Opera
Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias
Bellini: Norma (Pristine Audio)
Five stars for Pristine’s sound rejuvenation but apart from Callas, the performance doesn’t live up to the quality of the transfer [MP]
Puccini: Madama Butterfly (Opus Arte)
This complements but does not replace Opus Arte’s 2018 filmed performance [RWe]
Dvořák: Rusalka (Arthaus Musik)
(Déjà Review) A very welcome DVD release of one of English National Opera’s finer achievements [JL]
Verdi: Simon Boccanegra (Opera Rara)
A great recording of a classic of the Verdi canon in its original version [PH]
Massenet: Hérodiade (Naxos)
An exciting and well sung account of Massenet’s biblical opera [RWe]
Boito: Nerone (Dynamic)
A fine presentation of Boito’s unjustly neglected opera [WK]
Massenet: Le mage (Bru Zane)
This revival of a rare Massenet opera is compromised by a lack of melodic memorability and some less than ingratiating singing [rmo]
Mozart: Mitridate, Re di Ponto (C Major)
Very high musical standards are let down by a disappointing production [MP]
Handel: Lotario (Naxos)
A thoroughly enjoyable, very well sung and played – if rather small-scale – performance of a neglected Handel opera [RMo]
Weber: Overtures (Naxos)
(Déjà Review) Delicate contrasts of mood and bright clear recording [RW]
Gluck: Iphigénie en Aulide (Alpha Classics)
A very fine new account of a neglected great opera [RWe]
Handel: Ópera Viva (IBS Classical)
Underwhelming singing compromises the attractiveness of this medley of Handel numbers from his operas played in strict period style [RMo]
Turnage: Greek (Decca)
(Déjà Review) Whether uncomfortable or not this remains essential listening for lovers of contemporary music theatre [TH]
Verdi: Il trovatore (Pristine Audio)
This Pristine remastering is now the best option for hearing a classic, vintage account [RMo]
Donizetti: Roberto Devereux (Naxos)
The cast as a whole makes this the best set so far [GF]
Saimir Pirgu (tenor): Saimir (Opus Arte)
A recital of popular mostly verismo arias, but the singing leaves a great deal to be desired [PT]
Getty: Goodbye, Mr. Chips (Pentatone)
A touching opera, finely sung, permeated by deep humanity [GF]
Telemann: Ino (cpo)
Telemann’s dramatic cantata “Ino” alongside an attractive selection of his opera arias [CRo]
Bizet: Carmen (Pristine Audio)
Pristine Audio newly preserves Le Conte’s achievement in making Carmen as crisp and light as a freshly made churro [MP]
Janáček: Jenufa (Erato)
(Déjà Review) A fine record of a great series of performances, particularly memorable for Karita Mattila in the title role and the playing of the Royal Opera House Orchestra [RH]
Paer: Sofonisba (Opera Rara)
A wholly admirable performance of a significant opera composer who was active immediately before Rossini [RJF]
Teatro La Fenice Opera Collection Vol 1 (Dynamic)
A mixed bag of operatic performances from La Fenice contains some unexpected riches, but the choice of repertoire is unusual [PCG]
Martinů: Julietta (Supraphon)
(Déjà Review) Surreal music drama defying operatic convention, illuminated by Martinů’s gorgeous yet poetically fastidious palette [RB]
Debussy: Pelléas et Mélisande (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) A superb rendition of the opera [RMg]
