Kiri Te Kanawa

the product quality was excellent, I would have liked to be able to listen to the content clip before buying

While reading Oliver Sack's book, Musicophilia, about the neuroscience of music illustrated through cases of neurological disability that knocked out areas of the brain involved in music perception and creation, I learned that children listening to Mozart developed specific regions of the brain and improve their mathematics scores. I decided that my 5 month old grandson's developing brain would benefit from listening to Mozart. I chose this collection of Mozart's works and was not disappointed with the quality of the music, though my grandson is now six months old and not yet doing calculus.

You get Mozart's best works in 2 CD. The sound is flawless to the common ear. Get it! if you love Mozart

I am not much into classical music.. Read about Mozart and wanted to make sure I listen to one of the all time classics.

Though I may not be qualified enough to review a classic, On a whole it was a pleasant experience for me and a good add on to my car, especially when alone.. The quality of the CD content was good too..!!

4/5

Very talented composer! I like Mozart! It would be nicer if the CD had more on Marriage of Figaro. I love opera!

I heard this CD on a PBS pledge drive (it was a premium) and found myself loving every cut on it! I was in my car and just wanted to keep on driving and listening. This is by far my most-played CD - I've had to make it a weekend only listen to prevent getting burned out on it. HIGHLY recommend it. Even if you are unfamiliar with some of the pieces, you will quickly learn to love them. . . . I must end this review - I'm off to listen to the "flower duet" for the 100th time. . .

I'm new to opera, but this CD has really beautiful music. I use it in my CD clock radio (Timex, that I purchased here also) to go to sleep to.

21 Dec, 2007
The movements in this collection move Me as much as My very bowel. Hence, it might work for your too. Try it, you'll like it if you want to be moved to your very "soul".

Am just discoving the glory of opera. Not all opera, but the arias that make your heart soar. My husband turned away from opera because he was "overdosed" at an early age and it really spoiled his pleasure for life. He's gone now, and I'm discovering what I've missed. This is a wonderful CD and well worth having.

If one was wanting to introduce a friend to the wonderful world of opera, this would be a great cd to buy them. Also at this time when many of us are worrying about Luciano and his health , it is great to hear him featured on many of the selections. A great buy and wonderful collection.

Christmas Adagios
Two record set which gives me all the best in Christmas music.

This is the BEST Christmas collection that I have ever heard. I would like
to purchase 15 more to give as gifts this year; however, it appears that
Decca is out of stock or no longer releasing it. HELP!!

this was one of the best assortment of classical holiday songs that i have ever heard. it contains a marvelous array of the best composers and performers that the world has to offer. if you are a fan of classical music, i think this cd will be a positive addition to your music collection

Beautiful Adagios and a rich selection for the price. Audio travels to Vienna, London, Cambridge etc

What a delightful surprise this 2 disc album was and I'm not a big fan of Christmas music. I loved all the selections and felt they were well performed. This is a true "must have" for any Christmas collection. Superior to many other compliations on the market. This one is a keeper! It is the one album I'll pick first to listen to after Thanksgiving.

Great CD full of holiday classics from fun (We Wish You a Merry Christmas) to beautiful (Es Ist Ein' Ros' Entsprungen) - highly recommended!

Excellent selection of music; various musical styles from very classic to pop but always performed well - both technically and with creativity and style. People who enjoy what the King Singers bring to music will also enjoy this selection.

This was the first Christmas CD I ever bought and I still regard it as the best I have. It covers the range from the sacred to the merry, worshipful to cheer, and every song is a gem. It includes what is simply the best recording of 'Gaudete, Christus Est Natus' that I've ever heard, and one of the finest renditions of 'Patapan And Farandole'. The more traditional carols such as 'Deck The Hall' are delivered with aplomb and celebration.

If you only want one Christmas CD, this is the one to buy.

WELL!!!THIS IS DIFFERENT!!!!!

The King's Singers come to us steeped in the 500 year old English tradition of choral singing; and that's fine with me.!!!There are 6 singers in this group (the personnel change from time to time)namely: Jeremy Jackman and Alastair Hume (countertenors)- Robert Chilcott (tenor)- Bruce Russell and Simon Carrington (baritones) and Stephen Connolly (bass). They are very capably accompanied by the City of London Sinfonia and Brass Quintet conducted by Richard Hickox.

An added PLUS is the great Kiri Te Kanawa who sings an arrangement by Daryl Runswick entitled "A Little Christmas Music (Medley a la Mozart)". It's a hodge-podge of Mozart melodies sewn together in a rather haphazard manner, and meant to be humorous. I guess this type of composition does not appeal to me personally, and I'm sorry that Kiri's glorious voice was wasted. However, that's only MY opinion; I am certain others may disagree.

This album is really a mixture of Christmas tunes and that's partly what makes it interesting. And, of course it is masterfully sung by the King's singers;I enjoy all their discs; especially the recording of Gilbert and Sullivan tunes. Some of the arrangements on this disc are somewhat esoteric, and I'm not too fond of the very STRANGE arrangement (again by Daryl Runswick) of the Coventry Carol, but 'to each his own'. Their opening selection:"Here We Come a-wassailing" (arr. Robert Chilcott) is a great opening number and I must say that it's the best arrangement I have ever heard of this selection.

Let's face it:the KING'S SINGERS are perfection. But don't forget our American group:Chanticleer.

With the exception of track 11 (The Coventry Carol, Lully lulla) I really like this CD. I personally prefer the traditional renditions of The Coventry Carol. I do not like the "modern" harmonics and arrangement of it on this CD. Otherwise, it is very fine, indeed.

Cabe mencionar que hace poco mas de 11 años que tengo este disco que tuvo a bien regalarme un amigo muy querido; de nuevo la fórmula muy efectiva en los años 70's; Pavarotti se muestra como "el mejor duque de la historia" (según críticos conocedores) y que vocalmente está en su punto, basta escuchar el aria "possente amor mi chiama" coronado con un trino para tenor que calidad insuperable; como dijera el propio Verdi "Rigoletto esta concebido como una interminable ristra de dúos", todos ellos memorables; Joanine se luce con la interpretación de una adolescente, imprimiendo una sutil Gilda, conmovedora hasta los huesos (vg en los hermosísimos dúos con Rigoletto) y con un dramatismo excepcional como en el terzetone del tercer acto previo a la muerte de Gilda a manos de Sparafucile, etc. Una de las joyas de este disco es la inigualable voz de Sherril Milnes como Rigoletto, sumamente convincente y elocuente; con una poderosa voz lírico spinto y diría yo hasta "di forza" que hiela los sentidos, poderosamente dual, muy lírica en los dúos con Gilda, pero muy enérgica y como trueno en las arias de bravura; gigante Rigoletto se tiene en esta grabación!!; otro poderoso vocalmente es el recientemente exinto gigante entre los que mas (media mas de 2 mts), Marti Talvela, con su voz profundísima, obscura y timbrada, bellamente trabajada, impostada y engolada; en el dúo con Rigoletto se tiene creo yo el momento más obscuro de la ópera con la conjunción de reino grave de la orquesta con el de dos voces obscuras y con el entorno maléfico de pensar en un homicidio... espléndido personaje en todos los sentidos; la orquesta magistralmente dirigida por Richard Bonynge y de sonoridad espectacular (vg la tormenta en el tercer acto al punto de desenlace en donde "brama a toda potencia" según palabras del musicólogo Kurt Phalen en su revisión literaria de la ópera); no se arrepentirán de comprarla!

If you can listen to the sample of "Ah! vegiia, o donna" above and not buy this recording, then you don't truly love Opera. This is simply a stunning recording. The sound quality is remarkably strong given the age of the recording, and the singing is stupendous.

I love this recording. I love the voice of Joan Sutherland - such a full, warm, beautiful sound. However, I must correct a reviewer who mentions that Sutherland recorded every optional high note; She does end the ensembles with SPECTACULAR high notes, but does not follow suit with "Caro Nome". In fact, before I became one of her BIGGEST fans, after hearing this version of the aria, I was THOROUGHLY disappointed. I was used to hearing the final high e''' (thanks to Moffo, in her EMI recording, and surprisingly enough, Leontyne Price), so when Sutherland ended the aria an octave lower (though sustained for quite some time), I lost what little respect I had for her at the time (late 1994, early 1995?). Shortly thereafter, I heard her 1971 (I think?) recording of the Doll's song from 'Hoffmann', and was instantly mesmerized. She may not have sung Zerbinetta or any arias with a g''', but I believe she is THE coloratura assoluta.
By the way, her E-flat at the end of Act II in her 1961 'Rigoletto' recording is perhaps the best high E-flat EVER.

I have heard many Rigoletto's during my life, but any like this. Bonyge is an absolute master, conducting London Symphony Orchestra brilliantly. Pavarotti's Duke surpasses the best of tenors, and even though I am not one of Pavarotti's greatest fans-don't misunderstand me, I agree he is very good-I think that, in this performance, he has reached his level best, thus I give him the deserveful credit of five stars.
Sutherland's Gilda is melodious-something of and achievement-but not staggering.
Sherill Milne's Rigletto's shines throughout the whole opera, thus making it "a must", a classic amongst the best performances.
The recording is perfect, however it is extremely upsetting that it can't be played in some sound systems.

I have owned this recording for years, and now I can't listen to any other recording. I've even performed in this opera. While Sutherland is indeed too old for Gilda, these are still the glory days for her (early 70s). However, Pavarotti and Milnes are simply GLORIOUS in these roles. This is the height of virtuosity with Pavarotti singing to a High D, and Milnes to a High B-natural - Simply AMAZING. The drama is all here, and the majestic beauty of one of Verdi's best operas.

I have more experience with other genres of music, but am interested in basically all kinds. I have been collecting CDs for nearly 2 decades but had no Opera in my collection. I did a little research and arrived at a conclusion. If I wanted the most and best Opera music for my money, I had to get this title, which is a double album, and "The Most Famous Opera Duets". Well, the latter was a steal with a list price under four dollars, and the former was a truly good compilation of many uplifting, diverse, impactful, and pleasant pieces. I am satisfied with my purchases and have filled the gap in my music collection. I can't see Opera getting better than this and the other title I mentioned. Enjoy!

This is a wonderful background for any tension realeasing activity, like reading a book. So glad I purchased it.

This music cd has really essential pieces of great operas. If you don't have many classical cds, why don't you buy this one and enjoy~? :)

I am not an opera fan normally. But sometimes the music is so lovely that it's a pleasure to just sit and listen. That is what this disc is. Most of the music is gorgeous and although I don't understand a word of it I just love listening to it and enjoy it. I think anyone who loves beautiful music be it an opera fan or not will enjoy this cd.

Rapture: Opera's Most Heavenly Moments

Absolutely fantastic! Stare into space and enjoy this music.

When I was in Lucca, It., the birthplace of Puccini, we attended a concert in a local church that was so beautiful. This CD brought me right back there. A lovely way to spend time listening to Puccini.

"Quando m'en vo" is not omitted from this CD; it is just called "Musetta's waltz song." It is the same aria.

This is one of the first opera CDs I ever got. It's wonderful for just about any body;from the newbies like me or the opera fanatics. I especially like 'In Questa Reggia'. Buy it now!!

The Ultimate Puccini Collection features some of Puccini's most arias and will appeal to even the most ardent operaphobes.

A great listening experience featuring some of the greatest opera performers of all time.

The music is without question, among the most beautiful ever written. But the quality of the fidelity tells me that many of the selections were recorded live in concert in outdoor venues. I wish that was clear to me before I bought the disc. So, is the music the ultimate? YES! Is the recording the ultimate? NO!

This ablum is a masterpiece.

Awesome work of art!!!

You will Love!!

The music was just as the title stated relaxing. The songs were not just a recording of an existing song.

This Cd is the best compliment to a set than choice part of the opera. Also debit say than the seller Cayman is swell to. Thank you.

I'm not opera literate, so I was looking for some kind of introduction that had some familiar arias and that would connect me to others that I had not heard. I liked that the notes with the cd indicated where a new listener may have heard some of the music (in a commercial, during an important scene in a movie, etc). This was the source of a lot of 'Ah ha!' moments. It even inspired me to rent a dvd of a live version of Turandot and to put others on my Netflix queue. I owe my newly aroused curiosity about opera, believe it or not, to Il Divo. I had to know what these guys sing when they're not reinterpreting pop songs. I'm glad I started this journey and this cd was a good start.

This is a great product if the individual enjoys and appreciates classical music and especially the opera.

As a long time armchair Opera listener I'm shocked that I hadn't come across this album until recently. I'm not really an Opera connoisseur so my review is based on just the fact that I love Opera, but mostly by listening to arias or occasionally going to the Opera.

This CD is quite comprehensive and offers a broad spectrum of aria's and some chorus's from several composers as well as the more famous of singers. In 2 CD's, 19 tracts each, many of the most famous arias are represented. If you are a Wagner fan you might be disappointed, however, Puccini, Mozart, Bizet, and Verdi are well represented. If you want a taste of Opera without sitting down and listening to a full Opera, this is perfect. My only complaint is that there is not enough Jose Carreras!

There will always be arguments for this or that singer, but this title is absurd. I didn't see a single Jussi Bjoerling, George London, Leonard Warren, or Zinka Milanov, and only one mention of Del Monaco. These were singers. Bjoerling and London were in a class by themselves. I saw all of these folks live on stage. London and Del Monaco had stage presence you don't get now. Di Stefano, Kirsten, de los Angeles should be on any best list. Play any tenor aria by any tenor; then play Bjoerling's. Play any bass/baritone aria by any singer; then play London's. Jussi and George will knock your socks off. They sang everything in every language. Tebaldi and Pavarotti sang only Italian, much easier.