Great Opera Choruses

Advantages: Some great tracks,
Disadvantages: Not a huge progression

.... The lyrics go along the lines of “And we’ll fly and we’ll fall and we’ll burn” before changing tone into more theatrical strains before diving into a heavy riff straight out of a Metallica album. It’s another great track. ‘Falling Away With You’ is one of the best tracks on the album that starts out mellow. Of course it builds into a chorus that once again experiments with sound but throughout you’re drawn to the simple sound of vocals and some guitar. ‘Hysteria’ is probably a future single as it’s a bit more commercial and upbeat that some of the other tracks on the album. It’s pretty straightforward stuff with verse-chorus-verse and none of the opera style theatrics. It also has a good riff. ‘Blackout’ is another great song. It starts with some sound that could make you feel like you’re in Italy. It also has a lush string arrangement... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Very technical, uplifting songs, amazing vocals
Disadvantages: male vocals

...two, session vocalist Tapio Wilska provides low male vocals, his vocals ruin the song for me, as i just can'd stand his voice, i find the chorus of the song not very memorable either, skip this one. 4) Sacrament Of Wilderness Sacrament of Wilderness starts out with some nice keyboards, the guitar is much more prominent in this song as well, and the opening riff is excelent, The chorus while fast and heavy is very memorable with Tarja's vocals accompanied with some great sounding keyboards. 5) Passion And The Opera A great riff opens this song, Tarja gives of her best vocal performance of the album in this song, and really takes advantage of her opera trained voice, the song is slower in pace compared to other songs on the album, but Tarja's vocals are spot on, especially near the end. 6) Swanheart The ballad of the album, while Tarja... Read review

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Advantages: Great tracks with a real 'difference'.
Disadvantages: Three tracks more than needs to be.

...~~Jem - Finally woken~~ Jem is a Welsh singer who has had a bit more success in America, and as a soundtrack singer (films and TV, mostly American) than she has as a solo artist. It is really hard to describe her style/genre as it is really quite varied. It is a bit happy electronic but at times sounds a bit like Japanese pop. Whatever her style, and maybe it is quite unique, I think she is a bit good! This is her debut, and only album so far. *~*~*~*The Tracks*~*~*~* Track 1. They. You will have heard this and not registered it. Bit trip-hoppy, strange and appealing background chorus of kids singing something that sounds like it may have come out of a horror film. Almost use of classical opera with a great thumping bass line and almost tribal drumming. Fantastic crisp vocals. Absolutely top opening track. 9/10. Track 2. Come closer... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very 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: The drinking song, the melancholy oboes
Disadvantages: Long - approx 2 hrs

...happiness with Alfredo in a solo, Addido del passato accompanied by a sorrowful oboe. Alfred returns and asks to see her. She attemopts to rise but realises she can’t. A trombone accentuates her exclamatory song, Gran Dio, non posso (Great God, it is not possible). A death march plays and Violetta tragically dies. My Opion Verdi is the king of operatic choruses. His drinking song is one of the most popular and most song choruses of all time. The opera is long approximately 2 hours. This particular CD contains all the tracks from the opera. I personally prefer this however this could be quite a chore for a non-opera lover. There are other CDs available that feature the most popular songs from the opera. The opera is dramatic and there is not many that fail to be moved at Violetta’s death. Angela Gheorghiu is probably the best Violetta there has... Read review

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Advantages: Original instruments, classical greek myth
Disadvantages: Serious and tragic

...the orignal instruments giving a great insight into how Haydn himself intended the opera. Always a bonus!!!!! Haydn's music is lyrical and memorable. The sort of music you will hum for days afterwards. The opera contains a good mix of recitatives, duets and choruses. My particular favorite is the duet between Orpheus and Eurodice , you can listen to both voices for hours. The closing chorus is so emotional fading to nothing as Orpheus is carried away (one of those moments when opera can actually bring a tear to your eye). I realise Opera is not everyone's taste but everyone should experience it at least once.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful