The 3 Tenors in Concert 1994

On July 16, 1994, the moon shines down on Los Angeles to reveal an astounding sight: Dodger Stadium is transformed from ballpark to concert hall, where some of the most gifted artists of our time gather to enthrall an audience. The conjunction of these stellar performers in concert creates a kind of spontaneous combustion, a brilliant explosion radiating an excitement rarely seen in the world of classical music. And they come together not only as colleagues, but also as friends - and friendly competitors.

I say this as a huge classical music and opera enthusiast, I loved this and consider one of the most memorable experiences of this kind that I've seen.

First of all we have three great tenors. Placido Domingo has always been my personal favourite of the three, not only does he have a wonderful voice but he is also very versatile and is an outstanding actor. Save a few exceptions I have been known to not like Luciano Pavarotti's acting finding he stood there and sang often, that said his voice is so unique and powerful and his personality and smile infectious I am also fond of him, also of the three tenors Pavarotti has the most effortless high Cs. Jose Carreras is my least favourite of the three because I am not as familiar with him mainly, and like Pavarotti while I am not a fan of his acting sometimes I love his voice and dashing presence.

All three men are in great voice, they show great presence on stage and every single one of their renditions are memorable. The orchestra is absolutely wonderful, and Zubin Mehta conducts with finesse. It is also nostalgic and perhaps even poignant to also see Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra in the audience.

The concert is also beautifully shot, with very good photography, while the venue is really quite spectacular. Aside from the performing, the music is a big factor of why this is so good. All of it is amazing and wonderfully performed by all three tenors and by the orchestra and Mehta, but for me the standouts are Nessun Dorma and particularly Granada.

Overall, brilliant and one of the most memorable concerts I have seen not just in a while but ever, up there with Bryn and Cecilia at Glyndebourne and the Domingo/Milnes Met Gala Concert. 10/10 Bethany Cox

I have seen/heard "The Three Tenors" (Carreras · Domingo · Pavarotti) in other venues such as Rome and they were just as good as in this presentation. Yet that does not distract from this excellent production from Dodger Stadium in 1994.

We start with Zubin Mehta and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Chorus singing "Star-Spangled Banner." As the camera scans the audience, it looks more like a Republican convention. We are also moved.

As each tenor comes out in order of relevance you get the feeling that their opening salvo is their best. That feeling soon gives way as you find they only get better with each appearance. Moreover, it is so carried away that it looks like he would forget his job as a conductor.

Most of the classical presentations on this DVD show titles or subtitles of the individual piece you are about to hear. However, there are a lot of contemporary songs and musicals that they assume we know and do not show the subtitles to what we hear. In some cases, this can be fun as we wait until the popular part of the song and say, "Oh now I remember that one."

I will not go through the whole repertoire. Everyone has his or her favorites and I am sure to miss that in this review. Some of the highlights include: "With a Song in my Heart" (Rogers) "I did it my Way" (look to the audience) "Moon River" "Granada" "Nessun Dorma" Turandot / Act 3 (more than once) "Those Were the Days" "America" (brings tears to my eyes) "Singing in the Rain" (check out the audience again) "Brazil"

When they got around to singing "Dein Ist Mein Ganzes Herz" I had a distinct feeling that they were better at pronouncing German than they were English. This may be because they are more familiar with the songs and practice them. In any event, even though you can compare the tenors' none of them were lacking at any point in this presentation.

This tape (now DVD) features three of the most famous opera singers of their day. In this concert, they perform individually and collectively. At least two of these three, maybe all three, are considered by some as technically better singers than Andrea Bocelli, but I'll take the latter. I mention him because listening to him got me interested enough in watching this concert.

It's almost two hour hours of music so if you like these gentlemen, you certainly get your money's worth out of this tape (now disc). I found it somewhat boring, but I am not an opera fan and I take nothing away from the great talents of these singers. The lack of colorful or exciting visuals dampened my enthusiasm somewhat. It's just straight camera shots of the guys singing, nothing special to make you watch this. It's just as well being a CD where you can do something while you listen.

Filmed in Los Angeles, two big stars were seated in the front row and the boys did a special number for each: "My Way," for Frank Sintra, and "Singin' In the Rain," for Gene Kelly. The latter didn't look good, sad to say, and died within two years of this taping.

Overall, I would suggest to buy the CD instead.

I missed this when it was originally on television, but bought the VHS tape later. I just played it again for the first time in about two years, and enjoyed it every bit as much anew. Even if a person were not particularly a fan of the tenor voice, or of the major symphony orchestra with a great conductor and superb chorus - he/she could still not fail to enjoy this presentation.

Zubin Mehta is arguably the greatest conductor of our time (only a couple of others would be on the list from which to choose), and the three tenors - Carreras, Domingo and Pavarotti - are among the greatest ever.

Along with the classical, operatic presentations, Domingo's unrivaled singing of "Granada" is a show-stopper. There are popular presentations as well, and in one medley, their deliveries of "My Way" and "Singin' in the Rain," are worth the price of the tape alone. Added, is the recognition of Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, seated with their wives in the front row. This concert was about four years before Sinatra passed away, and he looked great, hale and hearty. However, Gene Kelly, obviously weakened from his stroke, in what was surely his last public appearance, died after further stroke complications just a year-and-a-half following.

It was nostalgic and sad at the same time, seeing these two icons enjoying perhaps the most famous numbers in their respective careers, which literally contained hundreds between them. Very sad to see Gene Kelly in his weakened condition, while remembering this athletic, vigorous performer's great body of work.

The setting of this performance - Dodger Stadium on a gorgeous evening - and the glimpses of entertainment and political celebrities in attendance, add a measure of further enjoyment.