"This set of two CDs is a great way to listen to some highlights from many different operas when you aren't in the mood to listen to a full opera. Many of your favorite arias are here, such as Nessun Dorma, Habanera, Non piu andrai etc. But what I liked most about it is that it features many different artists. While I love my Pavarotti and Domingo albums, it is nice to hear other singers. Also, hearing some pieces that sounded familiar have gotten me interested in operas I haven't heard or seen before, such as the Flower Duet from Lakme. I've heard that before--but where? Probably in some car commercial...This music will haunt you, and is wonderful for listening to while driving or just sitting. Try it with headphones on so the rest of the world goes away."
THE OPERA LOVER
Boris Zubry | Princeton, NJ United States | 09/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I love opera but I do not like to watch it. I love the opera music but not all of it. So what do I like? I like the specific pieces of the music and I love the voices. I like the dream like state the opera music takes you in. This is magical. This album does it to me every time I put it on. And, I do it quite often."
Blend of great opera for novice or opera buff!
christina | rockville, md United States | 03/03/2003
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Beautiful music for anyone. Even those I know who generally dislike opera have taken an interest! These are truly highlights of some of the greatest peices...breathtaking voices...relaxing and yet movingingly passionate. I reccomend this for anyone wanting a varied and yet stunning collection."
Nice collection of major figures
Steven A. Peterson | Hershey, PA (Born in Kewanee, IL) | 01/04/2007
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This is billed as "the greatest opera stars on one double album for the first time ever."
Many major voices of the first part of the past half century are presented on this CD (e.g., Shwartzkopf, Moffo, Freni, de los Angelos, Sutherland, Callas, Gedda, Merrill, Bjoerling, Pavarotti, Sutherland, Domingo, et al.). Also represented are some more contemporary singers, among whom are Kanawa, Gheorgiu, Alagna, Dessay, and so on).
So, a nice album. But we are also reminded of the absence of some major figures on CDs (such as Richard Tucker, who is little represented on CDs). . . . Hopefully, in future years, more of those glorious voices will become accessible on CD."