Home   >   Music   >   The Very Best of Alfredo Kraus
The Very Best of Alfredo Kraus
Click photo to enlarge

The Very Best of Alfredo Kraus

Facts

The Very Best of Alfredo Kraus
Music Price: $9.97
As of Jul 25 17:43 EDT (details)

Buy from Amazon.co.ukBuy from Amazon.co.uk
StudioEMI Classics
Release DateApril 26, 2005
UPC Code724358634129
Buy this item$9.97 at Amazon.com
As of Jul 25 17:43 EDT (details)
2 Audio CD, Usually ships in 24 hours,
 

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. Un'Aura Amorosa - Philharmonia Orchestra
  2. In Qual Fiero Contrasto... Tradito, Schernito - Philharmonia Orchestra
  3. A Te, O Cara - Montserrat Caballe
  4. Son Gia Lontani
  5. Vieni Fra Queste Braccia - Montserrat Caballe
  6. Una Furtiva Lagrima
  7. Povero Ernesto!...Cerchero Lontana Terra...E Se Fia Che Ad Altro Oggetto
  8. Com' E Gentil
  9. Tornami A Dir
  10. Qui Di Sposa...Verranno A Te - Edita Gruberova
  11. Tombe Degli Avi Miei...Fra Poco A Me Ricovero
  12. Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti L'Ali
  13. Un Di Felice
  14. Lunge Da Lei...De' Miei Bollenti Spiriti...Oh, Mio Rimorso
Disc 2
  1. Questa O Quella
  2. E Il Sol Dell'anima
  3. Ella Mi Fu Rapita!...Parmi Veder Le Lagrime
  4. La Donna E Mobile
  5. Un Di, Se Ben Rammentomi...Bella Figlia Dell'amore - Sherrill Milnes
  6. Che Gelida Manina
  7. O Soave Fanciulla - Sherrill Milnes
  8. In Un Coupe?...O Mimi, Tu Piu Non Torni - Sherrill Milnes
  9. Amis, La Matinee Est Belle (Barcarolle)
  10. En Fermant Les Yeux
  11. Je Suis Seul...Ah! Fuyez, Douce Image
  12. Toute Mon Ame Est La! Pourquoi Me Reveiller
  13. Ange Adorable
  14. L'Amour, L'Amour...Ah! Leve-Toi, Soleil!
  15. Quel Trouble Inconnu Me Penetre...Salut! Demeure Chaste Et Pure
  16. Ah! Mes Amis...Por Mon Ame

Similar CDs

The Very Best of Nicolai GeddaThe Very Best of Beniamino GigliThe Very Best of Franco CorelliThe Very Best of Giuseppe di StefanoThe Very Best of Jon Vickers
The Very Best of Nicolai GeddaThe Very Best of Beniamino GigliThe Very Best of Franco CorelliThe Very Best of Giuseppe di StefanoThe Very Best of Jon Vickers

 

User Reviews

Average user review: 5.0 (4 reviews)

rating: 5 QuoteWhat a beautiful voiceQuote
I do not have formal schooling in music but I do know a great voice when I hear it..what a wonderful voice. Great recording. April 12, 2008

rating: 5 QuoteAmong the very bestQuote
Reviewer Steven A. Peterson wrote "Alfredo Kraus was one of the finer tenors of the latter part of the 20th Century." Let me embellish his evaluation: Alfredo Kraus was one of the FINEST tenors of the LAST HALF of the 20th Century." He did not have the press agent Pavarotti had, and he did not draw so much hype. But musically, he can stand beside any of them.
This collection certainly exhibits the beautiful voice and the sensitive interpretation of this great tenor. I would point out, especially, the "Che gelida manina" and the "La donna mobile." And the repeated high C's from "La Fille du Regiment" should make Pavarotti want to come back and try again.
I was expecting, and would have preferred, more solo work and less ensemble. However, the quartet from "Rigoletto" and the introductory section of "O Mimi" from "La Boheme" are definitely rewarding.
Put all this together with a bargain price--$16.98 for nearly two and a half hours of excellent music--and every opera fan should want to own this recording. April 6, 2008

rating: 5 QuoteGood survey of Alfred Kraus' workQuote
Alfredo Kraus was one of the finer tenors of the latter part of the 20th Century. He was born in 1927. His formal debut was in 1956 and he actually sang into the 1990s, before his death in 1999. This double CD set shows him in a repertoire that runs from Mozart, Bellini, Donizetti to Verdi, Puccini, and Massenet.

A few examples of his singing:

"Verrano a te" (Lucia di Lammermoor): A well rendered duet with the soprano Edita Gruberova. The voices work well off of one another. He sings smoothly, with a distinctive voice. This is a wonderful duet, well sung.

"Un di felice" (La Traviata): His stylish voice works well with this piece. This is an affecting version, as he couples with Renata Scotto (as Violetta). She contributes mightily to the success of this duet--but Kraus also shines.

"Questa o quella" (Rigoletto): Well sung. There are a few unwelcome affectations in this aria (and these recur here and there elsewhere), but it is not so much as to detract from his obvious talents. He captures, vocally, the attitude of the wretched Duke.

"La donna e mobile" (Rigoletto): Another testament to the Duke's wretchedness--and testimony to Kraus' art. This is well done, sung stylishly. The piece ends well with the high note.

"Bella figlia dell'amore" (Rigoletto): One of the great ensemble pieces in opera (along with the sextet from "Lucia," the Bohemians from "La Boheme," the Norns in "Gotterdammerung," etc.). The participants: Kraus, Beverly Sills, Mignon Dunn, and Sherrill Milnes. An exciting performance, well sung by the four.

"Che gelida manina" (La Boheme): A very nice version. Kraus sings this sensitively. His culminating high note is done well.

"O soave fanciulla" (La Boheme): Once more, Kraus partners with Scotto. And the result is splendid indeed. Their voices intertwine nicely. This is a very well done version.

So, where does one end up with this CD? Kraus obviously qualifies as one of the better tenors of his era. This is a terrific introduction to his artistry.
August 4, 2007

rating: 5 QuoteGREAT TENOR!Quote
I really enjoy this tenor and the CD! December 23, 2006

More reviews at Amazon.com ...