Jose Cura - Puccini Arias / Domingo

I've purchased many CDs featuring the world's greatest tenors, including several of Jose Cura's CDs. I find his "Puccini" CD absolutely my all time favorite. The selction of arias is perfect. Often, on CDs there are pieces I grow tired of, not so with Cura's Puccini CD. Each and every selection I could listen to a hundred times and not grow tired of it. My most favorites on this CD are the 5 Manon Lescaut selections. Of those, #18, when he begs to be allowed to be taken on to the ship, even if as a cabin boy, to stay near Manon, one can totally feel the emotion. Even more so in #19 'Senti, amor mio...' when he begs her to respond to his words as he returns and finds her near death and then the final "Oh my love, ah Manon" rendered in a final sob of agony, followed by orchestral music that in its sweetness is equally gut wrenching.This is my answer to "If I could have only one CD ...".

I watched a Cura TV special on Ovation just recently. I was impressed with the power of Jose's voice. He sings with an intensity rarely seen in current opera. While it is true that his style is very dark, I think that is the attraction for many opera fans. His voice sounds the same no matter what part he is singing from, be it head or chest. At this jucture, I beleive this is the best tenor that I have heard in a long time.To the folks who think this voice is too dark; This is an opera singer, not a studio musician. I would like to pose a question to you that my instructor to posed to me. When you are in a theater, full of people and must project over the orchestra, how soft is Pianissimo?If he continues to take care of his voice, we can look forward to many years of great tenor arias.

Not quite what I expected.

I so liked the duets with Sarah Brightman and Jose Cura. "Show me how to love you"was terrific that I expected the same type of great performance.

Cura and Puccini - what a great team!

I don't get all the criticism. This a powerful and nuanced interpretation of Puccini's famous Arias. Gutsy. Full of emotion and color. You will not be disappointed.

Jose Cura has a great voice, but emotion I expect opera to elicit is lacking.

I am extremely disappointed in this because I was not familiar with the singer "Jose' Cura" and he is not good at all in my opinion. I bought it because it shows Placido Domingo as the conductor, but it was really difficult to listen to the album because of the poor quality singing from Jose' Cura.

A most pleasing collection, exceptionally well sung and with his own personal touches. Individually, the renditions (while bettered by many of the recordings of great tenors) have a lovely impact on the listener. This is one of the best collections of the very modern tenors I have heard. The excellent sound quality is also evident on all tracks. A 'must buy'.

I bought this as 20 years ago Jose Cura was considered the successor to Placido Domingo.I also bought the Jonas Kaufmann Puccini arias as he, too, is considered the successor to Domingo.The comparison has been entertaining.

My favourite Cura - wonderful songs

A great singer and a geat disc

Excellent.