Best of Opera

Advantages: The album is priced at £9.99 whilst giving away a free 5 track E.P.
Disadvantages: It doesn't have any video or dvd on cd audio

...After listening to Lisa-Lee Darks new album release "Breath of Life," at www.cdvmusic.com/lisalee/ I was astounded by the range and tone of her voice, which is so Similar to her great, great, great auntie Adelina Pattie ( World Famous opera singer). Lisa-Lee is sure to follow in her aunties footsteps, as one of the best British sopranos of the 21st Century. I was amazed how poppy sounding this album is. The Breath of Life album, features warm strings, heavenly choirs and ambient textures. 2 of the songs demonstrate a contemporary groove which cleverly support Lisas well crafted classical arrangements. Fortunately the album is straight ahead classical and has a Lord of the rings dreamy filmic angle to a couple of the arrangements. Over all the sound is unintrusive and easy on the ear and would be ideal for dinner parties... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Fun, comic, lyrical
Disadvantages: Sung in italian

...stores and online from Amazon.com Personal Recommendations I first heard this music at an open air performance in the grounds of Errddig Hall near Wrexham. It was a magical moment. The music was superb. This CD conveys all the magic and has a clear tone. The libretto is sung in Italian which may put people off but listen and the emotions and comedy of the music will come throiugh. This is one of Mozarts best operas. The lyrical melody is memorable and the rthyms simple but effective. Try it..... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: A good evening
Disadvantages: Expensive

...English painter, Stanhope Forbes, as their inspiration. They convey the intimacy of the East Anglian fishing communities very accurately . The chorus was exceptional. Benjamin Britten really uses massed voices to their best advantage in this opera. Peter himself was in excellent voice, though we felt the two female leads could have been a bit stronger and had better diction. In foreign language operas there are super-titles in translation which makes it more fun as one does not miss the jokes. English operas, however do not have super titles and diction has to be better. Try to go. You will love the beautiful gardens and the "people-watching" even if you are not fanatical opera lovers. Pollygoob 8/8/2000... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average off topic

Advantages: The music is brilliantly written by an excellen composer.
Disadvantages: What disadvantages?

...In my life I have experienced several musicals but Phantom of the Opera is by far one of the best musicals around; Andrew Lloyd Webber composes music that exquisitely presents the story that is being told, with the help of the lyricists Charles Strouse, and Richard Stilgoe. The music is well rounded from the harsher sounds of ‘Phantom of the Opera’ to the sweeter sound of ‘the Angel of Music’ this CD is capable of pleasing everyone no matter what mood they are in. All of this is brought together in a wonderful way by the excellent voices of the main singers Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman. On first hearing the music I became tangled in the emotions that it presents it is an inspirational musical and you can become entrained by these songs for hours. An exceptional CD that I would highly recommend to anyone who likes stage shows... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: no bad tracks!
Disadvantages: none

...This soundtrack taken from the Andrew Lloyd Webber production of Gaston Leroux's classic novel of the same title is completely filled with beautiful melodies and unforgettable lyrics. The story of young the young chorus girl (Christine Daae) who becomes an opera star through the tutoring of the dark and troubled Phantom is told through music. The Phantom, played by Gerard Butler, has a rich voice with an incredible range. Every note is sung with immense feeling. Emmy Rossum plays Christine Daae and her range is equally as impressive. Tracks to listen out for especially are the famous 'Music of the Night' - Gerard's best performance, 'The Point of No Return' - the best lyrics and 'Masquerade' the immense complete cast performance of a great song.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages: Good and often outstanding performances, plus the sight of the English picnicking in dinner jackets and long dresses
Disadvantages: Getting there, unless you live near Brighton; getting a ticket - you need to be persistent

...Glyndebourne is a country house near Lewes in Sussex (not far from Brighton) with a full scale opera house attached. The Glyndebourne season (late May to early September) is world famous and runs (typically) six different fully produced operas in repertory. The unique (until recently, it has been copied!) formula is that the opera starts late afternoon and there is an 80-minute "dinner interval", when many people picnic in the beautiful gardens. The other unusual aspect is that nearly everyone "dresses" - black tie is encouraged. If you already like opera this is not to be missed as an experience. If you are new to opera some of the Glydebourne productions are a very good introduction, some of them a very bad introduction. There is little attempt at populism. So fight for a ticket for Falstaff or for most Mozart productions. Avoid... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful