The Three Tenors were an operatic singing group during the 1990s and early 2000s, consisting of Spaniards Plácido Domingo and José Carreras, and Italian Luciano Pavarotti. The trio began their collaboration with a performance at the ancient Baths of Caracalla in Rome, Italy, on 7 July 1990, the eve of the 1990 FIFA World Cup Final, watched by a global television audience of around 800 million. The image of three tenors in formal evening dress singing in a World Cup concert captivated the global audience. The recording of this debut concert became the best-selling classical album of all time and led to additional performances and live albums. They performed to a global television audience at three further World Cup Finals: 1994 in Los Angeles, 1998 in Paris, and 2002 in Yokohama. They also toured other cities around the world, usually performing in stadiums or similar large arenas to huge audiences. They last performed together at an arena in Columbus, Ohio, on 28 September 2003.
The Three Tenors repertoire ranged from opera to Broadway to Neapolitan songs and pop hits. The group’s signature songs included “Nessun dorma” from Puccini’s opera Turandot, usually sung by Pavarotti, and the ballad “O Sole Mio”, which all three tenors typically sang together.
Carreras Domingo Pavarotti in Concert (re-released as The Three Tenors in Concert) is a live album by José Carreras, Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti with conductor Zubin Mehta. The album was recorded on 7 July 1990 in Rome as the first Three Tenors concert with the orchestra of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and the orchestra of Teatro dell’Opera di Roma on the evening before the 1990 FIFA World Cup Final. It was produced by Gian Carlo Bertelli and Herbert Chappell.
The concert is particularly known for the two recordings of “Nessun dorma”. The first is sung by Pavarotti alone. The second, the concert encore, includes all three tenors singing individually and then, for the final ‘Vincerò!’ singing together – conductor Zubin Mehta appeared completely delighted with the effect this had. (wikipedia)
The Three Tenors with Zubin Mehta:
I grew up listening to opera and Italian music, but never appreciated it. After all, Led Zeppelin, Clapton, and the Eagles were more of my generation. However, when I heard this CD 16 years ago, I never stopped listening. I’m on my 4th copy and give it as a gift all the time. Pavarotti needs no description – truly a voice from the universe. Domingo is strong & secure in his voice. Carreras was very ill during this concert and I noticed some reviewers said his voice wasn’t as exceptional as the other 2. It was, given his health at the time. And the orchestra – omg, the orchestra!!! I’ve listened to this so long, I can tune out the voices and listen to the orchestra on its own – magnificent!!!! This CD will awaken you to the beauty of music and voice. The song selection is comfortable for experienced opera listeners, and non-experienced as well. Try it. If you don’t like it, pass it forward. The receiver may just love it for you. (Bostonian)
Personnel:
José Carreras – Plácido Domingo – Luciano Pavarotti
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Maggio Musicale Fiorentino Orchestra / Teatro dell’Opera di Roma Orchestra
conducted by Zubin Mehta
Tracklist:
01. José Carreras: È la solita storia (Lamento Di Federico) (Cilea) 4.21
02. Plácido Domingo: O paradis (Meyerbeer) 3.11
03. Luciano Pavarotti: Recondita armonia (Puccini) 2.37
04. Plácido Domingo: Dein ist mein ganzes Herz (Lehár) 3.36
05. Luciano Pavarotti: Rondine al nido (De Crescenzo) 3.34
06. José Carreras: Core ‘ngrato (Cardillo) 3.27
07. Luciano Pavarotti: Torna a Surriento (de Curtis) 2.52
08. José Carreras: Granada (Lara) 3.41
09. Plácido Domingo: No puede ser (Sorozábal) 2.44
10. José Carreras: Improvviso (Giordano) 5.11
11. Plácido Domingo: E lucevan le stelle (Puccini) 2.40
12. Luciano Pavarotti: Nessun dorma (Puccini) 3.05
13. The Three Tenors: Maria / Tonight / ‘O Paese d’ ‘o sole 5.30
14. The Three Tenors: Memory / Ochi tchorniye / Caminito / La Vie en rose 6.52
15. The Three Tenors: Mattinata / Wien, Wien, nur du allein / Amapola / ‘O sole mio 8.07
16. The Three Tenors: O sole mio (di Capua) 2.54
17. The Three Tenors: Nessun dorma (Puccini) 3:30
Tracks 13–15 are part of a song medley. Tracks 16 and 17 are encores.
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