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Anyone discovering this album who had never heard or heard of Luciano Pavarotti would immediately recognize greatness, a one-of-a-kind, one-per-generation (maybe) talent and personality that commands attention, respect, and yes, even love. These 35 selections are an astonishing achievement: Taken, for the most part from the tenor's prime--the 1970s and '80s (although there are four earlier and three from 2003)--what we hear is golden tone, impeccable diction, an innate sense of style and line and where the music should be going, absolutely natural phrasing, an evenness of production from C to (shining) C, and an ability to communicate warmth, passion, and the sheer love of music-making. The first CD is devoted to opera, with a dazzling "La donna e mobile," a smooth-as-silk "Una furtive lagrima," the famous aria from "La fille du regiment" with nine high Cs, "Nessun dorma" and many more. The second CD is mostly songs ("Torna a Surriento," "La danza," "O sole mio," etc.) sung with élan and flawless style, plus a couple of ghastly pop tunes (from 2003); to make up for them, we get a bonus--the three arias from Pavarotti's first EP from Decca, recorded in 1964--"E lucevan le stelle" and two arias from Rigoletto. Bravo, Pavarotti--we miss you already. --Robert Levine

User Reviews about Luciano Pavarotti: The Best (Farewell Tour)

We decided to learn more about opera in general, so we bought a bunch of CDs in our attempt to educate ourselves in more depth. This CD helped in that goal. What more can we ask? -- Did what we needed it to

Im not an expert on classical music or opera-just a lover of one of the greatest voices in our history-this cd puts together some of the very best of Pavorotti-its truly great-listen with your eyes closed!! -- Magnificent!

What can you say about Pavarotti that has not already been said, but wow...You will really enjoy this album --just a taste of his work, but some super selections. Some are so stirring you will brought to tears with the magnitude of this mans talent. How he is missed! There is no one like Pavarotti. -- Simply the best...

You will love this 2-disc CD! There are 17 arias on one disc & 18 Italian songs on the second. I thought I'd enjoy the arias best, but they are equally beautiful. They reminded me once again that Pavarotti was a one-of-a-kind. -- world's best tenor

A wonderful compilation from the best tenor of all times! Includes some of his best and outstanding songs! We will always miss him; but, his voice lives on in his music! Great album! -- Wonderful album from the best tenor of all time!