Carreras, Domingo, Pavarotti, Mehta – In Concert

Carreras, Domingo, Pavarotti, Mehta – In Concert

In Concert captures the historic first performance by José Carreras, Plácido Domingo and Luciano Pavarotti, the three world-famous tenors who became known collectively as The Three Tenors. Recorded live in Rome on 7 July 1990, with conductor Zubin Mehta, this landmark concert took place at the ancient Baths of Caracalla on the eve of the FIFA World Cup Final. The album was released in 1990 on Decca/London Records.

The concert brought together three of the most celebrated operatic voices of the late 20th century, accompanied by the Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino and Orchestra del Teatro dell'Opera di Roma under Mehta. Although firmly rooted in opera, the programme moves beyond traditional arias into popular songs, Neapolitan standards and musical theatre, helping establish the Three Tenors as a major classical-crossover phenomenon.

The opening programme gives each singer an opportunity to shine individually. José Carreras begins with Il Lamento Di Federico from Cilea's L'Arlesiana, followed by Plácido Domingo's O Paradis from Meyerbeer's L'Africaine and Luciano Pavarotti's celebrated Recondita Armonia from Puccini's Tosca. The selection continues through works by Lehár, De Curtis, Lara and others, showcasing the contrasting voices and styles of the three tenors.

Among the highlights are Carreras' passionate Granada, Domingo's powerful E Lucevan Le Stelle from Tosca, and Pavarotti's unforgettable rendition of Nessun Dorma from Puccini's Turandot. Pavarotti's performance of Nessun Dorma became particularly associated with the Italia '90 World Cup and subsequently helped turn the aria into one of the best-known pieces of classical music in popular culture.

The second part of the concert moves into the spectacular Finale Medley, bringing Carreras, Domingo and Pavarotti together for a sequence including Maria, Tonight, 'O Paese D' 'O Sole, Cielito Lindo, Memory, Ochi Tchorniye, Caminito and La Vie En Rose. The programme then concludes with two encore performances: 'O Sole Mio and a second rendition of Nessun Dorma.

Recorded on 7 July 1990, the album documents a concert that became one of the defining classical music events of the era. The recording was subsequently reissued under the title The Three Tenors in Concert, while the original In Concert release remains an important document of the trio's first historic collaboration.

An excellent addition for collectors of opera, classical vocal music and Three Tenors recordings, this album brings together three internationally renowned tenors in a programme spanning famous operatic arias, Italian song, musical theatre and popular standards. With Pavarotti, Domingo, Carreras and Zubin Mehta all featured, In Concert is an essential recording from the remarkable classical crossover phenomenon of the early 1990s.

Tracklist

1. José Carreras – Il Lamento Di Federico (È La Solita Storia) – 4:21
2. Plácido Domingo – O Paradis – 3:11
3. Luciano Pavarotti – Recondita Armonia – 2:37
4. Plácido Domingo – Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz – 3:36
5. Luciano Pavarotti – Rondine Al Nido – 3:34
6. José Carreras – Core 'Ngrato – 3:28
7. Luciano Pavarotti – Torna A Surriento – 2:52
8. José Carreras – Granada – 3:41
9. Plácido Domingo – No Puede Ser – 2:44
10. José Carreras – L'Improvviso – 5:11
11. Plácido Domingo – E Lucevan Le Stelle – 2:40
12. Luciano Pavarotti – Nessun Dorma – 3:05

Finale Medley

13. José Carreras, Plácido Domingo & Luciano Pavarotti – Maria / Tonight / 'O Paese D' 'O Sole / Cielito Lindo – 5:30
14. José Carreras, Plácido Domingo & Luciano Pavarotti – Memory / Ochi Tchorniye / Caminito / La Vie En Rose – 6:53
15. José Carreras, Plácido Domingo & Luciano Pavarotti – Mattinata / Wien, Wien, Nur Du Allein / Amapola / 'O Sole Mio – 8:07
16. José Carreras, Plácido Domingo & Luciano Pavarotti – Encore: 'O Sole Mio – 2:54
17. José Carreras, Plácido Domingo & Luciano Pavarotti – Encore: Nessun Dorma – 3:32