Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti: The Three Tenors in Concert / Mehta
Magic was created one starlit night in July 1990, whenLuciano Pavarotti,Placido DomingoandJosé Carrerasmet onstage at the Baths of Caracalla in Rome and becametheThree Tenors. They eschewed competitive instincts and cooperated in the spirit of mutual admiration to create one of the greatest musical events ever. This concert is an awe-inspiring orgy of the greatest hits for the tenor voice. Domingo and Pavarotti sing perfectly. The audience wins as these vocal supermen compete to seduce the hearts of the audience. One moment Domingo brings thrilling fire and pain to "E lucevan le stelle" fromTosca; the next,  Pavarotti rises to heavenly heights in an inspired rendition of "Nessun  dorma" fromTurandot. Carreras is the competent little brother, one step behind the greatness of the big brothers from opera's Ponderosa. His singing isn't as captivating as that of the big boys; but his enthusiasm and passion are unrivaled. Mehta exquisitely captures the largeness of this bonanza through the grandiose orchestra.--Barbara Eisner Bayer