Carmen - Gheorghiu, Alagna, Hampson, Plasson

I bought this for my Dad as it is one of his favourite operas and I had recently read an article about Gheorghiiu. He was delighted.

Excellent collection including our favourite artist Angela

Excellent buy

Angela Gheorghiu is a first-class Carmen, in the same league with the renditions by Callas, Price, Berganza, and Norman (with the notable plus that her timbre and beauty of tone are superior to those of these four divas). It is interesting to observe that even though she is a soprano, her technical skill coupled with her vocal attributes - especially the smokey lower register and the ability to seamlessly descend into chest notes - make her a much better Carmen than any of her contemporaries, mezzo-sopranos like Garanca included!By the way, EMI is releasing a new package of this production - a 10 year anniversary - that is only about 14 dollars. It should be available from March 26, 2013 onwards.

Buyer beware! This is merely a highlights CD, altho there is absolutely no indication anywhere on the Amazon page that would tell you so. Nice music, tho, and great singing - just not enough of it!