Jose Carreras - Jose Carreras - Opera Heroes Series at Music Hills.com

Pagliacci: Recitar!...Vesti la giubba (Atto I)
ALDA: Se quel guerrier io fossi!...Celeste Aida (Atto I)
Faust: Quel trouble inconnu me penetre...Salut! demeure chaste et pure (Acte III)
Le Roi d'Ys: Puisqu'on ne peut flechir...Vainement, ma bien = aimee (Acte III)
Carmen: La Fleur que tu m'avais jetee (Flower Song - Blumenarie - Air de la fleur) (Acte II)
La Juive: Rachel! quand du Seigneur (Acte IV)
Le Cid: Ah! tout est bien fini...O Souverain, o juge, o pere (Acte III)
Cavalleria Rusticana: Mamma, quel vino e generoso
Don Carlo: lo l'ho perduta...lo la vidi (AttoI)
Don Carlo: Dio, che nell'alma infondere (Atto I) - Piero Cappuccilli
La Perichole: Le conquerant dit a la jeune indienne (Acte I)
La Perichole: On me proposait d'etre infame (Acte III)
L'Africaine: Pays merveilleux...O paradis (Acte IV)
Romeo et Juliette: L'amour, l'amour...Ah! leve - toi, soleil (Acte II)
Macbeth: O figli...Ah, la paterna mano (Atto IV)
Turandot: Non piangere, Liu (Atto I)
Turandot: Nessun dorma (Atto III)

Music reviews of Jose Carreras - Opera Heroes Series

Music Review: Great compilation album from the great artist
Rating: 5 Stars

The CD starts out with powerful poignant rendition of Canio's famous "Vesti la giubba". Listen to the length of vocal phrase and brilliant interpretation of this familiar aria, it would make you hold your breath for sure. To follow, the album features José Carreras in Don Carlos, Aida and Turandot - three of the most demanding tenor roles ever written. He launches into each of them heart and soul. It's really amazing how this slim man produces such a wall of sound, and his phrasing never falters and his characterizations are so vivid, you could almost see the hero materialize before your very eyes. The aria from Verdi's Macbeth "Ah, la paterna mano" as performed by Carreras has long become recognized as the best ever recorded; even with it's interpolated but absolutely thrilling B-flat in the cadenza. The disc also features some duets with such great singers as Mirella Freni, Teresa Berganza and Piero Cappuccilli, all handled with a great sense of style and musical taste. Never do any of the duets become shouting matches, the sound is continuously melodic and glorious. In early 80s EMI released an LP entitled "French Opera Arias." Luckily, the bulk of its material is included here, most notably "Rachel, quand du Seigneur" - a mournful lament from "La Juive" and "Flower Song" - a touching romantic declaration of love from Carmen.

Carreras's way of approaching every role is through actually becoming inseparable from the character. Calaf's single-mindedness, Canio's desperate rage, and Macduff's grim resolve are all incredibly gripping and involving.

Comparing the singers is really a silly thing. In the words of Jane Eaglen "I can understand comparing two violinists -- they're using the same instrument. But no two singers sound alike." Therefore, all the critics trying to allocate the laurels to, say, Bjorling, are not doing the listeners any favor. José Carreras might sound somewhat similar to Di Stefano or Gigli, but he interprets each role in his own unique way and thus must be appreciated as a brilliant and remarkable singer who can hold his own on any stage. That's what makes the Three Tenors so special: they are completely different in every aspect, and it's precisely those differences that ensure the trio's lasting popularity.

This wonderful album is not to be missed by any opera enthusiast. It will open some eyes and it will make new fans of the magnificent voice and supreme artistry of José Carreras.

Jose Carreras - Opera Heroes Series