Nápoles

Seven complete operas starring the magnificent Montserrat Caballé - great live opera recordings at budget price in one space-saving set! Exciting live recordings taped 1965-1975! Along with Maria Callas ("La Divina"), and Joan Sutherland ("La Stupenda"), Montserrat Caballé (b. 1933) took her place as one of the Big Three sopranos of the second half of the 20th century. When Caballé made her New York debut in 1965, she was instantly heralded as "La Superba," a sure sign she had reached the pinnacle of diva fame. Caballé was especially noted for her pure legato, effortless phrasing, and ability to float soft high notes of breathtaking beauty. Her generosity and down-to earth humor have endeared her to her fans. In 1987, she astonished classical and pop fans alike by recording a duet of the song Barcelona with the rock star Freddie Mercury of the rock group Queen.

Corazón is Carlos Santana's first album for a major label since 2002's Shaman. It marks his reunion with executive producer Clive Davis, who masterminded 1999's multi-platinum Supernatural. Billed by RCA as his "first Latin album," Corazón is the studio counterpart to the guitarist's HBO Latino concert special that featured his band performing with a host of Latin music superstars in his native Mexico. The singing was (as it is here) mostly in Spanish. For the most part, Santana actually sounds hungry again. His studio band is filled with killers, including drummer Dennis Chambers, timbalero Karl Perazza, and conguero Raul Rekow. Opener "Saideira" features his trademark tone in a passionate, stinging, gritty exchange with vocalist Samuel Rosa, from the Brazilian rock and reggae band Skank. Jittering, insistent horns and layers of percussion push both men to escalate the battle. Juanes lends his soulful croon to first single "La Flaca." It's got an anthemic hook with layers of backing vocals framing Santana's tight and tasty solos.