I bought this CD as a birthday present for my father and haven't actually heard the content myself. But because I ordered it, Amazon have prompted me to write a review. Certainly the feedback I'm getting is excellent and my Dad has derived hours of listening pleasure from it.

This CD is absolutely amazing. The recording is really nice and contains all the great classics you could ask for. His voice and technique are unbelievable. Best purchase of the year up till now.

This is a representative collection of several recordings made by Franco Corelli in the 1960s, which the "very best" phrase does not even begin to describe in terms of his matchless technique and distinctive interpretation. Very well selected to give you an image in a nutshell of Corelli's singing, most arias are out of some of his signature roles in operas such as Il Trovatore, Aida, Norma, Pagliacci, Andrea Chenier, and so on.

But there is more, for instance two arias from lyric roles that were out of his fach: on CD 1, track 1 brings Bellini's "A te, o cara," where you will hear Corelli, who was in his element conveying tragic feelings, transmitting serenity with unbelievable power.

And on CD 2, track 6, Donizetti's "Favorita del Re!," you'll listen to a singularly spinto rendition of this aria, where he employs the vocal emission that sounded "mysteriously melancholic" to Karajan.

Perhaps a most intriguing piece is his singing Ave Maria by Schubert, who originally wrote it as a German Lied (art song) to be sung by a soprano; later, the words of the Latin prayer were put to Schubert's music. But this is a different version, with lyrics in Italian: NOT the translation of the German maiden's plight, NOT the translation of the Latin prayer, either. Rather, it is the prayer of the suffering human soul that "chiede merce" (begs for mercy). Listen to Corelli's love-sounding "Dio" (God). Unfortunately, a chorus of white voices that do not belong with Corelli is included.

When I first heard M. Corelli's voice in a sound sample online I was astounded at its power. But when I heard my favorite arias on this compilation I had to laugh. "Nessun Dorma" is pronounced "Nethum Dorma".."Recitar.." is pronounced "Rethithar!.." and so on. The sheer power of the man's voice cannot be denied. I thought maybe it was me or the CD or my system but then I was told that Corelli's lisp was well known. I am somewhat new to classical and find it hard to believe no one else among Amazon's reviewers has noticed this. Admittedly it is tough to notice on some songs but on others such as "Recondita Armonia" and "Nessun Dorma" it is comical. The opening lines of "Celeste Aida" are downright funny. I still have to respect the power and majesty of a god given voice, maybe the most powerful I have ever heard, hence the 3 stars, but even the most rabid fans have to admit some of these songs sound like spoofs of what they're supposed to be.

This is a nice introduction to Franco Corelli.
Great music, nice arrangements but be careful, you
will get hooked on Corelli!