2017 is the tenth anniversary of the passing of the 20th Century’s most famous tenor – Decca marks this occasion to marvel once again at the sheer quality of the voice of ‘The People’s Tenor’ with a 101-disc collection presenting every role he ever recorded and performed. Every role since his debut recording of La Bohème in 1961 is included, allowing critics, collectors and opera lovers once more to appreciate his truly exceptional gifts. Every single opera is presented in the best possible audio quality, remastered at Abbey Road under the supervision of former Decca engineers. • 95 CDs + 6 Blu-ray Audio discs in original jackets • Presenting EVERY role ever performed, brought together for the first time • Complete opera recordings from Decca, DG and Philips • Includes two opera recordings from EMI/Warner Classics: L’amico Fritz and Don Carlo • 34 complete operas PLUS a number of operas he recorded more than once • Also included are the stellar recordings of Verdi’s Requiem and Rossini’s Stabat Mater • Recordings remastered at Abbey Road and presented in the best possible quality. 21 analogue recordings now in definitive 24-bit transfers • Includes his debut performance of La Bohème, Modena, 1961 • PLUS Six iconic performances in true 24-bit (Blu-ray Audio) • Hardback book with new essay by James Jolly, numerous photographs from his career, press clippings and reminiscences from collaborators such as Zubin Mehta and Mirella Freni • Hi-gloss lamination on outer box • Wallets with spines • Original Jackets “It was always a pure joy to make music with Luciano Pavarotti as he was not only perfectly prepared - which inspired everybody involved - but our close contact no matter if on stage or during a recording was simply ideal. His humility always helped in every project to solve any problem that might have occurred.” Zubin Mehta “Pavarotti’s story is also the Decca story as – and unusually – artist and record company worked hand-in-hand for 45 years until the singer's death in 2007” James Jolly (from the accompanying book) Decca, the Opera Company, has always invested infinite energy and enormous care on its productions, marrying the greatest casts, experienced opera orchestras and great conductors with its unrivalled technical skill and superb sound. Now remastered at 24-bit and presented in definitive transfers, these 101 discs are sure testimony to the artistic achievements of the label’s artists, producers and engineers: including, John Culshaw, Christopher Raeburn, Ray Minshull, Kenneth Wilkinson, Gordon Parry, Jack Law and James Lock. • This collection features inspired collaborations with the great opera conductors of our time, including: Karajan, Solti, Mehta, Bonynge, Levine, Chailly • With rarely surpassed casts featuring artists including Sutherland, Horne, Crespin, Minton, Fischer-Dieskau, Ghiaurov, Milnes, Freni, Scotto, Te Kanawa, Nucci, Caballé and many more • Critically acclaimed performances of La Bohème and Madama Butterfly with Karajan. Other highlights include Tosca, Andrea Chenier, Norma, and the unbeatable Verdi Requiem with Sir Georg Solti • Multiple recordings of Verdi’s Un Ballo in Maschera, Rigoletto, Il Trovatore and La Traviata; Donizetti’s L’Elisir d’amore; and Leoncavallo’s I Pagliacci
C**N
Great set !!
I rate this set a 5 even though there are some problems. The product description is wrong -- the set does not include ALL the opera roles that Pavarotti recorded -- it is lacking Tebaldo in Bellini's I Capuleti e I Montecchi -- fortunately, there are 2 recordings available on YouTube and for purchase on Amazon. Also, there are some misprints here and there on the sleeves of the discs. Of 101 discs only one had glitches -- and it plays just fine on a different machine.This is fabulous for a real Pavarotti fan.Go to Decca for a full listing of everything included on the discs.
S**.
By far my favorite mega box... and I’ve bought a few.
EXCEPTIONAL! So many landmark recordings here. My go to CD MegaBox.
U**R
This is a box set that will suit avid collectors of opera and those new to this art form
I have written the long detailed review on amazon.com.au for it is new to Australia my home. There is no review on Brit amazon my home amazon. For as you can imagine being able as you are to write reviews and not have to worry about express airmail and when orders are going to arrive is heaven. If you like what I have written and want to buy it, order it from Amazon.com in time for Christmas.This is a box set of 101 CDs which some of the CD's you have heard before and others you have not, that is why I bought it from Amazon.co uk and decided to open up the classical music account in Melbourne, australia. This great tenor who can be compared to Schipa and di Stefano who was Pavarotti's friend can being tears to your eyes. I have owned this box set for some time and keep returning to it. I specialize in reviewing large classical box sets and have been doing so since 2011. I am a 500 ranked reviewer, once ranked 139 now 300, because of order problems, which have now vanished. So please go to the Amazon.com.au site to read this review which I keep tinkering with. Please have a nice christmas and happy new year.
G**T
I was delighted to receive this box set
I was delighted to receive this box set, but was disappointed by the following oversights due to a lack of attention to detail by Decca. Not like Decca, usually. On CD#1-2, Beatrice di tenda, inside the jacket reads CD1 and CD1, but should read CD2 on the right. Wait, it gets better, or worse! In the hardcover book, for Der rosenkavalier, on page 63, the reference to Sir Georg Solti and so on has been omitted. Again, on page 67 for L'elisir d'amore, the reference to Luciano Pavarotti as Nemorino does not appear. Also, on page 243, the CD/Blu-ray listing for Rossini's Guglielmo Tell, reads 45-58, but should read 45-48!!! For CD#24-25, La bohème, the spine of the jacket reads CD22-23, but should read 24-25. Finally, the Blu-ray Disc #97, Turandot, list the singers/actors for Lucia di lammermoor, not Turandot. I am up to CD#24-25 and the CDs themselves appear to be OK so far. Decca should stop production, make the necessary corrections and replace the defective boxes for all purchasers of the defective boxes. Otherwise, it's a great box...good luck to all.
L**A
CDs skip!
My husband loved his birthday present until the 3rd or so one he played skipped! Now, do we need to play all 100 plus CDs to see how many skip and do it within the return period?!
D**D
Caution: Poor Quality Control
Several CD’s will not play.
C**.
A terrific idea...generally pleasing...but imperfect execution
I received the boxed set straight from Decca as a gift. I was overjoyed as I began to work through the set. It is comprehensive, with a number of rare recordings. However, as my journey continued, I noticed issues with the transfer. While these issues are not pervasive, and they do not wreck the set, it's clear that the engineers did not monitor the settings, leading to occasional and momentary distortion. (The crushing blow, to me, was a crackling during the climax of Nessun' Dorma.) If you listen to digital copies of these same operas, the distortion is, thankfully, absent...but that defeats the point of having the set.Ultimately, if you lean toward audiophile in your equipment and taste, then I think you'll want to pass on the set. If you're more forgiving about quality, then bringing together so many masterful recordings may tilt the balance in favor of picking it up.
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