Opera
Reviews of full operas as well as collections and recitals of arias
Il castrato del granduca – Arias for Gaetano Berenstadt (Glossa)
A highly interesting collection of rare baroque arias [GF]
Mozart: Don Juan (Narodowy Institut Fryderyka Chopin)
A fine performance of an oddball Bizet curiosity, but Mozart’s orchestration and vocal variety are sorely missed [MZ]
Strauss, Johann Jr.: Die Fledermaus (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) A vocally definitive version [RMK]
Rodwell: Jack Sheppard (Retrospect Opera)
A problematic genre gives a reviewer problems [JW]
Cherubini: Medea (RCA)
(Déjà Review) A mouth-watering cast gives a memorable performance [CF]
Ekaterina Siurina (soprano) Where Is My Beloved? (Delos)
I have enjoyed hearing this praiseworthy collection of ten celebrated opera arias [MC]
Verdi: I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata (BR Klassik)
The choral singing is first class, but the soloists are disappointing; the two old Gardelli recordings are better [GF]
Wolf-Ferrari: I quatro rusteghi (Rubicon)
An odd and at times rather sharp-edged and disconcerting satirical comedy [RMo]
Atterberg: Aladin (cpo)
An interesting operatic curiosity featuring lush writing for the orchestra and chorus [MP]
Giordano: Andrea Chénier (Bayerische Staatsoper Recordings)
This superb version shows the work to be better than its reputation [RWe]
Monteverdi: Stage Works (Apex)
(Déjà Review) Essential listening for all Monteverdi enthusiasts [JF]
Verismo – Preludi e Intermezzi (Onyx)
A disk for all lovers of melodious music with substance; a happy mix, superbly played [GF]
Cherubini: Medea (Pristine Audio)
This recording is an established classic, and should be in every decent opera collection, especially in this newest incarnation [GF]
Puccini: Manon Lescaut (Pristine Audio)
A jewel of a recording, splendidly remastered by Pristine [MP]
Donizetti: Don Pasquale (Opus Arte)
Well received when launched, with good singing and staging, this problematic production treats the title role unsympathetically [RWe]
Puccini: The Great Puccini (Deutsche Grammophon)
Yes – we are hearing something special here [RMo]
Lully: Thésée (Aparté)
Lully’s Thésée sounds glorious in this period-instrument performance [MC]
Humperdinck: Königskinder (Naxos)
An enjoyable production of Humperdinck’s King’s Children, beautifully performed in effective modern staging [EJW]
Cherubini: Medea (Warner Classics)
(Déjà Review) The set should be heard for its documentation of an extraordinary musical meeting [CH]
Ekaterina Siurina (soprano): Where Is My Beloved? (Delos)
A stream of imperturbably sedate tone, virtually devoid of characterisation [RMo]
Puccini: Tosca (Pentatone)
An indifferent Scarpia, so this is not a premier choice, but great singing by Melody Moore and Ștefan Pop [GF]
Weyse: Sovedrikken [The Sleeping Draught] (Dacapo)
(Déjà Review) The score is bright, carries warm harmonies and is fast moving with enjoyable themes, and catchy motifs [RW]
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