Review: Italian bass Cesare Siepi (born 1923) is one of the legendary opera singers of the 20th century generally considered to be one of the finest basses of the post-war period. He was a star for decades on the world's great opera stages, including the Metropolitan Opera, La Scala (Milan) and Covent Garden (London). His Met career was extraordinary, with 450 performances spanning 24 consecutive seasons. In 1962, the charismatic Siepi stretched his talents to perform a lead role on Broadway in Bravo Giovanni!, a musical conceived just for him. His professional career was remarkably long, from his debut at age 18 in 1941 until his retirement from the opera stage in the early 1990s. This edition presents 12 signature arias, with Siepi's distinctive interpretations notated in the score and discussed in essays and explanatory notes. A biography of the singer is included.

Songlist: Deh, vieni alla finestra, Ecco il mondo, Ella giammai m'am?, Fin ch'han dal vino, Infelice! e tu credevi, La calunnia ? un venticello, Le veau d'or, O tu, Palermo, terra adorata, Son lo spirito che nega, Vecchia zimarra, senti, Vi ravviso, o luoghi ameni, Vieni, o Levita!... Tu sul labbro de' veggenti

Voicing: Bass
Style: Opera

5272b | Book | $19.95 | Solo | | Bass Voices

Review: Enrico Caruso rose from a childhood of poverty in Naples to become the first great tenor and superstar of the recorded era. His fearlessly pure, lyric vocalism and heartfelt acting still come through, even on the scratchy old recordings. This collection of arias and songs associated with the tenor includes an interesting biography, an article about his artistry, and notes on the signature Caruso interpretation of each aria, followed by standard vocal/piano editions of all the arias. This collection affords a careful musical consideration of a legendary artist.

Songlist: 'A vucchella (Tosti), Addio, fiorito asil from MADAMA BUTTERFLY (Puccini), Amor ti vieta from FEDORA (Giordano), Celeste Aida from AIDA (Verdi), Che gelida manina from LA BOH?ME (Puccini), Cielo e mar! from LA GIONCONDA (Ponchielli), Core 'ngrato (Cardillo), Dai campi, dai prati from MEFISTOFELE (Boito), E lucevan le stelle from TOSCA (Puccini), Ideale (Tosti), L'alba sep?ra dalla luce l'ombra (Tosti), La donna e mobile from RIGOLETTO (Verdi), Santa Lucia (Cottrau), Una furtiva lagrima from L'ELISIR D'AMORE (Donizetti), Vesti la giubba from I PAGLIACCI (Leoncavallo)

Voicing: Tenor
Style: Opera

5306b | Songbook | $19.95 | Solo | | Opera Singers

Review: Franco Corelli (8 April 1921 - 29 October 2003) was an Italian tenor who had a major international opera career between 1951 and 1976. Associated in particular with the spinto and dramatic tenor roles of the Italian repertory, he was celebrated universally for his thrilling upper register. Dubbed the "Prince of tenors", Corelli possessed handsome features and a charismatic stage presence which endeared him to audiences. He had a long and fruitful partnership with the Metropolitan Opera in New York City between 1961-1975. He also appeared on the stages of most of the major opera houses in Europe and with opera companies throughout North America. As in the previous volumes in this series, 11 arias from Franco Corelli's signature tenor repertoire is presented with specific interpretive details noted, including melodic variants, breaths, fermatas, and all other nuances. Includes an artist biography, as well as an article about Corelli's unique artistry. In Italian and English.

Songlist: Ah! S?, ben mio...Di quella pira, Come un bel d? di maggio, La fleur que tu m'avais jet?e, La vita ? inferno all'infelice...O tu che in seno agli angeli, Nessun dorma!, Non piangere, Li?!, Se quell guerrier io fossi!...Celeste Aida, Svanir le voci!...Meco all'altar di Venere...Me protegge, S?, fui soldato, Un d? all'azzurro spazio, Una parola sola...Or son sei mesi

Voicing: Tenor
Style: Opera

5271b | Songbook | $22.95 ON SALE $19.95 | Solo | | Opera Singers

Review: Maria Callas was a New York-born Greek soprano and one of the most renowned opera singers of the twentieth century. She combined an impressive bel canto technique with great dramatic gifts. An extremely versatile singer, her repertoire ranged from classical opera seria to the bel canto operas of Donizetti, Bellini, and Rossini; further, to the works of Verdi and Puccini; and, in her early career, the music dramas of Wagner. Her remarkable musical and dramatic talents led to her being hailed as La Divina.These two collections feature celebrated arias as interpreted by Maria Callas, arguably the most influential singer of the recorded era. In addition to a brief biography of Callas, each selection, in standard voice and piano format, is followed by notes which indicate the variants, breaths, fermatas, and all of the nuances that Callas employed to turn these arias into masterpieces of interpretation. A wonderful reference tool for vocal coaches, professional singers and voice students, these two books are also indispensible items for the libraries of all opera enthusiasts.

Songlist: Ah fors'? lui che l'anima, Ah! non credea mirarti, Ardon gl'incensi, Casta Diva, La luce langue, Merc?, dilette amiche, Suicidio!.., Vissi d'arte

Voicing: Soprano
Style: Opera

5307b | Songbook | $19.95 | Solo | | Soprano Voices

Review: Marilyn Horne (b. January 16, 1934, Bradford, Pennsylvania) is an American mezzo-soprano opera singer who is particularly associated with the music of Rossini and Handel. She began her career as a light lyric soprano; however, as the years progressed, the voice settled and matured into a mezzo-soprano instrument with a full and rich timbre equipped with extreme flexibility and great size. She specialized in roles requiring a large sound, beauty of tone, excellent breath support, and the ability to execute difficult coloratura passages. This collection features celebrated arias as interpreted by the great Marilyn Horne. In addition to a brief biography, each selection, in standard voice and piano format, is followed by notes which indicate the variants, breaths, fermatas, and all of the nuances that Horne employed to turn these arias into masterpieces of interpretation. A wonderful reference tool for vocal coaches, professional singers and voice students.

Songlist: Belt? crudele (Rossini), Cruda sorte! Amor tirrano! from L'ITALIANA IN ALGERI (Rossini), Oh Patria! - Di tanti palpiti from TANCREDI (Rossini), Il risentimento (Rossini), Il trovatore (Rossini), L'invito (Rossini), Mura felici from LA DONNA DEL LAGO (Rossini), Una voce poco fa from IL BARBIERE DI SIVIGLIA (Rossini)

Voicing: Mezzo-Soprano
Style: Opera

5305b | Songbook | $19.95 | Solo | | Opera Singers