Opera
Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias
Carafa: Masaniello (Naxos)
A pleasing world premiere recording of Carafa’s lively, tuneful but ultimately incongruous score [MP]
Handel: Giulio Cesare (C Major)
This very fine cast, conductor and orchestra need a far better thought-out vehicle to support them [SGa]
Vivaldi: Motezuma (Dynamic)
(Déjà Review) Visually compelling and aesthetically satisfying [JLZ]
Wagner: Parsifal (Challenge Classics)
(Déjà Review) Well cast, well paced, a real sense of theatrical drama [GD]
Handel: Giulio Cesare in Egitto (Linn Records)
The complete 1724 version in a fine performance [DF]
Puccini: Turandot (Decca)
Decca’s Turandot, newly remastered, is a magnificent achievement [JQ]
Donizetti: Maria Stuarda (Naxos)
A fine effort which succeeds on almost every level [MP]
Donizetti: Marino Faliero (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) A rare outing for this fine score receives a good performance [JZ]
Britten: Albert Herring (Pristine Audio)
An enjoyable trip back in time to the American premiere [MP]
Gounod: Faust (Pristine Audio)
A notable document preserving the epitome of French style in sound remarkable for a recording nearly a century old [RMo]
Bortniansky: Creonte (Toccata Classics)
An interesting curiosity uncovered after two centuries. The recording itself is a survivor of the challenges imposed by the war in Ukraine [MP]
Wagner: Die Walküre (Pristine Audio)
While far from perfect, this is a strangely compelling version with much that is worth hearing [MP]
Gilbert & Sullivan: Trial by Jury; Hession: A Matter of Misconduct! (Opus Arte)
A sparkling musical take on legal and governmental follies [RW]
Mussorgsky: Boris Godunov (Opus Arte)
(Déjà Review) The young Bulgarian bass Orlin Anastassov will surely grow into one of the great interpreters of Boris [RJF]
Tchaikovsky: The Queen of Spades (Opus Arte)
(Déjà Review) Tells the story compellingly with excellent singing and playing from everyone [ST]
Leonard Bernstein Conducts Wagner (Gala)
Extended extracts from three Wagner operas showcasing Bernstein and a trio of great American Wagner singers in top form [RMo]
Giordano: Marina (Decca)
A taut, highly dramatic and skilfully crafted verismo melodrama, which certainly justifies its revival [RMo]
Gounod: Faust (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) This Rizzi set trumps its competitors in many ways, not least the singing of Hadley and Gasdia [GF]
The Republic of Love. Opera and Political Freedom (Oxford University Press)
A philosopher takes a thought-provoking and timely look at opera [DHa]
Salieri: Il mondo alla rovescia (Dynamic)
(Déjà Review) A fascinating work in a pleasing debut recording [GPu]
Wagner: Operatic Excerpts (Naxos Historical)
(Déjà Review) Reference pointers to incandescent live performances which, incredibly, take the drama and even the sound to a higher level [DH]
Vaughan Williams: Riders to the Sea (EMI Classics)
RVW’s dark, atmospheric Irish tragedy and two works lamenting and celebrating the power of love [RMo]
Mozart: Arias (Deutsche Grammophon)
One of the most thrilling bass recitals that has come my way [GF]
Mozart: Cosi fan tutte (C Major)
A rehearsal-room Così fan tutte that doesn’t ignite [DHa]
