Angela Gheorghiu, one of the most celebrated sopranos of our time, invites you into her world with "The Essential Collection." This album, released on January 1, 2003, under Decca Music Group Ltd., is a captivating journey through the realm of opera, showcasing Gheorghiu's extraordinary vocal prowess and emotional depth. Spanning a little over an hour and seventeen minutes, the album is a carefully curated selection of some of the most beloved arias from iconic operas.
From the heart-wrenching "Ah, fors'è lui" and "Addio del passato" from Verdi's "La traviata" to the enchanting "O soave fanciulla" from Puccini's "La Bohème," Gheorghiu's performances are nothing short of breathtaking. The album also features live recordings from London in 1994, adding a unique energy and authenticity to the experience. Gheorghiu's rendition of "Il est doux, il est bon" from Massenet's "Hérodiade" and "Vive amour qui rêve" from Chérubin's "Aubade" are particularly noteworthy, showcasing her versatility and range.
"The Essential Collection" is not just a compilation of songs; it's a testament to Angela Gheorghiu's artistry and her ability to bring each character to life with unparalleled passion and nuance. Whether you're a seasoned opera enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.
La Wally / Act 1: "Ebben? Ne andrò lontana"Alfredo Catalani, Angela Gheorghiu, Orchestra del Teatro Regio di Torino, John Mauceri
La Bohème / Act 1: "Sì. Mi chiamano Mimì"Giacomo Puccini, Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Riccardo Chailly
La Bohème / Act 1: "O soave fanciulla"Giacomo Puccini, Roberto Alagna, Angela Gheorghiu, Simon Keenlyside, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Riccardo Chailly
La traviata, Act I: Ah, fors'è lui – Sempre libera - Live at London, 1994Giuseppe Verdi, Angela Gheorghiu, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Sir Georg Solti
La forza del destino / Act 4: "Pace, pace, mio Dio"Giuseppe Verdi, Angela Gheorghiu, Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi, Riccardo Chailly
Faust, CG 4 / Act 3: "O Dieu! que de bijoux! Ah! Je ris de me voir"Charles Gounod, Angela Gheorghiu, Orchestra del Teatro Regio di Torino, John Mauceri
Hérodiade / Act 1: "Il est doux, il est bon"Jules Massenet, Angela Gheorghiu, Orchestra del Teatro Regio di Torino, John Mauceri
Chérubin / Act 3: Aubade: "Vive amour qui rêve"Jules Massenet, Angela Gheorghiu, Coro del Teatro Regio di Torino, Orchestra del Teatro Regio di Torino, John Mauceri
L'elisir d'amore / Act 1: "Chiedi all'aura lusinghiera" - ExcerptGaetano Donizetti, Angela Gheorghiu, Roberto Alagna, Choeur de l'Opera de Lyon, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon, Evelino Pidò
La Bohème / Act 3: "Donde lieta uscì al tuo grido"Giacomo Puccini, Angela Gheorghiu, Orchestra Del Teatro Alla Scala, Milano, Riccardo Chailly
I vespri siciliani / Act 5: "Mercè, dilette amiche"Giuseppe Verdi, Angela Gheorghiu, Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi, Riccardo Chailly
Simon Boccanegra / Act 1: "Come in quest'ora bruna"Giuseppe Verdi, Angela Gheorghiu, Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi, Riccardo Chailly
La traviata, Act III: Addio del passato - Live at London, 1994Giuseppe Verdi, Angela Gheorghiu, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, Sir Georg Solti
Il Trovatore / Act 1: Tacea la notte placida...di tale amorGiuseppe Verdi, Angela Gheorghiu, Tiziana Tramonti, Orchestra Sinfonica di Milano Giuseppe Verdi, Riccardo Chailly
Valurile Dunarii: MuzicaGeorge Grigoriu, Angela Gheorghiu, Orchestra del Teatro Regio di Torino, John Mauceri