Artur Rodzinski conducts

Advantages: Smooth voiced protagonists, nice sound
Disadvantages: Slightly tame Escamillo, maybe lacking in some french style

...Arguably the best recording of Carmen in the past 30 years. Teresa Berganza has a smooth and warm voice here, rather darker than Victoria de los Angeles (Thomas Beecham conducts, EMI) but smoother and lighter than Maria Callas (Georges Pretre conducts, EMI) and Regine Resnik (Schippers conducts, Decca). Her performance is similarly balanced - dramatic without being too vampish and with that sultry latin quality (a little bit lacking in Victoria de los Angeles in my opinion). She sings with greater precision in the runs and leaps than Resnik and her voice seems like balm after the altogether different instrument of Maria Callas (even at the later's best she growls rather more than Berganaza which you either love or hate). Placido Domingo is a king amongst recent Don Joses on record. Jose Carreras with Karajan may bring more passion... Read review

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Advantages: Beatiful Songs
Disadvantages: None

...*** ME AND THIS CD *** I bought this CD in 2002 at a local store. Since then, this CD has been one of my preferred CDs in my personal collection. *** TITLE *** Aretha Franklin Love Songs *** PRODUCER *** Original recordings produced by Robert Mersey and Clyde Otis. Compilation produced by Leo Sacks. Mastered by Mark Wilder at Sonny Music Studios, New York. © 2001 Sony Music Entertainment Inc./Originally released 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965. *** SONGS *** 1. I wonder (Where Are You Tonight?) (3:21) A. Franklin - T. White Produced, arranged and conducted by Robert Mersey Recorded June 14, 1963, New York City 2. Skylark (2:50) J. Mercher - H. Carmichael Produced, arranged and conducted by Robert Mersey Recorded June 12, 1963, New York City 3. Laughing On the Outside (3:15) B. Wayne - B. Raleigh Produced, arranged and conducted by Robert... Read review

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Advantages: All good strong performances with some absolutely glorious
Disadvantages: Some of the arias do not show the singers at their best

...TRACKLIST AND REVIEW FOR "THE MOST FAMOUS OPERA ARIAS" Rigoletto, opera Caro nome Composed by Giuseppe Verdi Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra with Anna Moffo Conducted by Sir Colin Davis >This is a dreamy, beautiful performance of this famous aria with Anna Moffo's beautiful soft high notes really capturing the vulnerability and love Gilda feels at this stage of the opera. Arguably the aria is performed a little slow in places but it is one of the best recorded versions. Rigoletto, opera La donna é mobile Composed by Giuseppe Verdi Performed by London Philharmonia Orchestra with Alfredo Kraus Conducted by Julius Rudel >Kraus was a classy tenor with lots of style. Initially you may find his voice a little bit nasal or even worn compared to say Domingo and Pavarotti but Kraus is very good in this opera - so often... Read review

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