Customer Reviews
Unique from a Golden Voice!!!!!!! - By: Sissel M. Østdahl, 25 Aug 2007 
Since I first heard himin 1986, José Carreras has been my favourite tenor. His lyrical voice has captured my heart completely. No other voice moves me as Carreras' does. He moves me to tears, to laughter, to love, to beauty - to remembrance, to peace - & to HOPE!
As for this recording, my favourites are "Una furtiva lagrima" (Donizetti), "Dein ist mein ganzes Herz" (Das Land des Lächelns), "Che gelida manina" (La Bohème) & yes, "Nessun Dorma" (Turandot) - & no, it's not always about the strongest voice.
I have lots of other recordings with Carreras. Spanish songs, German songs, love songs, mixture of opera arias & popular songs & of course, opera. I have reviewed "Carmen" conducted by von Karajanin Berlinin 1982 where Carreras sings "the flower aria" as it has never been sung before, with a pianissimo ending. Any admirer of José Carreras who has not heard his interpretation of this famous ariain this recording, has missed something. Amazon has it, hurry & buy! ("Carmen" 1982 - Agnes Baltsa, José Carreras, Katia Ricciarelli, Herbert von Karajan).
I love Carreras' "singing from the soul" (the title of his biography). He has something very special which affects me as no other singer does. No matter how high Pavarotti goes, or how complete & full & "having it all" Domingo's voice is said by so many to be - Carreras has something entirely unique. A Swedish journalist who was writing a review of a concert with Carreras, pondered about the difference between the three. Why this seemingly less famous of them moved him so deeply. He finally concluded: "What is it with this little Spanyard. He does not reach as high as Pavarotti, or has the fullness & strength of Domingo, & yet, he sings as if every little tone were the last..."
This album is probably the best collection with Carreras, although many of these arias/songs are also to be find on other recordings. However this selection is both large & varied & does indeed show Carreras at his best. It's a perfect introduction to people who want to hear more of José Carreras.
Finally, In 1990, José Carreras held his first concert after his illnessin Oslo Konserthus (Norway). This was no large performancein a huge hall used also by rock bands etc. The kind of performance with lightsin different colours, very stashed upin every way. As the newspapers wrote afterwards, it was not the regular first night audiencein Oslo Konserthus that night. It was the real music lovers who satin silence & enjoyed & contemplated the sublime art they were listening to. No one got their favourite aria, this was an evening for less well known material, but oh, so exquisite.
I have heard Carreras afterwardsin more glamorous settings but shall never forget that eveningin April 1990. A man, his voice & a piano.
I would like to recommend this recording warmly & everything else José Carerras has sung for that matter. And for those who are not so keen on opera, there are lots to chose from, not the least film music & plenty of varied love songs. Carreras has a beautiful voice for popular love music & I see this as a perfect way of inviting an even wider public to enjoy his wonderful voice.
Impressive - By: , 06 Jul 2005 I have a Carreras-recording of Tosca from 1979 & up till now I thought it was the ultimate recording of "Recondita armonia" & "E lucevan le stelle". I honestly thought that no one could sing these arias better. Andin a way I'm right. The only one that could do it was himself - a few years earlier..... And after listening to these songs I can't imagine that anyone dare say that he is/was the weakest of the three tenors. In my opinion he possesses something that the others don't. (I won't tell you what it is - listen & find out yourself). Even if his voice has changed over the years, (I mean changed - not declined) something remains unchangeable & that is his ability to evoke emotions. No one can deliver a line with real emotions like him. And that's something that's going to stay with him forever, because what makes his singing so special comes from within.
Even though I like the whole album, some of the songs stand out to me - like "Una furtiva lagrima", "donna non vidi mai", "vesti la giubba" & "nessun dorma" (Sorry Pavarotti - José is way ahead of you interpreting this song. It's not enough to sing it on full blast...). Here's also the loveliest rendition of "Forse la soglio attinse". Andin the song "dein ist mein ganzes hertz" he makes me believe that his whole heart really is mine...... And I mustn't forget his "che gelida manina" from La Bohême. I have the -79 recording it's taken from & it's the ultimate Bohême ever.
The second cd has a "lighter" repertoire with songs from composers like Tosti, Cardillo, Lara & others. My personal favourites here are "Core n'grato", "Ideale" & "Granada". In my opinion no one sings these songs like Carreras. Or rather - no one sings like Carreras. Period!
His singing will no doubt give you goosebumps all over & make your hair stand on end. If not, I bet you're either a Pavarotti or Domingo-fan....
