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POSSIBLY PAVAROTTI'S MOST BEAUTIFUL RECORDING

L. Mitnick | Chicago, Illinois United States | 03/29/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've never been an admirer of Luciano Pavarotti. Yes, it was a great voice, and certainly the sound was without equal in his time. That said, I was always turned off by the Madison Avenue type of packaging he allowed himself to be promoted by. Moreover, his habitual and constant repetition of the same Italian repertoire over and over, coupled by his ungainly and eventually grotesque appearance --- all in blatant contrast to the amazing musical range of Placido Domingo ---- sunk him for me in the late 1970's. This recording, however, is a standout. The "arie antiche" he sings here are all very, very beautifully done. These Italian "art songs" were used by singers in the early part of the 19th century to perfect and refine their vocal skills in preparation for a career in the operatic bel canto literature. These songs are very difficult. They have long lines, which must be sung softly and with great control. If a singer has a problem with their technique, these songs will expose these problems without mercy. Pavarotti had all the beauty of tone and breath control essential to make these songs thrive. Pavarotti uses his voice here as a master violinist would use his violin in virtually every selection presented here. For anyone who values great singing, this disc is a must. Pavarotti die-hards will probably already own it. It's one of a kind. Also a little sad that this great tenor allowed himself to undergo his metamorphosis from artist to media buffoon."

One of his earliest and BEST!!

Peter T. | Colorado | 11/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is my favorite Pavarotti recording. I wore out the LP of this concert decades ago.... Wonderful program of Italian songs from Scarlatti and Handel through Respighi and Tosti. My favorite are the three Respighi songs. Don't miss this one, or you'll miss one of the very best!



~Peter"