L' Africaine, grand opera in 5 acts: Act IV: O paradiso
La Juive, opera: Act IV: Rachel quand du Seigneur
La bohème, opera: Act I: Che gelida manina
Aida, opera: Act I: Se quel guerrier io fossi Celeste Aida
Andrea Chénier, opera: Act IV: Come un bel di di maggio
La favorita, opera: Act. 4: Spirto gentil
La forza del destino, opera: Act III: o tu che in seno agli angeli
Otello, opera: Act II: Ora e per sempre addio
Les Pêcheurs de perles, opera in 3 acts: Act I: Je crois entendre encore
La Gioconda, opera in 4 acts: Act II: Cielo e mar!
Carmen, opera: Act II: le fleur que tu m'avais jetee
Tosca, opera: Act I: Recondita armonia
Faust, opera: Act I: salut demeure chaste et pure
L'elisir d'amore, opera: Act II: Una furtiva lagrima
Martha, opera: Act III: M'appari tutt'amor
Serse (Xerxes), opera, HWV 40: Act I: Ombra mai fu
Il Trovatore, opera: Act III: Di quella pira
There's a plethora of single-disc Caruso collections, but this one's the preferred choice for opera fans who treasure this golden- voiced epitome of Golden Age singing. It's a Greatest Hits collection to beat all Greatest ... more »Hits collections. Selections span Caruso's career, from the lyric effusions of 1906-7 to the darker-voiced later recordings, including one of his last records, the 1920 La Juive aria, "Rachel, quand du Seigneur," which he invests with a heartbreaking poignancy that hasn't been bettered. Caruso shines brightest in the Italian repertory, capturing the pathos of Vesti la Giubba, the insouciance of the Duke's Rigoletto arias, and the hero's dilemma in Celeste Aida, among much else. But everything here is wonderful--great music, great singing. --Dan Davis« less
There's a plethora of single-disc Caruso collections, but this one's the preferred choice for opera fans who treasure this golden- voiced epitome of Golden Age singing. It's a Greatest Hits collection to beat all Greatest Hits collections. Selections span Caruso's career, from the lyric effusions of 1906-7 to the darker-voiced later recordings, including one of his last records, the 1920 La Juive aria, "Rachel, quand du Seigneur," which he invests with a heartbreaking poignancy that hasn't been bettered. Caruso shines brightest in the Italian repertory, capturing the pathos of Vesti la Giubba, the insouciance of the Duke's Rigoletto arias, and the hero's dilemma in Celeste Aida, among much else. But everything here is wonderful--great music, great singing. --Dan Davis
"I do not really know Opera. I am writing this review because I remember hearing Caruso's voice coming from a seventy- eight on an old Victor gramophone in my paternal grandparents house. The power and lyric quality of the voice struck me so strongly especially in 'Pagliacci'. The phrase has been with me, and comes back occasionally through all the years.
Caruso was then, and I believe still is considered at the very top of operatic singers. And it is a remarkable experience to hear so many years later , and in a stronger and clearer way sounds which one heard long ago in childhood, and have for years only lived in the mind."
Great to hear the Great Tenor
H. Rendleman | Anacortes, WA USA | 04/10/2007
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I am impressed how well these almost 100 year old recordings have been transfered to CD. Of course they aren't perfect but considering their age it is still a miracle. It is nice to hear Caruso in his prime and not on a scratchy vinyl. I would recommend this to any lover of Caruso's singing."
Great collection.
JEFF | Illinois, USA | 11/04/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is an older RCA release, but still one of the best! A great introduction to Caruso."
True Italian
Book Addict | Midwest | 10/13/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love this CD. Caruso is powerful and compelling. I listen to this CD on my computer, in my car, even in my backyard. It's very uplifting. I find Caruso to have a flavor of old Italian opera, pure and simple. I believe that anyone who wants to get back to the roots of opera would enjoy this CD and the selections on it."
Simply a superb digitial re-mastering
slithy tove | US | 06/28/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Beautiful sound considering the condition of the source recordings. One of the best digitally "cleaned up" releases I've heard. Even with the sonic limitations of the age of the original recordings you can hear why the world remains in awe of his voice. Remember that he sang these into a horn that mechanically used a needle to scratch a wax recording blank. Just like the RCA Red Seal dog (His Master's Voice) in reverse. The value is incomparable."