Opera

This must now become first choice for the original version [RMo]

Undemanding delight, witty repartee, romantic enchantment [RB]

A disappointing version of a disappointing work [SB]

The best Tosca released in the past half-century [GF]

(Déjà Review) A good place to start if you do not know Rameau’s fascinating operas [RH]

Revelatory and thoroughly engrossing [DF]

A tour de force from the leading dramatic soprano of the modern age [PH]

A valiant effort all-around but the cast is largely disappointing in vocal accomplishment [MP]

This issue must now be the top recommendation for this classic historic performance [GF]

A late satiric opera by Antheil, splendidly realised, devoid of Bad Boy but not devoid of spice and wit [JW]

(Déjà Review) All lovers of the bel canto genre will want to add this well-packaged and presented performance to their collection [RJF]

Utopia, dreams, rituals: the essence of Tippett in his final opera [PH]

A comic Czech opera recorded in 1959 heard for the first time in stereo [JW]

A thrilling live performance, worth hearing, if not the last word in Nilsson/Corelli versions of Turandot [PT]

Quite similar recordings, both with many but different strengths, so difficult to choose between [RMo]

(Déjà Review) May not outdo the competition completely but belongs up there among the best [GF]

Valuable both for the singing of Fagioli and for the rare repertoire that has been rescued for posterity after two centuries of neglect [GF]

This production does not quite support the opinion that Doktor Faust is one of the great operas [RWe]

Wolf-Ferrari’s charming one act opera in an excellent performance which will do very nicely [PT]

By general consensus, the essential Norma recording, now in a superior transfer [RWe]

(Déjà Review) A dramatically vivid performance of the Neapolitan version of Cavalli’s opera [RH]

Five stars for Pristine’s sound rejuvenation but apart from Callas, the performance doesn’t live up to the quality of the transfer [MP]

This complements but does not replace Opus Arte’s 2018 filmed performance [RWe]

(Déjà Review) A very welcome DVD release of one of English National Opera’s finer achievements [JL]