• click here to return to the homepage •
Home > Categories > Music > CDs > Madama Butterfly review
Complete Opera on 2 CDs, Black Dog Opera Library presents one of the easiest, most popular, most informative ways to enjoy great opera.
In this kit you will find:
• The complete opera on two CDs featuring Renata Scotto, Carlo Bergonzi, Rolando Panerai, and Sir John Barbirolli conducting the Orchestra e Coro del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma.
• The full libretto in its original language and in the English translation complete with annotations that enhance our understanding and enjoyment of the story and the music.
• An exciting history of the opera and a synopsis of the storyof the opera broken down by act and scene.
• Dozens of photographs and drawings depicting performances, singers, stage sets and more.
Listen. Enjoy. Learn.
Published by Black Dog and Leventhal.
Emotions 0.2 - Songs of Love & Life
All Access to All Things
Soundtrack: Elektra
Soundtrack: House of Flying Daggers
Handel, Water Music. Music for the Royal Fireworks.
Spa
Hotel Azteca
Emerald
High School Musical: The Concert
Cruel To Be Young
Villainy
Vanilla Ice
QuicksandProduct reviews...
Members are welcome to post a review. You will need to log in to post yours.
Review by: diogenes (Rob)
Dated: 11th of June, 2006
Madama Butterfly, released by Black Dog and Leventhal is a book and a CD combination.
The book starts by introducing the composer and a brief biography of his life. Followed by a breakdown of the story, act-by-act. There is also short biographies of the major artists involved in this production. The major section of the book is the libretto, published both in the original Italian, and translated into English. Thoughtfully, the edge of the libretto is coloured so one can turn to the libretto quickly and easily.
Richly illustrated in photographs of the composer and librettists, the singers and other main people concerned with the opera litter the pages. Present are some illustrations from the 1904 premiere.
The CD itself is a 1966 recording of Sir John Barbirolli's only recording of this opera (and of only two operas he conducted) with a whole host of big-name singers of the day. The recording has exceptional clarity and exudes the sheer beauty that Puccini intended Butterfly to be. The strength of voice of Pinkerton makes it a sheer pleasure to listen to, the gentle voice of Butterfly is convincing in its subtle beauty.
This release is aimed very much at people who wish to get a greater understanding of the Opera, and it serves it purpose admirably. I have no complaints or criticisms. It sets out to do two things: educate and entertain; on those point alone, Black Dog and Leventhal are onto a winner, because they have succeeded.
Well done chaps.
Random listing from 'Music'...
Metro-Goldwyn Mayer presents an Alan Parker film by Roger Waters, designed by Gerald Scarfe with Bob Geldof as Pink.
THE WALL tells the story of a man named Pink Floyd who, as a child, lost his father in World War II. Being raised by an overprotective mother, Pink leads a dreary life, finally turning to drugs. As a result of the drugs ... more...
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"I don't necessarily agree with everything I say."
Marshall McLuhan (1911 - 1980)
