Reviews (1)

Great variety of classical wedding music, great for Prelude.
This is a great album. It really helped me plan the music that I wanted played at my wedding. It has a great varitey of classical wedding music. It gives you many ideas for your Prelude, Processional and Interlude. It has good sound quality from the original artists. And it's great to listen to after the wedding to relive the memories of that day. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Bach- No Humbug!
I really didn't know what kind of quality to expect from this CD. I bought it based strictly on the quality of other American Gramaphone music (Mannheim Steamroller to be specific). I was not disappointed in any way! If you're not sure what Bach to get, hesitate no more, this is a wonderful project.

A must get Bach CD
There are so many popular works written by Bach, that they could make a multi-disc set (Toccata and Fugue in D minor, "Air On The G String", "Jesu, Joy Of Man's Desiring", Brandenburg Concertos, Orchestral Suites, etc., etc., etc.). There are many individual CDs that have their own collection of Bach's works. Some CDs are budget, some mid-priced, and some full-priced. If you are getting started on Bach (and, quite possibly, other kinds of classical music), you might wonder where to start.

Well, as for a full-priced Bach album, this American Gramaphone CD would be a great place to start. It's one fine collection of only some of his finest works on one CD. John Rutter and the City of London Sinfonia did a fine job of performing these works. The performances are brisk, which is pretty much how these works must've been performed during the Baroque period. By the sound of the orchestra, it must've contained modern instruments (which I mostly perfer over authentic). Although I was kind of dissappointed that the "Air from Suite #3 (a.k.a. 'Air On G String')" was a little too rushed. That's the only complaint I have about this CD. But that would NOT be enough to take a star away from the rating.

I would recomend this album to whoever's into classical music, as well as those who are just getting started (AND wouldn't mind investing in a full-priced CD). ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One of the few Great Verdi Requiem Recordings!
First of all I agree with the first reviewer when he says that

Eugene Ormandy is undervalued as a conductor. This is one of the

few really great recordings of this massive work. The soloists

are all legends of the opera and concert stages. The only quartet

of singers that could give them any real competition would

be Sutherland, Horne, Pavarotti, and Tavela, on the recording

with Solti on Decca. I am happy that Sony decided to issue it

both on the Essential Classics label and on SACD. Praise should

also go out to the Westminister Choir for their important and

wonderful contribution to this recording. It would be interesting

to see if Sony would issue it on a single CD, since one it would

fit and they have already issued it on a single SACD, but it is

only a single layer one not a hybrid. In my opinion many modern

conductors could learn a lot from listening to Maestro Ormandy's

recordings especially this one!

Vital performance
Every classical music lover has certain albums or discs that they have a particular fondness for, in spite of what the critical consensus may be. This recording of Verdi's Requiem is one of mine. In our current era of flawless ensemble and bloodless excellence above all, Ormandy leads a highly charged, individual performance of this masterpiece.

The soloists (despite the dismissal in the Penguin Guide) are all excellent, with particular honors going to Richard Tucker and Lucine Amara, whose pianissimo B-flat in the "Libera me" is exquisite. She is one of those artists taken for granted during her time, but whose talent and commitment would be most welcome today.

Ormandy has an (undeserved) reputation of being dependable but dull; however, on this recording he is anything but run-of-the-mill. Listen to the frenzy he whips up at the beginning of the "Dies Irae" (terrific sound, by the way -- listen to that bass drum!) or the beauty with which he shapes the "Recordare." This is a conductor who is in the service of the music, not the other way around. This is most refreshing, especially since so many uber-maestros tend to turn this work into a showcase for how idiosyncratic their style can be.

The performance of Rossini's "Stabat Mater" which accompanies this set is more of a disappointment. I prefer the Chung recording on DG or the Hickox on Chandos. But no matter. At super-bargain price, this "Requiem" should not be passed by!

Magnificent recording of magnificent music
Make no mistake: the human mind has produced nothing finer than the Verdi Requiem Mass. (Ah, yes, but I know Bach well; and I know the depths of Beethoven and Brahms). But, make no mistake, this recording is perfect. Everything is optimal. The singing, the playing, the music, it's all magnificent. If you ever encounter finer music, please notify me immediately. ... Read more

Amazon.com

The word "fabulous" seems vulgar when applied to the Spanish diva whosedelicately shaded voice encompassed music from the middle ages to the present. This four-disc compilationemphasizes her song repertoire, to which she brought warmth, intelligence, linguistic integrity andirresistible sincerity. Her dignity makes listeners want to come to her, and she rewards them with anintimate, personal experience, especially in this small-scale repertoire by Ravel, Debussy, Duparc,Fauré, lots of Spanish composers and German masters such as Schubert and Brahms. --DavidPatrick Stearns ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Fabulous? Yes!!!
The album is a marvelous sampling of this great singer's artistry. Her performances of the French and Spanish composers are something special. The De Falla "Seven Popular Folksongs" are powerful, passionate; the last song, "Jota," raised the hair on the back of my neck.

I was delighted to see Faure's "Claire de lune" on the album, and equally delighted with De Los Angeles' elegant rendition of this work. The only recording of the song I've liked better is from an LP featuring Frederika Von Stade.

As an added bonus, several duets with the great baritone Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau are featured on Disk #4. These include some charming settings of Irish songs by Beethoven, and a gorgeous arrangement of "Let Us Wander" by Henry Purcell. I remember hearing these duets years ago on an LP recording, and it was a pleasure to hear them again. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

One of my least favorite Naxos disks.
I am a big fan of Naxos. This is probably my least favorite cd. Its choral pieces seem more like opera and out of character with other cds in this line (such as Sanctus, Agnus Dei). But at ($) or less, you can't complain too much. Recommendation: listen to a few tracks to see if you like this style before you buy. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

a wonderful tenore di grazie
Cesare Valletti (1921-2000) was known for his lyric tenor roles, and in these recordings was in his prime; unfortunately this CD could use remastering, especially in tracks 9 and 10 which were recorded from live performances in '55 and '58, but for me, the "old" sound becomes irrelevant when compared to the beauty of his voice and the artistry of his interpretations, or it could be ingrained, as opera was my music of choice as a child, and this is how it sounded way back then.
The earliest recordings are from 1950 (tracks 4-6) and the latest 1960 (tracks 13-14).

Highlights for me are Donizetti's "Una furtiva lagrima" from "L'Elisir d'Amore" (recorded in 1952), with a final phrase that is sublime, the sad and lovely "Povero Ernesto...cerchero lontana terra" from Donizetti's "Don Pasquale" (1952), and an aria I was not familiar with before hearing this CD, "Pieta se irato sei" from Mozart's "La Betulia Liberata (a 1955 live performance).
Don Ottavio was a frequent role for Valletti, and his "Dalla sua pace" and "Il mio tesoro, intanto" from Mozart's "Don Giovanni" are lovely (a 1960 live performance).
If you do not mind the antiquated sound, this is a marvelous tenor from a golden era for opera. Total playing time is 63'02.

Brilliant talent, bad recording...
Cesare Valletti has to be one of my favorite tenors ever to be recorded, but this recording doesn't do him the least bit of justice. All of the songs sound scratchy, muffled, quiet, and most frustrating of all, difficult to understand. I would still recommend this CD, but I was extremely disappointed that the sound quality was so poor. I do realize it is an old recording (Late 1950's-Early 1960's), but I've seen things come out of the 30's and 40's that sound worlds better than this. All in all, go for it. Just listen VERY carefully. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Beethoven composed his one and only oratorio Christus amÖlberge (Christ on the Mount of Olives) at the age of 33. A yearearlier, in despair at his growing deafness, he had written the morbidHeiligenstadt Testament, in which he announces himself ready for deathwhenever it should come. This is largely the story of the oratorio: Jesus,agonizing over his prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane (on the Mount of Olives),submits himself to God's will. Soldiers arrive. Christ goes quietly. Theoratorio features three soloists (Christ, an Angel, and Peter) and choruses ofangels, soldiers, and disciples. The unbiblical German text is by Franz XaverHuber. Tenor Steve Davislim's Christ is rather colorless--he does not appear tohave been sweating all night. Soprano Simone Kermes's Angel sounds fragile butsoars effortlessly to a top E in the tuneful aria "Preist des Erloesers Guete."Bass Eike Wilm Schulte's Peter is rudely gruff in his readiness to take on thesoldiers on Jesus' behalf.Christoph SperingChristoph Spering conducts Das Neue Orchester with some snap, and the ChorusMusicus drives through its two fugues with evident enthusiasm. In the allamarcia, the soldiers' chorus has faintly comic charm, not unlike Gilbert andSullivan's police in the Pirates of Penzance. --Rick Jones ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Excellent period recording
Up until I purchased this CD I had never heard of Christoph Spering. He is now on my list of favored conductors, especially because of the fact that he controls an excellent period orchestra. Christ on the Mount of Olives is a rare work to come buy and I was excited when I found one. I jumped for joy after seeing that the oratorio was performed on period instruments. The singers are excellent and express the music the way I love it and Spering has excellent interpretation of Beethoven. This is an excellent recording to buy if you really want to appreciate the genius of Beethoven's oratorio. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Witty and Charming
This CD is fun and action packed as much as you could hope for in a CD. He uses quotes from many famous folk and classical songs and implements them into his own compositions with a bit of a twist. For example, in Classical rap, where he raps about being the best rapper in the world with terrific brass interludes between the verses. The orchestra plays a clip from Vivaldi's "Spring" and then he twists it into a record "wicky-wicky" to the same tune. He introduces every peice before it is played in a hilarious manner in which he talks about the peice and something else that was going on in the composers mind as he wrote the peice. Starting at the begining-

This is Professor Pete- Peter Schickele introduces himself as well as P.D.Q.

1712 Overture- A takeoff of the 1812 overture of course, with snatches of some famous folktunes thrown in here and there.

Oedipus Tex- A parady of the Greek Myth Oedipus Rex where he murders his father who is the King. Oedipus Tex lives a life like his brother but in Texas style.

The next tracks are more comedy than exactly music like the WTWP station giving options over the phone about how you would like to hear a certain peice of music. Cooking French... is a woman cooking a French gourmet meal but flubbing up the entire time.

What I have already said pretty much sums it up. The rest of the tracks are equally hilarious and as witty as all the others. If you buy this CD you will not regret it no matter what type of music you listen to. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

There is no such thing as too much Emma Kirkby
The only defect in this disk is that it isn't a three or four disk set. Some people don't appreciate her beautiful voice and I feel sorry for them. I first heard her voice live in a concert here in Ann Arbor in December of 1980 and she stunned me. The memory of her beautiful voice still lives in my mind and heart.

Well, this disk gives us 18 selections from a number of different composers from the Baroque. Every one of them is a treasure and has its own charms. I can't pick a favorite, but I can say that each of these pieces show off her voice and singing style in different ways.

Yes, I wish she had included more Purcell and something even nicer than what we have on track 3, but what would I give up? Well, that is where I say we need this to have been a two or three disk collection.

You won't go wrong with this wonderful disk!

emma's pure and magical voice.
This cd shows Emma's versatility as a Baroque and early music performer. Her pure voice matches the music so well. I really enjoy the song "You meaner beauties of the night." This is only one among many cd's which shows Emma's great voice. I highly recommend the Emma Kirkby collection.

Voice of an Angel!
One of the most beautiful angelic voice in the world! But I don't think this collection shows her best recording pieces.

Brilliant
Time Stands Still is one of the most perfect moments in musical and recording history. Truly wonderful. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

SO MUCH TO ADMIRE HERE!
There is so much to admire in these four discs, it is silly not to own them, however much I have always believed it wise not to run headlong in an induced ecstasy into the arms of everything Leontyne Price has recorded. In my view, the highlights of this collection are many, including a perfectly modulated "Dove sono", an exquisite "When I am laid in earth", one that surely enhances Handel's immortality, and a simply remarkable recording of "The Last Rose of Summer"; the "Willow Song" is as divinely joined as any recorded version I have heard, and, expectedly, the arias from "Adriana Lecouvreur", "Louise" and "Suor Angelica" are just wonderful. The first and final argument for purchasing this set, however, remains Price's peerless rendition of "Gluck, das mir verblieb" from Korngold's "Die Tote Stadt". Here is manifested perfectly articulated singing of magnificent proportions; intelligent, cultivated, a performance far above the score, though this is not inconsequential music, no matter that it touches upon those elements often referred to as kitsch. (Not so, though that remains fodder for another, different discussion from this one.) The 'Mariettalied' is surely a beautiful aria, yet Price's immense musical understanding, and indeed the relationship of her inborn musical conscience to her singing gifts, raises it to Art. It is a flawless, ineffacable, and utterly inevitable performance, one to be treasured at twice the price of this set! Finally, disc 4 presents not only an attractive episode from Poulenc's mesmerizing "Dialogues des carmelites", and a ravishing version of Micaela's aria so touchingly sung, but concludes in a burst of genius with Britten's "Gloriana"! Go on, deprive yourself not a moment longer of the glad enjoyment, and often surprise, found in this perfectly conceived and beautifully executed collection!

A GREAT COLLECTION BY A LEGENDARY SOPRANO
Leontyne Price's "Prima Donna" recordings were released in single volumes over around a ten year period. Now in a single CD box, it might make one think that all of the items presented here (and there is a lot here!) were recorded around the same time. They were not. Interestingly enough, most of the arias here come from operas Price never attempted on stage. She was an extremely intelligent artist and she kept her voice in spectacular condition for many years by refusing to undertake unsuitable repertoire. Thus, the arias from "Norma", "Turandot", "Oberon", "Macbeth", "Rigoletto", "Traviata", and many others represent nothing more than an experiment on Price's part. She sings them passably, but by no means is she suited to them. What she does well she does SUPREMELY well: the arias from "Louise", "Adriana Lecouvreur", "Atalanta", "Rusalka", "L'enfant prodigue", "Suor Angelica", "Les Dialogues des Carmelites". There are interesting accounts of the arias from "Don Giovanni", "Die Walkure", "Thais", and others. In other words, Price undertakes such a huge and all-encompassing repertoire throughout these discs that it is impossible for her to achieve equal success with all of it. But there is certainly enough here to enjoy, and I doubt whether anyone who purchases this lavish program will be sorry.

The greatest soprano of the century! Bar None.
In this collection, Leontyne Price demonstrates her incomparable Verdi and Puccini soprano interpretations - Caro nome from Rigoletto will never be sung as magnificently, with unmatched depth and voice control. All four discs are superb offerings of our own Prima Donna Assoluta. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Not that hot
I purchased this CD and was very disappointed in the quality of the playing. The four musicians play with an almost unbearably bright tone color and their technique together is not as clean as some other groups. Don't waste your time here - pick up a recording the Rascher Quartet or Paul Cohen's quartet instead.

How Adolphe envisaged the sound?
This CD is well worth getting for the quality of the sound. I've never heard such a pure tone from the saxophone before and the four players here blend so perfectly that you are not actualy aware that it is saxophones playing. Listen to the Arrival of the Queen of Sheba - Marvellous! even though I can't help imagining Clarinets, Oboes and Basoons.
For anyone (like myself) who plays saxophone, this one is a must have as a reference CD on quality Classical Sax playing.

Saxophone Quartet the way it should be!
I was absolutely blown away by the musicality of the performers and how the intonation of the ensemble was perfect! Also, the pieces are very technically difficult, but played with absolute precision. I would recommend this CD to every sax lover!

Crisp, Clean, Clear.....a beautiful recording.
For anyone who loves the sound of the saxophone played the way it was intended by it's inventor...this is the recording for you. Everything about this recording is enjoyable...the selection of songs, the performance, the recording quality. I highly recommend this recording to anyone who loves the awsome beauty of the saxophone quartet.

Absolutely Incredible
This CD is absolutely amazing! I would recomend it to anyone. The performers do a great job, and I hope the produce another CD soon! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential recording

Bach's celebration of Easter is a mostly joyous one, opening with a three-movement sinfonia, richly orchestrated, and complete with trumpets and drums: the third movement includes the chorus inviting listeners to rejoice and hasten to the tomb of Jesus, "For our Savior has awakened." There follow recitatives and arias for Mary Magdalen, Mary, the mother of James, Peter, and John. Each character goes through grief to love and gratefulness, and Bach's endlessly inventive scoring, melodic lines, and changing orchestral textures take us on a rich, 40-minute musical journey to peace. Only a too-long soprano aria tends to wear. The Oratorio is coupled on this CD with Bach's justly famous 12-movement setting (in 25 minutes) of the Magnificat text from Luke. Also elaborately scored, with the vocal choices, tempos, and mood changing every couple of minutes, this is one of the great works of Western liturgical music (Gardiner's masterly reading of this work is a must-have). The performances, on Baroque instruments and with crisp, clean, unsentimental Baroque style, are exemplary. Rejoice! --Robert Levine ... Read more

Reviews (3)

What a fun performance and glorious sound!
This recording is full of energy and joy. The period instruments sound so wonderful and lush. It was recorded in just the right environment and sounds superb.

The approach to both pieces is spot on and you will want to listen to this recording many times just for the sheer fun of it.

The provided booklet provides some helpful notes on the background of the pieces - when and why Bach wrote them. And also the libretto (which is ALWAYS nice to have). I like to have all that information available and knowing when and why can deepen our appreciation of the music. However, the first and most important thing is to hear the music.

This recording is among the best of these works. So, you would do well to begin here!

Powerful Kantor's Easter & Magnificat Efforts
1723-25 were powerful, productive years for Bach in Leipzig as Kantor. In 1723-24 Christmas, comes this Magnificat. Especially attractive to me is track 14, "Aria" "Quia respexit humilitatem" which is a powerful soprano and oboe movement aided by the full chorus piping in "To all Generations!"

The Easter Oratorio was a gift for an honorarium by Duke Christian composed around four aria recitatives for Mary Magdelene, Mary, John and Peter. The opening Sinfonia is breathtaking with its gracious oboe work by Marcel Ponseele.
Building to the heights of the finale, "Praise and Thanks" ends in triumphant declaration by full choir "The Lion of Judah approaches in triumph!"

Strong vocalist performances by soprano Lisa Larsson and bass Klaus Mertens. Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Chorus directed by Ton Koopman is well done with passion and pace.

With translation in French, German and English, this is excellent performance of important Sacred Large-Scale Composition for soloists, choir and orchestra.

What an up!
Ok, I don't speak German. It doesn't matter.The opening bars of this CD are so pleasing, excited, joyous, thrilled they break the language barrier. You know easter is here. Then they turn to the Magnificat. A wonderful rendition.This is the version that will be my standard. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

outstanding!
This CD contains some of the most beautiful sacred christmas music ever written. The performances are exellent, and each piece follows the next in a perfectly balanced flow. One thing worth noticing is that in addition to the the most commonly heard version of In Dulci Jubilo by Scheidt it also includes the rarer and even more beautiful version by Buxtehude. That version is followed by the last cut, my own favorite Bach choral Ach mein herzliebes Jesulein. If you can't make it to church this christmas, listening to this record might be the next best thing.

Magnificat!
This is the most beautiful CD that I have ever heard. It has very religious overtones -- after all, it is "Music of the Nativity". Thus, it makes a delicious Christmas CD. The songs stir the deepest parts of my soul. The sound mix is prime and the performances, especailly the vocal and string renditions, are exceptional. The stand out songs are "Magnificat" and the two songs that follow it. This is like on a moonset/sunrise run on a big empty beach with the bright stars slowly fading in the violet hues of the gaining light. That is what this CD means to me. Check it! ... Read more

Reviews (66)

"...the most spectacular coloratura ever heard..."
Everyone who is an opera lover knows that as a coloratura soprano, Ms Joan Sutherland is beyond compare. Her trills, runs, arpeggios and other tricks in her formidable bag of coloratura gems are so close to perfection that she has been called the "Voice of the Century"by her legions of devoted fans. This recital, "The Art of the Prima Donna" is her finest recording she ever made.

So much has been said about the legendary voice of this great Australian diva that I am going to use a quote from a very famous American singing idol to define her phenomenal talents.

Dinah Shore, a very famous singer in her own right, though in a quite different style of vocalism, was a big fan of Ms Sutherland. Early in the 1960's (about the time of this record of "The art of the Prima Donna"), Ms Shore invited Joan as a guest on her popular televison show. The following is her introduction of Ms Sutherland...

"She's from Australia, she's a soprano, and when she made her debut at Milan's La Scala Opera House, she had to take thirty curtain calls. This is the artist who has critics all over the world calling her a phenomenal singer, possessing a phenomenal voice. She is the most spectacular coloratura ever heard. So I'm proud to invite you now to sit back and - well, pick a word: be thrilled, devastated, knocked out by one of the most magnificent operatic voices of our time. Here to sing for you, 'Ah!fors'e lui' from La Traviata. - Miss Joan Sutherland".

Of course, Miss Sutherland sings this very aria 'Ah!fors'e lui...Sempre libera" in this recital of "The Art of the Prima Donna" along with many more coloratura jewels that has earn her the name of "...the most spectacular coloratura ever heard..." Everything in this recital is a highlight, and no one alive can even compare to Ms Sutherland's renditions of these arias. The biggest thrill comes from "Marten Alle Arten", "Oh Beau pays","The Bell Song", and "Let the Bright Seraphim". Let me tell you from decades of experience as an opera lover, that this program is probably the most ambitious and difficult assembly of bel canto arias ever compiled in one 2 cd set.

Listen to every one of these most taxing of great scenes and arias. I believe you will agree that Ms Sutherland is incomparable. Truly the "Voice of the Century".

!0 stars, If I have my way!
Everyone who is an opera lover knows that as a coloratura soprano, Ms Joan Sutherland is beyond compare. Her trills, runs, arpeggios and other tricks in her formidable bag of coloratura gems are so close to perfection that she has been called the "Voice of the Century"by her legions of devoted fans. This recital, "The Art of the Prima Donna{ is her greatest cd.

So much has been said about the legendary voice of this great Australian diva that I am going to use a quote from a very famous American singing idol to define her phenomenal talents.

Dinah Shore, a very famous singer in her own right, though in a quite different style of vocalism, was a big fan of Ms Sutherland. Early in the 1960's (about the time of this record of "The art of the Prima Donna"), Ms Shore invited Joan as a guest on her popular televison show. The following is her introduction of Ms Sutherland...

"She's from Australia, she's a soprano, and when she made her debut at Milan's La Scala Opera House, she had to take thirty curtain calls. This is the artist who has critics all over the world calling her a phenomenal singer, possessing a phenomenal voice. She is the most spectacular coloratura ever heard. So I'm proud to invite you now to sit back and - well, pick a word: be thrilled, devastated, knocked out by one of the most magnificent operatic voices of our time. Here to sing for you, 'Ah!fors'e lui' from La Traviata. - Miss Joan Sutherland".

She sings that very aria here, with a high E that will floor you. It is spectacular, huge and full of ring(sqillo). The coloraura is incomparable, the highest of tessitura is easy for her, effortless, to be sure. I can see you will rewind and rewind to realize what you've heard!!!
She is the "Voice of the Century", and the greatest coloratura in the traditional of Grisi, Malibran, and Jenny Lind...except even better...much better.

To conclude, I'm not outt to exaggerate, but a voice like her's comes only once in a lifetime, if that often. Surely, the greatest singer of the last Century without doublt, if not the greatest of all time.

Like a walk in the clouds!
What can one say about one of the greatest soprano recitals ever. Despite all her later achievements, this early recital is Sutherland's most significant contribution to operatic discography.

This recital is full of her huge but always sweet high notes. This is after all, what made them so special. When I listen to these high notes it's as if a bird is taking me on a trip to the sky. Her coloratura abilities are jaw dropping to say the least. You have no idea what a trill or staccato means if you haven't heard Joan singing! Everything here is stunning but my favourites are her Bell Song, Care compagne and The soldier Tir'd.

I've never been Sutherland's greatest fan due to her mushy enunciation, which fortunately is restricted to the minimum here but this early recital never stays far from my cd player! Indeed the art of a primadonna, Sutherland's art!

It reach the highest status, just how high? you be the judge
The recital by one Australian diva recorded in 1960 by a young and unknown soprano that has taken the world by storm. She not only became the most celebrated coloratura soprano the world had ever known, she became the most loved.
16 arias...the test of every coloratura skills known to mankind. Does she past, or fall short? You be the judge. I say she sings the most incredible recital ever recorded in the history of the grammophone. A gigantic claim. A claim that is substantuated by her singing.

Sutherland's greatest achievment, need I say more
Sutherland's first and finest moments in her reign as one of opera's most beloved sopranos. I need not say more. Her name and reputation speaks for itself. She is La Stupenda. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Food for the Soul
I've had to order a 2nd copy of this CD because I've listened to my 1st one so often, it's worn out. It is wonderful! This music always puts me in a happy mood. It is truly 'food for the soul'.

Outstanding - gives you goose bumps
I love rousing choral music and this really filled the bill. Listening to the likes of Carmina Burana totally sweeps you away....gives you goose bumps....I HIGHLY recommend this CD. Great for people who are not very knowledgeable, because it has the BEST known choruses. ... Read more