The Best of Italian Opera

 (16 customer reviews)

I would recommend this CD to anyone, from opera novice to experienced listener... These are older recordings -- I would guess mostly from the 1960's. The recording quality is exceptional for the day and, while not the equivalent of modern engineering, is sufficient to allow sheer physical pleasure from the music and an immediate appreciation of the vocal qualities of the artists. The sound quality is the only mild drawback...The performances are magnificent! The voices are almost entirely lighter and more agile than the great voices of the 80's and 90's. In fact, the ear of the editor is apparent in his preference for lighter and more agile voices.For example, there is a beautiful rendition of "Che Gelida Manina" from someone I had never heard before, Guiseppe Campora. He does not have the weight or volume of Pavarotti or Domingo, but has more elegance and a pure, charming tone. A connoisseur performance, but nevertheless a true operatic rendition by a tenor who can hit...Read more

Whether you are an opera lover already or want to find out if opera is something you would enjoy, this is a cd for you. I bought this cd on a whim because of the price and now I would gladly pay five times that to replace it in my collection. The voices are phenomenal and filled with emotion as I think they should be in opera.

Best deal of Italian opera CD collection is found from this album. Although featuring Verdi's opera works, Mozart's Voi Che Sapete from Le Nozzi di Figaro was excellently recorded. Sound quality is excellent, and what a great gift idea this is!