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Viva Italia [Decca 2003]

Various Artists
1 disc

1. O sole mio, for voice & piano (or orchestra) - National Philharmonic Orchestra/Luciano Pavarotti
2. Santa Lucia, Neapolitan song
3. Vieni Sul Mar for voice & orchestra (& chorus ad lib)
4. danza. Tarantella Napolitana, La ("Gi la luna in mezzo al mare"), for voice & piano (Soires musicales) - English Chamber Orchestra
5. Arrivederci Roma, song
6. Traviata, opera: Brindisi - Libiamo ne' lieti calici, La - Joan Sutherland
7. Rigoletto, opera: La donna mobile - London Symphony Orchestra/Luciano Pavarotti
8. Mattinata ("L'aurora di bianco vestita"), song for voice & piano (or orchestra) - English Chamber Orchestra
9. Funicul Funicul, for voice & orchestra (& chorus ad lib)
10. Non Dimenticar (Do Not Forget), song
11. Volare, for voice & orchestra (a.k.a. "Nel blu dipinto di blu")
12. Non ti scordar di me, for voice & orchestra (& chorus ad lib)
13. Maria, Mar (Oh, Marie)
14. Martha, opera: M'appar
15. Anema e core (With All My Heart and Soul), song - English Chamber Orchestra
16. Ultima Canzone for voice & piano/orchestra, L' - English Chamber Orchestra
17. Mamma, for voice & orchestra
18. Core 'ngrato (Catari), for voice & orchestra
19. Torna a Surriento, for voice & piano (or orchestra)
20. Chitarra Romana for voice & orchestra
21. Godfather, film score: Speak Softly Love, The
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Additional Info

Manufacturer Part Number (MPN): 000555
Credits

Producer
Engineer
This selection features both ADD and DDD recordings.
Personnel: Ronnie Aldrich (piano).
Decca's Viva Italia features over an hour's worth of arias, traditional songs, and popular songs as performed by some of Italy's most famous singers, including Luciano Pavarotti, Jos Carreras, and Mario del Monaco, as well as instrumentals by Mantovani and Ronnie Aldrich. It almost goes without saying that the vocal performances are excellent. Highlights include Pavarotti's romantic "O Sole Mio" and "Santa Lucia" and his playful turns on "La Donna Mobile" (from Rigoletto) and "Funicul Funicul," Carreras' lively "La Danza" and serene "Anema e Core," and del Monaco's "Torna a Surriento." Another high point is Joan Sutherland and Carlo Bergonzi's "Brindisi -- Libiamo Ne' Lieti Calici" from La Traviata. Mantovani & His Orchestra's "Arrivederci, Roma" and Aldrich's version of "Speak Softly Love (Love Theme from The Godfather)" are both serviceable but a little fussy and uninspired; it's too bad that they don't match the quality of the collection's vocal performances. Nevertheless, Viva Italia is a pleasant collection of Italian mood music that manages to be more authentic than many other likeminded compilations. ~ Heather Phares