The Opera Band | Georges Bizet, Antonin Dvorak, ... | This group isn't a crossover, it's a...

The Opera Band | Georges Bizet, Antonin Dvorak, ... | Absolutely Gorgeous

classical music:

The Opera Band

	The Opera Band Georges Bizet, Antonin Dvorak, ... RCA Victor, 2004 average customer review:based on 65 reviews view larger image
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highly recommended

This group isn't a crossover, it's a transcendence ... if only there were 10 stars to give!

As an Emotional Intelligence coach, I'm well aware of the abilities of music - the right kind of music - to transport us, soothe and delight us, and even to bolster our immune system. We convert the right kind of music (as Pythagorus knew) into brain waves, and if it's alpha you're after, or even deeper, this is the CD for you. It's no wonder the Greeks made the god of music the god of healing as well.

While the reviewer says we don't need another version of "Nessun Dorma," I beg to differ. We needed this one, and I've heard a few. The voices are magnificent, and the orchestration is just the way I would've done it, and I hope Puccini would have as well.

As someone who 'discovered' "Unchained Melody" long before, long before ... this version transcends them all. One of the most beautiful melodies ever written, and especially impacting if you understand the circumstances behind its creation, the Opera Band does it justice. It only needed to be called "Senza Catene" and put to Italian, which, as George V felt, is the language for speaking to men. Spanish to talk to God, French to talk to the soldiers, and German to talk to one's horse - :-)

"Whisper of Angels" -- it's the quintessential falling-in-love song. The lyrics -- "I was yours before the first morn broke..." ... "I'll be the shadows at twilight ..."

My favorite, if I must name one, "Prayer in the Night." Mssr. Nick Garret, our talented bass, has a way of anchoring the pain you'll never forget, as he does in "Senza Catene." If you're a bass-lover, like I am, listen up. They never get the good arias ... until now.

Buy the album and enjoy. It's probably good for your health!

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Absolutely Gorgeous

This is an absolutely beautiful CD. I played this at a dinner party and it appealed to a variety of ages and people who hadn't been exposed to this style of music. Some songs literally bring tears to my eyes. Great CD

The Opera Band , Bravo!

"Amici Forever" is a quintet of opera voices: two Tenors, two Sopranos and a Bass/Baritone. Together they blend the kind of music one might expect to hear in heaven. Both of their CDs are worth more than they cost.

Opera for a new generation!

This quintet of gorgeous young singers from Europe and South Africa bring opera to a new generation who is so familiar with pop bands and pop singers. Their looks alone are enough to turn heads as well as their voices which blend well. I've seen Amici Forever perform live and the choreography and sets really bring a fresh perspective to what most people would think of as stuffy old opera. Each singer takes turns singing lead vocals on each song and they don't over power each other's vocals like Il Divo.
Definitely give this album a try!

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poor mac users :(

It's all right I guess. I've bought the album today, and just finished listening to it. It's an all right album. All I can say after the first listen is the whole album sounds a bit monotonous. There are some variety, but not as extensive as you woudl expect from a group of artists with obviously a lot of talent amongst them. I'm not talking about the pieces performed per se, just the way that each piece are tackled. I am not an opera buff. I have a couple of untrained ears that have a soft spot for classical crossover music. So I can't say in technical terms what i found monotonous in the album, just that it does.

I got a jolt of surprise though... The 'Pavane' piece, Whisper of Angels, had the same kind of melody as Charlotte Church's Dream a Dream. I didnt know that Dream a Dream was derived from Faure's Pavane. The stuff you learn...

What I found really annoying though, that's why Im only giving it 3 stars although the music was all right for me, is the fact that it won't play in apple computers. Now, I know mac users are in the minority, but I happen to be one, and I'm not able to listen to it from my laptop, nor from my iPod so I predict that this album won't get much playtime from me. Which is a shame becuase i'm pretty sure Id like this even more after repeated listens.

So for those who are thinking of purchasing this album, just note that little peculiarity and... decide!

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