Search - Tenors-in the Grand Tradition :: Tenors in the Grand Tradition

Jeanne C. (Jeanne-Marie) from TAMPA, FL
Reviewed on 4/18/2009...

This CD is an exquisite collection of tenor arias sung by some of the greatest operatic voices in history such as Pavarotti, di Stefano, Gigli, Richard Tucker, Corelli, and Bergonzi.

An encyclopedia of the tenor vocal artform

popolo@dimensional.com | Longmont, Colorado | 04/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In a day when the "Three Tenors" have been elevated to near-rock superstar status, it is rare to find a compendium of tenor recordings which isn't blatantly trying to cash in on their popularity. The arias, composers and artists chosen here are perhaps not the best known - you will not even find a "Nessun Dorma" here - but these tenors are all masters of their art. Also lacking are the overdramatizations, the scoops and sighs (for the most part) which detract from the artform. Each artist/aria combination was selected to demonstrate a particular characteristic of the tenor voice, be it focus, agility, warmth, power or sweetness, which is realized differently in each voice. Most of the artists featured fall into the lyrico-spinto category, which is the most versatile for opera, but a few lyrics and at least one leggerio are also represented. The oldest recordings are from the late forties, so the sound quality is quite good and there are no aural distractions to interfere with the study of these voices. This volume will appeal to collectors, armchair critics and students of voice (especially the tenor voice), as well as to those seeking a truly beautiful form of entertainment."

One of my first forays into opera.

popolo@dimensional.com | 07/02/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this disc several years as one my first opera purchases. I had been turned onto to "opera" by seeing the first three tenors concert. I went to purchase additional three tenor material, then this disc caught my eye. Having worked in a record store in my youth, some of the names were familiar to me, so down went the Amex card, and off to my car I went. All of the tenors on this disc are wonderful singers, Bjorling, Corelli, Gigli etc. but one stands out above the rest - Giuseppe Di Stefano - I must have had my CD player on random, because the second aria that came up was Thomas's "Addio, Mignon" (track #8) sung by Di Stefano - I was awestruck, I never realized that the human voice could sing with such beauty and feeling. Since that time I have purchased just about everything Di Stefano has ever recorded. He is (to me) the greatest tenor of all time. There has never before or since been a tenor that sang with such beauty, passion, and personality. This disc is a must for all fans of the tenor voice, highly recommended. The bonus is (for the uninitiated) Giuseppe Di Stefano."