About this Artist

• Biography

Editorial Reviews

It's hard to argue with the title of this compilation: Not only does it offer a selection of "the best" recordings Luciano Pavarotti made over the past four decades, but it also goes a long way toward proving that Pavarotti was "the best" tenor of his generation. Sure, Plácido Domingo has shown broader artistic ambitions, and José Carreras, for a time at least, may have had the most luscious voice of the Three Tenors. But Pavarotti's talent played second fiddle to none at the peak of his career. Celebrating his 70th birthday, this two-disc set will show you why he became a star -- a singer whose name is practically synonymous with opera itself. Disc 1 is a survey of the greatest arias for tenor: from Donizetti in the early 19th century to Puccini 100 years later, with a heavy dose of Verdi as the main course. Many of these performances come from the tenor's complete opera recordings of the 1970s and '80s, featuring costars like Joan Sutherland and Mirella Freni. All of Pavarotti's most acclaimed stage roles are here: Cavardossi in Tosca, the Duke in Rigoletto (a perfect "La donna è mobile" to begin the program), and, of course, Calaf in Turandot, with the "Nessun dorma" to end all "Nessun dormas." Disc 2 offers a different kind of pleasure: popular Italian songs by Tosti, Bixio, and di Capua ("'O sole mio") -- tunes that Pavarotti transforms into high art through the sheer force his vocal charisma. Perhaps most valuable of all to the serious Pavarotti collector are the last three tracks: Tosca and Rigoletto excerpts from his very first Decca recording, dating back to 1964, his gleaming voice captured in the full bloom of youth. Not the first and surely not the last, this Pavarotti compilation nevertheless can honestly claim to be "the best." Scott Paulin, Barnes & Noble

Customer Reviews

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