Jerry Hadley and Thomas Hampson - Famous Opera Duets Tenor/Bass

This 1992 recording of some really great operatic duets contains really good choices, performed by today's operatic big names with only Jerry Hadley leaving all too soon.Carlo Rizzi was then in his early part of his later illustrious conducting career. You can hear it - he virtually follows the singers along, without much (or less) drama. The Verdian pieces do not sound on fire as they should, but the French pieces and the last operetta piece carry sufficient verve and allure. The Donizetti excerpts are sort of middle of the round in terms of conducting.It is, indeed, the singers' show. Hampson was then at the early onset of his baritone career, and you can hear that, too. The timbre is good but some how lacks the character that he later becomes reknowned for.In fact, the album is largely saved by the marvellous singing of Jerry Hadley, clearly the 'veteran' in this recording's pieces.If you consider Hadley a 'cross-over' tenor, then you must compare him with Andrea Bocelli to see the real big difference.Hadley sings with superb vocal technique, highly intelligent musicianship and owns a timbre that is well-focused and highly flexible. His intonation is right on, and his articulation some thing to be really envied about, as fully demonstrated in the Italian, French and German excerpts in this recording.In 1992, Hadley was approaching his vocal prime, and you can hear the utmost vocal ease and expressivity that were being put into his tenor parts here. The tone is sweet and full, highly elastic with an exceptionally focused in sound, the best sounding lyrical tenor after Alfredo Kraus.It is a real pity that Hadley left all too soon. He would have been one of the greatest lyrical tenors of the turn of this century.

Jerry Hadley's death was a loss to Opera, and I always loved his work. Hampson is superb. But I somehow just couldn't get "into" this collection. Opera should be "seen." As lovely as the Pearl Fishers selection is, I prefer my recording of Jussi Bjorling and Robert Merrill. This is not to denigrate this collection. It's fine. I just probably wasn't in the mood for it.

These are two of the most famous modern performers.Thomas Hampson is only equaled by Samuel Ramey.Sadly Jerry Hadley was one of the brightest stars,who left us to soon.Together in performing Bizet's Pearl Fishers is probably worth the price of the album.This was the only site I could find this album.thank youXw

Good recording and received in fine condition.

This is, quite simply, one of the finest albums of operatic duets I have ever heard. The tenor Jerry Hadley (1952-2007) and the baritone Thomas Hampson, occasional partners on the opera stage, were friends in real life. In 1992 they teamed up to record nine operatic duets for tenor and baritone. On the album Hampson is in especially suave voice, while Hadley's creamy tenor was at its very peak -- but what makes the album extraordinary is that both singers treat each duet like a true dramatic scene; never are they "merely vocalizing." This is particularly true of Hadley, who always brought an actor's intelligence to everything he sang. Such care for the dramatic context makes even the ubiquitous "PEARL FISHERS' duet" and "Mimi, tu piu non torni" from LA BOHEME (presented here, fittingly, with their expositional recitatives) sound fresh and new. The other seven duets are either somewhat obscure or not frequently excerpted, and all receive first-class performances. This is a CD to treasure.

I had never heard of Jerry Hadley prior to seeing an ad in one of the auctions. I bought the CD and became an instant lover of Hadley's voice. I am a Michael Crawford fan and also admire Michael Feinstein. Carreras and other greats have their places. Why didn't I hear about Hadley earlier?I acquired this CD also on auction. Listening to it one thought came to mind. Sometimes two = better than one. The interplay and synergy displayed by tenor Hadley and baritone Hampson is marvelous. This CD represents a case where two voices = a four-power recording. The works should all be savoured.Which of the nine tracks do I enjoy the most? All nine is not an acceptable answer. I admire the opening Puccini excerpt from La Boheme. Bizet's selection from Les Pecheurs de peries can stand with any. My favorite has to be the Strauss selection from Die Fledermous. Hadley and Hampson are more Broadway-type opera singers. Their duet in Die Fledermous may only be 3.36. You might put this track alone on repeat.I highly recommend the CD. Maybe you will find other tracks more desirable than #1 (Pucinni), #5 (Bizet) and #9 (Johann Strauss). Try this. Maybe I will have to re-listen. That would be such sweet joy. It is going to be my next CD played (again and again). Enjoy.

Although Jerry Hadley may not have the reputation of some of the world's other great tenors, his voice is truly beautiful and his straightforward, unegotistical style is refreshing. Everything about this disc is perfect, it is superbly recorded, the orchestration is just right, and the two singers (Hampson is, as he always is, masterful) blend flawlessly. The Pearl Fishers Duet, taken at a relatively leisurely pace, is absolutely riveting for its sheer beauty and probably ranks with the great recordings ever of this masterpiece.

Hadley and Hampson at their peak, singing and interpreting with aplomb a generous selection of duets, some little-known. The Welsh orchestra under Rizzi are excellent and well-balanced with the singers. Plot summaries but no texts. Never mind.....a treat.

Beautiful record. Outstanding. Arrived ahead of time in perfect condition

Never particularly cared for complete disks of duets, but this particular disk has made a positive impact - well worth a listen.

Diese CD gefällt mir sehr gut. Hier treffen zwei wunderschöne Stimmen aufeinander. Das Repertoire ist breit,z. B. das Freundschaftsduett aus Don Carlos, das Duett aus den Perlenfischern etc., alles in allem ein gelungener Opernabend.