Track Listing

1. Pagliacci, opera: Act I: Vesti la giubba
2. Tosca, opera: Act III: E lucevan le stelle
3. Rigoletto, opera: Act I: Questa o quella
4. Rigoletto, opera: Act III: la donna è mobile
5. L' Africaine, grand opera in 5 acts: Act IV: O paradiso
6. La Juive, opera: Act IV: Rachel quand du Seigneur
7. La bohème, opera: Act I: Che gelida manina
8. Aida, opera: Act I: Se quel guerrier io fossi Celeste Aida
9. Andrea Chénier, opera: Act IV: Come un bel di di maggio
10. La favorita, opera: Act. 4: Spirto gentil
11. La forza del destino, opera: Act III: o tu che in seno agli angeli
12. Otello, opera: Act II: Ora e per sempre addio
13. Les Pêcheurs de perles, opera in 3 acts: Act I: Je crois entendre encore
14. La Gioconda, opera in 4 acts: Act II: Cielo e mar!
15. Carmen, opera: Act II: le fleur que tu m'avais jetee
16. Tosca, opera: Act I: Recondita armonia
17. Faust, opera: Act I: salut demeure chaste et pure
18. L'elisir d'amore, opera: Act II: Una furtiva lagrima
19. Martha, opera: Act III: M'appari tutt'amor
20. Serse (Xerxes), opera, HWV 40: Act I: Ombra mai fu
21. Il Trovatore, opera: Act III: Di quella pira

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11630 in Music
• Released on: 1990-10-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Amazon.com
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

Customer Reviews

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.

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.

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.