Andrea Bocelli Music:

		List Price: $26.98		Label: Philips Salesrank: 10380 Released: October 14, 2003
		Our Price: $17.99
		Used Price: $8.61
		Media: Audio CD

Editorial Review:
Special Edition includes enhanced CD with bonus tracks and concert DVD.

Description of Sacred Arias [Special Edition with Bonus DVD]:
When he was growing up, Andrea Bocelli recalls finding inspiration in a favorite recording of sacred music performed by tenor legend Franco Corelli. Bocelli--who in the meantime has come to inspire millions of fiercely loyal fans himself--returns to the genre as the guiding theme of Sacred Arias. These performances are filled with the singer's phenomenally well-known vocal signature: his flair for long, sweetly floating high notes and the gentle sense of cadence he brings to a melody. It's a mistake to compartmentalize Bocelli into a singer of "operatic" versus "popular" styles: in truth his approach is at heart the same. Lack of color and control in his phrasing remains a drawback, but the emotional empathy Bocelli evokes is never in doubt. The arias collected here sample some of the most famous devotional pieces: Schubert's "Ave Maria" and Mozart's transporting "Ave Verum," as well as an arrangement of "Silent Night" in which Bocelli tries out his English. There's also a decidedly odd choice of bedfellows for a program of "sacred" music, such as a song from Wagner's Wesendonck Lieder (whose "angel" is the object of an overpoweringly erotic attraction) and Handel's figurative ode to a tree, "Ombra mai fu." Still, Bocelli sings with an unfeigned directness that is sure to expand his already enormous following even further. This new special edition includes two bonus tracks on a CD enhanced with a picture gallery as well as a full-length DVD of Bocelli in concert filmed at the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva in Rome. --Thomas May

Sacred Arias [Special Edition with Bonus DVD] Reviews:
Incredibly beautiful!
2008-07-28 - This CD/DVD combo is a huge bargain and sounds as though the music was coming directly from heaven. The Church in which the concert was held is beautiful, with vaulted ceiling. Highly recommended for serious lovers of sacred arias.

A Great Gift
2008-02-25 - This CD/DVD is great. Timeless music and prayers invites the listener and viewer to appreciate the tradition, the humility, and the human desire to communicate with God. Listening to Ave Maria and Sancta Maria inspires reflection on the relationship of a devoted mother, an approachable intercessor, and her role in the plan of salvation. Panis Angelicus explains the Eucharist as the great equalizer among humans, which offers insight to the great sacrifice being offered in the Mass. The songs celebrating the sacrifice of God incarnate, demonstrates God's Grace and God's invitation into an intimate relationship. The CD/DVD allows the listener to reflect and meditate on the human desire to be in communion with God.

I was greatly moved by it
2008-01-02 - I was greatly moved by this CD. It was just right for Christmas and this holiday season, when emotions and beliefs are usually high! I especially liked the cover and the lyrics of all the songs in the cd. I would recommend it.

Over an hour long! EXCELLENT Production! Great Gift!
2007-10-12 - This is an very high-quality gift for that traditional Roman Catholic person you can't seem to please. (ANYONE would be captivated by this DVD/CD combo, but especially an "old school" Catholic!) Some traditional Catholics feel abandoned by their Church these days, but this beautifully rendered production will thrill them. LISTEN to the tracts, and you'll think of someone who would love it - maybe even you!

A spiritual experience
2003-11-26 - The DVD is the full 77 minute concert with two featurettes previously released alone. The CD is the full 72 minute concert previously released alone, except that two bonus tracks have been added. The audio quality of each one is quite good. (If you have a Dolby Digital stereo, then you must go into the setup menu on the DVD to select Dolby Digital sound. The default music track is the stereo 2.0 sound.) The video quality of the DVD is astonishing.

The DVD gives the feeling that you are in the church with the other worshippers. It literally sends chills up and down my spine. I highly recommend this CD/DVD combination Special Edition while it is still available.