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Track Listings
| Disc: 1 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Ave, sera gentile - Ramón Vargas, Metropolitan Opera Chorus, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 2. L'amor?! L'amor?! - Luciano Pavarotti, Ramón Vargas, Metropolitan Opera Chorus, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 3. Tra voi belle, brune e bionde - Luciano Pavarotti, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 4. Ma bravo! - Ramón Vargas, Metropolitan Opera Chorus, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 5. Discendono, vediam! - Ramón Vargas, Dwayne Croft, Luciano Pavarotti, Federico Davia, Giuseppe Taddei, Metropolitan Opera Chorus, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 6. Cortese damigella - Luciano Pavarotti, Mirella Freni, Dwayne Croft, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 7. Donna non vidi mai - Luciano Pavarotti, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 8. La tua ventura ci rassicura - Ramón Vargas, Giuseppe Taddei, Dwayne Croft, Federico Davia, Metropolitan Opera Chorus, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 9. La tua Proserpina - Ramón Vargas, Luciano Pavarotti, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 10. Vedete? Io son fedele - Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
See all 22 tracks on this disc
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| Disc: 2 | |||
| 1. Intermezzo - Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 2. Ansia eterna, crudel - Luciano Pavarotti, Dwayne Croft, Mirella Freni, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 3. ... e Kate ripose al Re - Paul Groves, Luciano Pavarotti, Mirella Freni, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 4. All'armi! All'armi! - Dwayne Croft, Luciano Pavarotti, Mirella Freni, James Courtney, Federico Davia, Metropolitan Opera Chorus, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 5. Rosetta! - James Courtney, Dwayne Croft, Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti, Metropolitan Opera Chorus, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 6. Presto! In fila! - James Courtney, Luciano Pavarotti, Federico Davia, Metropolitan Opera Chorus, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 7. Tutta su me ti posa - Luciano Pavarotti, Mirella Freni, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 8. Manon, senti, amor mio - Luciano Pavarotti, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 9. Sei tu che piangi? - Mirella Freni, Luciano Pavarotti, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
| 10. Sola, perduta, abbandonata - Mirella Freni, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, James Levine | |||
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See all 11 tracks on this disc
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Product Description
2CD Metropolitan Opera Orchestra New York/Levine
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
10 of 10 people found the following review helpful
By Kevin Brough
Format:Audio CD|Amazon Verified Purchase
I bought this recording when it appeared on the new Decca Opera series at a knock down price. I have the other Freni recording of Manon Lescaut with Domingo and, whilst the performance may be of a very high standard I found the sound to be muffled and not particularly enjoyable. This is an altogether more enjoyable experience to my ear, focussed yet atmospheric with the balace between orchestra and singers well maintained throughout.
The performance is superb, Levine is on top form, I've often found him blustery and overblown to my tastes but this is a great performance, and with first class singers also. Pavarotti and Freni are superb. I've read some reviewers claim that Domingo is a more rounded and dramatic artist with Pavarotti lacking in dramatic intensity. Personally I don't see it like that, I find Pavarotti dramatic yet possessing that incredible ringing tenor voice which is so appealling in Puccini. Freni performance is class, full voiced, living the part and bringing a lifetime of experience to her portrayal of the tragic yet foolish heroin.
Of the versions of this work I own this is the one I will return to time and again although I wouldn't be parted from the Callas/DiStefano account. I doubt, however, that I will listen much to the Sinopoli with Freni and Domingo because I enjoy this one more and it has a better sound.
The performance is superb, Levine is on top form, I've often found him blustery and overblown to my tastes but this is a great performance, and with first class singers also. Pavarotti and Freni are superb. I've read some reviewers claim that Domingo is a more rounded and dramatic artist with Pavarotti lacking in dramatic intensity. Personally I don't see it like that, I find Pavarotti dramatic yet possessing that incredible ringing tenor voice which is so appealling in Puccini. Freni performance is class, full voiced, living the part and bringing a lifetime of experience to her portrayal of the tragic yet foolish heroin.
Of the versions of this work I own this is the one I will return to time and again although I wouldn't be parted from the Callas/DiStefano account. I doubt, however, that I will listen much to the Sinopoli with Freni and Domingo because I enjoy this one more and it has a better sound.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This was an opera I didn't really know. I was attracted to this version because of its price (no libretto is included, but this is easily accessible online) and, especially, by its all-star cast.
The recording was made in 1993, when the two leads were, in theory at any rate, a little long in the tooth to be essaying the roles of Manon and Des Grieux. As it happens, Mirella Freni sings wonderfully in the title role; a little past her vocal prime perhaps, but singing with great beauty and emotional depth. Pavarotti appeared indestructible back then and his voice retains its youthful allure; quite frankly, he was a vocal marvel and is on top form here.
The supporting cast is incredibly strong too. Dwayne Croft is a resonant, if nit especially imaginative, odious Geronte, spitting out his words with obvious relish. Even the smaller parts are allocated to "name" singers, some then at the start of their careers. Ramón Vargas' voice contrasts nicely with Pavarotti's, while another of today's leading tenors, Paul Groves, provides a sweetly sung lamplighter. The madrigal features some distinguished voices too and is led by the young Cecilia Bartoli, who sings quite beautifully, exhibiting none of the excesses or mannerisms which marred her later recordings.
James Levine is not my favourite conductor, but he is never less than competent in any of his many recordings and does a decent job here. The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra plays well too and the sound recording is faultless.
I'm not a Puccini expert and there may be better versions out there, but I cannot fault this one and at this price, it is an absolute bargain.
The recording was made in 1993, when the two leads were, in theory at any rate, a little long in the tooth to be essaying the roles of Manon and Des Grieux. As it happens, Mirella Freni sings wonderfully in the title role; a little past her vocal prime perhaps, but singing with great beauty and emotional depth. Pavarotti appeared indestructible back then and his voice retains its youthful allure; quite frankly, he was a vocal marvel and is on top form here.
The supporting cast is incredibly strong too. Dwayne Croft is a resonant, if nit especially imaginative, odious Geronte, spitting out his words with obvious relish. Even the smaller parts are allocated to "name" singers, some then at the start of their careers. Ramón Vargas' voice contrasts nicely with Pavarotti's, while another of today's leading tenors, Paul Groves, provides a sweetly sung lamplighter. The madrigal features some distinguished voices too and is led by the young Cecilia Bartoli, who sings quite beautifully, exhibiting none of the excesses or mannerisms which marred her later recordings.
James Levine is not my favourite conductor, but he is never less than competent in any of his many recordings and does a decent job here. The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra plays well too and the sound recording is faultless.
I'm not a Puccini expert and there may be better versions out there, but I cannot fault this one and at this price, it is an absolute bargain.
7 of 9 people found the following review helpful
By M. Elliot
Format:Audio CD
Having heard manon Lescaut's by Bjorling, Albanese, Callas, Di Stefano, Te Kanawa, Domingo, Caballe and Gauci I can say that in my opinion this is the best. There are three reasons: both Pavarotti and Freni bring to their roles a lifetime experience of singing Puccini; Freni's final scene is astonishing and the effects she creates in her aria Sola Perdutta Abbandonata are wonderful; Levine keeps what is frankly not one of Puccini's greatest operas moving along and he shapes a great account. All in all at this price DO NOT hesitate.
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