Audio CD review:
Eric Garrett, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Cesare Andrea Bixio, Georges Bizet, Eduardo di Capua, Salvatore Cardillo, Giuseppe Casarini, Ernesto de Curtis, Lucio Dalla, Gaetano Donizetti - For Lovers Only: The Romantic Pavarotti (Includes Bonus CD)

Eric Garrett, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Cesare Andrea Bixio, Georges Bizet, Eduardo di Capua, Salvatore Cardillo, Giuseppe Casarini, Ernesto de Curtis, Lucio Dalla, Gaetano Donizetti - For Lovers Only: The Romantic Pavarotti (Includes Bonus CD)

Band: Eric Garrett, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Cesare Andrea Bixio, Georges Bizet, Eduardo di Capua, Salvatore Cardillo, Giuseppe Casarini, Ernesto de Curtis, Lucio Dalla, Gaetano Donizetti Title: For Lovers Only: The Romantic Pavarotti (Includes Bonus CD) Rating: Release Date: 11 January, 2005 Media: Audio CD Tracks: 1: Passione 2: Chitarra Romana 3: Mamma 4: Caruso 5: Core 'Ngrato 6: Non Ti Scordar Di Me 7: Voce'e Notte 8: Santa Lucia Luntana 9: Fra Tanta Gente 10: Mattinata 11: Ti Voglio Tanto Bene 12: O Sole Mio 13: Torna A Surriento 14: Volare (Nel Blu, Dipinto Di Blu) 15: Che Gelida Manina 16: Una Furtiva Lagrima 17: M'Appari 18: Tu Che A Dio Spiegasti L'Ali - Nicolai Ghiaurov 19: Dalla Sua Pace 20: Un'aura Amorosa 21: E Lucevan Le Stelle 22: Donna Non Vidi Mai 23: Ah Mes Amis - Pour Mon Ame 24: La Donna E Mobile 25: Caro Mio Ben 26: Recondita Armonia 27: Salut! Demeure Chaste Et Pure 28: Spirto Gentil 29: La Fleur Que Tu M'avais Jetee 30: Nessun Dorma 31: Che Gelida Manina 32: E Lucevan Le Stelle 33: Questa O Quella 34: La Donna E Mobile 35: Parmi Veder Le Lagrime

Editoral Review In the 14 songs, mostly Neapolitan (but a couple simply popular, like "Volare," which was a hit in the 1950s) we find the tenor perfectly in his idiom, with "Turna a Sorriento" and "O sole mio" sung with just the passion and extroversion they need, and "Non Ti Scordar di Me" handled with sensitivity and warmth. These three CDs (one is a bonus, with alternate versions of some arias), containing 35 selections, present Pavarotti in his best voice (every aria here was recorded in or near his prime) and at his most engaging. The arias are invariably from operas closely identified with Pavarotti: we get superb performances of excerpts from La Bohème, L'elisir d'amore ("Una furtuva lagrima," sung meltingly), Lucia di Lammermoor (the final scene), Rigoletto, La favorita, La fille du regiment (with its nine high Cs), Tosca, and, of course, Turandot. And in addition, the tenor gives us two Mozart arias and some French arias, all of which exhibit the golden tone, easy top and inherent sunlight-in-the-voice that made him famous. This set is ideal for those who have always wondered what all the fuss was about: it was about gorgeous singing. And sold at this remarkable bargain price, it's irresistible. --Robert Levine .. You can see a complete list of all Eric Garrett, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Cesare Andrea Bixio, Georges Bizet, Eduardo di Capua, Salvatore Cardillo, Giuseppe Casarini, Ernesto de Curtis, Lucio Dalla, Gaetano Donizetti discography, or go back to the Eric Garrett, Nicolai Ghiaurov, Cesare Andrea Bixio, Georges Bizet, Eduardo di Capua, Salvatore Cardillo, Giuseppe Casarini, Ernesto de Curtis, Lucio Dalla, Gaetano Donizetti tabs