The Legendary Enrico Caruso: 21 Favorite Arias

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 Amazon.com

True Italian

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. October 13, 2008

Simply a superb digitial re-mastering

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. June 28, 2008

Extraordinary!

This CD is a magical experience. Listening to the clear sound one realizes why opera fans were so excited when Pavarotti appeared on scene with similar phrasing and vocal tone. Highly recommended -- I am only sorry that there are no early recordings of full operas, only these lovely individual arias. June 25, 2008

Great to hear the Great Tenor

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. April 10, 2007

A childhood memory

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. May 28, 2006

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