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

by: Covent Garden Royal Opera House Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra, London Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra

Release Date March 31, 2001
The tracks on this cd are excellent and well worth the money. I get worried about the packaging of this sort of disc though because it reminds me of Tesco's attempt to sell wine to the masses by renaming a mediocre chablis as 'Good with meat' or whatever. If this was called 'Fine Opera' or 'An Opera Sampler' then I'd be a lot happier but the dumb approach of 'The Only Opera Album You'll Ever Need' makes me cringe. Once again though: the music is very good and the performances are excellent on the whole.

CD-Charts Position 2
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Ave Maria - Sacred Arias and Choruses

from: Naxos

Release Date February 25, 2002
I have really enjoyed listening to this for the first time and I know that I will be listening to it many more times. It is a very relaxing CD to listen to. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys listening to classical music and opera.

CD-Charts Position 3
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(40) Most Beautiful Arias

from: Wea

Release Date October 02, 2006
This is a beautiful album, which lives up to its title. Will be enjoyed by both opera buffs, and those of us who just like the songs we keep hearing on TV and radio. Now you can match the song to the title, to the opera. Includes many arias not usually found on opera compilations. Highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 4
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Great Soprano Arias

by: Philharmonia Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra

Release Date March 05, 2007
This is a beautiful album, which lives up to its title. Will be enjoyed by both opera buffs, and those of us who just like the songs we keep hearing on TV and radio. Now you can match the song to the title, to the opera. Includes many arias not usually found on opera compilations. Highly recommended.

CD-Charts Position 5
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Maria Callas - The Voice of the Century

from: EMI 100

Release Date November 17, 1997
I was most impressed by the two CD compilation.
As you may know, Maria Callas was one of the very few 'Bel Canto' Operatic singers. Her unique style comes across most clearly on this CD set. My favourite piece being the Bell Song by Lakmé, (Dové l'Indiana Bruna).

The two CD's cover her best works, from her songs in the mid 1950's right through until some of her last performances when her voice was not as techincal and strong. It does, however, display her ability to sing a wide variety of styles and of course, her vocal-range was astounding.

I cannot praise this CD set enough. You will have to buy it for yourself to understand how great she really was.

CD-Charts Position 6
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Puccini: Madame Butterfly -- 1995 film version [1997]

starring: Ying Huang, Richard Troxell, Ning Liang, Richard Cowan, Jing Ma Fan
directed by: Frédéric Mitterrand

Release Date March 04, 2002
Its not surprising that Madam Butterfly has remained to this day one of the most popular operas in the Operatic Repertoire. For the music and the story is timeless. It is very emotive, full of love and tenderness, and also very tragic. This version succeeds admirably in more ways than one. Rather than being stagebound, it is filmed on location (in Tunisia of all places!) and does manage to convey to the viewer the feeling of being in Japan with its wonderful sets, and location shots of the sea and the surrounding landscape to give this production that cinematic feel which works wonderfully well.

The singing by both tenor and soprano in the lead roles is a delight. Mind you, I have been spoiled by the wonderful Pavarotti/Freni version which ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 7
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Puccini - Gianni Schicchi

from: Naxos

Release Date January 05, 2004
There is something about Puccini's little comic masterpiece that makes it almost failure-proof. I've seen a number of productions that didn't seem to have much going for them in terms of cast, production and orchestra, and yet the opera always comes off. Even so, I didn't have very high expectations for this recording when it came my way; after all, I'd never heard of any of the singers, had only a nodding aquaintance with the conductor, and it came from an obscure corner of Europe. I needn't have been apprehensive. This recording is really quite good, and indeed has some quite wonderful performances, especially in the Schicchi of Alberto Rinaldi and the Lauretta of Tatiana Lipsic (who does, after all, have the one 'hit' number of the piece, 'O mio babbino ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 8
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Andrea Bocelli - Sacred Arias

from: Philips

Release Date May 13, 2002
A CD that has so much beauty it moves you from beginning to end. His voice portrays so much emotion that you don't just appreciate the sound, you feel every note that he sings.

There are some CDs that are simply labelled "mood music", and this for me is one that I file under such a category. Every time I listen it lifts me and transports me to places only I can go to. Somewhere that escapes the modern world.

The choice of arias is perfect. Many of which I was unfamiliar with. However, I have since introduced this CD to a number of people, many who listen to an entirely different genre of music; nearly all have been captivated by it.

All I can say is buy it and soak up the rich fare on offer.

CD-Charts Position 9
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Derren Brown - The Specials [2008]

by: Derren Brown

Release Date November 03, 2008
How does he do it?

There is a bit in Derren Brown's book where he makes a point often made by magicians, illusionists, mentalists - call them what you will: you don't really WANT to know how it's done. Usually the trick is so simple and straightforward that it's profoundly disappointing to know the secret. The real trick, of course, is the breathtaking showmanship with which it is executed.

All the same, I really WOULD like to know how he did these! These are some of his most audaciously-executed one-offs and fans have been waiting for them to come out on DVD for some time. His Russian Roulette stunt got the whole country talking. Some people seemed genuinely surprised that there was any element of trickery involved at all ('What, ... Read More:

CD-Charts Position 10
Average Rating:

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Kiri Te Kanawa - Famous Opera Arias and Songs

from: Great Performances

Release Date October 18, 1999
How does he do it?

There is a bit in Derren Brown's book where he makes a point often made by magicians, illusionists, mentalists - call them what you will: you don't really WANT to know how it's done. Usually the trick is so simple and straightforward that it's profoundly disappointing to know the secret. The real trick, of course, is the breathtaking showmanship with which it is executed.

All the same, I really WOULD like to know how he did these! These are some of his most audaciously-executed one-offs and fans have been waiting for them to come out on DVD for some time. His Russian Roulette stunt got the whole country talking. Some people seemed genuinely surprised that there was any element of trickery involved at all ('What, ... Read More: