Legendary Performances of Caballé (14 CD box set, APE)

Performer: Adib Fazah, Agostino Ferrin, Alain Vanzo, Antonio Leval
Orchestra: French Radio Orchestra, Turin Orchestra of Teatro Regio, Rome RAI Orchestra, San Carlo Theater Orchestra (Naples), Spanish Radio & Television Orchestra
Conductor: Armando Gatto, Gianfranco Masini, Gianfranco Rivoli, Giuseppe Patanè, Jonel Perlea, et al.
Composer: Vincenzo Bellini, Francesco Cilea, Gaetano Donizetti, Giacomo Puccini, Richard Strauss
Audio CD
Number of Discs: 14 CD box set
Format: APE (image+cue)
Label: Bravissimo
Size: 3.53 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes

Disc: 1
01. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Prologue. Prelude
02. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Prologue. Bella Venezia!
03. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Prologue. Nella fatal di Rimini
04. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Prologue. Tranquillo ei posa
05. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Prologue. Com’è bello!
06. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Prologue. Ciel!… Che vegg’io?
07. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Prologue. Di pescatore ignobile
08. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Prologue. Piangete per me?
09. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Prologue. Gente appressa. Io ti lascio
10. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Prologue. Maffio Orsini, signora, son io
11. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. Nel veneto corteggio
12. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. Vieni, la mia vendetta
13. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. Qualunque sia l’evento
14. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. Addio, Gennaro
15. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. Qui che fai?

Disc: 2
01. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. Tutto eseguisti?
02. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. Cosi turbata?
03. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. Un temerario osava teste, di giorno
04. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. Soli noi siamo. Che chiedeste?
05. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. E si avverso a Gennaro
06. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. Oh! A te bada, a te tesso
07. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. Trafitto tosto ei sia
08. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. Della Duchessa ai prieghi
09. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. Guai se ti sfugge un moto
10. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 1. Or via, mesciamo
11. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 2. Rischiarata e la finestra
12. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 2. Sei tu?… Son io. Venir non vuoi
13. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 2. Minacciata e la mia vita
14. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 2. Va, se vuoi
15. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 2. Stolti! Ei core all Negroni
16. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 2. Viva il Madera!
17. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 2. Marrano di Castiglia!
18. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 2. Pace, pace per ora
19. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 2. Brindisi. Il segreto per esser
20. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 2. La gioia de’profani
21. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 2. Tu pur qui? Non sei fuggito?
22. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 2. M’odi, ah! M’odi, io non t’imploro
23. Lucrezia Borgia, opera: Act 2. Ah! Madre, so ognor lontano… Era desso il figlio mio

Disc: 3
01. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. E soffitto e paretti
02. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Questa è la cameriera
03. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Qui verran l’ufficiale del registro
04. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Dovunque al mondo
05. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Amore o grillo
06. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Ancora un passo or via
07. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Gran ventura
08. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. L’Imperial Commissario
09. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Vieni, ancor mio!
10. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Ieri son salita tutta sola
11. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Tutti zitti!
12. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Ed eccocci in famiglia
13. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Bimba, bimba non piangere
14. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Bimba dagli occhi pieni di malia
15. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Adesso voi siete per me… Vogliatemi bene
16. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 1. Dolce notte! Quante stelle!
17. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2. E Izaghi ed Izanami
18. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2. Un bel dì, vedremo

Disc: 4
01. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2. C’è. Entrate
02. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2. Il ricco Yamadori
03. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2. Ora a noi
04. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2. Due cose potrei far
05. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2. Che tua madre dovrà
06. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2. Vespa! Rospo maledetto!
07. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2. Una nave da guerra
08. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2. Scuoti quella fronda di ciliegio
09. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 2. Or vienmi ad adornar
10. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 3. Introduction & Humming Chorus
11. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 3. Già il sole!
12. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 3. Chi sia?
13. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 3. Io so che alle sue pene
14. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 3. Addio fiorito asil
15. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 3. Glielo dirai?
16. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 3. Tu, Suzuki, che sei tanto buona
17. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 3. Come una mosca prigioniera
18. Madama Butterfly (Madame Butterfly), opera: Act 3. Tu? Tu? Piccolo Iddio!

Disc: 5
01. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): Wie schön is die Prinzessin Salome heute nacht
02. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): Ich will nicht blieben
03. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): Wo ist er, dessen Sündenbecher jetzt voll ist?
04. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): Ich bin Salome, die Tochter der Herodias
05. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): In dein Haar bin ich verliebt, Jokannan
06. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): Ich will deinen mund küssen, Jokannan
07. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): Wo ist Salome? Wo ist die Prinzessin?
08. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): Salome, komm, trink Wein mit mir
09. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): Siehe, der Tag ist nahe, der Tag des Herrn

Disc: 6
01. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): Salome, Salome, tanz für mich!
02. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): [Dance of the Seven Veils]
03. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): Ah! Herrlich!
04. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): Salome, bedenk, was du tun
05. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): Wer hat meinen Ring genommen?
06. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): Ah! Du wolltest mich nicht deinen Mund küssen lassen
07. Salome, opera, Op. 54 (TrV 215): Sie ist ein Ungeheuer, deine Tochter!

Disc: 7
01. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. So triumphierend treten Sie herein?
02. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Laßt uns allein, meine Kinder
03. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Mandryka! Der reiche Kerl!
04. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Herr Graf, Sie haben ihnem werten Brief
05. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Der Onkel ist dahin
06. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Das ist ein Fall von andrer Art
07. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Hab’ ich geträumt?
08. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Papa! Er ist schon fort!
09. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Mein Elemer! Das hat so einen sonderbaren Klang
10. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 2. Das ist ein Engel, der vom Himmel niedersteigt?
11. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 2. Sie seh’n nicht aus wie jemand, den das alles da interessiert
12. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 2. Ich habe eine Frau gehabt
13. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 2. Sie wollen mich Heiraten, sagt mein Vater
14. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Die Karten fallen besser als das letzte Mal
15. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Sie wollen alle Geld!
16. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Matteo!… Zdenko! Du! Bist du allein?
17. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Ich danke, Fräulein!
18. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Er ist der Richtige nicht für mich
19. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Aber der Richtige wenn’s einen gibt für mich auf dieser welt
20. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 1. Das ist der Schlitten vom Elemer

Disc: 8
01. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 2. Und du wurst mein Gebieter wein
02. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 2. Die Wiener Herrn verstehn sich auf die Astronomie
03. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 2. Sie sind allein? Wo ist Arabella?
04. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 2. Und jetzt sag’ ich adieu, mein lieber Dominik
05. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 2. O Arabella, gibt es war Schöneres als Sie auf einen Ball!
06. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 2. Ein Feigling bin ich
07. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 2. Lautlos kommt sie zu dir
08. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 2. Und wenn hier viele Arabella heißen
09. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 2. Herr von Mandryka, wo ist meine Tochter?
10. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 2. Die Herren und Damen sind einstweilen meine Gäste!
11. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 3. Prelude
12. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 3. Über seine Felder wird der Wagen fahren
13. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 3. Sie hier? So spät?
14. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 3. Welch ein erregts tête-à-tête im Stiegenhaus!
15. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 3. Papa, so schau mir ins Gesicht!
16. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 3. Ich gratuliete Ihnen, Herr Leutnant
17. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 3. Papa! Mama!
18. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 3. Sehr gut. Jetzt habe ich mein
19. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 3. Brautwerburg kommt!
20. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 3. Führ sie hinauf, Mama!
21. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 3. Sie gibt mir keinen Blick
22. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 3. Das war sehr gut, Mandryka
23. Arabella, opera, Op. 79 (TrV 263): Act 3. So wahr aus diesem Glas da keiner

Disc: 9
01. Norma, opera: Overture
02. Norma, opera: Act 1. Ite sul colle
03. Norma, opera: Act 1. Svanir le voci!
04. Norma, opera: Act 1. Meco all’altar di Venere
05. Norma, opera: Act 1. Odi?… I suoi riti a compiere
06. Norma, opera: Act 1. Me protegge, me difende
07. Norma, opera: Act 1. Norma viene
08. Norma, opera: Act 1. Sedizione voci
09. Norma, opera: Act 1. Casta Diva
10. Norma, opera: Act 1. Fine al rito, e il sacr bosco
11. Norma, opera: Act 1. Ah! Bello a me ritorna
12. Norma, opera: Act 1. Sgombra è la sacra selva
13. Norma, opera: Act 1. Eccola… va, mi lascia
14. Norma, opera: Act 1. Va crudele
15. Norma, opera: Act 1. Vanne, e li cela entrambi
16. Norma, opera: Act 1. Adalgisa! Alma, costanza
17. Norma, opera: Act 1. Oh, rimembranza!

Disc: 10
01. Norma, opera: Act 1. Ma di’, l’amato giovine?
02. Norma, opera: Act 1. No, non tremare, o perfido!
03. Norma, opera: Act 1. Oh di qual sei tu vittima
04. Norma, opera: Act 2. Me chiami, o Norma!
05. Norma, opera: Act 2. Deh! Con te, con te li prendi
06. Norma, opera: Act 2. Mira, o Norma
07. Norma, opera: Act 2. Non parti?
08. Norma, opera: Act 2. Guerrieri! A voi venire
09. Norma, opera: Act 2. Ah! De! Tabro al giogo indegno
10. Norma, opera: Act 2. Ei tornerà. Si!
11. Norma, opera: Act 2. Squilla il bronzo del Dio
12. Norma, opera: Act 2. Guerra! Guerra!
13. Norma, opera: Act 2. Nè compì il rito, o Norma?
14. Norma, opera: Act 2. In mia man alfin tu sei
15. Norma, opera: Act 2. Dammi quel ferro!
16. Norma, opera: Act 2. Qual cor tradisti
17. Norma, opera: Act 2. Taci! Ne ascolti appena!
18. Norma, opera: Act 2. Deh! Non volerli vittime

Disc: 11
01. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 1. Michonnet, della biacca!
02. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 1. Io son l’umile ancella
03. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 1. Adriana!… Che c’è?
04. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 1. La dolcissima effige
05. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 1. Or dunque Abate?
06. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 1. Ecco il monologo
07. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 1. Neppure una parola!
08. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 2. Acerba voluttà
09. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 2. O vagabonda stella
10. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 2. Principessa. Finalment
11. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 2. L’animo ho stanca
12. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 2. Vi cogliam, Conte sul fatto
13. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 2. Ma, dunque, è vero?
14. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 2. Ebben Che granchio!
15. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 2. E sia! Non risponde

Disc: 12
01. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 3. Eh via! Così non va
02. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 3. Commossa io sono
03. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 3. Il russo Mencikoff
04. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 3. È quella dama al certo!
05. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 4. Prelude
06. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 4. So ch’ella dorme
07. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 4. Amico mio!
08. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 4. Quartet. ‘La fedeltà’
09. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 4. Poveri fiori
10. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 4. Adriana!
11. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 4. No, la mia fronte
12. Adriana Lecouvreur, opera: Act 4. Che? Tu tremi

Disc: 13
01. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Overture
02. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 1. Quel guerriero – su bruno destriero
03. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 1. Una preghiera unanime per Gemma… Mi togliesti a un sol ardente
04. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 1. Nuove contese? Oh cielo!… Una voce al cor d’intorno
05. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 1. Nessun sogno a te predisse
06. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 1. Oh vengogna? Me infelice!… Perchè il Conte scacciami? Perchè?
07. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 1. Dritto al segno vibrasti io l’ho feri
08. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 1. Qui un pugnale! Ch’l confisse… Ah! Nel cuor mi suona un grido
09. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 1. Guido! Io tremo! Questo sangue?
10. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 1. Assissino che il fero immergesti
11. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 1. Tigre uscito dal deserto

Disc: 14
01. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 1. Mio signor, non più mio sposo
02. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 1. Di’ ch’io vada in Palestina
03. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 1. Basta, o Gemma… Fui tradita, ah, dileale!
04. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 2. Come luna, che al tramonto… Mi suonan pianto così mesti accenti
05. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 2. Ecco il pegno ch’io le porsi!… Questa soave immagine
06. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 2. Vieni, o bella, e ti ristora
07. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 2. Non fuggir che invano il tenti
08. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 2. È dessa in mio potere
09. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 2. Quartet. Quella man che disarmasti
10. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 2. Tutto tace d’intorno a sol rischiara
11. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 2. Eccomi sola alfine
12. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 2. O giusto ciel! Che sento?
13. Gemma di Vergy, opera: Act 2. Chi m’accusa, chi mi grida

Seven complete operas starring the magnificent Montserrat Caballé – great live opera recordings at budget price in one space-saving set!

Exciting live recordings taped 1965-1975!

Along with Maria Callas (“La Divina”), and Joan Sutherland (“La Stupenda”), Montserrat Caballé (b. 1933) took her place as one of the Big Three sopranos of the second half of the 20th century.

When Caballé made her New York debut in 1965, she was instantly heralded as “La Superba,” a sure sign she had reached the pinnacle of diva fame. Caballé was especially noted for her pure legato, effortless phrasing, and ability to float soft high notes of breathtaking beauty. Her generosity and down-to earth humor have endeared her to her fans. In 1987, she astonished classical and pop fans alike by recording a duet of the song Barcelona with the rock star Freddie Mercury of the rock group Queen.

5.0 out of 5 stars 7000 stars for for the operas. 2 stars for the booklet

This is an update of an earlier review. I continue to love all the performances in this 7-opera box set, and find myself returning to it frequently–sometimes to cherry pick, but sometimes to listen to an entire work. Caballe fans will love this for the early performances, ranging from 1965 – 1975. The Lucrezia Borgia is the 1965 Carnegie Hall performance. The audience went berserk and for good cause. If you are a real sentimental romanticist, you will appreciate the Butterfly with Bernabe Marti. The Norma is the historic 1974 Orange performance. Adriana Lecouvreur: Adriana’s Maurizio is Placido Domingo. The booklet, however, is a POC! The “…rare historic photos…”: there are precisely none. There are few photos, and nothing special. The more I look at that booklet, the less I like it.

Regarding Lucrezia: Played it this morning. Bless her heart, Madame’s stage scream at the end is so real that my husband ran in to see which finger I had cut off. Yeah. He thought it was me.

I still like this set for driving music. You can cover a lot of road with this one set.

An Astounding Box of Wonders

Seven really great Caballe performances, all but one of them in at least passable sound.
The prize of the lot is the 1965 American Opera Society performance of Donizetti’s LUCREZIA BORGIA. This evening, which launched the international phase of the diva’s career is absolutely breathtaking. To hear her sing the aria “Com’e bello” in the Prologue, that perfect voice floating in Carnegie Hall’s perfect acoustics is one of the great delights of live performance listening. The audience goes crazy, and who could blame them ? It is absolutely thrilling that this great ‘moment of arrival’ is available to us.
The only performance in really poor sound is the NORMA. Stemming from a performance at the Orange Festival, the amplified sound really distorts when compressed for recording purposes. It is a pity. The performance itself is quite wonderful. The diva is in top form, Jon Vickers a very masculine,exciting Pollione and Josephine Veasey a smooth voiced Adalgisa who manages to contrast but blend very nicely with Caballe.
We tend to forget that the diva sang quite a lot of German (Strauss, Wagner)and Slavic (Tchaikovsky, Borodin, Dvorak, Smetana) works before she came to the Bel Canto repertoire, and the SALOME and ARABELLA are both first rate, although the SALOME doesn’t find her quite as free of voice as in the studio recording she made several years earlier.
The MADAMA BUTTERFLY (She met her husband, tenor Bernabe Marti during this run of performances.) is a real treasure. She captures the gentle heroine’s resolve perfectly.
The GEMMA DI VERGY of Donizetti is admirably well sung, and she makes a strong case for the often maligned ADRIANA LECOUVREUR. The role clearly appeals to her and she is at her most committed. This last is also the best sound recording, deriving from a Radio-France broadcast.
The little booklet has cast lists, track listings and absurdly brief plot summaries.
This is an astounding and irresistible bargain !