Placido Domingo is a phenomenon, and every aspect of his artistry is on display in this 2-CD compilation, which includes arias from his signature roles in Italian, French, German, and Russian operas, and songs from Viennese and Spanish operettas. The original recordings range from the early 1970s to the present and show that though over the years his bright golden voice has taken on a darker, more burnished glow, it has retained the melting lyricism, the heroic ring, the thrilling top notes, and the focused intensity that make it instantly recognizable. (Comparing the Verdi arias included here with their counterparts of later vintage in the all-Verdi set The Tenor Arias bears this out.) The program demonstrates his stylistic and expressive versatility and his ability to instantly establish character and mood, from Lenski's sorrow (in Eugene Onegin), Cavaradossi's heart-rending despair (in Tosca), Otello's shattering agony, to Tristan's passion, Siegfried's exuberance, Faust's ardor (first in French by Gounod, then in Italian by Boito). In three Mozart arias, Domingo spins endless, perfectly shaped phrases with incredible breath control, then adds an oddity: the famous duet between Zerlina and Don Giovanni, a role he has not performed. Five Viennese operetta songs, one of which he also conducts, are delightful; there is a smile of pleasure in his voice, but not a hint of kitsch. By contrast, Tchaikovsky's "None but the Lonely Heart" is spoiled by an orchestration that is pure Hollywood. In the final Spanish group, he is on home ground and incomparable. This is a glorious record, a must for all lovers of great singing. --Edith Eisler
This 6-CD set contains 100 tracks featuring one of the greatest tenors of this or any other age, Plácido Domingo. Domingo's career has taken him around the world to perform in a wide range of operas. To date, he has sung over 130 roles. In 1990, he made history when he first appeared in Rome as one of the The Three Tenors, whose subsequent concerts and recordings broke all records for television viewing and record sales. CD-1 is primarily a collection of arias and duets by Verdi. Included are favorite items from Un ballo in maschera, La forza del destino, Don Carlo, Macbeth, Ernani, and Otello. CD-2 carries on with highlights from Puccini's Manon Lescaut and Tosca, and then moves on to arias from Boito's Mefistofele and Mascagni's Nerone. CD-3 starts with some favorite arias from French opera including `Salut! demeure' from Gounod's Faust and `Ô paradis' from Meyerbeer's L'africaine. Also featured is Lensky's Aria from Tchaikovsky's Eugene Onegin and four of Mozart's most lyrical tenor arias. In CD-4, we hear a completely different Domingo as he becomes a magnificent heldentenor in scenes from three of Wagner's great masterpieces: Götterdämmerung, Tristan und Isolde and Rienzi. In these, he is partnered by three of today's finest sopranos: Deborah Voigt, Nina Stemme and Violetta Urmana. In CD-5, Domingo returns to his roots for a collection of arias from Spanish zarzuelas. CD-6 moves Domingo into the field of popular music with glorious performances of some of the best-known love songs from Spain, Latin America and even Hollywood. The disc concludes with an exciting performance of `Granada,' recorded before an enthusiastic live audience.
This 2CD set features probably the greatest tenor of this or any other age. Plácido Domingo. Born in Spain in 1941, Domingo spent his early life in Mexico where his parents, both singers, ran a company that presented zarzuelas (Spanish light operas) and other musical shows.
Domingo's career has spanned the entire world in a wide range of operas in which he has sung over 120 roles, and in 1990 he made history when, with José Carreras and Luciano Pavarotti, he first appeared in Rome as one of the The Three Tenors, whose subsequent concerts and recordings broke all records for television viewing and record sales.
In this set, Domingo turns his attention to the field of popular music and gives us glorious performances of some of the best-known love songs from Spain, Latin America and even Hollywood, from whence come two of Mario Lanza's greatest film hits. `Be My Love' and `Because You're Mine'.
The rest of the programme includes many songs that have been international hits, both in their original form and in local translations, such as `Quiéreme mucho' (known in English as `Yours'), `Aquarela do Brasil' (`Brazil'), `Vereda tropical' (`Havana for a Night'), `Maria Elena', `La paloma' and `Guantanamera'.
The programme concludes with an exciting performance of `Granada' recorded live in front of a huge and enthusiastic audience. All the songs are presented in colourful Latin arrangements that add to the enjoyment of this magnificent collection of love songs.
Amore Infinito is the new album by Plácido Domingo, who calls it one of the most important recordings of his career. Before Karol Wojtyla became Pope John Paul II, he began writing poetry during years as a quarry worker, playwright, actor, seminary student and priest. Now Domingo, out of deep respect and reverence for "the greatest human being I have ever known," has created this collection of settings as a personal affirmation of faith and tribute to the late Polish pontiff.
ALSO AVAILABLE a limited edition, numbered hard bound version of Amore Infinito--a hardcover "book"--5 1/4" wide by 7 1/4" high and 1/2" thick. The special package will include the CD plus color photos of not only the artists on the CD, but also include some very touching and poetic photos of the late Pope John Paul II.
1. Maria, song (from "West Side Story")
2. Siboney for voice & piano (or orchestra)
3. Love Until the End of Time
4. Noche Azul for voice & piano (or orchestra)
5. La Comparsa, for voice & piano (or orchestra)
6. Save Your Nights for Me
7. Time after Time, song
8. Malagueña for voice & piano
9. Yesterday
10. Besame mucho, for voice & ensemble
11. My Life for a Song
12. Annie's Song
13. Siempre En Mi Corazon for voice & piano (or orchestra)
14. Love Came for Me [From Splash]
15. I Don't Talk To Strangers
16. Blue Moon (Rodgers) / Moon River (Mancini)
17. Autumn Leaves (Les Feuilles Mortes), for voice & piano
18. Adoro, for voice & ensemble
Domingo reaches his 70th birthday and Deutsche Grammophon celebrates by releasing The Opera Collection, a collection of his amazingly rich DG/Decca catalog recognizing the tenor's achievement.
In the recording world, he has made more than 100 live and studio recordings of complete operas and other recordings. He has won seven Grammy and three Latin Grammy awards. He is active as a conductor, holds the directorship of two major American opera houses and three young artist programs. He has been active in humanitarian work in Mexico and the United States. 26 CD Limited Edition Box Set
