all taking place in a roman colleseum (arena) built in 180 a.d., an incredible colorful set and production with a full symphony orchestra and voices that don't come easy. Aida.

Now I know what all the hpye is as you opera fans sure are lucky to have such a beautiful setting for all your productions.

Okay, we got spoiled. But I also found ... Read More:

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Violin Adagios

from: Decca

March 20, 2001
An excellent compilation of folk tunes and violin concerto adagios, played masterfully by some of the world's most revered musicians. Features modern pieces (Korngold, Barber), which are a personal favorite of mine.

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Pavarotti: Greatest Hits

from: Decca

September 30, 1997
I love this music. Great for long drives when stations fade in and out. Pavarotti's best!!!

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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.