At first glance you would imagine the CD to be the normal mainstream nonsense with Russell Watson singing Amor ti Vieta, but when looking at the back you do see that this is a quality CD.
So lights down low CD player on high and a nice Glass of wine and you are ready for an audio trip through operatic tenor modern history.
Track List: (THERE ARE 27 TRACKS IF YOU WANT A SUMMARY OF EACH ONE THEN READ ON OTHERWISE HEAD FOR BOTTOM OF REVIEW)
Track 1: O Paradis sung by Enrico Caruso
What a start to the Cd. Nothing but quality technique and voice on show here, one of the best renditions you'll ever hear
Track 2: Morgenlich leuchtend sung by Peter Anders
Not my favourite song and a big jump in quality from the first track but still an adept singer, the first sign that there is going to be a wide variation of voice and style on this record
Track 3: Bimba, dagli occh sung by Hedwig von Debicka and Helge Rosvaenge
The first Duet we hear on the album, Contrast between the two voices is incredible but they still manage to blend into the spirit/soul theme that runs through this magical opera by Puccini.
Track 4: Recitar sung by Mario Del Monaco
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Is he shouting or is he singing? A long debate surrounding this tenor with his mammoth voice. Make your own mind up by listening to this superb track. At first I wasn't sure about his voice but he'll grow on you after a bit. In my opinion he is
defiantly a singer not a shouter. "OPEN ON THAT PASSAGIO MARIO!!!" LOL
Track 5: Donna non vidi mai sung by Sándor Kónya
One of the most lyrical tenors ever. Famous for his Wagner, you can hear how robust his voice can be by hearing him sing this work by Puccini.
Track 6: Il était une fois ŕ la cour d'Eisenach by Alfredo Kraus
Very Dramatic interpretation. I'll frustrate the potential buyer by letting this one "sing" for itself!!!
Track 7 :Recondita armonia sung by Alfredo Mariotti, Franco Corelli
Again this is a mind-boggling performance with Corelli seeming to power away and Mariotti holding him in check. Another example of sprit and soul working together to create this superb collection of sound!
Track 8: Mein Herz voll Treue bis zum Sterben sung by Wolfgang Windgassen
An interesting rendition of this famous Wagner Piece. Windgassen uses the language to create great warmth throughout the aria.
Track 9: Ella mi fu rapita! sung by Carlo Bergonzi
An aria from one of the most popular operas (Rigoletto) is sung to perfection by one of my favourite technical tenors.
Track 10: Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön sung by Fritz Wunderlich
Personally I don't think Stuart Burrows will ever be beaten with his rendition of this classic aria but Wunderlich would give him a run for his money. A great aria from the soon to be a big screen version of Mozart's Die Zauberflöte!
Track11: Cielo e mar! sung by Giuseppe di Stefano
This tenor was famous for his wild untamed singing that eventually cost him his voice. Still he sings this very well sounding very much like Pavarotti at times.
Track 12: Wenn der Freude Tränen fliessen performed by Staatskapelle Dresden Orchestra
Simply. ........ A magical Piece of Mozart
Track 13: Dalla sua pace sung by Ernst Haefliger
The Swiss tenor singing this famous aria form the famous Mozart opera Don Giovanni. (I Love it)
Track14: Ein Schwert verheiss mir der Vater Sung by Jon Vickers
Vickers' unique voice seems to deliver a new dynamic to this Wagner Aria. It carries with it an uncertain, uneasy tone that heightens the listener's senses. A very new listening experience for me.
Track 15: Una furtiva lagrima Sung by Luciano Pavarotti
He freezes all who listen and then lifts them up to the heavens!!!! Well for about 4 minutes he does anyway! OUTSTANDING!!!
Track 16: Se quel guerrier Sung by Plácido Domingo
Domingo allows his technique to adjust for this demanding aria best listened to while hiding behind the couch or in another room.
Track 17: Ecco, ridente in cielo sung by Luigi Alva and Renato Cesari
Wonderful dynamics. The listener's ears are going to be awash with a varying contrast of timbre and diversity.
Track 18: O Vaterland...Da geh' ich zu Maxim sung by René Kollo
To hear his voice you would not think he would be a very diverse tenor but listening to this you would have to think twice.
Track 19: Paloma querida sung by Francisco Araiza
Araiza holds a business degree and he certainly gets down to it (business that is) when it comes to this, lesser known, but fantastic aria. Well done the Mexican!!!
Track 20: Maria sung by José Carreras
This is the only poor selection of track on the CD although it is sung well it does stick out like a sore thumb.
Track 21: E lucevan le stelle sung by Plácido Domingo
Domingo returns to sing this spiritual aria from Tosca for us. He does a grand job.
Track 22: In fernem Land sung by Kurt Moll and Siegfried Jerusalem
Beautifully sung and again is another example of a well-picked duet showing us that this compilation hasn't just been thrown together.
Track 23: . Scene 2 - What's this? (Nu, shto zhe?)
and Faint echo of my youth (Kuda, kuda, kuda vi udalilis_Lenski's aria) sung by Gunter Emerlich and Neil Shicoff.
Often described as leading tenors of their generation they do their reputations justice with these two pieces.
Track 24: La vita č inferno and Oh, tu che in seno sung by José Carreras
For me this is Carreras at his best. If you like the man you will be happy after listening to this.
Track 25: Che gelida manina sung by Jerry Hadley
Have we really had to wait this long to get to this masterpiece of an aria. Will hold the listener spellbound throughout.
Track 26: La fleur que tu m'avais jetée sung by Roberto Alagna
The penultimate track well delivered well sung.
Track 27: . ACT 2, Scene 1 - Lunge da lei and De' miei bollenti spiriti sung by Luciano Pavarotti
Do you cry do you smile? What do you do? An amazing ending to an emotional journey!!!
It is a hard to do the CD justice without commenting in detail on all the individual performances but the ones that stand out most for me are Una Furtiva Lagrima by Pavarotti and Corelli's rendition of Recondita armonia. "Maria" is the only song in the whole CD that doesn't really belong there but still its not too bad. It's almost like a little interlude before the show starts again.
The songs are organised in a way that there is never a dull moment. From the weeping sounds of De Steffano to the barking of Del Monaco it will make you laugh, cry and dance.
It is almost as if there is a narrative to the CD even though the arias are from all different times and different composers. The only way I can describe it is that there is a unificating aura surrounding it and at times this can be haunting.
Overall a real treat for opera fans and a great point of reference for modern tenors.
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20.02.2007 17:35
Very interesting review you got here. I actually now planing to buy this CD, sounds good for me. -WA-
11.10.2006 22:13
No stuart Burrows on there do you think he should be? I am very excited about buying this CD now thanks for the great review
11.10.2006 21:52
Wow nice review. I dont really like opera but I think your a good writer. This was your first and best I reckon,