Puccini: Turandot

This is a very nice package of a fantastic recording of this great opera. Though I was familiar with three or four arias from this work for years, I had never heard the entire piece. Let's face it, a lot of non-"highlight' music in operas can be a bit boring, making it tempting to skip forward to an aria. Not so with this work. It is one of the few operas I've heard so far where I enjoy the entire two-hour score - it is a sonic masterpiece. The music is dramatic, majestic, soaring, rich and, heartbreaking. The clarity of sound is superb, especially on the included High-Fidelity Pure Audio Blu-Ray disc, a format I had never heard (or even heard of) until now. The improvement in sound is most noticeable in the bass sections of the orchestra (which chimes in often), as well as in an overall increase in clarity and, if I can use an ineffable description from the name itself, purity, of sound. It's smooth.This package includes two CDs tucked inside thick plastic polycarbonate sleeves (like the kind some 2-pocket presentation folders are made from) attached securely to the inside front cover and its facing page. The Blu Ray disc is similarly attached to the inside back cover. The ones attached to the covers can be a bit tricky to remove due to there being nothing to grab on to, but at least they don't fall out on their own. What I couldn't quite determine from the picture when I purchased this is that it includes a 230-page, high-quality booklet printed on glossy paper, bound and attached to the binding, so that the whole package is basically a book with the CDs attached to the covers. The book gives the full text of the opera in four side-by-side languages (German, Italian, English and French, in that order, on facing pages), along with a synopsis of the opera, blurbs on Puccini and Pavarotti, and a few pictures from the recording studio.For anyone who already loves this work, this is probably one recording you should own. If you like opera or Puccini in general and enjoy the arias from this work but haven't heard the whole thing, I don't think you'll be disappointed. The music is beautiful and moving throughout. My favorite selection: Non piangere Liu. Stunning. The voices are so pure and clear that you'll feel like you're right there in the opera hall (or, in this case, the recording studio). Highly recommended. The good news is that Decca appears to be releasing more of these all-in-one packages of the key repertoire (L'elisir d'amore and Madama Butterfly are also available).

Aside from being one of the greatest Turandots on record, this is now the finest sounding Turandot of all time. I've long favored this version of Turandot, especially for its excellent sound. Both spectacular and realistic at the same time. At least if one were afforded a seat a few feet above the tenth row center orchestra! But I was unhappy with the first CD reissue. Somehow, they'd sucked the air and ambient sounds out of the recording. This was obvious when comparing them to my fine condition vinyl pressing on two different high end systems. The later CD remastering was good, but still somewhat lacking in air. The blu-ray restores all this and now sounds better than the vinyl. When I got this set I first put on one of the CDs by mistake and thought, this is good but nothing to write home about. But when I noticed my error and put on the Blu-Ray, that was it! Finally all the air and clarity I'd been looking for was back. As well as a cleaner, more consistent sound that even my first rate records.Those who think that the differences between Blu-ray or SACD are not audible compared to a good CD when multi-channel sound is not used should listen to these discs. Anyone who maintains the 2 CDs and the Blu-Ray sound alike must have very poor equipment indeed.A great, great product that is finally worth a premium price. And a testimony to the glories of 20th century Decca opera.

This recording is one of the greatest opera recordings ever made. Great voices. Great performances. I see no need to extol the virtues of this performance further. Every opera lover owes it to themselves to enjoy it in their collection.The main point of this review is to say that the remastered CD sound is a slight improvement over the prior CD. However, the Blu-Ray audio is significantly superior to both -- particularly in terms of clarity,detail, and noise floor. The original CD is a recording I have played many times and use to audition audio equipment as I am quite familiar with it sonically. My wife also commented on the increased clarity and detail audible in the Blu-Ray recording. This was my first "Hi-res" audio purchase, and I was impressed enough with the sound on it that I have subsequently purchased many other opera and classical recordings on Blu Ray audio or SACD. Here's hoping we see many more opera releases in Blu-Ray audio!

Love it!

The best version of Puccini's famous work that I've ever heard. Delivered timely and securely

This has been my favorite opera recording for years. The Blu-ray sound has done the impossible and has made it even better.

Great

This is - as with so many Decca releases - a brilliantly-engineered production with a star cast. Pavarotti vies with Domingo as the best Calaf on record; Sutherland was a controversial choice as Turandot, but gives a good all-round performance; she's not quite as vulnerable as Ricciarelli (for Karajan), but has a more consistent and secure tone throughout. Her part isn't as magical or intelligently-played as Callas (Warner Classics) - but she does benefit from a better all-round cast. Unfortunately, Zubin Mehta lets the side down by galloping through the Imperial scenes at a great rate of knots - but one can (reluctantly) live with this.In my opinion, the ideal recording of Turandot would comprise Karajan conducting Callas and Domingo (or Pavarotti). Sadly, this combo doesn't exist, so if you have to have only one Turandot, the Mehta recording is probably the safest - but do NOT miss the chance to hear Callas singing the part: no one else comes close to her intelligent and deeply perceptive performances. I'd also recommend the Karajan (DG) for its sheer sumptuousness (and Domingo) with the frail Ricciarelli reflecting the vulnerability (behind the mask) of Turandot. Needless to say, I have all three.

One of the best interpretation.Beautifull work, Zubin metha And Pavarotti very good

So glad I purchased this! It is truly a recording for the ages. DECCA have always been concerned with sound quality and this recording is quite wonderful, with deep base and crisp clear highs and voices well recorded and well placed in space. This Blu-ray release demonstrates brilliant talent on both sides of the microphone.

Edizioni esistenti sul mercato da oltre 40 anni, nel tempo in vari formati ed oggi, per rinverdire il mercato forse saturo, la stessa musica su un supporto che ci da la possibilità di ascoltarlo in una qualità migliore.Non discuto sull'interpretazionema posso dire che la confezione è compresa di CD (2 per coprire l'intera durata dell'opera) di blu ray audio e del libretto.Lo consiglio vivamente, per arricchire la propria "discoteca" lirica

Grande Edizione di Turandot ! La Stupenda con la sua voce fa grandi cose ! Pavarotti in stato di grazia Direzione stupenda, un'interpretazione del capolavoro di Puccini 'diversa' da avere, il Bluray ha un suono fantastico ... Supporto nuovo per la musica Da avere anche per chi la conoscesse!