CD-Charts Position 1
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The Only Choral Album You'll Ever Need

from: Victor

Release Date October 06, 2003
whoever wrote the 'whats on this cd' blurb mislead me to buy this item - I needed the WHOLE of the Messiah AND THE WHOLE of Faure's Requiem and reading this blurb you think you have it - but guess what - there are only extracts - the titles given are just for the whole work - not the individual piece of music - so I cannot learn the pieces for two concerts I am performing in before Christmas off this - very misleading. Sorry - but it is not the only album Ill ever need.

CD-Charts Position 2
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Pavarotti's Greatest Hits

from: Decca

Release Date September 18, 2007
Decca Records presents "PAVAROTTI''S GREATEST HITS" --- Pavarotti was an Italian tenor in opera music, who crossed into popular music and became one of the most beloved vocal performers --- Known for his televised concerts, media appearances and as one of The Three Tenors --- This album features the cream of the crop with one of the greatest tenors ever inclusively with operatic performances --- A nice tribute to a brilliant interpreter of the classics who helped introduce opera to the masses.

Luciano Pavarotti, Cavaliere di Gran Croce OMRI -- (October 12, 1935 - September 6, 2007) --- Pavarotti made his American début with the Greater Miami Opera in February 1965 singing in Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor opposite Joan Sutherland on ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 3
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Pavarotti - The Ultimate Collection

from: Decca

Release Date October 13, 1997
What a let down! I bought this for Nessum Dorma and found that the cupboard of his repertoire is actually pretty bare. Other than "Just one Cornetto" there aren't any big hits on this album. Surely they could have included the 1975 classic "everyone's a fruit and nut case"? More importantly, none of it is in english so i've no idea what he's on about.

That said, this guy can sing, proving, like Michelle McManus before him that being obese is no barrier if you have a decent voice. With the right material this guy could have a big career ahead of him. Maybe he should enter X-Factor, Simon Cowell could make him a big star.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Puccini: Suor Angelica

from: Classics

Release Date November 02, 1996
Having never been a great fan of Puccini, I was amazed at the intensity and emotion that the music on this CD was able to convey.

The opera begins quietly with Suor Angelica and the the other nuns in the convent, building steadily through the confrontation with her aunt, sung superbly by Marjana Lipovsek, to the dramatic, highly charged emotional climax of Suor Angelica's supplications to the Virgin Mother.

My primary reason for buying this CD was Lucia Popp, and as Suor Angelica, she does not disappoint. Her vocals provide the lead character with the necessary sense of emotional vulnerability and desperation, which is so often found lacking in other recordings. Her desperate supplications to Mary in the final scene cannot fail to ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 5
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Puccini: Great Opera Arias

from: Sony Classical

Release Date November 05, 2001
This CD promised much, Kiri Te Kanawa, Placido Domingo etc ..and Puccini.. but I found it disappointing in parts. I felt some of the Arias chosen were not appropriate and some of the editing left a lot to be desired...ie. one track didn't finish at the end of the Aria and another finished half way through... very strange. As an intermediate "student" of Opera, and a lover of Verdi and Puccini, I thought it could have been better.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Essential Opera

by: London Philharmonic Orchestra, Suisse Romande Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra

Release Date October 28, 1991
This CD promised much, Kiri Te Kanawa, Placido Domingo etc ..and Puccini.. but I found it disappointing in parts. I felt some of the Arias chosen were not appropriate and some of the editing left a lot to be desired...ie. one track didn't finish at the end of the Aria and another finished half way through... very strange. As an intermediate "student" of Opera, and a lover of Verdi and Puccini, I thought it could have been better.

CD-Charts Position 7
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Luciano Pavarotti - The Best

by: London Symphony Orchestra, Covent Garden Royal Opera House Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestra, Antonella Pepe, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Rob Mathes, Veris Giannetti, Bulgaria Symphony Orchestra, Stefano Nanni

Release Date March 17, 2008
This CD promised much, Kiri Te Kanawa, Placido Domingo etc ..and Puccini.. but I found it disappointing in parts. I felt some of the Arias chosen were not appropriate and some of the editing left a lot to be desired...ie. one track didn't finish at the end of the Aria and another finished half way through... very strange. As an intermediate "student" of Opera, and a lover of Verdi and Puccini, I thought it could have been better.

CD-Charts Position 8
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Legendary Performances of Caballé

from: BRV

Release Date October 16, 2007
I put this on my wish list as a curiosity and thankfully I had it bought for my birthday. Terrific atmosphere in these discs. It was shamefull I know, the first time I had ever heard the legendary Lucrezia. Stunning performance and a great sound for an older recording. I was familiar with the Norma, I really enjoyed her Strauss but the Gemma di Vergy and my favourite Adriana Lecouvreur finds her in tip top form and with Domingo it's absolute magic. For this price you need this if you are a fan.
I like this series and might try one or two of the others.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Essential Opera, Vol.2

by: Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra

Release Date November 01, 1993
The opening track is Wagner's "Ride of the Valkries" and a powerful opening to the CD. It progress running through the classics including Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers". What it does well is set moods and is a good backgroud to the tedious household tasks (a.k.a. homework etc).

One problem I found when listening to this CD is track order. You find quiet gentle tracks are seperated by viscious, strong and powerful ones. This makes it unsuitable for 'going to sleep to'.

CD-Charts Position 10
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Puccini and Pasta: A Romantic Italian Feast for Your Ears

from: Philips

Release Date August 13, 1996
The opening track is Wagner's "Ride of the Valkries" and a powerful opening to the CD. It progress running through the classics including Bizet's "The Pearl Fishers". What it does well is set moods and is a good backgroud to the tedious household tasks (a.k.a. homework etc).

One problem I found when listening to this CD is track order. You find quiet gentle tracks are seperated by viscious, strong and powerful ones. This makes it unsuitable for 'going to sleep to'.